News Analysis India

Tag: Gujarat

  • Gujarat’s annual growth rate is 15%, higher than national average: CM Bhupendra Patel

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: Gujarat’s economy has grown at a 15% annual rate, which is higher than the national average, said Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday during a state government roadshow in Mumbai to promote the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS), which will be held from January 10-12 next year.

    “VGGS has increased Gujarat’s GSDP from Rs. 1.42 lakh crore in 2003 to Rs. 22.61 lakh crore in 2023. Furthermore, Gujarat’s economy has expanded at a cumulative annual growth rate of 15%, which is higher than the national average,” he said.

    “The summit has effectively brought together global investors and thought leaders on a single platform. Under the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership, this conference has evolved into a global platform for business networking and strategic partnership for socio-economic growth,” he added.

    The CM also said the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project will help improve the partnership between Gujarat and Mumbai at the social level.

    “38 percent of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor passes through Gujarat. Additionally, work is underway on the high-speed Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor for the bullet train. These pivotal projects will benefit the logistics sector and economic activities of Gujarat and Mumbai,” he said.

    ALSO READ | SIT probing Gujarat bridge collapse points to technical lapses by private company

    The Chief Minister remarked that Gujarat’s forthcoming wave of economic growth will be driven by forward-looking industrial infrastructure projects such as GIFT City, DREAM City, the Hybrid Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Park and Dholera SIR.

    The CM emphasized that while Mumbai and Gujarat are renowned for the diamond trade, Surat serves as the central hub for polished diamonds, houses numerous diamond-cutting units and plays a significant role in the lab-grown diamond industry.

    “We will actively embody the theme “Gateway to the Future” by organizing seminars and events dedicated to emerging sectors in the forthcoming Vibrant Summit,” the Chief Minister added.

    Notably, Gujarat alone contributes to 80 percent of the nation’s diamond exports.

    During his address at the event, Chief Secretary Raj Kumar said Gujarat has become the best choice of investment for foreign investors, due to proactive policy-making, a conducive business environment and an investor-friendly approach.

    Around 35 diplomats and more than 350 leaders from business and industry sectors participated in the Mumbai roadshow. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    AHMEDABAD: Gujarat’s economy has grown at a 15% annual rate, which is higher than the national average, said Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday during a state government roadshow in Mumbai to promote the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS), which will be held from January 10-12 next year.

    “VGGS has increased Gujarat’s GSDP from Rs. 1.42 lakh crore in 2003 to Rs. 22.61 lakh crore in 2023. Furthermore, Gujarat’s economy has expanded at a cumulative annual growth rate of 15%, which is higher than the national average,” he said.

    “The summit has effectively brought together global investors and thought leaders on a single platform. Under the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership, this conference has evolved into a global platform for business networking and strategic partnership for socio-economic growth,” he added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The CM also said the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project will help improve the partnership between Gujarat and Mumbai at the social level.

    “38 percent of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor passes through Gujarat. Additionally, work is underway on the high-speed Mumbai-Ahmedabad rail corridor for the bullet train. These pivotal projects will benefit the logistics sector and economic activities of Gujarat and Mumbai,” he said.

    ALSO READ | SIT probing Gujarat bridge collapse points to technical lapses by private company

    The Chief Minister remarked that Gujarat’s forthcoming wave of economic growth will be driven by forward-looking industrial infrastructure projects such as GIFT City, DREAM City, the Hybrid Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Park and Dholera SIR.

    The CM emphasized that while Mumbai and Gujarat are renowned for the diamond trade, Surat serves as the central hub for polished diamonds, houses numerous diamond-cutting units and plays a significant role in the lab-grown diamond industry.

    “We will actively embody the theme “Gateway to the Future” by organizing seminars and events dedicated to emerging sectors in the forthcoming Vibrant Summit,” the Chief Minister added.

    Notably, Gujarat alone contributes to 80 percent of the nation’s diamond exports.

    During his address at the event, Chief Secretary Raj Kumar said Gujarat has become the best choice of investment for foreign investors, due to proactive policy-making, a conducive business environment and an investor-friendly approach.

    Around 35 diplomats and more than 350 leaders from business and industry sectors participated in the Mumbai roadshow. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • ‘Conspiracy was hatched to defame Gujarat globally post 2002 riots’, claims PM Modi

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, claimed that there had been a conspiracy to defame Gujarat globally in the aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots and accused the then central government of showing indifference to the state’s development. Modi made these remarks as part of his address at the 20th anniversary of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Ahmedabad.

    He said he was a first-time chief minister and faced crises such as the 2001 earthquake, preceding drought years, the collapse of cooperative banks, the 2002 Godhra tragedy and the state-wide violence in its aftermath.

