New Delhi: In a ray of hope for 67-year-old Satyavati, who is battling breast cancer, after she was denied treatment under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme, the Delhi High Court has moved to seek clarification from the agency.Hearing the plea, the court on Tuesday issued notice to ESIC asking why it was denied super specialty treatment (SST) to a patient who required immediate chemotherapy and surgery. The case is now listed for April 29.According to the petition, a series of referrals to ESIC facilities followed for Satyavati’s diagnosis. Her nephew Rajesh Rajora told TOI that she had first approached the ESIC dispensary in Nand Nagari two months ago after a lump was detected in her right breast. He was referred to Jhilmil Hospital in East Delhi, where doctors advised a Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) test. Since testing was not available there, it was conducted in the private sector.After reviewing the FNAC report, the doctors referred him to ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad, where further tests including biopsy were conducted, while the PET scan was done in the private sector. The report confirmed stage one breast cancer and doctors advised chemotherapy followed by surgery. April 15 was set to start chemotherapy.However, when she reached the hospital for admission, she was refused treatment on the grounds that the super specialty treatment section was not active, reportedly due to a brief break of a few months in the employment of her son Gaurav in 2025.“We were given a date for chemotherapy, and then suddenly told he was not eligible. How could one refuse treatment in a cancer case? The break was only for a few months, and he is still the beneficiary. “We can’t wait for paperwork when the disease won’t wait,” his nephew Rajesh Rajora told TOI. Since the next court date is at the end of April, we had no option but to take him to GTB hospital to start treatment.”Rajora said that despite the brief gap, Gaurav and his dependents continue to be ESIC beneficiaries, and denial of treatment in such a case is unfair.The plea said the denial of treatment is contrary to ESIC’s 2024 policy, which makes super specialty treatment mandatory for insured persons and their dependents from the first day of employment, subject to case-based assessment.Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Ashok Aggarwal told the court that Satyavati – a dependent of an insured employee – was refused treatment despite clear medical advice on the grounds of “non-eligibility”.Terming the denial as “illegal and arbitrary”, the petition argues that withholding life-saving care is a violation of the fundamental right to life and health under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. It also cited previous High Court judgments underlining the state’s responsibility to ensure treatment for serious diseases like cancer.After receiving no response to the legal notice sent earlier this month, the family moved the High Court, demanding immediate and uninterrupted treatment.The case is expected to test the implementation of ESIC’s super specialty treatment framework, especially in high-risk cases involving dependents.

“Making reels or videography is prohibited in Kedarnath temple premises”: SP Rudraprayag

Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police Niharika Tomar said on Tuesday that the administration has tightened security and management arrangements at Kedarnath Dham during the Yatra season.He said that the use of mobile phones, drones or any camera for videography has been completely banned in the temple premises.“The doors of Kedarnath Dham are opening on 22nd April at 8 am. The doli (palanquin) has reached here and along with it a large number of devotees have also come. According to the guidelines issued this time, any kind of reel or videography is prohibited in the temple premises. Use of mobile phones is also prohibited within our perimeter, SP Tomar told ANI.The official further said that a mobile counter and locker system has also been installed by the temple administration.SP Niharika Tomar said, “I would like to appeal to all the devotees not to do any kind of videography or make reels in the temple premises so that its dignity and sanctity is maintained.”“Also, flying drones without permission is also prohibited here. Today, we have taken action against two drones which were being flown unauthorized. This will continue in the future also. Therefore, I would request and appeal to everyone not to indulge in such unauthorized activities for the safety and sanctity of the Dham,” the official said.The administration has urged devotees to follow the rules and help maintain the sanctity of the temple premises.With the Char Dham Yatra officially starting on April 19 (Akshay Tritiya), a record number of pilgrims have already gathered at the base camps.Despite the festive atmosphere, authorities have issued an advisory to devotees to carry heavy woolen clothes as the temperature remained close to zero due to recent snowfall.As the sun rises on April 22, the sound of conch shells and chants of “Kedar Baba ki Jai” will mark the end of the six-month winter hiatus, and one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage sites will be reopened to the world.

