Author: Supriya Jena

  • Celebrating Jan Aushadhi Diwas: Affordable Medicines for All

    Celebrating Jan Aushadhi Diwas: Affordable Medicines for All

    On Friday, we celebrate ‘Jan Aushadhi Diwas’. Union Health Minister JP Nadda shared some exciting news! There are now over 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in India. These centers provide affordable medicines to more than 1 million people each day, helping them save approximately Rs 30,000 crores. The Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, led by PM Narendra Modi, aims to make healthcare better and cheaper, all while making sure that the medicines are good quality.

    These Jan Aushadhi Kendras sell around 2,047 different medicines and 300 surgical items, helping people with various health issues. They’re around 50-90% cheaper than regular medicines! Unlike some free medicine programs, this initiative focuses on quality by using careful checks and strong supply chains managed by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India.

    To encourage more people to join, the government supports business opportunities, especially for SC/ST communities, women, and those in remote areas. Looking ahead, the government plans to open 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by 2027, with 5,000 new centers ready this year.

    The first overseas Jan Aushadhi Kendra was opened in Mauritius. Nadda invited everyone to visit these centers and share their positive experiences. Every year, we celebrate ‘Jan Aushadhi Diwas’ on March 7 to raise awareness about this scheme and encourage people to use generic medicines. From March 1 to 7, events take place nationwide to support this cause. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana started in November 2008 to ensure that high-quality medicines are available at low prices.

  • Amitabh Bachchan Celebrates Abhishek’s Acting Transformation in ‘Be Happy

    Amitabh Bachchan Celebrates Abhishek’s Acting Transformation in ‘Be Happy

    Actor Abhishek Bachchan, who acted in the serious movie “I Want To Talk,” will soon appear in a fun film called “Be Happy.” His famous father, Amitabh Bachchan, is really proud of his son’s talent.

    Amitabh shared on X (formerly Twitter), saying in Hindi, “Abhishek, a father’s pride, you change from one character to another so easily. Congratulations!” He also praised Abhishek for his acting in the new movie, saying that he defined his character very well and sending him blessings and love.

    Fans have also been noticing Abhishek’s work. One person mentioned that he skillfully switched from a serious role to a comedic one. Amitabh agreed, saying Abhishek changes effortlessly. Another fan praised his look and class after winning a Stylish Award, and Amitabh replied, “You are the best, Bhaiyu.”

    In response to a fan discussing the negativity about nepotism surrounding Abhishek, Amitabh stated, “I feel the same, and I say that not just because I’m his father.”

    Abhishek’s last film was “I Want To Talk,” which came out on November 22 last year, and “Be Happy” will be available on Amazon Prime Video next week.

  • NEET UG 2025 Registration Closes Today: Don’t Miss Out

    NEET UG 2025 Registration Closes Today: Don’t Miss Out

    The National Testing Agency (NTA) is reminding everyone that today, March 6, is the last day to register for the NEET UG 2025 exam. If you haven’t signed up yet, you have time until 11:50 PM to fill out your application at neet.nta.nic.in.

    Registration started on February 7, and soon, from March 9 to March 11, you will be able to make changes to your application if needed. The NTA suggests not waiting until the last minute to avoid any confusion.

    Here’s how to apply for NEET UG 2025:

    1. Go to the official website: neet.nta.nic.in.
    2. Click on the registration link on the homepage.
    3. Sign up and get your login information.
    4. Log in to your account.
    5. Fill in the application form and upload your documents.
    6. Pay the exam fee.
    7. Submit your form and save the confirmation page.

    NEET UG 2025 will take place on May 4 from 2 PM to 5 PM. Results are expected to be announced on June 14.

    Exam Fees:
    – General candidates: ₹1,700
    – OBC-NCL and EWS candidates: ₹1,600
    – SC, ST, PwBD, and Third Gender candidates: ₹1,000
    – Outside India: ₹9,500

    For help, reach out to the NTA helpdesk at 011-40759000, 011-69227700 or email [email protected].

  • Neetu Chandra’s Bold Stand Against Honey Singh’s Controversial Song

    Neetu Chandra’s Bold Stand Against Honey Singh’s Controversial Song

    Actress Neetu Chandra is speaking out against rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh because of his new song, “Maniac.” She believes it shows women as sex objects and thinks it should be banned. To make her point, she has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Patna High Court.

    Neetu’s PIL also mentions the other artists who worked with Honey Singh on the song, including lyricist Leo Grewal and Bhojpuri singers Ragini Vishwakarma and Arjun Ajanabi. The court is expected to hear the case later this month.

    In her PIL, Neetu says, “Women should never be treated as objects because disrespecting them can lead to serious problems.”

