A fiery exchange was witnessed in both houses of Parliament with the opposition demanding a discussion on the NEET controversy. The Congress alleged that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s microphone was muted when he raised the NEET issue in Lok Sabha. Speaker Om Birla said that he does not switch off the microphone of MPs and has no such control. Watch in for more details!

NEET row in parliament: Indian PM Modi to reply to the Motion of Thanks

Shanghai Cooperation Organization or the SCO Summit is being held in Astana Kazakhstan. China's President Xi Jinping will attend the 24th meeting of the Council of Heads of state from the 3rd of July until the 6th of July.

SCO Summit: China to get SCO Presidency after seven years

Headlines of the hour: - India: Over 50 killed in stampede UP's Hathras - Kenya: Police fire tear gas at protesters - UK election choice about future: Rishi Sunak - Zelensky seeks military aid from Europe - Israel's evacuation order hits 250,000 Gazans - BYD sales up 21% in Q2

Zelensky seeks military aid from Europe | UK election choice about future: Sunak

India is witnessing a rise in terror activities as well as infiltration bids along the Line of Control (LoC) at international border in Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces have found that terror outfits are now choosing the age-old traditional infiltration routes.

J&K: Rise in terror activities & infiltration attempts, new challenges pose for Indian Armed Forces

In a notable shift in educational and immigration policy, the United States is actively seeking to increase the number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students from India while limiting access for Chinese students to certain technological programs.

US eyes for Indian students; friction between China & US reflects in latter's universities

Director general of the weather department has announced a forecast of above normal rainfall for most of India for the month of July. Watch in for more details!

IMD issues Red Alert for heavy rain in India's 9 states

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now speaking in Parliament and is replying to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address in the lower house of Parliament on Tuesday.

PM Modi responds to Motion of Thanks on President's speech, Opposition creates ruckus as PM speaks

US willing to intake more STEM students from India than China amid Chinese security threats

Moving to India, director general of the weather department has announced a forecast of above normal rainfall for most of India for the month of July. Watch in for more details!

India: IMD issues Red Alert for heavy rain in 9 states

US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research wrote in a note on Monday that it has received a show cause notice from market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in the Adani Group case.

Indian regulator Sebi sends notice to Hindenburg

Three new criminal laws will come into effect across India from Monday, bringing widespread changes in India's criminal justice system and ending colonial-era laws. Watch in for more details!

Curtain falls on British-era laws with new criminal laws from July 1

India has taken a significant leap in military technology with the development of SEBEX 2, a powerful new explosive. Certified by the Indian Navy, SEBEX 2 is reported to be twice as lethal as the standard Trinitrotoluene (TNT), marking it as one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosives globally. Watch in for more details!

SEBEX 2: India achieves milestone in defence technology

India is actively addressing the surge in steel imports, particularly from China, as it navigates challenges in its domestic steel industry. Recently, the steel and trade ministries initiated discussions to counteract the influx of inexpensive Chinese steel products, which have been a cause for concern among top Indian producers.

Indian producers seek higher tariffs on imports

In the upcoming full budget presentation this July, the Indian government plans to continue its recent approach introduced in February's interim budget by eschewing specific disinvestment targets. Instead, disinvestment proceeds will be categorized under capital receipts, aligning with earlier practices this year. The shift is a strategy from target-driven to value-oriented disinvestment. Historically, the term 'disinvestment' first appeared in union budget documents in 1991-92 with a target of approximately $302 million at current exchange rates. By fy21, this figure had surged to around $25.3 billion, encompassing sales of government stakes in central public sector undertakings, public sector banks, and financial institutions.

Indian budget: Emphasis on asset monetisation

Indian budget: Disinvestment under capital receipts

India's Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing the ‘purple revolution’, with farmers deriving considerable economic benefits from lavender cultivation. Watch in for more details!

India: Purple revolution blooming in Jammu-Kashmir

Three new criminal laws- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam came into effect across India on Monday, July 1. Watch in for more details!