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wrote a letter on Tuesday Election Commission of India (EC) is seeking action against Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his “terrorist” remarks Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The party termed Kharge’s remarks as a “grossly derogatory” statement and a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).In a formal complaint to the Election Commission, the BJP wrote: “As has been widely reported, Mr Kharge, while addressing a conference, has called Hon’ble Shri Narendra Modi ‘he is a terrorist.’ “This comment has been widely circulated in print, television and digital media, which has great potential to vitiate the election environment.”The party argued that such comments amounted to “extreme personal condemnation” and violated the standards of campaign discourse mandated under the MCC, which is in force in the electoral state of Tamil Nadu.Earlier in the day, Kharge had courted controversy by calling PM Modi a “terrorist” while criticizing the AIADMK-BJP alliance in Tamil Nadu during a press conference. However, later, the Congress chief clarified that he meant that the PM was “terrorizing people and political parties” and insisted that he had not literally called him a terrorist. Now BJP has given a sharp response by going to the Election Commission regarding its five-point demand.The BJP urged the Election Commission to “take immediate cognizance of the statement which prima facie violates the Model Code of Conduct” and sought directions to Kharge to issue a “public apology/retraction” or face appropriate campaign sanctions.It also called for punitive action under provisions of the Indian Judicial Code, including sections 175, 171/174, and 356(1). The party said: “Calling a political leader contesting an election a ‘terrorist’ is not a mere policy criticism; it is a serious allegation touching personal character and conduct.”Furthermore, the BJP requested the Election Commission to “immediately stop further dissemination of the disputed statement in campaign material and digital campaign” and direct the media and social media platforms to remove such content.It also urged the election body to “pass such orders as necessary to maintain the dignity of the electoral process and ensure a free, fair, peaceful and issue-based campaign.”“Such rhetoric lowers the level of campaign discourse, inflames emotions and undermines free and fair elections,” the letter said.The party further claimed that “branding a political opponent in criminal-terrorist terminology in front of voters is an attempt to distort voter choice through fear, demonization and false personal branding rather than legitimate political persuasion.”The complaint came hours after the intensive operation in Tamil Nadu ended on Tuesday evening. The Election Commission has not yet issued its reply to BJP’s letter.

