Harsh Vardhan: News
Dr. Harsh Vardhan is an ENT surgeon, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, and a Member of Parliament in Lok Sabha. He did MBBS and Master of Surgery (MS) from Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. In 1984, he joined the Delhi Chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and later became President of the Delhi Medical Association. An RSS Swayamsevak since childhood, Vardhan later joined the BJP. He successfully contested in the 1993 Delhi Assembly elections, winning from East Delhi’s Krishna Nagar constituency, and served as Delhi’s Minister for Health, Law, and Education. Before the Pulse Polio campaign was launched throughout India, it was in Delhi under Vardhan’s leadership that a pilot project for polio vaccination was launched. In 1994, over a million children in the national capital received the polio vaccine in just one day. Vardhan was elected consecutively to Delhi Assembly for four more terms in 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013. In 2014, he became a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from the Chandni Chowk constituency and served as Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Science and Technology, and Earth Sciences in the Narendra Modi government till he resigned in 2021 during a Cabinet reshuffle.
19 Mar 2024
Baba RamdevSC summons Baba Ramdev in Patanjali's misleading ads case
The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up Patanjali Ayurved for failing to respond to a contempt notice in the "misleading advertisements" case and ordered co-founder and yoga guru Ramdev to appear before it.
03 Mar 2024
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)BJP's Harsh Vardhan quits politics, was denied LS ticket
Former Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Dr. Harsh Vardhan officially announced on Sunday that he was quitting politics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
27 Feb 2024
Supreme Court Of IndiaSC pulls up Centre for inaction on Patanjali's 'false advertisements'
The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Centre for not taking any action against the "misleading and false" advertisements by Patanjali Ayurved, a company co-owned by yoga guru Ramdev.
12 Jun 2023
Co-WIN AppOld data: Government on CoWIN data breach on Telegram
After media reports on Monday alleged a data leak from the government-run Co-WIN app used for COVID-19 vaccination, government sources claimed it was "old data" while insisting that they are still verifying it.
08 Jul 2021
Narendra ModiMeet Mansukh Mandaviya, who replaced Harsh Vardhan as Health Minister
On Wednesday, Mansukh Mandaviya, 49, was made the new Health Minister of India in a major rejig of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Union Cabinet.
07 Jul 2021
Narendra ModiHarsh Vardhan, Ravi Shankar, Prakash Javadekar quit before Cabinet reshuffle
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar resigned today, ahead of a major reshuffle and expansion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet.
02 Jul 2021
Rahul GandhiJuly has come, vaccines haven't, says Rahul; BJP hits back
In a swipe at the government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Friday that July has come but vaccines have not, drawing a sharp retort from the BJP.
05 Jun 2021
CoronavirusIndia strongly opposes 'COVID-19 vaccine passport' idea at G7 meet
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has conveyed India's concerns and strong opposition to the idea of a "COVID-19 vaccine passport" at the G7 Health Ministers' Meeting on Friday.
26 May 2021
Ashok GehlotGehlot slams Dr. Vardhan on issue of availability of vaccines
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday accused Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan of making false statements on the issue of the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the country.
24 May 2021
Baba RamdevRamdev withdraws comments on allopathic medicine after furor
Yoga guru Ramdev on Sunday withdrew his recent statements on allopathic medicine which had triggered strong protests from the medical fraternity.
14 May 2021
Vaccine'Narrow politics': Health Minister criticizes states demanding more vaccines
Referring to demands by various state governments to increase their respective COVID-19 vaccines' quota amid reports of acute shortage, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said this approach harms the "whole-of-government" approach and arouses "narrow political passion among the masses."
19 Apr 2021
Narendra ModiHarsh Vardhan replies to Manmohan Singh's letter to PM Modi
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Monday replied to the letter that former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had written to his successor, PM Narendra Modi, on the raging coronavirus crisis.
13 Apr 2021
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)Need to be prepared for emerging infections: Dr. Vardhan
The whole world is grappling with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and it is necessary to be prepared to deal with emerging and re-emerging infections in the future, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said on Monday.
19 Mar 2021
CoronavirusChildren between 0-14 years less affected by COVID-19: Health Minister
An analysis shows that children between 0-14 years are less affected by COVID-19, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.
03 Mar 2021
IndiaGet COVID-19 vaccine jab 24x7 at your convenience: Health Minister
Hospitals do not have to follow a fixed schedule so as to vaccinate people against COVID-19 and can extend or advance the vaccination schedule any day, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said this morning.