    Addressing the gathering, PM Modi remarked: “In 2001, there was an uproar in the economic life of Gujarat. In a way, the financial sector of Gujarat was in crisis. At that time, I had become an MLA for the first time, this role was also new for me, I had no experience of running a government. But the challenge was huge.”

    “Meanwhile, another incident happened. The heart-wrenching incident of Godhra took place and in the circumstances that followed, Gujarat burst into flames of violence. Hardly anyone would have imagined such a dire situation. Even though I did not have much experience as a Chief Minister at that time, I had unwavering faith in Gujarat and the people of Gujarat.” he added.

    Attacking the opposition, the PM said “Those who carry an agenda were busy analyzing the events in their own way even at that time. It was said that youth from Gujarat, industries from Gujarat, businessmen from Gujarat will all move out, migrate and Gujarat will be so ruined that it will become a huge burden for the country.”

    “A conspiracy was hatched to defame Gujarat before the world. An attempt was made to create an atmosphere of despair. It was said that Gujarat would never be able to stand on its own feet. Even in that crisis, I resolved that no matter what the circumstances were, I would take Gujarat out of it.” he claimed.

    The Prime Minister remembered the indifference of the then-central government towards Gujarat.

    “…Those who ran central government earlier used to link Gujarat’s development with politics. Ministers from the central government refused to come to the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. They used to threaten foreign investors and attempted to stop them from coming to Gujarat. Even after so much threatening, foreign investors came to Gujarat” Modi alleged.

    The prime minister said this was possible because of good governance, fair and policy-driven governance, and an equal system of growth and transparency, despite no special incentive.

    The Prime Minister explained the success of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit through its journey.

    The 2003 edition attracted only a few hundred participants; today more than 40000 participants and delegates and 135 countries take part in the summit, he informed. The number of exhibitors has also increased from 30 in 2003 to more than 2000 today.

    He said that India has become the third-largest economy in the world. He asked the industrialists to focus on sectors that will help with new possibilities for India. He asked for a discussion to take place in the startup ecosystem, agri-tech, food processing, and Shri Anna.

    Later, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated development projects worth Rs 5,206 crore in Chhota Udepur, Gujarat, which includes the provision of village Wi-Fi facilities in 22 districts. The PM also discussed about the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ in Vadodara.

    AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, claimed that there had been a conspiracy to defame Gujarat globally in the aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots and accused the then central government of showing indifference to the state’s development. Modi made these remarks as part of his address at the 20th anniversary of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in Ahmedabad.

    He said he was a first-time chief minister and faced crises such as the 2001 earthquake, preceding drought years, the collapse of cooperative banks, the 2002 Godhra tragedy and the state-wide violence in its aftermath.

    Addressing the gathering, PM Modi remarked: “In 2001, there was an uproar in the economic life of Gujarat. In a way, the financial sector of Gujarat was in crisis. At that time, I had become an MLA for the first time, this role was also new for me, I had no experience of running a government. But the challenge was huge.”googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “Meanwhile, another incident happened. The heart-wrenching incident of Godhra took place and in the circumstances that followed, Gujarat burst into flames of violence. Hardly anyone would have imagined such a dire situation. Even though I did not have much experience as a Chief Minister at that time, I had unwavering faith in Gujarat and the people of Gujarat.” he added.

    Attacking the opposition, the PM said “Those who carry an agenda were busy analyzing the events in their own way even at that time. It was said that youth from Gujarat, industries from Gujarat, businessmen from Gujarat will all move out, migrate and Gujarat will be so ruined that it will become a huge burden for the country.”

    “A conspiracy was hatched to defame Gujarat before the world. An attempt was made to create an atmosphere of despair. It was said that Gujarat would never be able to stand on its own feet. Even in that crisis, I resolved that no matter what the circumstances were, I would take Gujarat out of it.” he claimed.

    The Prime Minister remembered the indifference of the then-central government towards Gujarat.

    “…Those who ran central government earlier used to link Gujarat’s development with politics. Ministers from the central government refused to come to the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. They used to threaten foreign investors and attempted to stop them from coming to Gujarat. Even after so much threatening, foreign investors came to Gujarat” Modi alleged.

    The prime minister said this was possible because of good governance, fair and policy-driven governance, and an equal system of growth and transparency, despite no special incentive.

    The Prime Minister explained the success of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit through its journey.

    The 2003 edition attracted only a few hundred participants; today more than 40000 participants and delegates and 135 countries take part in the summit, he informed. The number of exhibitors has also increased from 30 in 2003 to more than 2000 today.

    He said that India has become the third-largest economy in the world. He asked the industrialists to focus on sectors that will help with new possibilities for India. He asked for a discussion to take place in the startup ecosystem, agri-tech, food processing, and Shri Anna.

    Later, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated development projects worth Rs 5,206 crore in Chhota Udepur, Gujarat, which includes the provision of village Wi-Fi facilities in 22 districts. The PM also discussed about the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ in Vadodara.

