Nitish Kumar lays foundation of country’s first child cancer hospital in Patna

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Patna, Dec 12 (IANS) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the country’s first child cancer hospital, Mahavir Child Cancer Hospital, in Phulwari Sharif town of Patna.

This ambitious project is being spearheaded by the Mahavir Cancer Institute, which already operates two cancer hospitals, and is set to provide free cancer treatment for children up to 18 years.

The child cancer hospital will have the capacity of 100 beds.

It will be an ultramodern, six-storey facility and will be built in an expected time period of 18 months.

The new facility will provide free cancer treatment for children.

The project was launched during a programme commemorating the anniversary of the Mahavir Cancer Institute.

Acharya Kishore Kunal, the Secretary of Mahavir Mandir Nyas Samiti, Building Construction Minister Ashok Chaudhary, and Medical Superintendent L.B. Singh were present, along with religious leaders and officials, to mark the occasion.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar praised the initiative, expressing gratitude to the Mahavir Mandir Trust and the administrators of Mahavir Cancer Institute for their contribution to healthcare.

Addressing a gathering, the Chief Minister extended his best wishes for the successful completion of the hospital, emphasising its importance for children battling cancer.

The construction of this hospital represents a major step forward in pediatric cancer care in India.

Once completed, the hospital will serve as a critical resource for underprivileged families in need of specialised cancer treatment for their children.

The upcoming Mahavir Child Cancer Hospital in Phulwari Sharif aims to provide a lifeline for children battling cancer, particularly those from economically weaker sections.

Acharya Kishore Kunal, the Secretary of the Mahavir Mandir Trust Board, highlighted the significance of the project, stating: “This will be the country’s first cancer hospital for children. The problem of cancer is increasing rapidly among children, which is very worrying. Through this hospital, relief will be given to those families who are unable to afford expensive treatment.”

The Mahavir Mandir Trust, which operates the iconic Mahavir (Hanuman) temple in Patna, is renowned for its charitable healthcare initiatives.

It already manages the Mahavir Cancer Institute and Research Centre, a leading institution providing comprehensive cancer care in Bihar.

–IANS

ajk/khz

Related Posts

Delhi HC adjourns hearing on Kejriwal’s plea challenging trial proceedings in liquor scam

New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Friday adjourned hearing on a plea filed by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging the trial court’s decision to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s prosecution complaint in the alleged liquor policy scam.

A bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri decided to defer the proceedings after an adjournment was sought on the ED’s behalf due to the non-availability of Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju.

This met opposition from Kejriwal’s lawyer, who said that the federal anti-money laundering agency should not seek adjournment. The AAP supremo’s counsel added that an early date for the next listing should be given in view of the forthcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

Ultimately, Justice Ohri-led Bench decided to take up the matter for hearing on January 30, 2025, along with a similar petition filed by former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

Both Kejriwal and Sisodia, have filed distinct petitions before the Delhi HC seeking a stay on trial proceedings on the ground that the trial court had taken cognisance of the alleged offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) without any prior sanction having been obtained by the ED for prosecution.

The plea said that the trial court should have not taken cognisance of the ED’s prosecution complaint without sanction since Kejriwal held a public office at the time of the commission of the alleged money laundering offence.

The Supreme Court, on September 13, had granted bail to the former Delhi CM in connection with the corruption case lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) linked to the liquor policy case.

Earlier in July, the top court had ordered Kejriwal to be released on interim bail in connection with the money laundering case lodged by the ED.

Recently, the Supreme Court allowed a plea filed by senior AAP leader Sisodia seeking relaxation of the bail condition requiring him to report to the Investigating Officer semi-weekly.

Saying that the condition was not necessary, it exempted Sisodia from reporting to the Investigating Officer every Monday and Thursday between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

–IANS

pds/vd

Cabinet post for NCP (SP) MLA Thomas in Kerala hits a roadblock, meeting with Sharad Pawar planned

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 17 (IANS) Three months after the national leadership of the NCP (SP) cleared the name of its legislator Thomas K. Thomas to replace party colleague and State Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran in the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet, the lack of progress has triggered unrest within the party.

Saseendran, on Tuesday, reiterated that he is ready to step down as soon as the party directs him. However, Thomas feels he is being deliberately sidelined, as it has been three months since the leadership’s decision, yet no action has been taken.

Thomas, accompanied by State party president P.C. Chacko, will leave for Mumbai on Wednesday to meet NCP (SP) national president Sharad Pawar to discuss the impasse. Notably, it was in September that Pawar, following a meeting with the three Kerala party leaders, had approved Thomas’ elevation.

However, upon presenting the decision to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Thomas was asked to wait. Later, allegations surfaced that Thomas had offered money to two Left-backed legislators to defect to the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar. This created a political uproar, leaving Thomas upset over what he described as a baseless accusation. A party-level probe, however, cleared him of all charges.

Despite this, Saseendran appears to have secured Vijayan’s support, creating further hurdles for Thomas. According to sources, Thomas and Chacko now plan to press Pawar to issue an ultimatum to Vijayan — either swear in Thomas as minister or the NCP (SP) will forgo its cabinet representation, effectively compelling Saseendran to withdraw.

The NCP (SP) is part of Kerala’s ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and holds two seats in the Assembly, represented by Saseendran and Thomas. Since November 2023, the party’s Kerala unit has been in turmoil, as Thomas has insisted on the earlier agreed formula — Saseendran would step down after two and a half years to make way for him.

This arrangement is in contrast to other LDF constituents with single legislators, who recently accommodated new parties by stepping aside. Yet Saseendran has not followed suit, further escalating tensions.

Thomas, the brother of the late former state minister Thomas Chandy, has been an important figure in the NCP’s Kerala unit. Chandy, an NRI businessman-turned-politician, represented the Kuttanadu Assembly constituency in Alappuzha district until his passing in 2019. During Chandy’s tenure, it was Thomas who managed the constituency on his behalf.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NCP fielded Thomas for the Kuttanadu seat, which he won comfortably. However, when the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet was formed later that year, the party chose to retain Saseendran for another term, sidelining Thomas.

With the leadership’s inaction now stretching into its fourth month, the issue has taken on wider political implications. The outcome of Thomas’ meeting with Sharad Pawar is expected to determine the NCP (SP)’s next move in Kerala’s power dynamics.

–IANS

sg/skp