A Rajya Sabha MP urges the health minister to enable local production of Risdiplam, a vital drug for spinal muscular atrophy, to reduce costs. Current patents prevent affordable production. Encouraging local manufacturing could make the drug accessible at significantly reduced prices, benefiting thousands of patients in India.
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Nidhi Tewari, a 2014-batch IFS officer, has been appointed as the private secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She is currently serving as deputy secretary in the PMO. Tewari hails from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and joined the Prime Minister's Office as Under Secretary in 2022. Her appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
The DG-level talks between the BSF and BGB will address the issue of India's construction of a single-row fence along the Indo-Bangladesh border. BSF had halted construction in West Bengal after BGB objections. Despite prior approvals, BGB seeks to revisit agreements following a regime change. Additional concerns include border tensions unrelated to the fence and the recent killing of a suspected smuggler.
A bandh in Imphal Valley disrupted life due to the arrest of six armed men and one death in a Thoubal gunfight. Shops closed, vehicles halted, and supporters vandalized cars. The arrested individuals were accused of being PREPAK members involved in extortion, but bandh supporters claimed they were village volunteers defending against armed Kuki men.
NITI Aayog vice chairman Suman Bery led a team to meet Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday, discussing the state's financial situation and the Viksit AP-2047 vision. The meeting, ahead of the AP Budget, included Finance Minister P Keshav and senior officials.
The parliamentary panel on railways recommends reviewing AC fares and implementing dynamic pricing for AC classes and premium trains while keeping rail travel affordable for low-income passengers. They also suggest enhancing non-fare revenue through e-auctions and advertisements and maintaining targeted subsidies for suburban and non-AC travel.
Sunita Williams' ancestral village in Gujarat is planning grand celebrations as she returns to Earth after nine months at the ISS. Villagers in Jhulasan have been praying for her safety and will offer special tributes at the local temple. Williams' achievements in space continue to inspire, enhancing the community's excitement for her return.
The Rajya Sabha debates the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, following its passage in the Lok Sabha. With the NDA holding a slight numerical advantage in the Upper House, the bill, if approved, will proceed to the President for final assent.
Kerala Police have arrested 14 more people, aged 18 to 25, in connection with the rape and abuse of a Dalit girl in Pathanamthitta district, bringing the total number of accused in custody to 42. The survivor, aged 18, alleges abuse by nearly 60 people since age 13.
A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station has resulted in the death of 18 individuals following a crowd surge of passengers heading to Maha Kumbh. Victims' belongings were scattered across the premises, while rescue efforts ensued. Compensation for victims and their families has been announced by the Railways.
Five women from Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, involved in the Jal Jeevan Mission, will present their transformative stories at the UN House in New Delhi. Trained to test water quality, these women ensure access to clean drinking water in rural areas and will demonstrate their methods, highlighting the mission's impact on reducing water-borne diseases and creating employment opportunities.