Mangalore: Prominent Physician, Dr. Mohammed Ismail Hejamady was honored with the “Legends in Medicine” award by Times Now in an event that was organised to celebrate medical excellence.

The award ceremony featured Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology & Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, and Vice President of CSIR, who presented the award.

The event, themed “Beyond the White Coat: Celebrating the Valor of Bravehearts & Healing Hands,” focused on the exceptional contributions of medical professionals. Dr. Mohammed Ismail Hejamady was recognized for his outstanding service in advancing medical science and patient care.

The award plaque symbolizes excellence and gratitude for Dr. Hejamady’s work, which has significantly impacted both the medical community and society. His efforts have raised the standards of medical practice and inspired many in the healthcare sector said the awards committee.

In his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the importance of recognizing the dedication of medical professionals who go above and beyond in their service to humanity. He praised Dr. Ismail Hejamady for his unwavering commitment and for being a beacon of hope and inspiration to many.

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New Delhi: A nationwide strike or Bharat Bandh called by ten central trade unions is underway today, with over 25 crore workers from both organised and unorganised sectors participating. The strike, which is also supported by several rural and agricultural labour organisations, is a protest against the central government’s economic and labour policies, which unions claim favour corporates at the cost of workers, farmers, and the poor.

Key demands of protesters:

► Withdrawal of the new labour codes,

► Increase in minimum wages,

► Creation of more government jobs,

► Hike in MGNREGA wages and workdays,

► A similar urban employment guarantee scheme,

► End to hiring retired officials over younger professionals in government departments.

A 17-point charter of demands has been submitted to the Union Labour Ministry, but union leaders allege no meaningful engagement has been initiated by the government so far.

Disruptions reported:

While banks, stock markets, and government offices are functioning as usual, disruptions are being reported in public transport across several states:

West Bengal: Protesters blocked railway tracks at Jadavpur railway station despite police deployment. Bus services continued amid high security, with some drivers seen wearing helmets as a safety measure.

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and parts of Delhi and Maharashtra reported sporadic disruptions in bus and train services.

Schools and colleges remain open in most places, though some institutions announced last-minute closures depending on local conditions.

Unions leading the strike:

The strike is being spearheaded by major trade unions including: INTUC, AITUC, CITU, HMS, SEWA, AIUTUC, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC, and TUCC.

The new labour laws, a major flashpoint, have drawn flak for allegedly weakening worker protections. Union leaders say the changes:

► Extend working hours,

► Restrict the right to strike,

► Undermine collective bargaining.

The unions have also criticised the trend of hiring retired officials instead of young jobseekers. With 65% of India's population under the age of 35, they argue that ignoring youth employment in sectors like Railways, steel, and education is both unjust and economically damaging.

This is not the first large-scale strike organised by the trade unions. Similar nationwide protests were held on:
November 26, 2020,

March 28–29, 2022,

February 16, 2024.

All of them focused on issues like the privatisation of PSUs, job insecurity, and the casualisation of the workforce.