Tripura govt steps in to facilitate AIIMS treatment for infant suffering from rare genetic disorder

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi/Agartala, July 13 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister, Manik Saha, has directed officials to extend all possible assistance for the advanced treatment of a 22-month-old infant suffering from a rare genetic disorder, with Tripura Bhawan in New Delhi taking swift steps to coordinate her admission and medical care at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

A senior official of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Monday said that the patient, Manasree Choudhury, the only daughter of Dhruba Choudhury, has been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type-1, a severe and life-threatening neuromuscular disorder that requires highly specialised and urgent medical intervention.

Acting on the Chief Minister’s instructions, officials at Tripura Bhawan in New Delhi immediately mobilised resources to assist the family and facilitate the child’s treatment, the official said.

According to the CMO, the Tripura Bhawan team has taken the initiative to coordinate with AIIMS, New Delhi, ensuring that the child receives seamless access to expert medical evaluation and the required treatment protocols without administrative hurdles.

“Our priority is to ensure that no citizen of Tripura feels helpless while facing a serious health crisis. The state government is fully committed to standing by the family of young Manasree and providing all necessary logistical and administrative support during her treatment at AIIMS,” Chief Minister Saha said in a statement.

The CMO official said that the Resident Commissioner and officials of Tripura Bhawan are continuously monitoring the situation and remain in close contact with both the AIIMS medical team and the child’s family to ensure comprehensive assistance throughout their stay in the national Capital.

The case has evoked widespread public support across Tripura. Leaders cutting across political lines, social organisations, non-governmental organisations and numerous individuals have extended financial assistance to the family, as the treatment for the rare disease involves enormous medical expenses.

Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury, former Chief Minister and Lok Sabha member Biplab Kumar Deb, along with several other political leaders, have come forward to support the ailing child and her family.

Deb has also taken an active initiative to facilitate the child’s treatment at AIIMS under the supervision of Dr Sheffali Gulati, Professor and Faculty-in-Charge of the Child Neurology Division under the Department of Paediatrics.

Experts said that the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type-1 is one of the most severe forms of the rare genetic disorder, affecting muscle strength and movement.

Treatment is highly specialised and extremely expensive, prompting an outpouring of support from people across Tripura to help ensure that the infant receives the life-saving medical care she urgently needs.

–IANS

sc/rad

Related Posts

IRCTC’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj heritage train tour receives overwhelming response

New Delhi, June 7 (IANS) The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Navratna company under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has received an overwhelming response to its newly-launched ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Train Tour.’

Scheduled to depart from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai, on June 9, the heritage tour is already fully booked. A total of 710 passengers have secured their spots across various classes, with 480 bookings in Economy (Sleeper Class), 190 in Comfort (3AC), and 40 in Superior (2AC).

This six-day train journey has been specially curated to showcase the glorious history and grand legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The tour is the result of a collaborative effort between the Government of Maharashtra, Indian Railways, and IRCTC, aiming to provide travellers with an immersive experience that brings to life the heroic saga of the legendary Maratha ruler.

The train will cover historically significant sites such as Raigad Fort, Shivneri Fort, Pratapgad Fort, Panhala Fort, Lal Mahal, Kasba Ganpati Temple, and Shivsrushti, all closely associated with the key events and life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The journey begins with the train departing from CSMT and heading toward Mangaon station on the Konkan Railway network, the nearest access point to Raigad Fort.

Raigad is the site of Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation and was his capital. After sightseeing, tourists will travel to Pune for an overnight hotel stay. On the second day, they will visit Lal Mahal, a red palace originally built by Shivaji’s father Shahaji Bhosale in 1630, and later rebuilt in 1984.

Tourists will also see the Kasba Ganpati Temple, believed to have been established by Shivaji’s mother Jijabai, and the historical theme park Shivsrushti, where Shivaji’s life story is presented through 3D visuals and interactive exhibits. Visitors will spend a second night in Pune.

On the third day, the tour continues to Shivneri Fort, Shivaji Maharaj’s birthplace located atop a hill near Junnar and will also visit the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India.

After the visit, tourists return to Pune for overnight rest. On the fourth day, the train will proceed to Satara. From there, travellers will explore Pratapgad Fort, the historic site of the 1659 battle between Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan of the Bijapur Sultanate.

After this visit, the group will leave for Kolhapur.

The final day of the tour begins with the train arriving at Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus in Kolhapur.

