National

Three Medical Residents from Healthway Hospitals Goa Shine at APICON 2026


Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, February 2026: Three medical residents from Healthway Hospitals have brought laurels to Goa by securing fifth place in the APICON Quiz at the 81st Annual Conference of the Association of Physicians of India โ€” APICON 2026 โ€” held in Patna.


The residents โ€” Dr Dhruv Bawania, Dr Ankit Nair and Dr Pritesh Vaishnav โ€” are currently pursuing their DNB Medicine at Healthway Hospitals. Representing Goa, they competed against 48 teams from leading medical colleges across the country.

APICON is one of Indiaโ€™s largest national gatherings of physicians and internal medicine specialists, with nearly 10,000 delegates in attendance. The conference featured academic sessions, workshops and the highly competitive National Medical Quiz.

At the quiz, the Goa team secured a spot among the top finalists and clinched fifth position, following IPGMER & SSKM, Kolkata (1st), Madras Medical College & Stanley Medical College, Chennai (2nd), KMC Manipal (3rd) and NIMS Hyderabad (4th).

The efforts of Dr Dhruv Bawania and Dr Ankit Nair were particularly noteworthy as they were the only first-year DNB Medicine residents competing at the national level. The team was also applauded for being the only participants to correctly answer one of the most challenging questions in the quiz.

This achievement adds to the teamโ€™s consistent academic record. They were previously selected for the zonal round in Mumbai for the national quiz at IRACON 2025 and qualified for the semifinal round of the National Medical Quiz at the RSSDI Conference 2025.

The team was felicitated by Dr Kamlesh Tewary, President of APICON 2026 and former Dean of the Indian College of Physicians.

Speaking about the achievement, Dr Vijay Naik, Head of the Medicine Department at Healthway Hospitals, said the accomplishment marks a significant milestone for both the institution and the state, especially considering that the hospitalโ€™s DNB programme was established only three years ago.

Healthway Hospitals has been conducting the three-year DNB (Diplomate of National Board) Medicine programme, which awards a qualification equivalent to an MD in India. The national recognition of its residents has further strengthened Goaโ€™s standing among the countryโ€™s established medical institutions.

National

PM Modi to Inaugurate New PMO Building on Delhiโ€™s 95th Anniversary as National Capital


New Delhi, February 13, 2026: On a day of historical significance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Seva Teerth, the new building of the Prime Ministerโ€™s Office (PMO), marking a major milestone in Indiaโ€™s administrative infrastructure. The inauguration coincides with the 95th anniversary of New Delhi being formally inaugurated as the nationโ€™s capital.

The Seva Teerth building, designed with modern architectural aesthetics and cutting-edge technology, is aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency of the PMO and providing a sustainable workspace for government officials. Alongside the PMO, two other newly constructed government edifices will also be inaugurated, representing Indiaโ€™s commitment to modern governance and development.

Prime Minister Modiโ€™s participation in the inauguration highlights the importance of this date in Indiaโ€™s history and underscores the governmentโ€™s focus on combining heritage with modernity. Officials have noted that the new facilities will not only streamline administrative functions but also reflect Indiaโ€™s growing stature on the global stage.

The inauguration ceremony is expected to feature key dignitaries, policymakers, and media representatives, offering a glimpse into Indiaโ€™s vision for a modern, efficient, and citizen-focused governance model.

National

Delhi Launches โ€˜Lakhpati Bitiya Yojanaโ€™: Girls to Receive โ‚น1 Lakh Support from Birth Till Graduation


New Delhi โ€” In a significant move focused on empowering the girl child, the Delhi government has launched the โ€˜Lakhpati Bitiya Yojanaโ€™, a financial assistance programme designed to provide long-term support to girls from birth until they complete their graduation.\

Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries will receive structured financial benefits that can collectively amount to โ‚น1 lakh, aimed at encouraging education, improving social security, and supporting families in investing in their daughtersโ€™ futures. Officials say the initiative reflects a broader commitment to gender equality and inclusive development.

The programme is expected to provide phased financial assistance linked to key milestones such as school enrolment, continued education, and higher studies. By offering sustained support rather than a one-time grant, the scheme seeks to reduce dropout rates and promote higher education among girls.

Government representatives highlighted that the initiative also aligns with national and state-level goals to improve literacy rates and create opportunities for young women. Apart from financial incentives, awareness campaigns and outreach programmes may be conducted to ensure that eligible families are informed about the benefits.

Policy analysts view the scheme as part of a growing trend among Indian states to introduce targeted welfare programmes focused on empowering the girl child through education, financial stability, and social protection.

As the rollout begins, many are watching closely to see how the โ€˜Lakhpati Bitiya Yojanaโ€™ impacts educational outcomes and long-term empowerment for girls in Delhi.

National

Centre Issues New โ€˜Vande Mataramโ€™ Protocol: Audience to Stand, Song to Precede National Anthem at Joint Events


New Delhi โ€” The Union Home Ministry has issued updated guidelines regarding the performance of โ€˜Vande Mataramโ€™, Indiaโ€™s National Song, outlining specific protocols to be followed during official and ceremonial occasions.

According to the latest directives, whenever the official version of โ€˜Vande Mataramโ€™ is sung or played, members of the audience are required to stand to attention as a mark of respect. The guidelines aim to ensure uniformity and clarity in how the National Song is presented at government and public events across the country.

The Ministry has also clarified the sequence to be followed when both the National Song and the National Anthem are performed together. In such cases, โ€˜Vande Mataramโ€™ will be sung first, followed by the National Anthem, reinforcing ceremonial consistency.

In addition, the new protocol specifies that โ€˜Vande Mataramโ€™ will be played at civilian award ceremonies โ€” including prestigious honours such as the Padma Awards โ€” as well as at official functions attended by the President of India. The song will be played during the Presidentโ€™s arrival and departure at such events.

Officials say the updated guidelines are intended to standardise practices and uphold the dignity associated with national symbols, while ensuring that event organisers and institutions follow a clear framework during formal ceremonies.

The announcement has sparked discussions around cultural heritage, protocol awareness, and the evolving role of national symbols in contemporary public life.

National

Rajpal Yadav Surrenders at Tihar Jail After Delhi High Court Denies Relief


Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Actor Rajpal Yadav surrendered to the Tihar Jail authorities in Delhi on Thursday following the Delhi High Courtโ€™s refusal to grant him any relief in connection with his cheque-bounce cases. The court had earlier rejected the actorโ€™s plea seeking an extension of the deadline for his surrender.


According to a report by news agency PTI, a jail source confirmed that Yadav surrendered before the jail authorities at around 4 pm on Thursday. โ€œHe surrendered before the jail authorities at 4 pm on Thursday. Now the jail authorities will follow the standard operating procedure,โ€ the source said.

With the surrender completed, jail authorities are expected to proceed in accordance with established protocols as the legal process continues in the matter.