Protest march held in Kolkata over people's 'harassment' during Bengal SIR
Kolkata (PTI): An organisation led by West Bengal minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury took out a march here on Tuesday to protest against the alleged harassment of people during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.
The procession by Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Hind began in the Rajabazar area of north-central Kolkata and culminated at Esplanade in the central part of the city, covering a distance of about 4.5 kilometres.
A large number of protesters, including women and elderly persons, participated in the march and raised slogans against the Centre and the Election Commission.
Chowdhury alleged that residents of West Bengal, including senior citizens, were being forced to stand in long queues for hours for verification, which is "inhuman".
"We will continue our fight through democratic means. Injustice is being meted out to us, which is not acceptable," said the state minister for mass education extension and library services.
He alleged that the central government was pressuring the Election Commission to conduct the SIR ahead of the state assembly elections this year.
Responding to a question on whether minorities were being selectively targeted during the voter list revision exercise, Chowdhury said the protest was "against oppression and the undermining of the independence of an autonomous constitutional institution".
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Thumbay Group launches “Thumbay Cares” well-being program putting team members first
Ajman (UAE): Thumbay Group has launched “Thumbay Cares”, a comprehensive well-being programme aimed at improving the quality of life, career growth and long-term security of its team members across all its divisions. The announcement comes soon after the Group was officially certified as a “Great Place to Work” in the UAE for 2025–2026.
The Group employs more than 3,000 people from 56 nationalities, including over 500 doctors. With the launch of Thumbay Cares, the management said it is strengthening its focus on a people-first work culture by bringing together healthcare support, financial protection, education assistance, wellness initiatives, recognition and leadership development under a single umbrella.
According to the Group, Thumbay Cares is not limited to employee benefits but is designed as a long-term commitment to support team members in both their professional and personal lives. The programme has been introduced under the vision of Dr Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group, who has consistently stressed the importance of investing in people to build sustainable institutions.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Thumbay Moideen said that being recognised as a Great Place to Work reflects the organisation’s internal culture and values. He said the new programme takes this commitment further by ensuring that team members feel supported in health, growth and life, adding that when employees feel valued and secure, excellence follows naturally.
Under Thumbay Cares, team members will receive a range of healthcare and wellness benefits. These include free medical checkups at Thumbay Healthcare facilities, free blood tests at Thumbay Labs, free health insurance for all employees, quarterly body composition analysis through Body and Soul Health Club, complimentary health club membership, grooming and wellness services, as well as life and workmen’s compensation insurance. The Group said the focus is on preventive care, early diagnosis and overall well-being as part of everyday life.
The programme also places strong emphasis on education, professional growth and leadership development. Thumbay Group will offer merit-based scholarships for children of employees at Gulf Medical University and provide free next-generation leadership training through Thumbay College of Management and programmes in artificial intelligence in healthcare. These initiatives are aimed at creating clear pathways for career advancement and leadership roles within the organisation.
In addition, Thumbay Cares includes performance-based rewards, incentives, benefits for long-serving employees, annual bonus programmes and subsidised services across various Thumbay outlets. The Group said these measures are intended to recognise loyalty and contribution, while building a work environment where employees feel respected, rewarded and motivated to stay long term.
With the launch of Thumbay Cares, Thumbay Group said it aims to position itself not only as a leader in healthcare and education, but also as one of the region’s most people-centric organisations.
