Curtain Raiser 4th National Acupuncture Science Congress to Highlight the Role of Traditional Medicine in Advancing Universal Health Coverage Bengaluru | Kerala | Tamil Nadu | May 2026 At a time when the global health community is rethinking the future of healthcare systems under growing pressure of chronic diseases, mental health concerns, addiction, workforce shortages, and rising inequities, the 4th National Acupuncture Science Congress being organized by FAST Board Bangalore and KUG Oriental Academy Kerala is expected to bring renewed focus on the role of safe, ethical, evidence-informed, and people-centered Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) in India. The Congress comes in the backdrop of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, where Member States are discussing the implementation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 — a landmark framework adopted during WHA78 to strengthen integration of traditional medicine into healt...
Ishika, Student Peer Educator, As a student peer educator working closely with students, parents, coaching environments, and educational ecosystems, I have recently been reflecting deeply on the emotional reality behind competitive examinations in India. What appears on the outside as “preparation” often hides exhaustion, anxiety, uncertainty, financial pressure, and emotional burnout. This reflection became stronger after reading recent discussions and editorials around the ongoing NEET-related controversies, examination stress, and student mental health. The issue is no longer only academic. It has become social, emotional, and deeply human. Recently, I visited educational hubs such as Noida Sector 62, where coaching institutes like Unacademy, Physics Wallah, and Allen Career Institute operate alongside major examination centres. During ongoing competitive exams, I observed hundreds of students and parents waiting outside examination buildings from early morning. Some stud...