Government committed to providing quality healthcare for the underprivileged: CM Siddaramaiah
Mangaluru: The state government is determined to ensure quality healthcare for the underprivileged, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the regional office of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) at Mary Hill on Friday, he emphasised the need for government institutions to work with a people-centric approach.
The Chief Minister highlighted the government’s aim to make public hospitals as hygienic and well-maintained as private ones, ensuring quality medical facilities are accessible to all. "We are striving to create a system where even the wealthy and politicians like us feel comfortable visiting government hospitals," he said.
He also noted that RGUHS, announced in the previous budget, is Asia’s largest health sciences university, with over 3.5 lakh medical students. The institution is expected to play a pivotal role in producing skilled medical professionals and providing high-quality healthcare services.
Siddaramaiah urged the university to focus on research to simplify healthcare services for the public and make top-notch medical services affordable for the underprivileged. He also encouraged medical graduates to remain in the healthcare sector and contribute to society instead of seeking opportunities elsewhere.
The CM informed that medical colleges have been directed to provide free healthcare services to BPL cardholders. He also expressed hope that the newly constructed regional office would maintain high standards of functionality and infrastructure.
RGUHS Vice-Chancellor Dr. M.K. Ramesh shared details about the advanced facilities planned for the regional centre, including an innovative simulation lab, a sports complex, an upgraded fitness centre, recreational amenities, air-conditioned auditoriums, and advanced research centres.
Speaker U.T. Khader, a guest of honour at the event, said that establishing the RGUHS regional centre had been a long-standing dream. He hoped it would become a source of pride for the coastal region.
Minister for Medical Education Dr. Sharan Prakash Rudrappa Patil stated that the government is focused on decentralising authority, providing quality education, and enhancing skills for students. He noted that Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have the highest number of medical colleges in the country and emphasised the government’s commitment to providing affordable healthcare to the underprivileged.
The event was attended by Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, MP Brijesh Chowta, MLAs Dr. Bharath Shetty, Vedavyas Kamath, Ashok Kumar Rai, Ivan D’Souza, Dr. Manjunath Bhandari, and others, along with senior officials, including Dr. Sujata Rathod, Dr. Triveni, and several members of the RGUHS senate.
The Chief Minister reiterated the necessity of establishing a government medical college in Dakshina Kannada despite the availability of quality healthcare in Mangaluru. "A government medical college for every district is my vision, and we are considering steps in this direction," he said.
Prof. Dr. UT Iftikhar Ali, Chairman of the Karnataka State Allied and Health Protection Council, delivered the vote of thanks towards the end of the event.
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Jio Studios has withdrawn its trademark application for 'Operation Sindoor': Reliance Industries
Mumbai: Reliance Industries has clarified that it has no intention of trademarking the term "Operation Sindoor", describing it as an evocative symbol of Indian bravery that belongs to the national consciousness. The company issued a statement on Friday, stating that its media arm, Jio Studios, had filed a trademark application inadvertently and without proper authorisation.
The statement read, "Jio Studios, a unit of Reliance Industries, has withdrawn its trademark application, which was filed inadvertently by a junior person without authorisation." It added that the company and all its stakeholders take immense pride in Operation Sindoor, which was launched by the Indian Armed Forces in response to a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack in Pahalgam. "Operation Sindoor is the proud achievement of our brave Armed Forces in India's uncompromising fight against the evil of terrorism," the company stated.
The clarification came after reports emerged that Reliance Industries, along with three other individuals, had submitted trademark applications for the term 'Operation Sindoor' under Class 41 of the Nice Classification. According to a report by Bar and Bench, the applications were filed between 10:42 am and 6:27 pm on May 7 by Reliance Industries, Mumbai resident Mukesh Chetram Agrawal, retired Group Captain Kamal Singh Oberh of the Indian Air Force, and Delhi-based lawyer Alok Kothari. All four had marked the term as “proposed to be used,” suggesting possible commercial use in the future.
Class 41 of the Nice Classification covers a wide range of services, including education and training, film and media production, live performances, digital content and publishing, and cultural or sporting events. It is a category commonly used by OTT platforms, broadcasters, production houses, and event organisers—leading to speculation that 'Operation Sindoor' might be used as a title for a film, documentary, or series.
The incident also sheds light on the lack of legal protection for the names of military operations in India. Currently, the Ministry of Defence does not register or treat such names as intellectual property, and they are not automatically safeguarded. This means that private individuals or companies can file trademark claims over such names unless specific legal steps are taken to prevent it.
