India earns over Rs 73,000 crore annually from tobacco taxes, yet dedicated spending on tobacco control remains a fraction of that. On World No Tobacco Day, observed on May 31, governments worldwide renew their commitment to combating tobacco use. This year’s WHO theme, “Unmasking the Appeal — Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction", highlights industry tactics that attract young users. In India, this occasion also offers an opportunity to reflect on the complex balance be

Seeking help for mental health challenges is not a sign of weakness but a step toward healing and growth. For years, people have understood the importance of maintaining physical health through exercise, healthy eating, and regular medical check-ups. However, an equally important aspect of well-being—mental health—has often been overlooked. Today, mental health has become a major topic of discussion as increasing numbers of people struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, an

Technology should remain a tool in our hands, not become the master of our minds. Modern human life is surrounded by a strange kind of noisy silence. A smartphone is constantly in hand, while endless notifications, rapidly changing screens, and an uninterrupted flow of information compete for our attention. Though this may not physically exhaust the body, it deeply tires the mind. Even a few moments away from the phone can create restlessness. Sitting quietly feels difficult,

AI generated image A parent stands in a supermarket, holding a packet of biscuits that says “zero sugar” and “high fibre.” The packet looks attractive and trustworthy. The child beside the parent is already excited by the colourful cover. It feels like a smart and healthy choice. But what is written in small letters on the back may tell a very different story. This pattern is increasingly becoming a regular feature in many Indian homes today. Packaged-foods, once eaten only

Mumbai: An unyielding and upright IAS officer Tukaram Haribhau Mundhe was awarded with his 25th transfer order in 21 years’ service – as the new Commissioner of Food & Drug Administration. The latest shunting comes barely a couple of months after his last assignment, Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation, which was stayed before he could take charge. Mundhe, 50, holds the current ‘national record’ for being an IAS officer who has suffered max

AI generated image Health is the greatest wealth. But when a serious illness strikes a family, it does not just affect the patient physically; it often pushes the entire family into financial distress. In such difficult moments, when all doors seem closed, the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund has emerged as a ray of hope for lakhs of families across Maharashtra. Today, it is no longer merely a government mechanism but a true people’s movement built on sensitive leadership and pub

A nourished mother helps build a healthier generation. Motherhood is a journey that evolves through various stages, each with its own physical, emotional and nutritional demands. On the occasion of Mother’s Day, it is important to shift the focus towards the health of mothers themselves, who form the foundation of families and communities. As a clinical nutritionist, I often say, “A healthy mother builds a healthy generation.” Nutrition is not just about eating right; it is a

You are not just eating a chemical; you are eating a nutritionally hollowed version of the fruit you paid for. Every summer, as temperatures climb and school breaks begin, India's fruit markets transform. Mango pyramids glow amber at every corner stall. Bananas arrive in perfect, uniformly yellow bunches. Papayas look like they've been plucked at precisely the right moment. For consumers, it looks like abundance. For food safety regulators, it looks like a red flag. India pr

Around 2.40 lakh hens culled, Nine-lakh eggs destroyed Mumbai: For the third time in 20 years, Avian Influenza has hit Navapur, in Nandurbar district, with over 2.40 lakhs birds culled in the past few days as worried farmers await compensation and effective vaccines. In some areas, all the infected birds in big and small farms have been eliminated by specialist teams, as per World Health Organisation (WHO) and central government’s guidelines. This is the third time afte

Often described as ‘breathing exercises’, pranayama is much more than that. In today’s fast-moving world, stress, anxiety and lifestyle-related disorders have become increasingly common. While modern medicine offers solutions, there is also growing interest in simple, natural practices that support physical and mental well-being. One such practice from the ancient yogic tradition is pranayama. Often described as “breathing exercises”, pranayama is much more than that. It is a

As heatwaves intensify across India, rising temperatures are not just causing dehydration but also kidney problems and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Follow the vital tips given by the expert in the article below and stay healthy during those sunny days. Just like heatwaves can trigger heart crises, rising temperatures are now causing a spike in kidney problems and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Excessive heat leads to dehydration, which stresses the kidneys and creates

In today's world, where many people feel both connected and lonely, mental health has become a major issue. The World Health Organization reports that depression and anxiety disorders are among the top causes of disability globally. While therapy, medication, and counselling are important for treatment, there is a growing understanding that healing the mind often requires something deeper, such as a sense of meaning, connection, and inner balance. This is where spirituality c

Kolhapur: Something remarkable has happened to heart care in India over the past two decades. Procedures that once required a patient to travel to a major city — angiography, angioplasty, complex interventions — are now available in district hospitals. The machine that made this possible is the catheterisation laboratory, the Cath Lab, a sophisticated imaging suite that has quietly become the backbone of modern cardiac treatment. Maharashtra has been expanding this network. T

Procurement at multiples of market price; equipment before infrastructure; no accountability Kolhapur: Maharashtra’s Medical Education and Public Health Departments have been on an aggressive drive to expand public healthcare infrastructure. Daily announcements of new centres, advanced equipment and expanded services have reassured citizens long denied dependable public healthcare. Procurement of medical equipment, medicines and surgical supplies is reportedly being undertake

The furore over the NEET-PG cut-offs misses the real malaise in how the country trains its doctors. AI generated image The January 13 notification from the National Board of Examinations regarding lower cut offs for eligibility to enter post graduate courses in India has ruffled feathers has ruffled feathers well beyond the medical fraternity, unsettling media commentators, policymakers and the wider public. The proposal to lower cut-offs did not emerge from bureaucratic whim

Tuberculosis will not vanish by decree, but India’s unfinished battle against it is reshaping public health. Tuberculosis is as old as civilisation and as stubborn as poverty. The disease scarred Egyptian mummies long before it stalked the slums of modern megacities. Two millennia later, it remains one of humanity’s deadliest infections, killing about 1.25 million people a year and sickening more than 10 million worldwide. In India, which shoulders more than a quarter of the

India’s next leap in healthcare innovation depends on building a system that empowers discovery, safeguards ethics and restores trust in innovation. India aspires to be among the world’s foremost knowledge economies by 2047, marking a century of independence. To achieve that vision, science and innovation must become central pillars of development, and healthcare will be one of the most critical frontiers. India already enjoys global recognition as the “pharmacy of the world,

Just 15 minutes of Sukshma Vyayama can quiet the mind, energise the body, and balance the spirit. In the vast and timeless tradition of yoga, Sukshma Vyayama holds a unique place. These micro-level yogic movements gently awaken every organ, muscle, joint, and the spine — working from head to toe in a rhythmic, mindful way that harmonises the body and mind. The practice was brought to modern awareness by the legendary yoga master Dhirendra Brahmachari, a direct disciple of Mah

Not mere exercise, yoga is much more than posture – it is the art of aligning the body with the soul. Yoga is not just a fitness routine...

India’s health-care shortage will not be fixed by keeping its traditional healers on the margins. A recent critique of AYUSH...