India's three new criminal laws come into effect

<p>The bodies of all five people, who were swept away in a waterfall near Bhushi Dam in the Indian city of Pune, were found on Monday (Jul 1).&nbsp;The body of the last missing person, a four-year-old boy, was taken out in the evening, an official said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Local reports have mentioned that 11 people belonging to a family from Pune's Lonavala had gone for a walk reportedly on Sunday. Five people, comprising a woman and four children, died due to the strong water while six survived.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/a-purple-revolution-in-jammu-and-kashmir-lavender-farming-picking-up-736806">Jammu and Kashmir witnesses a ‘purple revolution’ as lavender farming picks up</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>As quoted by news agency PTI, Suhas Jagtap, who is a senior inspector of Lonavala police station, "The body of Adnan Ansari was recovered this evening, after which the search operation was called off."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reports have identified the victims as Shahista Ansari (36), Amima Ansari (13), Umera Ansari (8), Adnan Ansari (4) and Maria Sayyad (9).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The police said that the deceased were among a group of 16–17 people from Sayyad Nagar in Hadapsar, Pune, who had been there for a day's picnic and were all related to one another.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/activist-medha-patkar-gets-five-month-jail-term-in-23-year-old-defamation-case-736779">Activist Medha Patkar gets five-month jail term in 23-year-old defamation case</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;High drama unfolds in Parliament over NEET row, political fireworks over leak</strong></p>

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<p>The official said that they were caught unaware when the water level at the site rose due to intense rain and soon were stranded.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the news agency, a relative said family members had travelled from Mumbai for a wedding a couple of days ago and had hired a bus to Lonavala for a picnic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, Bhushi Dam is among the popular tourist sites in the Pune region during the monsoon season. The police added that warnings of not venturing into the water are often ignored by revellers.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The bodies of all five people, who were swept away in a waterfall near Bhushi Dam in the Indian city of Pune, were found on Monday (Jul 1). The body of the last missing person, a four-year-old boy, was taken out in the evening, an official said.

The bodies of all five people, who were swept away in a waterfall near Bhushi Dam in the Indian city of Pune, were found on Monday (Jul 1). The body of the last missing person, a four-year-old boy, was taken out in the evening, an official said. Local reports have mentioned that 11 people belonging to a family from Pune's Lonavala had gone for a walk reportedly on Sunday. Five people, comprising a woman and four children, died due to the strong water while six survived. Also read: Jammu and Kashmir witnesses a ‘purple revolution’ as lavender farming picks up As quoted by news agency PTI, Suhas Jagtap, who is a senior inspector of Lonavala police station, "The body of Adnan Ansari was recovered this evening, after which the search operation was called off." Reports have identified the victims as Shahista Ansari (36), Amima Ansari (13), Umera Ansari (8), Adnan Ansari (4) and Maria Sayyad (9). The police said that the deceased were among a group of 16–17 people from Sayyad Nagar in Hadapsar, Pune, who had been there for a day's picnic and were all related to one another. Also read: Activist Medha Patkar gets five-month jail term in 23-year-old defamation case Watch: High drama unfolds in Parliament over NEET row, political fireworks over leak × The official said that they were caught unaware when the water level at the site rose due to intense rain and soon were stranded. According to the news agency, a relative said family members had travelled from Mumbai for a wedding a couple of days ago and had hired a bus to Lonavala for a picnic. Notably, Bhushi Dam is among the popular tourist sites in the Pune region during the monsoon season. The police added that warnings of not venturing into the water are often ignored by revellers. (With inputs from agencies)

Lonavala waterfall tragedy: All five bodies found, search operation called off

India: Curtain falls on British-era laws with new criminal laws from July 1

<p>The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, or NEET, for admission to India's medical colleges, was rocked by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/neet-row-supreme-court-pulls-up-national-testing-agency-over-inconsistent-marks-calculation-735611">scandal</a> in June. Some 67 students got the perfect score in this highly competitive test, something that is not just rare but nearly impossible.</p>

