Category: INDIA

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): A media orientation programme on the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign was organised in Indore to spread awareness about cervical cancer prevention and address misconceptions about the vaccine.

The briefing aimed to inform the public about the importance, safety and availability of the vaccination for adolescent girls.

Renowned gynaecologist Dr Asha Bakshi addressed the media and said the HPV vaccine is not new and has been used globally since 2003 with encouraging results. She recommended vaccination for adolescent girls, stating that this age group gains strong protection against cervical cancer.

She also urged the public not to trust unverified or misleading information regarding the vaccine.

Paediatric specialist Dr Parag Gandhi highlighted international examples, noting that countries such as Australia have nearly eliminated cervical cancer through extensive HPV vaccination programmes. He said the government is providing this otherwise costly vaccine free of charge to safeguard adolescent health.

Dr Nilesh Dalal, head of the Gynaecology Department at MGM Medical College, said ensuring the success of the vaccination campaign is a shared responsibility of health authorities and society.

Chief medical and health officer Dr Madhav Hasani informed that HPV vaccines are currently being administered at 38 vaccination centres across Indore district.

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Municipal Commissioner Kshitij Singhal on Wednesday inspected the sewer pipeline work being carried out using the trenchless method on Chhota Bangarda Road and directed officials to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated time while maintaining quality standards.

During the visit, officials informed the commissioner that trenchless technology allows underground pipelines to be laid without extensive road excavation, thereby minimising damage to roads and reducing inconvenience to commuters and residents.

Singhal said the use of modern construction techniques such as the trenchless method helps maintain traffic movement and limits disruption in busy areas of the city. He instructed the executing agency to maintain the pace of work and ensure timely completion of the project.

The inspection was part of a review of sewerage and water management projects being implemented in the city under the Namami Gange initiative.

Singhal also reviewed the progress of sewage treatment plants (STPs) being developed at Kabitkhedi and Kila Maidan. The projects include a 120 MLD capacity plant at Kabitkhedi and a 35 MLD plant at Kila Maidan near the Mandi Sachiv office.

Officials said that under the Namami Gange programme, three STPs are being constructed in Indore at an estimated cost of ?416 crore, including a 40 MLD plant at Kanadia, keeping in view the requirements of the upcoming Simhastha.

The commissioner also inspected the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system at Musakhedi, from where the city s water supply network is monitored.

He directed officials to ensure efficient management of water supply during the summer season.

Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh): A political controversy has erupted in Neemuch after a man filed a complaint at the Cantt police station on Tuesday against Congress block president Monu Locks, alleging extortion.

The complainant, identified as Swapnil Gattani, runs a fast-food stall outside the Congress office at Gandhi Bhavan. He reached the police station with his cancer-stricken mother to submit the complaint.

Gattani alleged that he is being forced to pay Rs 2,000 to 3,000 every month as rent to operate his stall. He further claimed that similar amounts are being collected from several other vendors in the area.

According to the complaint, when he opposed the alleged demand, he was abused and threatened with death.

Gattani also alleged that a municipal employee, Yogesh Tankwal, was issuing receipts in incorrect names under pressure.

As part of the complaint, Gattani submitted two audio clips to the police as evidence. In the purported recordings, a conversation about collecting money in the name of maintenance of Gandhi Bhavan can be heard.

The name of district Congress president Tarun Bhaiya is also mentioned in the audio, though this has not been officially confirmed by the police.

Monu Locks has denied all the allegations and described the complainant as a criminal.

Cantt police said they are examining the complaint and verifying the authenticity of the audio clips as part of the investigation.

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The daughter of BJP’s state unit president Hemant Khandelwal, Surbhi Khandelwal, passed away after prolonged illness on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old Surbhi was a special child and had been suffering from illness for a long time.

Her condition deteriorated after routine physiotherapy, and she passed away at 12pm. Soon after getting information about the death of his daughter, Khandelwal rushed to Betul.

The last rites of Surbhi were performed in the evening. A large number of people, including public representatives and eminent citizens, were present during the last rites.

Because of illness, Surbhi was weak and suffered from a massive cardiac arrest, which led to her death.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and other politicians mourned her death.

Pune: Popular breakfast staples like dosa and uttapam may soon disappear from the menus of restaurants and eateries in Pune as they face a severe shortage of commercial LPG cylinders following a supply disruption triggered by the West Asia crisis, industry representatives warned on Tuesday.

Hotels and restaurants in the city are left with barely two to three days of LPG stock, and once the reserves run dry, a large number of establishments will be forced to down their shutters, leaving customers with little choice at the table.

“Dosa and uttapam require more gas than most other dishes. If the supply of commercial LPG cylinders is not restored immediately, these items will simply go off the menu. We may be left serving only what we can manage with the limited fuel available,” said Ganesh Shetty, President of the Pune Hoteliers’ Association.

The government had issued the notification halting commercial LPG cylinder supply without taking the hospitality industry into confidence, leaving eateries in a lurch, he said.

“There was no prior consultation, no timeline given for normalisation of supply. The food industry cannot be forced to close down like this,” Shetty said.

