Doctors from Bengaluru set off on 45-day cycle rally from Kashmir to Kanyakumari
Srinagar (PTI): A team of doctors from Bengaluru on Monday set off on a nationwide cycle rally from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to raise awareness about oral health.
The rally was flagged off from iconic Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk.
"The rally aims to promote preventive dental care, oral hygiene practices and early detection of oral diseases and oral cancer among the general public," the organisers of the rally said.
Covering over 3,600 kilometres across various states, the rally will culminate in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, after nearly 45 days.
The cycling team comprises dentists and oral health professionals who will conduct oral health camps, awareness sessions and free dental check-ups in various cities and towns along the route.
Special focus will be given to rural communities and schools, where access to dental care is often limited.
Brinda Godhi, senior dentist from Bengaluru, said oral health is often neglected in the broader spectrum of public health.
"Through this rally, we aim to educate people on simple yet crucial practices like brushing twice daily, avoiding tobacco and regular dental check-ups. By cycling across the country, we also want to symbolise endurance, commitment and the importance of sustained efforts for public health," she added.
The organisers said the team will also document the journey on social media to engage a wider audience and inspire action nationwide.
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Om Birla attends swearing-in of new B'desh PM, says India stands ready to support BNP govt
New Delhi (PTI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday attended the swearing-in ceremony of new Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka, and said India stands ready to support Bangladesh's endeavours to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation.
Separately, the speaker called on the new Bangladesh prime minister and conveyed the wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also handed over an invitation from Prime Minister Modi to Rahman to visit India, officials said here.
“Glad to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government of Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka today. India stands ready to support Bangladesh’s endeavours to build a democratic, progressive and inclusive nation,” Birla posted on X.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, said in a post on X, “Prime Minister Tarique Rahman conveys his greetings to India and PM Narendra Modi to the visiting India Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at a courtesy meet following the swearing-in of the new government.
“Speaker Birla conveyed wishes and an invitation to India. Both leaders expressed optimism to work together for the well-being of the people of Bangladesh and India, pursuing a people-centric menu of cooperation.”
Birla also met Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and other leaders on the sidelines of the event.
Led by Rahman, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) swept to power with a two-thirds majority with 49.97 per cent votes and 209 seats in the polls held on February 12, results for which were declared on February 13.
The Jamaat-e-Islami, which was opposed to Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, registered its best-ever performance with 31.76 per cent votes and 68 seats.
The National Citizen Party (NCP) secured the third-highest number of seats, six, and 3.05 per cent votes.
Bangladesh had invited Narendra Modi to the ceremony, but the prime minister could not attend the event as he was scheduled to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on Tuesday.
On reaching Dhaka, Birla said the swearing-in of Rahman was an important moment that would strengthen people-to-people relations and shared democratic values between the two neighbours.
“Honoured to be in Dhaka representing India at the swearing-in ceremony of the new government led by Tarique Rahman as the prime minister. It's an important moment that will strengthen people-to-people ties and shared democratic values between our two nations,” Birla said.
Birla was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials.
