Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he was deeply concerned by reports of the targeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence and stressed that diplomacy remains the most viable path to ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In a post on X, PM Modi stated that ongoing diplomatic efforts offer the best opportunity to end hostilities and achieve peace. He urged all concerned parties to remain focused on dialogue and avoid actions that could undermine peace initiatives. The statement followed claims by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Ukraine launched unmanned aerial vehicles targeting President Putin’s state residence in the Novgorod…

India has delivered a consignment of six ambulances to Afghanistan, strengthening healthcare cooperation between the two countries, according to media reports. The ambulances are equipped with advanced medical equipment and will support emergency patient transport and healthcare services. Taliban Health Ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman Amarkhel said the assistance would significantly improve Afghanistan’s emergency medical response. The delivery is part of a commitment made during high-level talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi in October. During the meeting, Jaishankar had announced the supply of 20 ambulances as a goodwill gesture.…

In his latest Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the growing threat posed by the misuse of antibiotics, urging citizens to consult qualified doctors before consuming these life-saving medicines. Modi highlighted that unsupervised use of antibiotics, particularly for conditions like pneumonia and urinary tract infections, is contributing to rising antimicrobial resistance and rendering treatments increasingly ineffective. Citing recent findings from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Modi noted that casual consumption of antibiotics is not only failing to cure infections but is also facilitating the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. He warned against self-medication practices, stressing that…

The Reserve Bank of India has announced a fresh set of policy actions aimed at strengthening liquidity conditions in the banking system after assessing current financial market dynamics. The central bank said the measures are designed to ensure sufficient and lasting liquidity, particularly during periods of elevated cash outflows that often strain short-term funding conditions. As part of the initiative, the RBI will carry out open market operations to purchase government securities valued at approximately $22.30 billion. These purchases will be executed in four equal installments of about $5.57 billion each. The scheduled operations will take place toward the end…

The year 2025 marked a period of evidence-based growth, global leadership and people-centric healthcare for India’s Ayush sector, driven by higher budgetary allocation, expanding exports and increased global recognition. The sector witnessed significant outreach during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, where over 9 lakh pilgrims benefited from Ayush OPDs, mobile health units, wellness halls and yoga sessions, expanding access to traditional healthcare services. A historic milestone was achieved with the World Health Organization’s 2025 update to ICD-11, which introduced a dedicated module for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems. The new module, now live on the WHO Blue Browser, enables systematic…

The US Department of Commerce has issued a final affirmative determination that producers and exporters of hard empty capsules from India received countervailable subsidies, a finding that could result in the imposition of countervailing duties on Indian exports. According to a notice published in the Federal Register, the investigation covered the period from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. The Commerce Department concluded that subsidies provided to Indian manufacturers met the legal standards required for countervailing duties under US trade law. The department determined a net countervailable subsidy rate of 7.06 per cent ad valorem for ACG Associated Capsules…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25 inaugurated the Rashtriya Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, a landmark national memorial created to celebrate the life, principles, and lasting influence of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The inauguration coincided with Vajpayee’s 101st birth anniversary, giving the occasion both symbolic and historical significance. Addressing the gathering, Modi described the memorial as a reflection of India’s enduring commitment to dignity, unity, and public service. During his address, the prime minister extended Christmas greetings to people across India and around the world, expressing hope for peace and harmony. He noted that December 25…

 India’s heavy-lift launch vehicle LVM3 achieved another major milestone with the successful deployment of the BlueBird Block-2 communications satellite into low Earth orbit during an early morning launch from Sriharikota. The mission marked the rocket’s sixth operational flight and its third dedicated commercial assignment, further strengthening India’s position in the global satellite launch market. Weighing approximately 6,100 kilograms, BlueBird Block-2 became the heaviest satellite ever launched by an Indian rocket from Indian territory. According to ISRO Chairman V Narayanan, the satellite was placed into an orbit of about 518.5 kilometers, closely matching the planned altitude of 520 kilometers. The precision…

The Board of Directors of the institution formerly known as Orlando Health Sciences University has officially announced a significant transformation with the adoption of a new name, Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel University, abbreviated as KPGU. The university is the parent institution of the Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine, Florida’s newest medical school. This decision recognizes the exceptional philanthropic impact of Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel, who are widely regarded as the most influential benefactors within the osteopathic medical community. University leadership stated that the new name reflects the institution’s evolving mission to emerge as a globally respected center for…

India and New Zealand have concluded negotiations on the Financial Services Annex under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral economic and strategic cooperation, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday. The India–New Zealand Financial Services Annex goes beyond standard commitments under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and comprises 18 comprehensive articles. The agreement strengthens cooperation in financial services through forward-looking provisions covering digital payments, fintech, data transfers, back-office services and regulatory collaboration. The pact is expected to position India as a fintech hub while expanding its…