Gorakhpur, Jul 1: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant step in the expansion of traditional medicine education and services in India. The new university is envisioned as a modern institution rooted in India’s ancient medical traditions. With around 100 AYUSH colleges affiliated to it, the university is expected to enhance the quality of education and accessibility of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy systems across Uttar Pradesh and beyond.

Addressing the gathering, the President described the university as a milestone in the development of medical infrastructure, highlighting the availability of advanced facilities to a wide population base. She also acknowledged the growing relevance of AYUSH systems in contemporary healthcare, noting their rising popularity and potential for global acceptance. In a personal reflection during her speech, President Murmu remarked on the responsibilities of public life, emphasising the importance of service over personal comfort.

She commended Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his efforts in advancing public welfare, particularly in the fields of health, education, and agriculture in the region.

Urging healthcare professionals and administrators to uphold the spirit of public service, the President called for introspection and dedication from those in the medical field. She underscored the connection between personal health and national progress, advocating for healthier lifestyles and regular yoga practice as part of a holistic approach to wellness. President Murmu also reiterated the significance of India’s traditional knowledge systems, stating that Ayurveda and other AYUSH disciplines offer time-tested, scientific methods for living a balanced and meaningful life. She emphasised the role of universities like the one in Gorakhpur in promoting scientific validation and broader acceptance of these systems, both within India and globally. The inauguration marks a continued push by the central and state governments to integrate traditional and modern medicine, as India looks to position itself as a global hub for holistic health and wellness by 2047.

New Delhi, July 01: India and Pakistan today exchanged lists of civilian prisoners and fishermen held in each other’s custody, in accordance with the provisions of the 2008 bilateral Agreement on Consular Access. The exchange took place simultaneously through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.

According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), “India has shared lists of 382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen in its custody, who are Pakistani or are believed-to-be-Pakistani.” Conversely, “Pakistan has shared lists of 53 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen in its custody, who are Indian or are believed-to-be-Indian.”

The Government of India reiterated its call for the “early release and repatriation of civilian prisoners, fishermen along with their boats, and missing Indian defence personnel from Pakistan’s custody.” It has specifically requested Pakistan to expedite the release of 159 Indian prisoners and fishermen who have already completed their sentences.

India has also called on Pakistan to “provide immediate consular access to the 26 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan’s custody, who are believed-to-be-Indian and have not been provided consular access so far,” and urged Islamabad to “ensure the safety, security and welfare of all Indian and believed-to-be-Indian civilian prisoners and fishermen, pending their release and repatriation to India.”

India reaffirmed its commitment to addressing humanitarian issues on priority, stating, “India remains committed to addressing, on priority, all humanitarian matters, including those pertaining to prisoners and fishermen in each other’s country.”

In this context, India has pressed Pakistan to expedite nationality verification for 80 believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners and fishermen in Indian custody, whose repatriation is pending due to a lack of nationality confirmation from Pakistan.

Highlighting past efforts, the MEA said, “As a result of sustained efforts by the Government, 2,661 Indian fishermen and 71 Indian civilian prisoners have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014. This includes 500 Indian fishermen and 13 Indian civilian prisoners who have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2023 till date.” The biannual exchange of prisoner lists, held on January 1 and July 1 each year, is a confidence-building measure under the Indo-Pakistan agreement to ensure transparency and humanitarian cooperation.