  • Flood victims upset over relief announced by Gujarat government for Narmada flood

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD: In Gujarat, there is a debate about the Narmada floods, and now a new controversy has arisen. The Gujarat government has allocated 2,500 rupees per family for clothing, 2,500 rupees per family for household goods, and 2,000 from the Gujarat government i.e. The flood-affected families have called the government’s announcement of Rs 7,000 per family a joke, Moreover, the government has announced only Rs 1,20,000 in aid for the construction of houses that have been completely destroyed by the floods, while the government has announced Rs 10,000 for entirely destroyed or partially damaged shacks.

    According to a notification released on September 22, the Gujarat government has announced a relief package for Narmada river flood damage caused by severe rains in the districts of Bharuch, Narmada, Vadodara, Panchmahal, and Dahod.

    According to the notification, the state government has decided to pay Rs 2,500 as clothing assistance and Rs 2,500 as household assistance, for a total of Rs 5,000 per family as per State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms in these five districts, and another Rs 2,000 from the state government budget to pay a total of Rs 7,000 per family as clothing and household assistance.

    Suresh Patel of Juna Borbhata village in south Gujarat’s Bharuch district, where the Narmada water has caused the most damage, asks, “In today’s inflationary times, tell me what kind of household goods can be purchased for 2,500 rupees for the entire family, what kind of clothing can be purchased for 2,500 if there are 10 people in a family.”

    “How many people will be able to dress? How many pairs of chappals would you need to buy for ten individuals if each pair cost 100 rupees, and would you be able to buy clothing for the remaining family members?” he asks

    ALSO READ | Gujarat announces package for farmers hit by floods

    According to the notification, From SDRF, the Government would pay 20,000 for residential kutcha/Pucca dwellings that have been completely demolished or have sustained serious damage. In addition, Rs 10,000 would be granted for partially damaged residential kutcha/Pucca dwellings that have suffered at least 15% damage, and Rs 10,000 for entirely destroyed or partially damaged shacks.

    Dalpat Patel of Juna Borbhatha village, claims that “The government caused the wound and is now attempting to offer ointment. The government claims that if the entire building is demolished, they will receive 1,20,000 in aid. Ask the government how the house will be constructed with this amount of money. Are cement, brick, and concrete pricing unknown to the government?”

    “Who will build a shed for 5,000 rupees in today’s inflationary time, as claimed by the government?” He asks

    Sandeep Mangrola, the leader of Bharuch and the state general secretary of the Gujarat Congress, claims that the government is “playing a cruel joke on the flood victims. The government first destroyed the people by flooding the Narmada to receive praise on Prime Minister Modi’s birthday, and now they are playing a joke in the name of aid.” 

    AHMEDABAD: In Gujarat, there is a debate about the Narmada floods, and now a new controversy has arisen. The Gujarat government has allocated 2,500 rupees per family for clothing, 2,500 rupees per family for household goods, and 2,000 from the Gujarat government i.e. The flood-affected families have called the government’s announcement of Rs 7,000 per family a joke, Moreover, the government has announced only Rs 1,20,000 in aid for the construction of houses that have been completely destroyed by the floods, while the government has announced Rs 10,000 for entirely destroyed or partially damaged shacks.

    According to a notification released on September 22, the Gujarat government has announced a relief package for Narmada river flood damage caused by severe rains in the districts of Bharuch, Narmada, Vadodara, Panchmahal, and Dahod.

    According to the notification, the state government has decided to pay Rs 2,500 as clothing assistance and Rs 2,500 as household assistance, for a total of Rs 5,000 per family as per State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms in these five districts, and another Rs 2,000 from the state government budget to pay a total of Rs 7,000 per family as clothing and household assistance.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Suresh Patel of Juna Borbhata village in south Gujarat’s Bharuch district, where the Narmada water has caused the most damage, asks, “In today’s inflationary times, tell me what kind of household goods can be purchased for 2,500 rupees for the entire family, what kind of clothing can be purchased for 2,500 if there are 10 people in a family.”

    “How many people will be able to dress? How many pairs of chappals would you need to buy for ten individuals if each pair cost 100 rupees, and would you be able to buy clothing for the remaining family members?” he asks

    ALSO READ | Gujarat announces package for farmers hit by floods

    According to the notification, From SDRF, the Government would pay 20,000 for residential kutcha/Pucca dwellings that have been completely demolished or have sustained serious damage. In addition, Rs 10,000 would be granted for partially damaged residential kutcha/Pucca dwellings that have suffered at least 15% damage, and Rs 10,000 for entirely destroyed or partially damaged shacks.

    Dalpat Patel of Juna Borbhatha village, claims that “The government caused the wound and is now attempting to offer ointment. The government claims that if the entire building is demolished, they will receive 1,20,000 in aid. Ask the government how the house will be constructed with this amount of money. Are cement, brick, and concrete pricing unknown to the government?”