02 Mar 2021
CoronavirusHealth Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, wife get COVID-19 vaccine shot
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan and his wife took the first dose of indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine COVAXIN at the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute on Tuesday.
02 Mar 2021
VaccinePhase two, day one: 1.46 lakh vaccinated, 29 lakh registered
On Monday, when India kick-started the second phase of the coronavirus vaccination drive, 1.46 lakh people were inoculated with the first dose, reports IE.
12 Feb 2021
COVAXINCongress-ruled Chhattisgarh wants COVAXIN supplies halted, Dr. Harsh Vardhan responds
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has responded to the COVAXIN-related concerns of Chhattisgarh minister TS Singh Deo, saying that both coronavirus vaccines were given emergency use authorization after due diligence and that he should focus on amplifying inoculation in his state.
07 Feb 2021
BollywoodHarsh Varrdhan Kapoor-starrer Abhinav Bindra biopic shelved?
Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor-starrer biopic based on the life of ace shooter Abhinav Bindra, which was announced in 2017, has now been shelved, reports say.
06 Feb 2021
VaccineIndia will begin vaccinating those above 50 from March
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan informed the Lok Sabha on Friday that those aged 50 and above will get the coronavirus vaccine from March.
02 Jan 2021
IndiaCOVID-19 vaccines will be free across India: Union Health Minister
As India prepares to launch the world's biggest immunization drive, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Saturday announced COVID-19 vaccines would be provided free of cost across the country.
02 Jan 2021
IndiaAll states to hold dry run for coronavirus vaccination today
A dry run for vaccination, before the actual doses of the coronavirus vaccine are administered to people, will be held in all states and union territories today.
21 Dec 2020
NITI AayogCoronavirus vaccination may start in January, says Health Minister
India may begin vaccinating people against coronavirus in January, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday, giving hope to a country that has lost more than a lakh to the fatal disease.
24 Nov 2020
Narendra ModiFirst doses of coronavirus vaccine for one crore healthcare workers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a virtual meeting with Chief Ministers of eight states, where a large chunk of coronavirus cases are being reported from.
19 Nov 2020
IndiaCan deliver coronavirus vaccine in a few months: Health Minister
India's Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said today that deliveries of coronavirus vaccine will happen within a few months, adding that the country's scientists are way ahead in terms of research.
19 Oct 2020
IndiaCoronavirus: Months into pandemic, Centre admits to "limited" community transmission
After saying for months that coronavirus "community transmission" is merely a term and that it would be premature to declare the same for India, considering the large population, the Centre admitted on Sunday that the deadly virus has entered the third stage of transmission in the country, although it is limited to certain districts.
13 Oct 2020
IndiaWhen will India get coronavirus vaccine? Early 2021, claims minister
Giving a glimmer of hope to a nation buried by coronavirus caseload and deaths linked to it, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said today India will most likely get the vaccine by early 2021.
09 Oct 2020
Indian Medical AssociationHealth Minister promotes AYUSH's coronavirus treatment protocol, IMA asks questions
On Tuesday, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan released the AYUSH standard treatment protocol for coronavirus patients, only to be at the receiving end of pointed questions by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
04 Oct 2020
NITI AayogCoronavirus vaccine to reach 25 crore Indians by mid-2021: Government
The Indian government is planning to provide vaccines to roughly 25 crore people by July 2021, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday.
28 Sep 2020
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)Looking for COVID-19 vaccine update? Use this government portal
As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to surge across different parts of India, everyone has just one question on their mind: When will a vaccine be available?
17 Sep 2020
Indian Medical AssociationCoronavirus killed 382 doctors, angry IMA slams Modi government's apathy
Upset that Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan didn't mention the death of healthcare workers due to coronavirus in his parliamentary address, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) published a list of 382 doctors, who lost their lives to the highly-contagious disease.
14 Sep 2020
Lok SabhaExpunged-remark, coronavirus talk: Details from Day 1 of Monsoon Session
On the first day of the Monsoon Session, the Lok Sabha witnessed an uproar over various issues, from the removal of question hour to the rise in coronavirus numbers and a comment by Trinamool Congress leader Sougata Roy on Finance Minister.
14 Jun 2020
Arvind KejriwalKejriwal-Shah meet: Delhi's COVID-19 testing to be tripled
The Delhi and the central governments on Sunday held a crucial meeting as the number of coronavirus cases continue to rise in the national capital.
20 May 2020
IndiaHarsh Vardhan to take charge as WHO Executive Board Chairman
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan will take charge as chairman of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on Friday, May 22, reports said.