He pointed out that nearly 85 per cent of hotels and restaurants in Pune depend on commercial LPG for their daily operations. With the government offering no clarity on when supplies would resume, the situation was rapidly turning critical.

The crisis has already begun to bite in Bengaluru, where several hotels and restaurants have shut down following a similar supply squeeze, Shetty noted.

He urged the government to immediately introduce a rationing mechanism for commercial LPG so that at least partial operations could continue.

“We will curtail our menus, we will manage. But give us some supply. Switching to induction is the only alternative, and that cannot happen overnight. Using wood is not an option,” Shetty said.

Customers visiting their favourite eateries may soon find a sharply reduced menu or, in many cases, locked doors – unless the government steps in urgently to restore the supply chain.

Ajinkya Udane, spokesperson of National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) (Pune chapter), said the association has already written to the Centre seeking some relief.

“We are also writing to the state government and requesting them not to snap the commercial gas cylinder supply completely, instead the supply can be rationed so that the operations can continue to some extent,” he said.

The US and Israel’s attack on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation have shut the Strait of Hormuz – the conduit through which India got 85-90 per cent of its LPG imports from countries like Saudi Arabia. As alternate sources are being scouted, the limited supplies available meant the government prioritising supplies to the domestic sector, and in the process, the commercial establishments have suffered.

A sessions court has ordered a psychiatric evaluation of a man from Bandra currently lodged in Taloja Central Prison, who is facing trial for allegedly killing his grandmother. The order came after the defence claimed that Christopher Periera is suffering from a mental disorder and is not in a condition to properly defend himself in court.

Accused’s Background and Alleged Crime
According to the prosecution, Periera had recently returned home after being discharged from a drug rehabilitation centre. He was brought back by his family to their residence in Cosma Colony, Bandra (West). In October 2021, while he was alone with his grandmother at home, he allegedly killed her by beheading her. The prosecution stated that after the incident, Periera remained seated beside the body throughout the night. The gruesome scene was discovered the following morning, after which he was arrested and a murder case was registered at the Bandra police station.

Defence Seeks Mental Health Assessment
Periera’s lawyer filed an application requesting the court to refer him to a medical board or the head of the department of psychiatry for examination. The defence argued that once the question of unsoundness of mind is raised, the court must first determine whether the accused is mentally capable of standing trial and conducting his defence.

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Court Approves Hospital Evaluation
The court also considered a medical report submitted by jail authorities. Observing that the accused’s behaviour in prison appeared abnormal, the court directed that he be shifted to Sir JJ Hospital. The hospital has been instructed to admit Periera, conduct a detailed psychiatric evaluation through a competent medical board, and submit its report to the court.

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Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A delegation of traders associated with hotels, dhabas, restaurants and catering businesses submitted a memorandum to the Bhopal collector on Wednesday regarding the ban on commercial gas cylinder orders.

Those present included Tejkul Pal Singh Pali, former president Bhopal chamber of commerce, and Murali Harwani of Manohar Dairy from the hotel industry, along with Dharmendra Sharma, district president of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Bhopal, and representatives from the business community.

The memorandum was submitted to ADM sumit Pandey, addressed to district collector on behalf of the hotel industry and the wider business community.

Dharmendra Sharma, district president of CAIT Bhopal, said the ban on commercial gas cylinder orders was causing difficulties for small traders operating hotels, dhabas, restaurants and catering businesses in the city. The disruption in supply was severely affecting their daily operations.

He said wedding ceremonies and other social events were currently in high demand, and commercial gas cylinders were essential for catering services and large gatherings. The disruption in cylinder availability was causing financial losses for businesses and inconvenience to citizens organising weddings and other events.

Sharma added that a large number of labourers, workers, students and other residents depend on hotels and restaurants for their daily meals. The disruption in the supply of gas cylinders is affecting the operations of these establishments and could lead to food shortages for the public.

He said the issue should be addressed with a humanitarian and compassionate approach.

Traders said that instead of a complete ban, arrangements should be made to supply limited or fixed quantities of commercial gas cylinders so that businesses such as hotels, dhabas, restaurants and catering services can continue operating at a minimal level.

Mumbai: The Navghar police have registered a case against three individuals for allegedly cheating two people of around Rs30 lakh on the pretext of securing an MBBS admission under the management quota at a private medical college.

Accused Identified
The accused have been identified as Laxman Bhosale, his wife Pranjali Bhosale, and Ketan Dattatraya Khajindar. According to the police, the trio allegedly took Rs10 lakh from a complainant by promising admission to his nephew at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College in Pimpri-Chinchwad near Pune, but failed to deliver on the promise.

Victim’s Complaint
As per the FIR, the complainant, Pankaj Popatrao Bhosale, 42, a hotel businessman from Kinei village in Koregaon taluka of Satara district, lodged the complaint after his nephew Sharadul lost two academic years due to the alleged fraud.

Admission Through Management Quota
Police said Sharadul, the son of Pankaj’s cousin Omprakash Bhosale, had passed Class 12 (Science) in 2024 and appeared for the NEET examination. However, after scoring low marks, the family decided to try for admission through the management quota.

