Pakistan continues to be dealing with a polio outbreak as four fresh cases have emerged, pushing the national tally to 37 this year, according to health officials on October 19, 2024. Health officials said that the regional reference laboratory for polio eradication at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad confirmed wild poliovirus type-1 (WPV1) in two children-one from each Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

In recent cases, a girl has been affected from Pishin, and two boys from Chaman and Noshki of Balochistan, and a girl from Lakki Marwat in KP. These are the first detections of the virus within Noshki and Lakki Marwat this year; isolated cases of poliovirus were previously reported within Chaman and Pishin. The province of Balochistan was the worst hit with 20 cases, Sindh had 10, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had five, and Punjab and Islamabad had one case each.

A gigantic fight against polio has been on going in Pakistan- especially in Balochistan and southern KP-over the last two years. Immunisation campaigns have often been suspended or delayed because of local protests, insecurity, and community boycotts. Consequently, quite a number of children did not get the necessary vaccinations, making existing patches of vulnerability for the virus to flow within those pockets.

Noshki, located near Afghanistan's border, and Lakki Marwat have also recently reported some positive environmental samples that confirm the virus is present here, said a local reference laboratory official. Samples of latest cases are currently under genetic sequencing for checking spread of virus and origin.

As the threat of polio continues to grow, Pakistan has vowed to mount a nationwide campaign against it beginning from October 28. With the zeal to tackle the menace in the most effective manner, over 45 million children under the age of five will be vaccinated across the country.

Today, Afghanistan and Pakistan remain one of the few countries where polio has not yet been eradicated. The WHO said the virus remains a potential serious public health threat in areas with low vaccination coverage and weak surveillance.

India On Alert Against Polio

The country declared itself polio-free since 2014 and has kept the disease on bay almost a decade with very robust vaccination programs; however, two cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus cases reported in recent days from Meghalaya create some amount of doubts over a possible resurgence. Experts observe that in India, despite these detections taking place, strong coverage of vaccination at 90-95% and mandatory surveillance measures keep the risk of this widespread outbreak at bay.

The experts point out, however, that such stable situation in India requires continued surveillance. "Countries like Pakistan and parts of Africa remain at a high risk because vaccination rates in those areas are much lower," Dr. Siddharth, public health expert, said. Vaccination is an indispensable act in order to avoid the spread of this incapacitating disease that manifests most importantly as a nervous system affliction leading to the paralysis of a long period.

With concerted efforts from health authorities, there is hope someday that the scourge of polio will be completely eradicated from the face of the earth and future generations will never suffer from its effects.

Some feel anxious because of work pressure, but there are others who feel agitated and stressed when they are not engaged. Legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan falls into the latter group. The 83-year-old has never really retired and has continued to entertain his fans and rule their hearts through his work. Over the years, there have been several interviews about his routine, discipline, and how the actor likes to stay busy. In a recent blog, he opened up about feeling anxious and uneasy when he does not work every day.

In his blog, Mr Bachchan wrote, “You wonder why the day is not behaving the way you normally wish it to be. So, if there is some understanding of this element within us, then ‘may there be peace and calm around us’, but for some, it never happens, and that is an added anxiety. Living in anxiety, they say, is harmful for the mind and body, and leading an anxious day on the weakness of this phenomenon is unnecessary (sic).”

Through his post, the 'Piku' actor revealed that a day spent lazing around seems 'disturbing.' He continued to say that when one does not work every day as per a schedule, the day becomes a 'mystery of deeds', which hints at the importance of structure and how a strong routine can shape one's mental health. But what contributes to the anxiety of not being occupied?

Why do some people feel anxious when not working?

According to experts, many people underestimate the importance of a routine for mental health. Humans are wired to depend on structure for stability, and when that is eliminated, the mind has to reorganise internally. This does not come easily. However, from a psychological perspective, this can lead to an excessive cognitive load, triggering a stress response. This stress response can manifest as anxiety, uneasiness, irritability, or restlessness.

How to cope with the stress on a lazy day?

Experts say that unproductiveness need not be associated with work itself—one can also engage in household chores or a hobby to feel productive and engaged. On a free day with no schedule, creativity can offer an escape. One can try going for a walk, cooking, taking breaks from screens every few minutes, and even playing sports. This helps regulate the nervous system. It can support not just physical but also emotional recovery. This way, when the brain takes a break, it does not feel empty and recovers faster.

How to feel productive on your day off?

When not at work, there are some simple ways to avoid falling into a slump. You can take a break and still be productive, and here are some simple ways to do so:

1. Organise: If you spot clutter in any part of the house, work towards organising it better. This activity is not exhausting and is also a good way to feel productive.
2. Prepare meals: On your day off, prepare yourself a fancy meal. Not only does this engage the creative side of your mind, but it also releases happy hormones.
3. Sightseeing: If you are willing to go out on your day off, pick a spot in the city that you have never visited and go sightseeing. Even getting dressed for a day out can help you feel rejuvenated.
4. Engage in sports: Engaging in sports is a good way to take a break from busy workdays. Go swimming or play a sport such as tennis or badminton, and the activity will help release happy hormones.

