Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Indian state revokes ban imposed on products of yoga guru Baba Ramdev

Baba Ramdev backed-Patanjali praised the government for lifting the ban.

Indian state revokes ban imposed on products of yoga guru Baba Ramdev

A state in northern India will revoke its previous order banning five products made by billionaire yoga guru Baba Ramdev's company after the firm alleged an 'anti-Ayurveda drug mafia' behind the decision.

Earlier, the Uttarakhand Ayurveda and Unani Services authority banned the production of five drugs-Divya Madhugrit, Divya Eyegrit Gold, Divya Thyrogrit, Divya BPgrit, and Divya Lipidom, by Patanjali drugs company Divya Pharmacy, accusing it of “misleading” advertisements.


According to reports, the action was taken in response to a complaint filed earlier this year by Kerala-based ophthalmologist KV Babu. On October 11, Babu sent another complaint to the State Licensing Authority (SLA) via email.

These medicines, according to Patanjali, can treat diabetes, glaucoma, hypertension, goitre, and high cholesterol.

However, last weekend the state authorities retracted the order saying that the ban was announced mistakenly and Divya Pharmacy was allowed to continue manufacture of these drugs.

Patanjali praised the government for lifting the ban and claimed that some 'ignorant, insensitive, and under-qualified officers' in the department had tarnished the entire Ayurvedic tradition.

In a letter dated November 12 to Divya Pharmacy, Dr G C S Jangpangi, licence officer, Uttarakhand Ayurvedic and Unani Services, said that the department is amending its previous order.

Following reports of the ban, the company said it had not received a copy of the order cited by the reports in top newspapers but "the involvement of anti-Ayurveda drug mafia is clear".

"All the products and medicines made by Patanjali follow prescribed standards, fulfilling all statutory processes and international standards with the highest research and quality in the Ayurveda tradition, with the help of more than 500 scientists," the company said in a statement.

"The letter which was conspiratorially written and circulated in the media on November 9 in a sponsored manner by the Ayurveda and Unani Services Uttarakhand has not been made available to Patanjali Sansthan in any form so far," it added.

The company also urged the department to take appropriate action against the conspiracy. It added that it will also take legal action.

In 2020, Ramdev, 56, claimed that one of his concoctions could cure Covid-19. His latest run-in with the law follows outrage over advertisements claiming that Patanjali's glaucoma eye drops could also treat cataracts, double vision, and night blindness. However, the Indian Medical Association has been disputing his claims for many years.

According to a report in The Times, Ayurveda drug companies reported $18 billion in sales in 2020, four times the figure in 2014.

More For You

Pakistan rejects claim of China’s role in border clash

Asim Munir

Pakistan rejects claim of China’s role in border clash

PAKISTAN’S army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday (7) rejected Delhi’s allegation that his military received active support from longtime ally China in its conflict with India in May.

The Indian Army’s deputy chief, Lieutenant General Rahul Singh, said last week that China gave Islamabad “live inputs” on key Indian positions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi courts Latin nations to expand trade relations

Christine Kangaloo awards Narendra Modi with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago last Friday (4)

Modi courts Latin nations to expand trade relations

INDIA’S prime minister, Narendra Modi met Argentine president Javier Milei in Buenos Aires last Saturday (5), urging the expansion of New Delhi’s preferential trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc.

The bilateral talks with Milei were the latest in Modi’s whistle-stop diplomatic tour culminating in the summit of Brics emerging economies which began last Sunday (6) in Brazil.

Keep ReadingShow less
Minister 'open to talks' on British Sikh regiment

Lord Coaker (Photo: UK Parliament)

Minister 'open to talks' on British Sikh regiment

A FRESH parliamentary initiative to establish a dedicated Sikh regiment within the British Army has gained momentum in the House of Lords, with defence minister Lord Coaker expressing willingness to engage in further discussions about the long-debated proposal.

The issue was raised in the House of Lords on Monday (7) by Labour peer Lord Sahota, who asked whether there had been any progress on long-standing calls for a Sikh regiment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heatwave Alert: Don’t Leave Contraceptives or Medication in Cars

Heat can also damage everyday items like sunglasses, suncream and vape devices

iStock

Drivers warned to remove contraceptives and medication from cars during UK heatwave

Highlights:

  • Experts urge motorists to avoid leaving certain items in vehicles during upcoming heatwave
  • Temperatures expected to rise above 30°C across large parts of the UK
  • Contraceptives and common medications can lose effectiveness in high heat
  • Heat can also damage everyday items like sunglasses, suncream and vape devices

Drivers urged to act as UK braces for extended heatwave

Drivers across the UK are being urged to remove a range of everyday items from their cars ahead of a predicted heatwave, with experts warning that the rising temperatures could pose both safety and health risks.

The Met Office has forecast a prolonged spell of hot weather, with temperatures expected to soar into the low 30s on Thursday and Friday. Much of the UK is likely to hit its regional heatwave threshold by the weekend, with this episode potentially affecting a wider area and lasting longer than previous hot spells.

Keep ReadingShow less
Royal Mail

The Royal Mail logo is seen on the side of a van as the UK government clear a 3.57 billion pound takeover offer by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky in London, December 16, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Ofcom updates Royal Mail delivery targets, starts pricing review

MEDIA regulator Ofcom has set new minimum delivery standards for Royal Mail and revised existing targets in an effort to reduce delays. It also announced a review into pricing and affordability, amid concerns over rising stamp prices.

Royal Mail, which has faced fines of around $20 million over the past two years for not meeting delivery targets, is currently trying to modernise operations and focus more on parcel deliveries.

Keep ReadingShow less