National
More Than 2,000 Orphans in India Await Adoption, With West Bengal Leading the Numbers
Thakur remarked that most prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) tend to favor younger children, particularly those under six years old and in good health, through the official CARINGS portal. “A limited number of these children in the adoption pool may lead to longer waiting times for PAPs,” she explained in a written statement.
Among the states, West Bengal has the highest number of children awaiting adoption, totaling 309. This is followed by Maharashtra with 261, Odisha with 225, Bihar with 205, and Telangana with 197.
The minister also highlighted issues concerning child nutrition and welfare. According to her, India was projected to have around 13.75 crore children under the age of five in 2021. However, as of February 2025, only 7.49 crore of these children were enrolled in Anganwadis and recorded on the Poshan Tracker.
Furthermore, alarming statistics emerged from the growth measurements of 7.25 crore children. Approximately 39.09% were classified as stunted, 16.60% as underweight, and 5.35% as wasted, signifying serious malnutrition challenges among young children in the nation.
Regarding women’s safety, Thakur announced that the women’s helpline has now been merged with the Emergency Response Support System, which has processed over 2.10 crore calls and provided assistance to more than 84.43 lakh women to date.
Additionally, as of January 2025, there are 745 Fast Track Special Courts, including 404 specialized e-POCSO courts, functioning across all states and Union territories. These courts have resolved over 3.06 lakh cases related to rape and offenses under the POCSO Act.
These findings illuminate significant challenges in child adoption, malnutrition, and women’s safety, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced policies and effective implementation to protect the welfare of vulnerable groups in India.
National
MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel
New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.
According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.
The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.
The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.
In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.
National
8 Patients Dead In Jaipur Hospital Fire
Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.

Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.
Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.
Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.
National
75-Year-Old Man Marries 35-Year-Old, Dies Before Honeymoon
Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.

The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.
The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”
However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.
Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.
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