Following this, there will be a tour of the iconic Panhala Fort, located in the Sahyadri Hills. This fort has deep historical connections with Shivaji Maharaj, who was held captive there for over 500 days before making a dramatic escape.

Known as the ‘Fort of Serpents’ due to its winding structure, Panhala is also famous for the legendary bravery of Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Shivaji’s general, during a crucial battle to retain control of the fort.

The tour package includes train travel, comfortable hotel accommodations, all vegetarian meals, transfers and sightseeing via air-conditioned buses, travel insurance, and the assistance of experienced tour escorts.

IRCTC has assured that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers while providing a culturally enriching and memorable journey.

–IANS

rs/rad

PIB Fact Check debunks fake ‘Operation Sindoor 2.0’ letter purportedly issued by Defence Secretary

New Delhi, June 17 (IANS) The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit on Wednesday dismissed as fake a letter circulating on social media that falsely claimed to have been issued by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh regarding preparations for “Operation Sindoor 2.0”.

In a post on X, PIB Fact Check cautioned the public against falling for misinformation and clarified that neither the Defence Secretary nor the Ministry of Defence had issued any such communication.

“Do not fall for fake news!” PIB Fact Check said in its post.

The fact-checking unit stated that a letter allegedly issued by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh was being widely circulated online, claiming to outline preparations for “Operation Sindoor 2.0”.

“This letter is Fake. Neither the Defence Secretary nor the Defence Ministry has issued any such letter,” the post said.

PIB Fact Check also shared an image of the purported document, which carried the title, “Subject: Operation Sindoor 2.0; Prime Minister’s Directive, Strategic Intent.” The agency clarified that the document was fabricated and had no connection with the Ministry of Defence or any official government communication.

Urging citizens to remain vigilant, the fact-checking unit advised people to verify information through official channels before sharing it on social media.

“Beware of fake news circulating online and always depend on reliable official sources for verified information,” PIB Fact Check said, adding, “Report suspicious content related to the Government of India to @PIBFactCheck.”

The clarification comes amid continued efforts by government agencies to counter misinformation and prevent the spread of unverified claims on digital platforms.

Earlier, PIB Fact Check had debunked another set of viral social media claims alleging that Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal were visiting London along with judges and participating in a badminton event there.

Addressing the claims on X, the fact-checking unit categorically stated that the reports were false and that neither Rijiju nor Meghwal was in London.

“This claim is fake. Minister Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal are not visiting London,” PIB Fact Check said.

The agency further clarified that photographs accompanying the viral posts were being misrepresented. According to PIB Fact Check, the images were not taken in London but during the All India Judges’ Badminton Championship held at Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi in November 2025.

Reiterating its appeal to citizens, PIB Fact Check urged people not to share misleading or unverified content and encouraged them to report suspicious photos, videos, or messages related to the Government of India for verification through official channels.

–IANS

rs/uk

GST changes from Navratri are matter of pride, say small business owners

New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) Small business owners on Sunday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the changes in GST from the first day of Navratri are a matter of great pride for our country, highlighting how the tax reforms will benefit middle-class families.

They emphasised that the reduced GST rates will help people save more, increase purchasing power, and make essential goods and real estate more affordable, marking the start of a festive “savings celebration” across the nation.

“The changes in GST from the first day of Navratri are a matter of great pride for our country,” Ram Gopal Singh, a real estate trader, told IANS, reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on the eve of the changes coming into place from Monday.

“This move not only supports businesses but also strengthens the middle class, making the country’s festive season more prosperous and joyful,” he added.

“People will save on daily essentials, their purchasing power will increase, and families will be able to celebrate the festive season with some financial relief,” said Amit Singh, a trader.

Day-to-day expenses and real estate costs are expected to drop significantly, with GST on materials like cement, wood, stone, and AC blocks reduced from 12-28 per cent to as low as 5 per cent.

Dinesh Singh, another trader, said: “This will make housing projects more affordable for families like ours, and the savings will directly impact our daily spending.”

Office workers also appreciated the reforms. Sony Gupta noted that the lower GST rates would increase household savings and buying capacity during the festive season.

“People who used to spend more on essentials will now save, making festivals like Navratri and Diwali even more enjoyable,” he said.

Sharad Singh, another office worker, called the initiative a “savings festival” and said it would benefit all families, regardless of their background.

“This is a timely gift for every household, giving financial relief and bringing joy during the festival season,” he added.

–IANS

pk/vd