Dr Nitya Anand, developer of India's first contraceptive pill 'Saheli', passes away at 99

Dr Nitya Anand, developer of India's first contraceptive pill 'Saheli', passes away at 99

Daily Current Affairs   /   Dr Nitya Anand, developer of India's first contraceptive pill 'Saheli', passes away at 99

Change Language English Hindi

Category : Obituaries Published on: January 31 2024

Share on facebook
  • Dr. Nitya Anand, a former director of the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) and a recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2012, made significant contributions to the field of pharmaceutical research.
  • Dr. Anand is credited as the mastermind behind the discovery of 'Saheli,' scientifically known as Centchroman. This groundbreaking innovation marked the world's first and only non-steroidal, non-hormonal oral contraceptive pill, offering a once-a-week dosage regimen.
  • In a momentous event in 1986, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi unveiled 'Saheli' to the public, recognizing its potential to revolutionize contraceptive options for women.
  • The significance of 'Saheli' transcended its initial launch, as it was later integrated into India's National Family Programme in 2016. This move underscored the pill's vital role in promoting reproductive health and family planning across the nation.
Recent Post's

  • The Sahitya Akademi announced 2025 awards for 24 languages, honoring Navtej Sarna (English) and Mamta Kalia (Hindi) among others.

    Read More....

  • Indian-origin filmmaker Alexandre Singh won the Oscar for Best Live-Action Short Film for Two People Exchanging Saliva at the 98th Academy Awards.

    Read More....

  • The World Bank approved a USD 300 million loan to support the Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program targeting pollution across multiple sectors.

    Read More....

  • Assam Police officer Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta won the Best Director award at the New York Short Animation Festival 2026 for his film CHYIMI.

    Read More....

  • Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for Hamnet, while Michael B. Jordan secured his first Best Actor Oscar for Sinners at the 98th Academy Awards.

    Read More....

  • PM Modi inaugurated the 120 MW Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project in Assam, a run-of-river project funded by the Asian Development Bank.

    Read More....

  • Indian-origin entrepreneur Surya Midha became one of the world's youngest billionaires through his AI hiring startup, Mercor.

    Read More....

  • Ahmedabad-based Omspace Rocket and Exploration successfully launched Gujarat’s first private sounding rocket near Dholera.

    Read More....

  • 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli secured his maiden F1 victory at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, leading a Mercedes 1-2 finish.

    Read More....

  • The Ministry of Education and IIT Kanpur launched the AI-powered SATHEE app to provide free exam preparation for competitive tests like JEE and NEET.

    Read More....