With the intention to upgrade the health care facilities in the country, the Indian government, for the second phase of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, has approved the proposal to set up two AIIMS-like institutions in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. With this, the total number of AIIMS-like institutes will go up to eight in the country.

It is estimated that the cost of each such institution would be Rs 823 crore.

Kalimpong, Feb 2, : Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters are continuing with their indefinite hunger strike for the fifth straight day here on Monday.

The strikers had listed six demands, including insuring the safety and security of Gorkhas and Adivasis in the Dooars region of Jalpaiguri District.

The medical condition of the striking workers is stated to be very serious and two are critical. Strikers have reportedly refused to accept medical aid offered by the State Government.

Kolkata, Jan. 28 : The Jamaat e Ulema Hind today held a demonstration in Kolkata to protest against Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip.

The General Secretary of the Jamaat e Ulema Hind, Siddiqullah Chowdhury, demanded severe action against former US President George Bush.

He claimed that that Bush had connived with Israel to put down Palestine. He also demanded action against Bush on his Iraq and Afghanistan policies.

Kolkata, Jan. 21 : Parents often search for the perfect gift for their children. Well, here is the opportunity to give your baby a gift of a lifetime - bank his or her cord blood at birth. This gift would ensure treatment against diseases like leukemia, Alzheimer, breast cancer, diabetes and Parkinson's for your baby in future.

Umbilical cord blood is the blood which remains in the umbilical cord after birth of the baby. It is the richest source of adult stem cells which is collected, processed and cryogenically stored for future use if required.

Kolkata, Jan 15: Thick fog disrupted normal life and delayed air and rail traffic in Kolkata.

General visibility at the city airport dropped to low impermissible levels resulting in rescheduling of many flights.

Altogether 47 domestic flights could not take off while 13 flights could not land as the visibility dropped to almost zero around midnight due to fog at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport.

Many trains were also running late from their schedule timings due to the fog.

Residents, who were out for a morning walk, said that visibility was extremely poor and they could not see a person even within the walking distance.

Kolkata, Jan. 13: `Ganga Kutir' lies along the banks of the Ganga in the pastoral hamlet of Raichak-on-Ganges, about an hour and half's drive from Kolkata, West Bengal. This 12-crore property sprawling over two acres symbolizes the potential of River Tourism in the state.

It''s no wonder then, that the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation is foreseeing an investment of Rs 150 crore in the next couple of years just for promoting river tourism. The investment would go towards renovating `heritage ghats' along the Ganges as well as developing a Marina with speed boats, para-sailing and cruise boats facilities.