<p>NEET is considered to be one of the toughest exams in the world, second only to the Gaokao exam in China. Over 2.3 million students took the exam this year, out of which 1,563 had to take it again due to alleged discrepancies in the results.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Central Bureau of Investigation is now investigating six cases of alleged paper leaks, and some reports say that the question papers were sold for close to Rs 3 million ($35,944) a day before the exam, raising serious concerns about the sanctity of Indian examinations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the occasion of National Doctors Day, which is dedicated to cherishing the many wonderful people who serve folks from across the globe and save lives every day, the NEET scandal and subsequent concerns have dampened the celebratory atmosphere.</p>

<p>Some key questions are being asked:&nbsp;</p>

<p><b><i>If people can get into medical colleges through unfair means, what does it say about India’s future doctors?</i></b></p>

<p><b><i>What is the scope of Indian medicine as a profession and career?</i></b></p>

<p><b><i>Is medicine no longer a ‘noble’ profession?&nbsp;</i></b></p>

<p>Let’s take a deep dive.</p>

<h2><b>Rise in Competition</b></h2>

<p>The field of medicine has become extremely competitive, forcing aspirants to study up to 18 hours a day to crack the all-important examination. With the rise of coaching institutes, which charge hundreds of thousands of rupees for preparation, parents are forced to sell their possessions and even take debt to make sure that their children become successful doctors.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/neet-exam-row-doctor-arranges-solver-in-place-of-his-medical-aspirant-son-for-rs-4-lakh-police-on-manhunt-736685">NEET exam row: Doctor arranges solver in place of his medical aspirant son for Rs 4 lakh; police on manhunt</a></p>

<p>Dr. Anuradha, a dentist from New Delhi, says that in her preparatory days, "the competition was not this high, and thus the pressures were not this intense."</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/data-lab-inside-kota-indias-factory-of-suicides-708476">rise in suicides</a> among NEET aspirants points to the growing pressure that Indian students face every day. Was this the reason why many students preferred the illegal route this year? That is something for all of us to ponder.</p>

<h2><b>Downward Trend in Education and Discipline?&nbsp;</b></h2>

<p>The natural question that we must ask is: have the discipline and quality of medical education imparted to students declined? If yes, why?&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr. Anuradha says that "discipline in colleges was still present in my time but is now not there, especially in private colleges."</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjXpu_A_YWHAxWsma8BHQxfBCQQxfQBKAB6BAgKEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/neet-ug-exam-row-student-who-got-leaked-papers-scored-only-185-marks-out-of-720-734883" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/neet-ug-exam-row-student-who-got-leaked-papers-scored-only-185-marks-out-of-720-734883&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjXpu_A_YWHAxWsma8BHQxfBCQQxfQBKAB6BAgKEAE">NEET-UG exam row: Student who got leaked papers scored only 185 marks out of 720</a></p>

<p>Dr. Chanbrababu Sudha, another practitioner and academician, says: "Three decades ago, it was pure academic acumen on which I was weighed, which is very far from the scenario today."</p>

<p>What are students weighed upon today? Are private centres of medical education just businesses?&nbsp;</p>

<h2><b>NEET Scandal Can Cost Lives</b></h2>

<p>While cheating or unfair means in any other examination may lead to bad engineers or uninformed policymakers, unfair entry into medicine may result in unqualified doctors treating patients, leading to the loss of lives or mass tragedies.</p>

<p>Both doctors I spoke to agreed that the illegal entry of people into premier colleges is "dangerous" and may give rise to doctors who are "not properly trained to handle complicated cases."</p>

<h2><b>Is medicine, as a profession, still noble?&nbsp;</b></h2>

<p>Being a doctor is a matter of great pride in India. "Doctor bhagwaan hai" (Doctor is God) is a phrase all Indians have heard in their childhoods, from mothers and grandmothers.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | NEET Row: Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla dismisses Congress' allegations</strong></p>