    “Who will build a shed for 5,000 rupees in today’s inflationary time, as claimed by the government?” He asks

    Sandeep Mangrola, the leader of Bharuch and the state general secretary of the Gujarat Congress, claims that the government is “playing a cruel joke on the flood victims. The government first destroyed the people by flooding the Narmada to receive praise on Prime Minister Modi’s birthday, and now they are playing a joke in the name of aid.” 

  •  Gujarat govt announces relief package for farmers in districts affected by Narmada river flooding

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government Saturday announced a special relief package for farmers hit by an overflowing Narmada river in Bharuch, Narmada and Vadodara districts between September 16 and September 18.

    Based on a report on the estimated damages caused to standing crops in the three districts due to flooding caused by the river, the government has decided to provide a special relief package from the state budget in addition to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to help farmers against their losses, it said.

    The government said that the benefit of the package will be given to farmers who have incurred 33 per cent or more loss of agricultural and horticultural crops for the kharif season 2023-24 in the villages declared as affected by the district administration, subject to a cap of two hectares.

    For non-irrigated agricultural crops, affected farmers will get a relief package of Rs 8,500 per hectare as per the SDRF norms.

    For irrigated agriculture and rainfed horticulture crops, they will get Rs 8,000 in addition to Rs 17,000 per hectare as per SDRF norms, it said.

    ALSO READ | Heavy rain batters Guj, Narmada dam water discharge causes flooding; 9,600 shifted to safety

    For perennial crops, the assistance will be Rs 15,000 per hectare in addition to Rs 22,500 paid as per the SDRF norms.

    Similarly, for 33 per cent or more of perennial horticultural crops uprooted or fallen per hectare, the farmers will be eligible for an assistance of Rs 1,02,500 in addition to Rs 22,500 paid as per SDRF norms, it said.

    Those affected farmers who want to avail of the assistance package have to apply online on the ‘Digital Gujarat Portal’ by October 31, 2023, the government said.

    Assistance under this special relief package and other ancillary payments will be made through direct benefit transfer (DBT) into the bank account of the beneficiaries, it said.

    Several areas in Gujarat were inundated due to heavy rains in the upper reaches of Narmada and the release of a massive amount of water from the Sardar Sarovar dam last week.

    Congress has called it a “man-made disaster” and demanded an investigation by a special investigation team (SIT) into the management of the dam apart from assistance to affected people.

    AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat government Saturday announced a special relief package for farmers hit by an overflowing Narmada river in Bharuch, Narmada and Vadodara districts between September 16 and September 18.

    Based on a report on the estimated damages caused to standing crops in the three districts due to flooding caused by the river, the government has decided to provide a special relief package from the state budget in addition to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to help farmers against their losses, it said.

    The government said that the benefit of the package will be given to farmers who have incurred 33 per cent or more loss of agricultural and horticultural crops for the kharif season 2023-24 in the villages declared as affected by the district administration, subject to a cap of two hectares.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    For non-irrigated agricultural crops, affected farmers will get a relief package of Rs 8,500 per hectare as per the SDRF norms.

    For irrigated agriculture and rainfed horticulture crops, they will get Rs 8,000 in addition to Rs 17,000 per hectare as per SDRF norms, it said.

    ALSO READ | Heavy rain batters Guj, Narmada dam water discharge causes flooding; 9,600 shifted to safety

    For perennial crops, the assistance will be Rs 15,000 per hectare in addition to Rs 22,500 paid as per the SDRF norms.

    Similarly, for 33 per cent or more of perennial horticultural crops uprooted or fallen per hectare, the farmers will be eligible for an assistance of Rs 1,02,500 in addition to Rs 22,500 paid as per SDRF norms, it said.

    Those affected farmers who want to avail of the assistance package have to apply online on the ‘Digital Gujarat Portal’ by October 31, 2023, the government said.

    Assistance under this special relief package and other ancillary payments will be made through direct benefit transfer (DBT) into the bank account of the beneficiaries, it said.

    Several areas in Gujarat were inundated due to heavy rains in the upper reaches of Narmada and the release of a massive amount of water from the Sardar Sarovar dam last week.

    Congress has called it a “man-made disaster” and demanded an investigation by a special investigation team (SIT) into the management of the dam apart from assistance to affected people.

  • Five of family killed in road accident in Gujarat, miraculous escape for two-year-old boy

    By PTI

    AHMEDABAD: Five members of a family were killed, while a two-year-old boy escaped miraculously with minor injuries after two cars collided in Bharuch district of Gujarat on Wednesday, police said.

    The accident occurred near Hansot village in the afternoon, they said.