Introduction to Accused
Through a mutual acquaintance, Ketan Khajindar from Dehere in Ahmednagar introduced the complainant to Laxman Bhosale. The latter allegedly claimed that his wife, Pranjali Bhosale, worked as an education officer with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and could help secure admission.

Payment Demands
Khajindar reportedly took Pankaj Bhosale to Laxman Bhosale’s residence in Hari Om Nagar, Mulund East, where Pranjali allegedly stated that the total cost for an MBBS seat at the Pune-based college would be Rs1.20 crore and demanded an advance payment of Rs10 lakh.

Funds Transferred
According to the FIR, Omprakash Bhosale transferred a total of Rs10 lakh to Pranjali Bhosale’s bank account from his account at the Bank of Maharashtra between June 22, 2024 and December 5, 2024.

Admission Never Secured
Police said Pranjali reportedly called the complainant, his brother and the student to the medical college in Pimpri-Chinchwad but never appeared in person. She allegedly told them that she was in Delhi and would complete the admission process after returning. However, the admission was never secured and the money was not returned.

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False Assurances
The complainant also alleged that when he threatened to approach the police in July 2025, a person identifying himself as advocate Ashish called him and requested him not to file an FIR, assuring that the money would be recovered. Another person, identified as Ali Shaikh from Viman Nagar in Pune, also reportedly called and made similar assurances.

Other Victims
During the course of inquiry, the complainant also learnt that another person, Suraj Sharan Pardeshi, had allegedly been cheated of Rs20 lakh by the same accused.

Investigation Underway
Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case of cheating amounting to Rs30 lakh under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act and further investigation is underway.

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New Delhi: “No, No, No” — Opposition MPs have claimed that this is the oft-repeated refrain that they get from Speaker Om Birla when they want to raise important issues in the Lok Sabha.

While speaking during a debate in the lower house on the resolution to remove Birla as Speaker, several opposition MPs claimed that they were not getting the protection that they should from the chair and disruption of their speech by treasury benches had become the norm.

RJD’s Abhay Kumar Sinha said, “I have to say with regret, and for some time ago, the chair no longer represents independence of the House but has become a symbol of the ruling party’s tyranny. The chair has lost that impartiality which (Jawaharlal) Nehru ji and other makers of our Constitution expected.”

“This House even saw the black day when over 140 MPs were suspended in a day. Real democracy is the one in which even the poorest and the weakest feel that their voice can be heard… Here, whenever an (opposition) MP gets up to speak, what he gets from that side (Speaker) is No, No, No,” Sinha said on Wednesday.

Vijay Kumar Hansdak of the JMM said it is the Speaker’s second term and the most spoken word in the House after Nehru is “No”.

“When opposition MPs speak, they are disrupted, and that has become a tradition. Another tradition is that while MPs speak, the camera moves in another direction,” Handsak said.

Speaking on the resolution on Tuesday, Bajrang Manohar Sonwane of the NCP (SP) said, “Nobody is making any personal attack on Birla ji. We all know what will happen in voting, but we brought this no-confidence to highlight democratic rights that we have.”

“Like a table fan gives cooling only on one side… When Birla ji looks right, he has a smile and when he looks the other side, ‘No, No, No.’ You are doing the same thing, my party has given me time to speak,” he said, while addressing Sandhya Ray, who was in the chair.

New Delhi: Investors’ wealth eroded by Rs 5.14 lakh crore on Wednesday as stock markets fell after a day’s breather due to a surge in global crude oil prices amid growing tensions in West Asia.

The 30-share BSE Sensex tumbled 1,342.27 points or 1.72 per cent to settle at 76,863.71. During the day, it dropped 1,446.72 points or 1.84 per cent to 76,759.26.

The market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies faced an erosion of Rs 5,14,063.2 crore to Rs 4,41,90,196.39 crore (USD 4.81 trillion).

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, jumped 5.76 per cent to USD 92.86 per barrel.

“Markets plunged sharply on Wednesday, losing over one and a half per cent and resuming their corrective phase amid weak global cues and heightened geopolitical tensions. Investor sentiment remained fragile as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continued to unsettle global markets and push volatility higher.

“Concerns over potential disruptions to crude oil supply, rising inflationary pressures and the possible impact on economic growth kept participants cautious,” Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said.

Additionally, continued foreign institutional investor selling and weakness in the rupee further dampened risk appetite, he added.

From the 30-Sensex firms, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, Bajaj Finserv, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti, Bharti Airtel, Trent and Kotak Mahindra Bank were among the major laggards.

NTPC, Sun Pharma and Power Grid were the gainers.

Among BSE sectoral indices, auto tumbled 3.06 per cent, bankex (2.06 per cent), Private Banks index (2.03 per cent), BSE Top 10 Banks (2.03 per cent), financial services (1.99 per cent), consumer discretionary (1.89 per cent) and PSU Bank (1.87 per cent).

In contrast, BSE energy, healthcare, utilities, oil & gas and power were the gainers.

The BSE midcap select index tanked 1.55 per cent, and the smallcap select index declined 0.61 per cent.

A total of 2,380 stocks declined, while 1,881 advanced and 153 remained unchanged on the BSE.

(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by GPlus’s editorial team and auto-generated from an agency feed.)