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<p>But with the rise in commercial coaching centres, inflated treatment charges, and now a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/collapse-of-education-is-collapse-of-the-nation-statement-goes-viral-amid-neet-ug-exam-row-in-india-735377">paper leak</a>, the question that needs to be asked is whether medicine is still a noble profession.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr. Anuradha says that "this is highly subjective and differs from person to person. You can be noble if you want to be, but the lure of money is too great for some, and thus they follow unethical means and charge unnecessarily."</p>

<p>A doctor-to-be, Shraddha Khullar agrees. She says, "Medicine will always be a noble profession because it is meant to help people (literally and figuratively)."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><b>Future Gloomy or Drab?&nbsp;</b></h2>

<p>With the paper leak and the additional pressure that it has put on the doctors of tomorrow, the future looks gloomy at best.</p>

<p>But will the clouds clear?</p>

<p>"I hope that one day we will be able to have a medical system that caters to every strata of society, which it is not able to do today. The poor and rich should be treated equally," says Dr. Anuradha when asked about the future of the profession.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shraddha Khullar says, "My hope is that we start treating doctors as human beings and not mere machines who are meant to work round the clock without any breaks."</p>

<h2><b>Way forward</b></h2>

<p>While celebrating doctors on National Doctors Day is admirable, it is far from enough. There have been enough cases of doctors being beaten up inside hospitals.</p>

<p>In many cases, doctors are notoriously underpaid, shockingly overworked, and deserve much more.</p>

<p>We need to not just respect our doctors but also make sure that the only thing they worry about is their patients, not paper leaks, salaries, or personal safety.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, or NEET, for admission to India's medical colleges, was rocked by scandal in June. Some 67 students got the perfect score in this highly competitive test, something that is not just rare but nearly impossible.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, or NEET, for admission to India's medical colleges, was rocked by scandal in June. Some 67 students got the perfect score in this highly competitive test, something that is not just rare but nearly impossible. NEET is considered to be one of the toughest exams in the world, second only to the Gaokao exam in China. Over 2.3 million students took the exam this year, out of which 1,563 had to take it again due to alleged discrepancies in the results. The Central Bureau of Investigation is now investigating six cases of alleged paper leaks, and some reports say that the question papers were sold for close to Rs 3 million ($35,944) a day before the exam, raising serious concerns about the sanctity of Indian examinations. On the occasion of National Doctors Day, which is dedicated to cherishing the many wonderful people who serve folks from across the globe and save lives every day, the NEET scandal and subsequent concerns have dampened the celebratory atmosphere. Some key questions are being asked: If people can get into medical colleges through unfair means, what does it say about India’s future doctors? What is the scope of Indian medicine as a profession and career? Is medicine no longer a ‘noble’ profession? Let’s take a deep dive. Rise in Competition The field of medicine has become extremely competitive, forcing aspirants to study up to 18 hours a day to crack the all-important examination. With the rise of coaching institutes, which charge hundreds of thousands of rupees for preparation, parents are forced to sell their possessions and even take debt to make sure that their children become successful doctors. Also Read | NEET exam row: Doctor arranges solver in place of his medical aspirant son for Rs 4 lakh; police on manhunt Dr. Anuradha, a dentist from New Delhi, says that in her preparatory days, "the competition was not this high, and thus the pressures were not this intense." The rise in suicides among NEET aspirants points to the growing pressure that Indian students face every day. Was this the reason why many students preferred the illegal route this year? That is something for all of us to ponder. Downward Trend in Education and Discipline? The natural question that we must ask is: have the discipline and quality of medical education imparted to students declined? If yes, why? Dr. Anuradha says that "discipline in colleges was still present in my time but is now not there, especially in private colleges." Also Read | NEET-UG exam row: Student who got leaked papers scored only 185 marks out of 720 Dr. Chanbrababu Sudha, another practitioner and academician, says: "Three decades ago, it was pure academic acumen on which I was weighed, which is very far from the scenario today." What are students weighed upon today? Are private centres of medical education just businesses? NEET Scandal Can Cost Lives While cheating or unfair means in any other examination may lead to bad engineers or uninformed policymakers, unfair entry into medicine may result in unqualified doctors treating patients, leading to the loss of lives or mass tragedies. Both doctors I spoke to agreed that the illegal entry of people into premier colleges is "dangerous" and may give rise to doctors who are "not properly trained to handle complicated cases." Is medicine, as a profession, still noble? Being a doctor is a matter of great pride in India. "Doctor bhagwaan hai" (Doctor is God) is a phrase all Indians have heard in their childhoods, from mothers and grandmothers. Watch | NEET Row: Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla dismisses Congress' allegations × But with the rise in commercial coaching centres, inflated treatment charges, and now a paper leak, the question that needs to be asked is whether medicine is still a noble profession. Dr. Anuradha says that "this is highly subjective and differs from person to person. You can be noble if you want to be, but the lure of money is too great for some, and thus they follow unethical means and charge unnecessarily." A doctor-to-be, Shraddha Khullar agrees. She says, "Medicine will always be a noble profession because it is meant to help people (literally and figuratively)." Future Gloomy or Drab? With the paper leak and the additional pressure that it has put on the doctors of tomorrow, the future looks gloomy at best. But will the clouds clear? "I hope that one day we will be able to have a medical system that caters to every strata of society, which it is not able to do today. The poor and rich should be treated equally," says Dr. Anuradha when asked about the future of the profession. Shraddha Khullar says, "My hope is that we start treating doctors as human beings and not mere machines who are meant to work round the clock without any breaks." Way forward While celebrating doctors on National Doctors Day is admirable, it is far from enough. There have been enough cases of doctors being beaten up inside hospitals. In many cases, doctors are notoriously underpaid, shockingly overworked, and deserve much more. We need to not just respect our doctors but also make sure that the only thing they worry about is their patients, not paper leaks, salaries, or personal safety.