    A total of six persons, including the two-year-old boy, were travelling in one car from Bharuch to Surat when the incident took place, inspector Karansinh Chudasama of Hansot police station said.

    The toddler survived the crash and suffered minor injuries.

    The driver of the other car was also injured in the accident, he said, adding that four of the deceased were women.

    The deceased included elderly couple Imtiyaz Patel and his wife Salmaben, their married daughters – Maria and Afifa – and the wife of Imtiyaz Patel’s brother, Jamila Patel.

    All of them resided in Bharuch and were going towards Surat.

    The minor boy, who was Maria Patel’s son, survived the collision and was admitted to a nearby hospital by the local police.

    The police rushed to the spot immediately after the accident, Chudasama said, adding that Imtiyaz Patel, who was in his late 50s, was driving the car and was also wearing a seat-belt at the time of accident.

    “While one car, driven by one Hitendrasinh, was going towards Bharuch from Surat, the Patel family was going in the opposite direction. The road near Hansot is straight and does not have any dangerous curves. Our preliminary probe suggests that Patel lost control of his car while overtaking a vehicle and went straight into the opposite lane,” Chudasama said.

    “Though airbags of both the cars worked properly during the accident, five of Patel’s family died on the spot, while Hitendrasinh and the toddler survived the crash,” he added.

    AHMEDABAD: Five members of a family were killed, while a two-year-old boy escaped miraculously with minor injuries after two cars collided in Bharuch district of Gujarat on Wednesday, police said.

    The accident occurred near Hansot village in the afternoon, they said.

    A total of six persons, including the two-year-old boy, were travelling in one car from Bharuch to Surat when the incident took place, inspector Karansinh Chudasama of Hansot police station said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The toddler survived the crash and suffered minor injuries.

    The driver of the other car was also injured in the accident, he said, adding that four of the deceased were women.

    The deceased included elderly couple Imtiyaz Patel and his wife Salmaben, their married daughters – Maria and Afifa – and the wife of Imtiyaz Patel’s brother, Jamila Patel.

    All of them resided in Bharuch and were going towards Surat.

    The minor boy, who was Maria Patel’s son, survived the collision and was admitted to a nearby hospital by the local police.

    The police rushed to the spot immediately after the accident, Chudasama said, adding that Imtiyaz Patel, who was in his late 50s, was driving the car and was also wearing a seat-belt at the time of accident.

    “While one car, driven by one Hitendrasinh, was going towards Bharuch from Surat, the Patel family was going in the opposite direction. The road near Hansot is straight and does not have any dangerous curves. Our preliminary probe suggests that Patel lost control of his car while overtaking a vehicle and went straight into the opposite lane,” Chudasama said.

    “Though airbags of both the cars worked properly during the accident, five of Patel’s family died on the spot, while Hitendrasinh and the toddler survived the crash,” he added.

  • Indian Red Cross Society join hands with Gujarat gov to prevent the birth of children with thalassemia 

    Express News Service

    In Gujarat, the Indian Red Cross Society Gujarat Chapter has initiated a pilot program Named ‘Thalassemia Prevention Program’ to prevent thalassemia major childbirths with the assistance of the Gujarat government.

    There are now 8,000 children in Gujarat with thalassemia major, and one lakh children with this condition across India. 10,000 new children are born with thalassemia major each year, while 700 to 800 new children are born with this disease in Gujarat each year. 

    The goal of this effort is to reduce the number of kids with thalassemia. The execution of this pilot project has begun at various government hospitals in Ahmedabad City: Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Sola Civil Hospital, ESI Hospital, and three hospitals of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, as well as all of the city’s urban centers, Said Indian Red Cross Society Gujarat official

    The project’s goal is to lessen the occurrence of thalassemia major newborns and relieve parents of having to worry about their thalassemia major child for the rest of their lives.

    According to Project, if a woman comes to this hospital for the first time after becoming pregnant, she gets checked for thalassemia. If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with thalassemia minor, her husband is also checked. If the woman’s husband also has thalassemia minor, then prenatal diagnostic tests are performed to monitor the unborn child. After the tests, It is possible to tell whether the upcoming baby has Thalassemia Minor or Major from above. If the infant has thalassemia major, then the doctor will perform an abortion. In Ahmedabad, 600 such abortions were performed.

    Dr. Anil Khatri Project head of the Indian Red Cross for Gujarat Said, “If both the husband and woman have thalassemia minor, there is a 25% probability that the child will be major or minor in each pregnancy. A pilot initiative in Ahmedabad tested 8 lakh pregnant mothers, and 600 children were discovered to have thalassemia major. In which 600 children were saved from being born with thalassemia major because of legal abortions.”

    “As part of the pilot initiative, all government hospitals in Ahmedabad are doing proper screening for thalassemia in pregnant ladies. However, private hospitals do not rigorously adhere to this. Because there is no such thing in law.” Said Dr. Khatri.