Access to maternal care in India has certainly expanded over the past decade, even as mothers’ experiences during pregnancy and delivery after coming out of the delivery room remain uneven. The outcome for a mother in the weeks and months following delivery is breastfeeding struggles, poor follow-up after delivery and limited mental health support. At the Times Future of Maternity 2026, organized by Times Internet and Pregatips, practitioners and experts gathered to discuss a part of the maternity care ecosystem in India that often does not get much attention – what happens before birth, and more importantly, after birth.Beginning with a discussion on how to strengthen antenatal, postnatal, breastfeeding and mental support systems, the focus turned to breastfeeding, an area where India continues to see gaps despite clear global guidelines. Exclusive breastfeeding rates still vary widely across regions. Dr Deepti Arora, founding member of Everbliss Maternity and Family Wellbeing Leader, pointed to a pattern she sees again and again in practice. “Breastfeeding fails not because a mother doesn’t know how to do it, but because the guidance is so lacking that she feels like I don’t know how to do this simple thing.”Known challenges in the early days include pain due to incorrect latch, concerns about low milk supply, delayed weaning, and being emotionally overwhelmed. However, what stood out in Dr Arora’s comments was the lack of timely support and preparation rather than a lack of awareness. She stressed the need for early and sustained guidance rather than reactive intervention, saying, “Breastfeeding does not fail, but the system fails.”That idea of ​​continuity came up again when the discussion turned to postpartum recovery. Dr Helai Gupta, senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Rosewalk Hospital, argued that the healthcare system often treats delivery as the end point rather than the beginning of a long recovery phase. “Postpartum care is the least medicalized stage in a woman’s life cycle,” she said.The adverse effects of that mentality are visible. Many aspects related to recovery do not receive much attention from medical teams, while the focus remains on delivery and discharge-related protocols. For example, sleep, hydration, mobility and mental health are areas that have been overlooked. Highlighting how even basic practices can have unintended consequences, Dr Gupta said limited water intake after delivery in some communities leads to dehydration, which impacts recovery and breastfeeding.Mental health, in particular, remains a weak link in the continuum of care. According to Dr Juhi Rachel Baluja, consultant psychiatrist at St Stephen’s Hospital, awareness about mental health has improved but the burden still remains, with anxiety disorders being the major areas of concern recorded during pregnancy and even after delivery. “In about 15-20% of cases… there will be some kind of underlying concern,” Dr. Baluja said, adding that such concerns are not limited to first-time mothers.In more severe cases, symptoms may develop into depression or psychosis and go unnoticed until they become severe. According to Dr. Baluja, many women are unable to see these changes, which basically makes the role of families important. Some early signs that need immediate attention are low self-confidence, inability to take care of the baby, and sadness.During the panel discussion around preparedness, the conversation then turned to prenatal education, which experts say is underutilized. Dr Rashmi Bawa, founder director of WellMom, a wellness platform for expectant mothers, described structured antenatal sessions as a low-cost, high-impact intervention. He said, “Structured prenatal education…is the lowest investment but highest yielding resource we have.”According to Dr. Bawa, when the available information is not deemed reliable enough, prenatal sessions help families understand what to expect and how to respond. Additionally, a shared space where parents-to-be can talk and learn from each other can help reduce anxiety and gain confidence before delivery. Time is also important here. For example, according to Dr. Arora, it is too late to provide guidance about breastfeeding after delivery, as the mother is already experiencing emotional stress while she is physically recovering. Therefore, preparation during pregnancy helps moms know what is normal and what is not, and react accordingly instead of panicking.This idea of ​​continuity of care extends to how postpartum support systems are structured. According to Dr. Gupta, while current public health programs track mothers for six weeks after delivery, follow-up should be extended further. Digital tools, periodic check-ins, and structured screening can help identify early risk and boost outcomes in the long term.At the same time, experts said that the systems themselves are not enough, as what remains central, especially in the Indian context, is the role of the family. As Dr. Arora said, “If the mother is supported, breast milk flows; if she is doubted, it slows down.”Yet, current support structures focus more on the newborn, often ignoring the needs of the mother and the entire family. Dr. Bawa said that while postpartum care needs to move toward a more “parent-centered” approach, in many families it remains baby-centered. Furthermore, communication gaps between partners, lack of practical support, and societal expectations regarding care can increase stress during this stage.Experts also discussed the importance of involving extended family members in care planning. This is because older family members often have a say in decisions related to nutrition, health benefits and child care. Therefore, involving them in the process can help boost compliance and results.Throughout the panel, a theme of conversation was that maternal care spans preparation, delivery, recovery and adaptation to a new stage of life, rather than starting at delivery and ending at discharge. Therefore, coordination between healthcare providers, communities and families in addition to clinical protocols is important to strengthen antenatal, postnatal, breastfeeding and mental health structures. Why? Because for many women the most important time of care begins after childbirth.

Beijing-Delhi flights resume as China, India expand air connectivity amid growing ties

Direct air connectivity between India and China is set to improve further as Air China restarted its Beijing-Delhi service from Tuesday, the second route to India to be restored by the Chinese carrier this month. The service will operate three times a week – on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays – using Airbus A330 aircraft. Economy class fares are expected to start from 3,570 yuan (about US$523), with departure from Beijing at 3:15 pm and arrival in Delhi at 8:20 pm local time.

Second route restarted this month

The move follows the recent resumption of flights by China Eastern Airlines, which had resumed its direct service between Kunming and Kolkata on April 18. The Kunming–Kolkata route operates six weekly round-trip flights using Boeing 737 aircraft. China Eastern Airlines had earlier restarted the Shanghai-Delhi route in November 2025.Indian airline IndiGo is also expanding its presence in China. On March 30, IndiGo launched its daily non-stop service between Kolkata and Shanghai using its A320neo aircraft. Earlier, IndiGo had resumed flights on the Kolkata-Guangzhou route and launched the Delhi-Guangzhou route on November 10, 2025. According to operational data for April, IndiGo maintained passenger load factor between 68 per cent and 85 per cent on several China-India routes, with popular routes such as Delhi-Guangzhou and Kolkata-Guangzhou showing particularly strong performance.

