Akshita Kapoor

[ad_1] NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi has asked road transport ministry to formulate "clear norms and standards" for subcontractors engaged by main highway builders to ensure high quality of work during project execution. The ministry has also been instructed to rework the criteria of eligibility and selection of supervision engineers, who are responsible for quality compliance during construction.These instructions, among several others, came amid instances of newly-built highways getting damaged due to poor quality work - primarily because of abnormally low prices quoted by bidders to bag projects and laxity in supervision by consultancy firms engaged by the govt. Last Dec, the PM had reviewed the ministry's performance and minutes of the meeting issued last month mentions these directions, TOI has learnt.While the ministry has amended the contract conditions to discourage abnormally low bids, it is finalising stringent norms for […]

[ad_1] NEW DELHI: DRDO has transferred technologies of nine land systems and weapon platforms, including for mounted artillery guns and CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) reconnaissance vehicles, to defence PSUs and private companies for production.In line with the govt's vision to establish a robust defence industrial ecosystem, DRDO laboratory Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE) located near Ahmednagar in Maharashtra handed over the licencing agreements to the different companies on Saturday, officials said.DRDO chairman Samir V Kamat, speaking on the occasion, praised the "exceptional performance" of indigenous systems like the Akash air defence missiles during Operation Sindoor. The country's defence industry should also plan for "surge capacity" during such situations, he said.The technologies transferred by VRDE included CBRN recce vehicle (tracked) Mark-II to defence PSU Bharat Electronics (BEL) and the mounted gun system to private sector company Bharat Forge.The […]

[ad_1] NEW DELHI: Election Commission officials on Sunday challenged Congress' Rahul Gandhi to follow-up on his claims of "rigging" in 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections by formally writing to the poll panel, saying only then can it offer a formal, point-by-point rebuttal of his "baseless allegations"."It is very strange that even after 24 hours have passed, Rahul has neither written any letter to EC nor sought time with it to air his grievances," said a senior EC functionary. "It is public knowledge that a constitutional body like EC cannot respond formally to allegations unless they are raised or communicated to it directly," the functionary added.Also read: 'Maharashtra polls were match-fixed, Bihar next,' alleges Rahul GandhiRahul, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, on Saturday hit out at EC after it rejected his allegations of "rigging" in Maharashtra elections in an Op-Ed. He […]

[ad_1] The liver's vital role in detoxification and digestion is often overlooked until disease strikes. Early symptoms like fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, and itchy skin can be subtle indicators of liver dysfunction. Dark urine, unexplained weight loss, and changes in stool color also warrant attention, as prompt diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and preventing further liver damage. Keeping your liver healthy is crucial for overall well-being. Let’s not forget that there literally is a ‘live’ in liver! The liver performs over 500 essential functions, including detoxification, nutrient processing, and bile production for digestion. Liver disease affects millions of people across the globe, and it is on the rise, more than ever. When liver disease develops, its early symptoms are often subtle and are mistaken for minor ailments or ignored entirely. This can delay diagnosis of conditions like hepatitis, fatty […]

[ad_1] PANAJI: A day after public outrage over the decision of health minister Vishwajit Rane to suspend the chief medical officer (CMO) of Goa Medical College’s (GMC) casualty department, chief minister Pramod Sawant said on Sunday that the doctor would not be suspended.Rane on Saturday directed the immediate suspension of the doctor following a complaint alleging that the doctor told a patient to go to an urban health centre to receive an injection.“I reviewed the issue at GMC and held discussions with the health minister. I want to assure the people of Goa that the doctor will not be suspended,” said Sawant.“State govt and our dedicated medical team remain fully committed to ensuring the highest standards of healthcare for every citizen. We also appreciate the tireless efforts and invaluable service of our doctors, who continue to save lives.”Immediately after facing […]

[ad_1] NEW DELHI: Six more Covid-related deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, the Union health ministry said on Sunday. The country's total Covid count has crossed the 6,000-mark, with 769 fresh cases being reported in the last 48 hours, revealed data released by the ministry.Kerala continues to be the most affected state, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal and Delhi. In all, there are 6,133 active Covid cases in the country.With the latest casualties, the Covid death toll since Jan has gone up to 65. Maharashtra has recorded the maximum fatalities (18), followed by Kerala (15) and Delhi (7).Due to the rising number of cases, Centre is conducting mock drills to check facility-level preparedness and has instructed all states to ensure availability of oxygen, isolation beds, ventilators, and essential medicines, official sources said. However, most cases are mild and […]

[ad_1] KOLKATA/HOWRAH: For 13 years, 46-year-old Amit Dutta lived a double life — a rich, friendly, and helpful neighbour by day, and a bedraggled thief by night. On the night of June 5, Dutta's luck ran out after Howrah rural police caught him trying to break into a home in Rajapur. Questioning him led police to his palatial home in Nodakhali a day later. The three-storied house, replete with a treadmill, bathtub-fitted toilet, marble floors and chandeliers, was, ironically, kept under CCTV surveillance to pre-empt thefts. Dutta, currently in police custody, claimed that he paid "income tax" for his earnings, recently went to Indonesia for a vacation, and has also booked a sedan.Dutta's modus operandi was sophisticated yet simple. Every morning, he crossed the Bhagirathi river from Budge Budge to areas in Uluberia, Rajapur, Bauria, and Panchla. He would then […]

[ad_1] Plane crash in Tennessee (image from Tennessee Highway Patrol's Facebook) A plane carrying at least 16 passengers crashed in Tennessee's Coffee County, approximately 60 miles south of Nashville, US, according to reports from the Tennessee Highway Patrol."Early information suggests there were approximately 16 to 20 people on board.," the highway patrol said in Facebook post on Sunday afternoon. "This remains an active and developing situation," it added.The highway patrol further detailed that while several passengers have been transported to local medical facilities by air, others are receiving assessment at the crash site. "Several have been flown by medical helicopter to surrounding hospitals, and others are being evaluated on scene," it said.The authorities further urged public to avoid the area for smooth rescue operations. "Please avoid the area to allow emergency crews room to operate safely. They will share more […]

[ad_1] MUMBAI: Questioning why they chose to order from a restaurant that also offered non-vegetarian options instead of an exclusively vegetarian establishment if they were strictly vegetarian and believed consuming meat would hurt their religious sentiments, a consumer commission has dismissed a complaint filed by two Dadar residents who sought Rs 6 lakh in compensation from a fast food chain that served them chicken momos in Dec 2020."[That] a prudent person would be able to distinguish between veg and non-veg food before consuming it seems reasonable," the commission said.The complainants, Gargi Joshi and Jitesh Mundhwa, had claimed that they had specifically asked for vegetarian options twice when placing an order for a momo and soft drink combination meal for Rs 120 at Wow Momos Foods Private Ltd's Sion outlet, but the commission said the complainants failed to substantiate this claim, […]

[ad_1] HARBOR ISLAND-MELBOURNE BEACH (FLORIDA): When Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla lifts off to space aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission on June 10 for a two-week stay on the ISS, it won’t just mark a milestone for India. For his wife Kamna, it’s another chapter in a life shaped quietly around duty, friendship, and long familiarity.Speaking exclusively to TOI just days ahead of the launch from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Centre here, Kamna shared what this journey has meant to her—as a partner, as a parent, and as someone who’s known “Shux” since childhood.“As you go on this incredible journey, I am extremely proud of you. You’re not just reaching for the stars, you are inspiring so many of us back home. Just shine bright and do your duty to your best, as you always do.”Kamna’s Message To Shux“It was in the […]