    On the condition of anonymity, a husband and wife stated, “We had no idea we had thalassemia minor. There was no test performed prior to marriage. But when the kid was born, he was continuously unwell and had a fever, and when we brought him to the doctor, he urged us to get a thalassemia test.”

    “My child has thalassemia major, according to the Test results. After that, we had a thalassemia test, and the results showed that we have thalassemia mild. The toddler is currently receiving blood transfusions on a monthly basis. It’s very painful to see your child every month in the hospital,” they added.

    In Gujarat, the Indian Red Cross Society Gujarat Chapter has initiated a pilot program Named ‘Thalassemia Prevention Program’ to prevent thalassemia major childbirths with the assistance of the Gujarat government.

    There are now 8,000 children in Gujarat with thalassemia major, and one lakh children with this condition across India. 10,000 new children are born with thalassemia major each year, while 700 to 800 new children are born with this disease in Gujarat each year. 

    The goal of this effort is to reduce the number of kids with thalassemia. The execution of this pilot project has begun at various government hospitals in Ahmedabad City: Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Sola Civil Hospital, ESI Hospital, and three hospitals of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, as well as all of the city’s urban centers, Said Indian Red Cross Society Gujarat officialgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The project’s goal is to lessen the occurrence of thalassemia major newborns and relieve parents of having to worry about their thalassemia major child for the rest of their lives.

    According to Project, if a woman comes to this hospital for the first time after becoming pregnant, she gets checked for thalassemia. If a pregnant woman is diagnosed with thalassemia minor, her husband is also checked. If the woman’s husband also has thalassemia minor, then prenatal diagnostic tests are performed to monitor the unborn child. After the tests, It is possible to tell whether the upcoming baby has Thalassemia Minor or Major from above. If the infant has thalassemia major, then the doctor will perform an abortion. In Ahmedabad, 600 such abortions were performed.

    Dr. Anil Khatri Project head of the Indian Red Cross for Gujarat Said, “If both the husband and woman have thalassemia minor, there is a 25% probability that the child will be major or minor in each pregnancy. A pilot initiative in Ahmedabad tested 8 lakh pregnant mothers, and 600 children were discovered to have thalassemia major. In which 600 children were saved from being born with thalassemia major because of legal abortions.”

    “As part of the pilot initiative, all government hospitals in Ahmedabad are doing proper screening for thalassemia in pregnant ladies. However, private hospitals do not rigorously adhere to this. Because there is no such thing in law.” Said Dr. Khatri.

    On the condition of anonymity, a husband and wife stated, “We had no idea we had thalassemia minor. There was no test performed prior to marriage. But when the kid was born, he was continuously unwell and had a fever, and when we brought him to the doctor, he urged us to get a thalassemia test.”

    “My child has thalassemia major, according to the Test results. After that, we had a thalassemia test, and the results showed that we have thalassemia mild. The toddler is currently receiving blood transfusions on a monthly basis. It’s very painful to see your child every month in the hospital,” they added.

  • Gujarat saw 81 custodial deaths in last five years, highest in India 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Gujarat witnessed the most number of custodial deaths in the last five years with 81 such cases, followed by Maharashtra with 80 deaths,  Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

    Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said as many as 687 people died in police custody in various parts of the country from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2023.

    While 81 deaths in police custody were reported in Gujarat, 80 such deaths took place in Maharashtra in the said period, he said, replying to a written question.

    The minister said there were 50 police custodial deaths in Madhya Pradesh, 47 in Bihar, 41 in Uttar Pradesh and 36 in Tamil Nadu.

    Citing the data provided by the National Human Rights Commission, Rai said a total of 164 deaths in police custody were reported in 2022-23, 175 in 2021-22, 100 in 2020-21, 112 in 2019-20 and 136 in 2018-2019.

    NEW DELHI: Gujarat witnessed the most number of custodial deaths in the last five years with 81 such cases, followed by Maharashtra with 80 deaths,  Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

    Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said as many as 687 people died in police custody in various parts of the country from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2023.

    While 81 deaths in police custody were reported in Gujarat, 80 such deaths took place in Maharashtra in the said period, he said, replying to a written question.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The minister said there were 50 police custodial deaths in Madhya Pradesh, 47 in Bihar, 41 in Uttar Pradesh and 36 in Tamil Nadu.

    Citing the data provided by the National Human Rights Commission, Rai said a total of 164 deaths in police custody were reported in 2022-23, 175 in 2021-22, 100 in 2020-21, 112 in 2019-20 and 136 in 2018-2019.

  • Lion knocked down by goods train in Gujarat dies during treatment

    By PTI

    AMRELI: An Asiatic lion, which was injured after being hit by a goods train in Gujarat’s Amreli district three days ago, died while undergoing treatment, an official said on Monday.