sweetness in relationships

Air connectivity has expanded amid signs of warming relations between India and China. Last month, India approved easing of restrictions on Chinese investment in selected sectors including electronics, capital goods and solar cells, marking a resumption of economic ties after six years of friction.Earlier in March, the Union Cabinet had approved changes to the FDI policy guidelines on investment from countries sharing land borders with India, including China, providing a fixed timeline for approval in critical sectors.

expert opinion

Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute of Tsinghua University, told the Global Times that more airlines from both sides increasing their services has positive significance for further strengthening the momentum of bilateral relations.“This trend not only facilitates personnel exchange between the two countries, but also represents more practical measures to reduce supply chain costs and support travel for technology companies and the manufacturing sector,” Qian said.

New Delhi: Independent MP from Purnia, Bihar Pappu YadavThe State Women’s Commission and the BJP have reacted sharply to her comment on men’s “predatory” gaze on women, especially in politics. Yadav was speaking on the 131st Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which failed to be passed in the Lok Sabha and since then, is being used by the ruling party to accuse the opposition of being “anti-women”. He said, “If the issue of dignity of women is raised in the Lok Sabha, it is a matter of joke. In India, women are called goddesses, but here they will never be respected. The system and society are responsible for this.”She said, “Who is responsible for domestic violence? From America to India, who is looking at women with violent intentions? Politicians. Without access to a politician’s bedroom, 90% of women cannot even enter politics. The culture of exploiting women has taken root.”BJP has called Pappu Yadav’s statement ‘shocking’ and demanded an apology from him. BJP leader Shahzad Poonawala said, “Shocking statement! When the country was pushing for women power, see what Congress-backed MPs are saying! MP Pappu Yadav’s controversial statement on women has come to light. He said that 90% of women cannot do politics without going to the leader’s room. This is their mentality.”Taking note of the comment, Bihar State Women Commission sought clarification from the leader. “Taking suo motu cognizance of this matter, the Bihar State Commission for Women seeks clarification from you as to why you made such an objectionable statement. It is also asked as to why a recommendation should not be made to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha for cancellation of your membership,” it said in a statement.“It has been said that in a video circulated on social media, you have given objectionable statements about women working in the political field. In the video you are heard saying that women who enter politics do so by sharing a bed with a politician, which hurts the self-respect and social dignity of women.This comes as PM Narendra Modi criticized the opposition for not supporting the 131st Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought to extend reservation for women after delimitation. He described Congress, DMK, TMC and SP as anti-women.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge (file photo)

New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Mentioned the Prime Minister on Tuesday Narendra Modi as a “terrorist” and later issued a clarification, which was expected to create political controversy during the current election season.Kharge made this statement in Chennai on Thursday, the last day of campaigning for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He was criticizing AIADMK over PM Modi’s alliance with BJP.“How can they (AIADMK) associate with Modi? He is a terrorist. And he does not believe in equality. His party will not believe in equality and justice. And these people are associating with him, it means they are weakening democracy, they are weakening the philosophy of Annadurai, Kamaraj, Periyar, Kalaignar and Baba Saheb Ambedkar,” he said.“The Congress-DMK alliance will continue to provide welfare, inclusive growth, quality education and accessible healthcare,” he said.When questioned about the context of his remarks, the Congress chief said he meant that the Prime Minister always makes “threats” and pointed to the alleged “misuse” of agencies by the BJP-led central government.“I want to clarify that Modi always gives threats. Institutions like ED, IT and CBI are in his hands. So I say, in that context, I say he is terrorizing people and political parties,” the veteran politician said.Responding to Kharge’s remarks, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya criticized the Congress leader in a post on Twitter, calling it “another foolish display”.“This is not the first time that Kharge has dragged the public discussion to such a low level. But with this comment, he has not only shortchanged himself, he has also exposed the Congress’s stated approach: abuse and defamation of India’s most popular leader instead of meaningful debate.” When politics is reduced to name-calling, it reflects not strength, but deep frustration and lack of credible alternatives,” Malviya posted.The ruling DMK’s arch rival AIADMK joined hands with the BJP in April 2025 after walking away from the alliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in which both the parties failed to win any seats in Tamil Nadu. In that election, DMK and its allies had won the state.Counting of votes for all 234 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu is to be held on May 4.