National Doctors Day | From NEET paper leak to death threats, is India treating its doctors right?

India: High drama unfolds in Parliament over NEET row, political fireworks over leak

NDA vs I.N.D.I.A: Showdown in Lok Sabha, political fireworks over NEET paper leak case

A massive landslide blocked a road in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar region as light to moderate rainfall hit isolated places in the region. The landslide blocked the Kishtwar-Paddar road in Kishtwar district, forcing the suspension of the vehicular movement. Watch in for more details!

India: Rainfall triggers landslide in Jammu-Kashmir

India: 3 new criminal laws to replace colonial-era codes, Zero FIR & electronic summonses introduced

At least 5 people including 4 children were swept away and drowned due to sudden strong flow of rain water at a waterfall in Pune’s Lonavala near Bhushi Dam. The avalanche occurred in the upper region of the Gandhi Sarovar in Chorabari glacier, below the snow-covered Meru-Sumeru mountain range located at the upper end of Kedarnath valley.

India: Nature's fury hits with landslide in Lonavla, avalanche in Kedarnath

In an exclusive interview with WION's Kriti Tulsiani, Rohit Saraf opens up about Ishq Vishk Rebound, the importance of social media for an actor, and the magic of Bollywood romantic comedies.

Rohit Saraf on Ishq Vishk Rebound, Bollywood rom-coms and his viral dance video

India: Landslide in Lonavla, avalanche in Kedarnath

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to Russia in July, expectedly for the annual India-Russia summit, marking his first visit to the country in five years. Watch in for more details!

Indian PM Modi set to visit Russia in July for summit talks

The Indian Army is ready and capable to face all current and future security challenges facing India, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi said on Monday a day after he assumed charge of the 1.3 million-strong force.

General Dwivedi: 'Indian Army capable of facing all challenges'

India: 3 new criminal laws to replace colonial-era codes

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