Mumbai, March 2: In a historic achievement, the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team has won the Ranji Trophy for the first time in 67 years, defeating the eight-time champions Karnataka. This victory marks a significant milestone for the team, which has participated in the tournament since 1959. Shubham Pundir was named Player of the Match, while Aaqib Nabi received the Player of the Tournament award. The team is captained by 41-year-old Paras Dogra.

In another significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign aimed at girls aged 9 to 14 years. The initiative, which began on February 28 from Ajmer, seeks to protect young girls from cervical cancer. The vaccine will be administered for free at local health centers with parental consent.

Cervical cancer is a major health concern in India, with approximately 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths reported annually. The HPV vaccine will help prevent types 16 and 18, which are known to cause cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11.

This campaign is part of the government’s broader efforts to improve women’s health and was announced in the 2024 budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The recent achievements in sports and health initiatives highlight the ongoing efforts to promote well-being and success in the region.