As the world celebrates World Hypertension Day, Punjab Government’s Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) is emerging as an important safety net for patients suffering from hypertension and related diseases by ensuring affordable and timely health care.High blood pressure, often called the “silent killer” by doctors, gives little warning before it triggers stroke, heart failure or kidney disease. This condition is now common in all age groups.With hypertension rising as a major health concern in Punjab, the state government is focusing on prevention, early detection and treatment. While CM Di Yogshala promotes healthy living, Aam Aadmi Clinic ensures prompt diagnosis – over 1 crore people have been screened and 24 lakh have been treated – and MMSY provides cashless care, helping prevent serious complications.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the burden of hypertension is increasing rapidly in India due to poor eating habits, stress, tobacco use, lack of physical activity and irregular daily routine. Doctors warn that many patients remain unaware of their condition until serious complications develop. Amid this crisis, Punjab’s Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana has become a vital safety net, helping thousands of people receive treatment without the burden of unaffordable medical bills.Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said that regular check-ups are being done at all health facilities including 990 Aam Aadmi Clinics, where people aged 30 years and above are being screened for high blood pressure and linked to timely treatment. He said more than 1 crore people aged 30 and above have been screened and 24 lakh have been enrolled for treatment. “Monthly follow-ups, free medicines and timely referrals ensure continuous care with strong rural-urban primary health care coverage,” he said.A landmark initiative of the Punjab Government aimed at making yoga accessible to every section of the society, CM The Yogashala has conducted over 10,600 yoga classes with approximately 3 lakh participants. The initiative promotes yoga, stress management and healthy lifestyle to help control high blood pressure and other lifestyle diseases.Hospital admissions related to stroke, heart emergencies and kidney diseases caused by uncontrolled blood pressure are covered under the MMSY scheme, providing financial relief to families already struggling with emotional distress.Most of the hypertensive patients in Punjab belong to the middle-aged and elderly population, with the highest burden seen in people aged 40 to 80 years. Data from the State Health Agency (SHA) shows that Gurdaspur recorded patients up to 94 years of age, while SAS Nagar recorded cases up to 98 years of age, underscoring the deep reach of the disease among senior citizens.The highest and widespread cases in both genders were reported in districts like Patiala, SAS Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Faridkot. In Amritsar and Ludhiana, hospital records show a particularly high concentration among women aged 50 to 77 years.Dr Saurabh Sharma, associate professor and head of the department of cardiology at Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, says hypertension is no longer just an old person’s disease.“Modern lifestyle brings a different set of health challenges for all age groups. While most cases of hypertension are seen in people aged 40 to 90 years and above, we are also seeing cases in teenagers and people in their twenties and thirties,” he says.Dr. Sharma says that lifestyle factors like stress, poor diet, lack of exercise and irregular routine play a major role. He warned that complications are emerging earlier than before. “What we’re seeing now is not just high blood pressure, but its complications coming from earlier — stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.”On schemes like Mukhyamantri Sehat Yojana, Dr Sharma says they are important as they ensure that patients do not delay treatment due to financial fear. “In a hypertensive emergency, delay is often the difference between recovery and tragedy.”Health officials say the importance of the scheme lies not only in treatment but also in timely intervention. In earlier years, many families used to delay hospitalization due to financial fear. Such delays often prove dangerous, sometimes even fatal. Under the Sehat Yojana, patients are increasingly seeking medical attention earlier, thereby increasing their chances of recovery.For middle-class families, pensioners and government employees, the scheme has become a buffer against catastrophic health care expenditure.

The International Center for the Art of Living in Bengaluru hosted senior political leaders, spiritual figures and dignitaries as part of its ongoing 45-year celebrations in honor of founder Gurudev. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and humanitarian initiatives of the organization. The guests included Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot and Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, who participated in a special satsang and meditation program at the newly constructed Dhyana Mandir. Addressing the gathering, Governor Gehlot said, “Hate and violence can be controlled through love and knowledge. This message of Gurudev Ji is being transformed into actions and results through the Art of Living.” He also highlighted the organization’s work in areas including education, river revitalization, chemical-free farming, ethics in business, disaster relief and conflict resolution. Meanwhile, Union Minister Sanjay Seth lauded Gurudev’s efforts in making meditation and wellness practices more accessible. He said, “People used to think that meditation was done in caves and the Himalayas, but you have taken meditation to every home.” The celebration marks 45 years of the Art of Living and coincidentally with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar turning 70 on May 13. The organization said that policy makers, faith leaders, industry representatives and artists from India and abroad have participated in these events. During the event, Gurudev launched Psychosocial Peacebuilding: A Guide into the Heart of Sustainable Peace, a book by peacekeeping expert Dr Katrian Hertog, which focuses on sustainable peace-building practices. In this program folk music was also presented by Rajasthani singer Swaroop Khan. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurated the Dhyana Mandir at the Ashram and launched several nationwide service initiatives related to education, health care, environmental protection and sustainable development.

Violent protests in Park Circus area of ​​Kolkata (courtesy: x.com/SudhanidhiB)

New Delhi: A clash broke out between protesters and police in Kolkata’s minority-dominated Park Circus area on Sunday, in which at least three policemen were injured.The protesters were protesting against the recent bulldozing action in the Tiljala area of ​​the city, where alleged illegal construction was demolished on the orders of the state government following the death of two people in a factory fire earlier this week.Also read: Friday prayers at Tiljala after 6-hour standoff with payloaderWest Bengal is now ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which came to power in the state for the first time in the recently held assembly elections, ending the 15-year rule of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).The use of bulldozers against alleged criminals, their properties and alleged encroachments is a common practice in BJP ruled states.According to police, a large number of people gathered near Park Circus Seven Point crossing on Sunday afternoon in protest against the anti-encroachment drive and attempted to block the roads.As security personnel tried to disperse the “unlawful assembly”, a section of the protesters allegedly pelted stones, leading to chaos in the area.Many vehicles parked on the roadside, including vehicles carrying central forces, were also vandalized.Additional Commissioner Ashesh Biswas later told reporters that action had already been initiated against those involved in the violence.“Some people tried to block the road. It was an illegal gathering. The police were trying to disperse them and there was stone pelting. Three of our colleagues were injured. We have already arrested some people,” PTI quoted Biswas as saying.“There was an attack on the police. We will identify those behind this and arrest all those involved. Strict legal action will be taken,” he said.Following the clash, heavy deployment of police and central forces was made in the area. Route marches and intensive patrolling were conducted in the surrounding areas to prevent further escalation of violence and restore normalcy.However, officials have not revealed any direct link between the violence and Friday’s Rajabazar incident in the state capital.Two days ago, tension had come to the fore in Rajabazar, where a standoff broke out after a group of people allegedly attempted to offer Friday prayers on a public road despite restrictions on blocking traffic.A large contingent of police personnel asked people to vacate the road, following which the situation became tense for a while.Although there is no formal notification, the BJP government has reportedly directed the police to ensure that except on special occasions, prayer meetings do not block roads or cause inconvenience to the public.Also read: Devotees adopt self-regulation, follow govt’s new namaz guidelines in Kolkata mosquesHowever, local community members argued that holding Friday prayers on the streets is a long-standing practice in the area. On the other hand, the administration says that it is important for the roads to remain clean for traffic movement and to maintain law and order.