    Neetu, who has appeared in movies like “Garam Masala” and “Traffic Signal,” wants Honey Singh to change the lyrics of his song. She argues that it shows women in a very inappropriate way and that it normalizes vulgarity in Bhojpuri language, which goes against the idea of women’s empowerment.

    In an interview with India TV, Neetu expressed her concerns. She said, “Vulgar songs are making it hard for girls and women in Bihar to feel safe when they go to school or college. They often have to walk with their heads down. Because of these songs, many women don’t even want to watch TV at home. Some singers get famous by making such songs, but it makes it difficult for our society to grow.”

    She added, “If the government can stop alcohol to protect women from drunk husbands, then why not stop these vulgar songs for girls and women? I want a complete ban on these songs in Bihar.”

    Honey Singh’s song “Maniac,” featuring Esha Gupta, was released on February 22 and has already gained over 7 crore views on YouTube.

  • New U.S. Travel Ban Could Block Entry for Afghans and Pakistanis

    New U.S. Travel Ban Could Block Entry for Afghans and Pakistanis

    The United States may soon not allow people from Afghanistan and Pakistan to enter the country. This news comes from sources who said President Donald Trump is thinking about a new travel ban that might be announced as early as next week.

    This travel ban is part of Trump’s plan to keep the U.S. safe. The government is looking into which countries might be a security risk and could include more countries in this ban. Many Afghan people are worried, as the ban could seriously affect those who have been approved to come to the U.S. under special programs known as refugee or Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). These Afghans are in danger because they helped U.S. forces during the long war in Afghanistan.

    Back in January, Trump asked for a review of rules for foreigners wanting to enter the U.S. This was meant to find out who might be a security risk. Various government departments are involved in this review to come up with a list of countries that might be banned because they don’t screen people well enough. The results of this review are expected to be shared by March 21.

    Many believe that Afghanistan and Pakistan will be on this list for full travel bans. Officials from the State Department, Justice Department, and other agencies have not commented on this yet. One source pointed out that Afghans who are cleared for resettlement have gone through very careful checks, meaning they are safer than many others trying to immigrate.

    Despite this, the State Department is trying to get an exception for SIV holders, but it’s uncertain if that will happen. They also need to prepare for the Afghan relocation office to close by April.

    Since the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021, after the U.S. military left, Afghanistan has become even more dangerous. Pakistan is also struggling with violent groups.

    Shawn VanDiver, who leads a group helping resettle Afghans, is urging people with valid U.S. visas to travel quickly. He says that while nothing official has been said yet, many sources believe a new travel restriction could come within a week.

    Currently, about 200,000 Afghans either have permission to resettle or are still waiting for their refugee or SIV applications. Many of them are stuck in Afghanistan and other countries, including roughly 20,000 in Pakistan, after an order in January halted their refugee admissions and funding for flights.

  • US Supreme Court Clears Way for Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition to India

    US Supreme Court Clears Way for Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition to India

    The US Supreme Court has turned down Tahawwur Rana’s request to stop his extradition to India. This decision makes it likely that he will be sent to India soon. Rana, a businessman from Canada with roots in Pakistan, is wanted for his alleged involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks that occurred in 2008.

    Rana has asked the US Supreme Court to protect him from being sent back to India. He claims that he might face “torture” there. Ujjwal Nikam, the special public prosecutor for the case, said that it is up to the US Supreme Court to see if there is any truth to Rana’s claims. He also mentioned that India is a large secular country and does not discriminate based on race or religion.

    Back in February, during a press conference with Prime Minister Modi, then-president Donald Trump announced that the US would hand over Rana to India.

    Who is Tahawwur Rana?
    Rana used to be a doctor and is now a businessman who holds Canadian citizenship and has Pakistani origins. He was arrested in 2009 in Chicago because of his links to a terrorism group supported by Pakistan. The FBI accused him of helping the group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which was responsible for the Mumbai attacks. Although he was convicted in the US for assisting LeT, he was not found guilty of any charges directly related to the Mumbai attacks. Still, Indian authorities believe he played an important role by letting David Coleman Headley, one of the main planners, use his immigration business as a cover for spying on Mumbai.

  • Telangana Cabinet Approves SC Categorization Bill for Education and Jobs

    Telangana Cabinet Approves SC Categorization Bill for Education and Jobs

    On Thursday, the Telangana cabinet approved a new bill to classify Scheduled Castes (SCs) for better education and job opportunities. The meeting was led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who discussed a preliminary report from Justice Shameem Akthar, a retired judge. This report suggests splitting SCs into three groups to help improve their access to benefits.