    An Asiatic lion was killed and another injured after they were hit by a goods train near Uchaiya village of Rajula taluka in Amreli in the early hours of July 21.

    The injured animal was then shifted to Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh for treatment.

    “The injured lion undergoing treatment at the zoo also succumbed to its injuries on Sunday,” said Aradhana Sahu, chief conservator of forest, Junagadh Wildlife Circle.

    On July 21, the forest staff spotted a pride of two lions and two lionesses close to the railway track that connects Pipavav Port with Rajula town.

    The 35-km railway route between Pipavav port and Rajula falls in the revenue area away from the Gir forest, the last abode of Asiatic lions in the world.

    On learning that four lions were on the track, a Railway Sevak patrolling in the area alerted the loco pilot of the oncoming goods train by flashing his torch.

    Though the loco pilot applied emergency brakes, a lion was run over by the train and died on the spot, while another was injured after being knocked down, officials had said.

    The train could not stop in time as it was too close to the lions when the loco pilot applied emergency brakes, they said.

    The state forest department in a statement said various steps are being taken to avoid such accidents in that region.

    Trackers and 45 Railway Sevaks are deployed to keep a watch on the movement of lions near the track 24/7, Sahu said, adding that a ‘lion ambulance’ is also stationed at Jafrabad for quick response.

    “While the fencing on the 12 km train route was repaired last year, we have also installed 18 solar-powered lights along the track for better visibility. Railway Sevaks were given electric batons so that they can signal the loco pilot to slow down the train to help lions cross the tracks,” Sahu said.

    AMRELI: An Asiatic lion, which was injured after being hit by a goods train in Gujarat’s Amreli district three days ago, died while undergoing treatment, an official said on Monday.

    An Asiatic lion was killed and another injured after they were hit by a goods train near Uchaiya village of Rajula taluka in Amreli in the early hours of July 21.

    The injured animal was then shifted to Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh for treatment.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “The injured lion undergoing treatment at the zoo also succumbed to its injuries on Sunday,” said Aradhana Sahu, chief conservator of forest, Junagadh Wildlife Circle.

    On July 21, the forest staff spotted a pride of two lions and two lionesses close to the railway track that connects Pipavav Port with Rajula town.

    The 35-km railway route between Pipavav port and Rajula falls in the revenue area away from the Gir forest, the last abode of Asiatic lions in the world.

    On learning that four lions were on the track, a Railway Sevak patrolling in the area alerted the loco pilot of the oncoming goods train by flashing his torch.

    Though the loco pilot applied emergency brakes, a lion was run over by the train and died on the spot, while another was injured after being knocked down, officials had said.

    The train could not stop in time as it was too close to the lions when the loco pilot applied emergency brakes, they said.

    The state forest department in a statement said various steps are being taken to avoid such accidents in that region.

    Trackers and 45 Railway Sevaks are deployed to keep a watch on the movement of lions near the track 24/7, Sahu said, adding that a ‘lion ambulance’ is also stationed at Jafrabad for quick response.

    “While the fencing on the 12 km train route was repaired last year, we have also installed 18 solar-powered lights along the track for better visibility. Railway Sevaks were given electric batons so that they can signal the loco pilot to slow down the train to help lions cross the tracks,” Sahu said.

  • Baby boy, toddler mauled to death by lioness, leopard in separate incidents

    By PTI

    AMRELI: An infant and a three-year-old boy were mauled to death by a lioness and a leopard in separate incidents in Gujarat’s Amreli district, forest department officials said on Tuesday.

    Jayan Patel, Deputy Conservator of Forests said the lioness took away a five-month boy early Tuesday morning when he was sleeping with his family of daily wagers out in the open near Khara village in Liliya taluk. 

    “The baby’s skull was later found about half a kilometre from where he was picked up. From the footmarks and the version of locals, we believe it is the work of a lioness,” he said.

    Forest staff teams were scanning the area and cages will be set up to catch the big cat, he said.

    Two veterinary doctors have also been kept on standby, he added.

    In another incident, a three-year-old boy was killed after being attacked by a leopard in Karjala village of Savarkundla taluka here on Monday night, forest officials said. The forest staff later caged the leopard, they said.

    AMRELI: An infant and a three-year-old boy were mauled to death by a lioness and a leopard in separate incidents in Gujarat’s Amreli district, forest department officials said on Tuesday.

    Jayan Patel, Deputy Conservator of Forests said the lioness took away a five-month boy early Tuesday morning when he was sleeping with his family of daily wagers out in the open near Khara village in Liliya taluk. 

    “The baby’s skull was later found about half a kilometre from where he was picked up. From the footmarks and the version of locals, we believe it is the work of a lioness,” he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Forest staff teams were scanning the area and cages will be set up to catch the big cat, he said.

    Two veterinary doctors have also been kept on standby, he added.