11 May 2020
Zydus CadilaCOVID KAVACH ELISA: First Indian antibody detection kit for coronavirus
In a major step forward, the Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Virology have jointly announced the development of COVID KAVACH ELISA, the first indigenous antibody detection kit for COVID-19.
10 May 2020
Madhya PradeshCoronavirus: 2,099 dead in India; Maharashtra tally crosses 20,000
India reported over 62,000 cases of COVID-19 till Saturday while the death toll rose to 2,099, data compiled from official state and union territory government statistics showed.
27 Apr 2020
Narendra ModiCoronavirus: 879 dead in India; situation 'improving', says Health Minister
On Sunday, the death toll due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rose to 879, while the total number of infections crossed 27,800.
22 Apr 2020
XHealth Ministry launches Twitter service to answer questions around COVID-19
In a major development, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a Twitter service to address public concerns and queries around the novel coronavirus disease.
04 Mar 2020
Narendra ModiCoronavirus outbreak: India confirms 28 cases, including 16 Italians
India's Health Ministry on Wednesday confirmed 28 positive cases of the novel coronavirus disease, called COVID-19.
07 Feb 2020
Narendra ModiCongress and BJP MPs almost come to blows in Parliament
The sanctity of the Lok Sabha was taken for a ride on Friday when parliamentarians of ruling BJP and opposition Congress almost came to blows and speaker Om Birla had to briefly adjourn the House.
30 Jul 2019
Lok SabhaExplained: Why are doctors protesting the National Medical Commission Bill
Starting 6 AM on Wednesday, all non-emergency medical services across the nation will remain shut for 24 hours, courtesy a protest called by the Indian Medical Association.
03 Jul 2019
Delhi PoliceChandni Chowk temple vandalism: 9 persons, including 4 juveniles, arrested
The Delhi Police has arrested a total of nine persons, including four juveniles, in connection with the June 30 Hauz Qazi incident in which a century-old temple was vandalized.
20 Jun 2019
BiharBihar: Encephalitis kills 128 children. Is anyone paying attention?
Bihar is reeling under a major health crisis, and with every passing day, things are only getting worse.
18 Jun 2019
Bihar"How many wickets?": Bihar Health Minister at meeting on encephalitis
The fierce outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Bihar has left many worried, but apparently, state Health Minister Mangal Pandey couldn't be less bothered.
14 Jun 2019
KolkataWhy doctors at AIIMS Delhi wore bandages while treating patients
Earlier this week, an unruly mob attacked two doctors in Kolkata. They claimed an elderly patient died due to "medical negligence".
26 May 2019
Shashi TharoorMost-educated politicians who will be part of 17th Lok Sabha
The newly elected 17th Lok Sabha is different in many ways; it will not only be a younger and more gender-balanced House, but also a more educated one.
11 Dec 2018
Piyush GoyalLeaders pay tribute to poet Bharathi on his birth anniversary
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy led the Union Territory in paying tributes to nationalist poet Subramania Bharathi on his 136th birth-anniversary today.
05 Nov 2018
MaharashtraRahul Gandhi, Harsh Vardhan spar over killing of tigress, Avni
Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi for slamming Centre over the killing of tigress Avni (T-1), Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said that no previous government has worked with the kind of "depth and seriousness" this dispensation has.
28 Oct 2018
India#RIP: Former Delhi CM Madan Lal Khurana passes away
One of India's great leaders, former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana passed away in New Delhi on Saturday after a prolonged illness.
06 Aug 2018
IndiaPollution level in Delhi improved in last 2 years: Govt
Union Minister Harsh Vardhan today said, "As far as pollution in Delhi is concerned, over the last two years, the number of 'good days' for Delhi has improved and the number of 'bad days' has decreased."
27 Jul 2018
IndiaGovt has set target to double tiger population: Union Minister
Union Minister Harsh Vardhan today said the government has set a target of doubling the tiger population in the country.
25 Jun 2018
Delhi High CourtDelhi's 'Chipko movement': Thousands hug trees, say 'won't leave them'
Sarojini Nagar saw a lot of activity yesterday afternoon, as more than 1,500 people came out in unison to protest the cutting of a whopping 16,500 trees to make way for seven Central government colonies.
23 Oct 2017
DelhiDelhi-Govt. ready to pay for water-sprinkling choppers to reduce pollution
The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP Government in Delhi has informed the Centre it is ready to bear the cost of deploying water-sprinkling choppers to curb pollution during winters.