    The deadline for final recommendations from Justice Akthar has been extended to March 10. After this, the final bill will be ready and introduced during the upcoming state assembly budget session.

    During the meeting, the Chief Minister asked officials to ensure the final bill is clear of legal issues. The cabinet also talked about the upcoming budget session and the bills that will be presented.

    Additionally, the cabinet agreed to set up a new board for the Future City project at Mucherla, which is near Hyderabad. They also formed a special committee to address river water problems. Another important decision was to launch a new land revenue portal named ‘Bhoo Bharati,’ replacing the old Dharani portal, starting on the Ugadi festival on March 31.

    Other key decisions included hiring 10,950 Village Level Officers, approving 217 jobs for new revenue divisions and mandals, and adding 55 positions in 10 district courts. Lastly, the cabinet approved the Endowments Amendment Bill to create a temple board for Yadagirigutta, similar to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).

  • India’s Strategy on US Tariffs: What You Need to Know

    India’s Strategy on US Tariffs: What You Need to Know

    Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the new tariffs planned by the US could affect India. However, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is currently speaking with US officials, including the Trade Representative, about this issue. Sitharaman spoke at a post-budget event in Visakhapatnam and mentioned that India wants to protect its exports.

    She said India will make decisions based on the results of these talks. “Tariffs are something the US President is discussing. Piyush Goyal has gone to the US to talk to officials about this,” she explained.

    Recently, President Donald Trump stated that starting April 2, he will impose tariffs on countries that have high taxes on US imports. Indian officials believe there might be a way to resolve this issue, possibly leading to a trade deal by this fall.

    Trump’s strategy aims to tackle unfair trade practices, such as subsidies and high taxes, to encourage other countries to lower their tariffs on US products. However, Trump’s tariffs on countries like Canada and Mexico have caused a lot of uncertainty, making businesses worried and affecting consumer confidence and investments.

    Although these tariffs began on Tuesday, Trump quickly rolled some back when the stock market fell. The halt, which will last until April 2, gives some relief to car manufacturers.

    Trump sees tariffs as a way to earn money for the US government and to fix trade imbalances. Recently, the US trade deficit reached a record high of $131.4 billion, a big jump compared to last year. Analysts believe that this increase was driven by a rise in gold imports, but also by businesses trying to prepare for the new tariffs.

  • AIBE 19 Final Answer Key Released: Check, Download & Know Your Results

    AIBE 19 Final Answer Key Released: Check, Download & Know Your Results

    The Bar Council of India has shared the final answer key for AIBE 19 on March 6, 2025. If you took the All India Bar Examination, you can find and download the final answer key on the official AIBE website at allindiabarexamination.com.

    In total, 28 questions were removed from the exam. This includes 7 questions from each of the 4 sets: SET A, SET B, SET C, and SET D.

    The AIBE 19 exam took place on December 22, 2024. In this exam, candidates faced 100 questions covering 19 topics. A provisional answer key was available on December 28, 2024, followed by an objection window that opened on December 30, 2024, and closed on January 10, 2025. If candidates wanted to challenge an answer, they had to pay ₹500 for each objection.

    The final answer key was created after a group of experts reviewed and verified the objections made by candidates to the provisional key.

    How to Download AIBE 19 Final Answer Key:
    1. Go to the AIBE official website at allindiabarexamination.com.
    2. Click on the link for the AIBE 19 final answer key on the home page.
    3. A new PDF will open where you can see the answers.
    4. Download this file and print it out for your reference.

    The AIBE results will be announced soon. To pass the AIBE 19 exam, you need to score at least 45% if you belong to the General or OBC categories and 40% if you are from SC/ST or are disabled. For more details, check the official AIBE website.

  • UK Condemns Security Breach During Indian Minister’s Visit

    UK Condemns Security Breach During Indian Minister’s Visit

    The UK government has strongly condemned an incident where a protester got too close to the Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during a visit to London. This happened on Wednesday night outside Chatham House, a think tank.

    A spokesperson from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said that trying to scare or disrupt events is not acceptable. They emphasized that while peaceful protests are allowed, it is important to respect security.

    During the protest, a small group of supporters for Khalistan, a separate Sikh state, were gathered with yellow flags. They shouted slogans supporting Khalistan while Jaishankar was inside Chatham House.

    When he came out to his car, a man with an Indian flag pushed through the police barriers and ran toward the minister’s motorcade. He confronted the police and even tore the Indian flag before being taken away by officers.

    India’s government has also condemned this security breach, saying it expects the UK to fulfill its duty to keep visiting officials safe. An Indian official called these protesters “provocative” and criticized them for misusing their right to protest.