Author: Rasmita Jena

On December 9, Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old tech worker in Bengaluru, ended his life, sparking discussions about men’s rights across India. Karnataka’s Home Minister, G Parameshwara, said Atul’s tragic death has brought attention to how men’s rights are often overlooked compared to women’s rights.

Atul, originally from Bihar, left behind a video and a 24-page note blaming his wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family for making him feel so hopeless. He mentioned harassment from false legal cases and attempts to extort money from him. Sadly, he had sent his note to a men’s rights group before he died, but help arrived too late.

His death created a wave of anger, with people in cities like Mumbai and Delhi protesting for justice, echoing Atul’s last message: “Justice is Due.” This pressure led the Bengaluru police to search for those he named. The police later found and arrested Nikita in Gurugram and her family in another city.

Atul’s family is also blaming the judge who handled their case. Meanwhile, there’s growing pressure on the tech company Accenture to take action regarding Nikita, who is one of their employees.

A 32-year-old computer worker in Surat hurt himself badly by cutting off four fingers on his left hand because he was very stressed at work. At first, he told the police that someone attacked him while he was using the restroom near Vedant Circle. He claimed he lost consciousness during the incident but, after looking into his story, the police found many things that didn’t add up.

His belongings, like his motorcycle, phone, and cash, were untouched, and there was no sign of an attack. When the police confronted him with this evidence, he admitted that he had hurt himself. He explained that he felt trapped in his job since his boss was related to his family. A few days before the incident, he bought a sharp butcher knife and used it to cut off his fingers because he wanted to escape his stressful job.

The police found the knife and his fingers at a place he directed them to. He first cut off three fingers and then cut the fourth one. The man graduated in civil engineering and earned about ₹50,000 a month to support his wife and two-year-old daughter. He said, “I felt really stressed because of work and didn’t want to keep doing it. I took this extreme step to get away from the pressure.” Police said they will not take any legal action against him.

This shocking event comes shortly after a startup faced criticism for reportedly firing workers who complained about stress. The startup, YesMadam, which provides home beauty services, apologized on social media for any confusion. They wrote that they care for their team and would never fire anyone for being stressed. They said the posts were meant to highlight the serious issue of workplace stress and thanked people for their opinions.

Three and a half months after the launch of the National Medical Register (NMR) portal, only about 6,500 doctors have registered, and just 284 have been approved, according to reports. At this slow rate, it could take over 40 years to register all the estimated 12 lakh doctors in India.

The Union Health Minister J P Nadda started the NMR Portal to help register all MBBS doctors who can practice in India. The NMR is special because it uses the doctors’ Aadhaar IDs to confirm their identity. The health ministry said this portal, made together with the National Health Authority (NHA) and the National Medical Commission (NMC), will create a clear and reliable database of doctors.

However, many doctors are having trouble with the registration process. Dr. KV Babu, an eye doctor and RTI activist, expressed his frustration, saying he registered the day after the portal opened. His registration was confirmed by the Kerala State medical council, but for the past 110 days, he’s received confusing questions about his application that delay approval. For example, he was asked about differences in names and told to prove his name matches the one on his Aadhaar card.

A retired doctor from a government college voiced concern about the poor performance of this system, saying, “If they can’t create a database for just 12 lakh doctors, imagine how they will manage for the other 50 lakh healthcare workers who have less regulated training.”

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary. On the social media platform X, he praised Patel, calling him an inspiration for India’s unity and strength. Modi wrote, “Many salutes to the Iron Man of India. His personality and work will inspire us as we strive for a united and developed India.”

Home Minister Amit Shah also shared a tribute on X, celebrating Patel as a symbol of unity. He said, “I remember Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary. He laid the groundwork for modern India by bringing together over 550 princely states into one nation. His commitment to national unity will always guide those who prioritize the country’s interests.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh joined in by saying, “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s contributions will never be forgotten. My heartfelt respects to him on this special day. India will always remember his vision and work.”

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the Iron Man of India, was born on October 31, 1875, in Nadiad, Gujarat. He played a vital role in India’s struggle for freedom and helped unify more than 500 princely states after independence. He was also the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India. To honor him, the Indian government declared October 31 as National Unity Day in 2014. This day is celebrated across the country with events like ‘Run for Unity’.

Patel passed away on December 15, 1950, from a heart attack at Birla House in Mumbai. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, posthumously in 1991.