    In another incident, a three-year-old boy was killed after being attacked by a leopard in Karjala village of Savarkundla taluka here on Monday night, forest officials said. The forest staff later caged the leopard, they said.

  • CEPT student dies by suicide in Gujarat; 3000 suicides in five years

    Express News Service

    AHMEDABAD:  A 23-year-old student of the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) in Ahmedabad, died by suicide due to study-related stress. 

    This is not the first incident, according to the NCRB’s Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) report, In Gujarat, 3,002 students died by suicide in the last five years.

    According to the data, seven medical students died by suicide in 2022 alone, indicating a dire scenario.

    Three students of Gujarat from prestigious institutions died by suicide in  2020, 2021, and 2023.

    Another student from Gujarat, Darshan Solanki recently committed suicide at IIT-Bombay.

    Shiv Mahendrabhai Mistry (23), a final semester architecture student at CEPT University, stayed in a PG and is a native of Vadodara. According to the case, Shiv wrote four suicide notes, one for each of his parents, brother, girlfriend, and close friend. The overarching message was that he was unable to meet his parents’ expectations and was not pursuing his life goals.

    Be it caste discrimination, province discrimination, inequality, study load, fear of failure, illness, loneliness, love, institutional environment, poverty, or increased unemployment, in the last five years, over 3,000 students in Gujarat have died by suicide, many with stories similar to Shiv.

    Gujarat has risen to sixth place in India in terms of student suicides. In light of data, up to 3,002 students in Gujarat have committed suicide in the previous five years, approximately 1-2 youths every day.

    In India, there are 35 student suicides every day, or 1-2 students per hour. According to data, 638 students died by suicide in 2017, 570 in 2018, 575 in 2019, 597 in 2020, and 622 in 2021.

    Data also indicates that premier institutions like IIT/IIM/NITs/AIIMS and central universities report that 103 students have already committed suicide in India between 2018 and 2023. 35 of those are in IITs, 29 are at central universities, 24 are at NITs, 11 are at AIIMS, and 4 are at IIMs. 56,013 students have died by suicide in the past five years, including 30488 male and 25,525 female students.

    Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said, “ Recently, PM Modi made a joke on suicide, but he may not have seen the statistics of students dying by suicide in his own state, there has been a 32% increase in student suicides in the country’s educational institutions in five years. Students account for more than one-third of all suicides.”

    In the past five years, the number of suicides in the country has grown by 26%. In Gujarat alone, 7 medical students died by suicide in 2022.

    Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call Sneha Foundation – 04424640050 (available 24×7)

    AHMEDABAD:  A 23-year-old student of the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) in Ahmedabad, died by suicide due to study-related stress. 

    This is not the first incident, according to the NCRB’s Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) report, In Gujarat, 3,002 students died by suicide in the last five years.

    According to the data, seven medical students died by suicide in 2022 alone, indicating a dire scenario.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Three students of Gujarat from prestigious institutions died by suicide in  2020, 2021, and 2023.

    Another student from Gujarat, Darshan Solanki recently committed suicide at IIT-Bombay.

    Shiv Mahendrabhai Mistry (23), a final semester architecture student at CEPT University, stayed in a PG and is a native of Vadodara. According to the case, Shiv wrote four suicide notes, one for each of his parents, brother, girlfriend, and close friend. The overarching message was that he was unable to meet his parents’ expectations and was not pursuing his life goals.

    Be it caste discrimination, province discrimination, inequality, study load, fear of failure, illness, loneliness, love, institutional environment, poverty, or increased unemployment, in the last five years, over 3,000 students in Gujarat have died by suicide, many with stories similar to Shiv.

    Gujarat has risen to sixth place in India in terms of student suicides. In light of data, up to 3,002 students in Gujarat have committed suicide in the previous five years, approximately 1-2 youths every day.

    In India, there are 35 student suicides every day, or 1-2 students per hour. According to data, 638 students died by suicide in 2017, 570 in 2018, 575 in 2019, 597 in 2020, and 622 in 2021.

    Data also indicates that premier institutions like IIT/IIM/NITs/AIIMS and central universities report that 103 students have already committed suicide in India between 2018 and 2023. 35 of those are in IITs, 29 are at central universities, 24 are at NITs, 11 are at AIIMS, and 4 are at IIMs. 56,013 students have died by suicide in the past five years, including 30488 male and 25,525 female students.

    Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said, “ Recently, PM Modi made a joke on suicide, but he may not have seen the statistics of students dying by suicide in his own state, there has been a 32% increase in student suicides in the country’s educational institutions in five years. Students account for more than one-third of all suicides.”

    In the past five years, the number of suicides in the country has grown by 26%. In Gujarat alone, 7 medical students died by suicide in 2022.

    Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. In case you feel distressed by the content or know someone in distress, call Sneha Foundation – 04424640050 (available 24×7)