India is already known as the 'Pharmacy of the world', supplying 60 percent of the world’s vaccines and 20 percent of generic medicines. The country is soon transforming into a global bio-pharma hub, said the government today.

To achieve this, the focus must be on biosimilars and specialty medicines, said J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers.

He said this while making a virtual address at the 9th edition of India Pharma 2026, the flagship event of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, today in New Delhi.

Shift Towards Biologics and Biosimilars

Nadda emphasized that India has long been recognized as the “pharmacy of the world” due to its leadership in affordable generic medicines. However, the global landscape is now rapidly shifting towards biologics, biosimilars, and specialty medicines.

“In this evolving environment, India is well positioned not only to adapt but to emerge as a global leader,” he stated.

Nadda reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and boosting research capabilities with schemes such as:

• Biopharma Shakti Initiative, with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore, aimed at advancing capabilities in biopharmaceutical innovation.
• The PRIP scheme for promoting research in
• pharmaceuticals and medical technology.
• The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme aims to boost domestic manufacturing
• The development of bulk drug parks aims to enhance self-reliance and resilient supply chains.

Rising Global Demand For Biologics And Biosimilars

Further, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel highlighted that India is undergoing a significant transition from being a global generics leader to an emerging biopharma innovation hub.

"India currently contributes nearly 20 percent of global generic medicines and meets around 70 percent of global vaccine demand, underscoring the country’s robust manufacturing capabilities,” Patel said.

Emphasizing future opportunities, she stated that the global demand for biologics and biosimilars is expanding rapidly, with the biosimilars market projected to reach USD 75 billion by 2030.

She further pointed out that innovative drugs account for nearly 87 percent of the global pharmaceutical market value, underlining the need for India to intensify its focus on innovation-driven segments.

Patel also outlined the integration of artificial intelligence in drug discovery and development.

She emphasized the importance of strengthening human capital through premier institutions such as NIPERs and IITs to support advanced research and innovation.

The two-day conference was organized in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).

To transform India into an “innovator for the world”, other government officials stressed the need to:

• accelerate innovation timelines
• strengthen startup ecosystems
• build a robust infrastructure for clinical trials
• advanced research
• enhanced funding mechanisms
• closer industry-government collaboration
• development of skilled talent.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the Nari Shakti Vandan program at Vigyan Bhawan today, highlighted how his government has created schemes for every stage of women's life cycle since 2014.

From free medicines to better education and healthcare, the Prime Minister noted that the government has been mindful of women's needs, beginning from their childhood.

This included the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign, Matru Vandan Yojana, and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, a savings scheme.

"We launched the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign to prevent female foeticide, provided Rs 5,000 financial assistance under Matru Vandan Yojana for proper nutrition during pregnancy, and started the high-interest Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana to support daughters' education," PM Modi said.

Government Schemes For Women

Further, the Prime Minister also mentioned other schemes launched by the government that provided a comprehensive support system for women. This included:

• The Mission Indradhanush for timely vaccination,
• Toilets under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,
• Nearly free sanitary napkins,
• Financial support under the Khel India scheme,
• Opening the doors to Sainik Schools and National Defence Academy
• The Ujjwala Yojana provided gas connections and ensured smoke-free kitchens,
• Har Ghar Nal Se Jal campaign brought water to homes,
• The free ration scheme ensured food security,
• Ayushman Yojana offered health insurance up to Rs 5 lakh.

"All these initiatives, including Jan Aushadhi Kendras offering up to 80 percent discount on medicines, have primarily benefited our sisters and daughters," said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister also celebrated the educational achievements of women, especially in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

He noted that enrollment of daughters for the Doctor of Philosophy has doubled compared to 2014, with nearly half of the participation in higher education and research being women.

In mathematics and science education, the number of daughters has reached approximately 43 percent.

"These achievements reflect the changing landscape of opportunities for our daughters," affirmed the Prime Minister.

Other welfare programs that supported women and their health at different stages of life include:

• National Sex Ratio improved to 1020 for the first time
• Paid maternity leave increased to 26 weeks
• Over 4.73 Crore pregnant women examined under PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan
• MMR to 97/lakh live births in 2018-20 from 130/lakh live births in 2014-16

Nari Shakti Vandan Act

PM Modi said that the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act will become a great opportunity in the lives of all women.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Act was passed in the new Parliament building in 2023, unanimously with all parties agreeing that it should be implemented by 2029 in any case.

"India is about to take one of the biggest decisions of the 21st century, a decision dedicated to Nari Shakti," PM Modi said.

PM Modi remarked that the Nari Shakti Vandan Act must be implemented on time so that women’s participation strengthens our democracy, for which a special session of Parliament’s Budget Session will begin from April 16.

"Our effort and priority is that this work should be accomplished through dialogue, cooperation, and participation, which will enhance the dignity of Parliament," said PM Modi.