Chandigarh, May 29 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij today offered prayers at the sacred Saraswati origin site, Shri Adibadri Narayan Temple, located in Yamunanagar district, and prayed for the happiness, prosperity, peace and continuous progress of the people of Haryana.

On this occasion, Sh. Vij said that the Adibadri region is an important centre of Haryana’s religious, cultural and historical heritage. Situated in the foothills of the Shivalik ranges, this ancient site is widely known as the origin point of the mythological Saraswati River. He said that according to religious beliefs, many sages and saints performed penance and yajnas here during the Mahabharata era, making it a major centre of faith and devotion for devotees.

The Energy Minister said that Shri Adibadri Narayan Temple also finds mention in several ancient religious scriptures and Puranas. Devotees from across the country visit the temple to offer prayers and experience spiritual peace. He further stated that the Haryana Government is continuously making efforts to develop the Adibadri region as a major religious tourism and cultural heritage destination so that future generations can remain connected with this historic and spiritual legacy.

Sh. Vij prayed for peace, brotherhood, development and prosperity in the state and said that the government is fully committed to the overall development and welfare of the people of Haryana.

On this occasion, BJP District President Rajesh Sapra, Mayor Suman Bahmani, Vyaspur SDM Dr. Kuldeep Singh, former MLA Balwant Singh, Chairman of Market Committee Yamunanagar Rakesh Tyagi, DIPRO Dr. Manoj Kumar, Executive Engineer of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Gurmeet Singh, BDPO Shyam Lal, Dr. Satpal Bahmani, along with BJP office-bearers, administrative officers and other dignitaries were present.

Chandigarh:

 “A health problem anywhere in the world is a concern for everybody in the world. The lesson is clear — we must collaborate more, interact more, share our challenges and share our success stories,” stated Vijay Nehra, Additional Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, while addressing the valedictory session of the 33rd International Public Health Management Development Program (IPHMDP) at PGIMER Chandigarh.

Conducted under the prestigious Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the program marked the successful completion of its decennial edition, reaffirming India’s growing role in global public health leadership, academic diplomacy and South-South cooperation.

The ten-day international leadership program brought together 41 healthcare professionals and public health leaders from 18 countries, creating a vibrant platform for policy dialogue, cross-learning and exchange of best practices in public health management and health systems strengthening.

Complementing the Ministry of External Affairs, School of Public Health and Department of Community Medicine, Nehra praised the quality and impact of the initiative as he observed, “This has been a mutually beneficial exercise. It is not merely about governments inviting participants; those interacting with you also benefit by expanding their horizons and understanding diverse healthcare realities and cultures across the globe.”

Reflecting on the interconnected global health landscape, Nehra emphasized that amid wars and geopolitical tensions, concern for health remains one of humanity’s strongest unifying forces.

Recalling lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Additional Secretary, MoHFW remarked, “COVID was not the first pandemic and certainly not the last. What it taught us is that health security cannot be isolated. During difficult times, nations collaborated, vaccines crossed borders and pharmaceuticals reached people across the world. That spirit of collaboration must become stronger.”

Highlighting India’s public health journey and the challenge of delivering healthcare to nearly 1.5 billion people, Mr. Nehra referred to his experience leading the Indian delegation during G20 Health Working Group meetings and underscored the vast scope for international cooperation.

“India has as much to learn from each one of you as we can share from our own experiences. Institutions like PGIMER Chandigarh represent some of the finest strengths of our healthcare ecosystem and spending time here is a valuable opportunity for every participant,” Additional Secretary, MoHFW said.

Congratulating delegates and faculty, Mr. Nehra appreciated the learning environment fostered by PGIMER and expressed confidence that the relationships built during the program would endure well beyond the course.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER Chandigarh, congratulated participants and organizers on the successful culmination of the landmark edition and highlighted the institute’s expanding global engagement.

“Over the last decade, IPHMDP has evolved into a globally respected model of leadership and management training that reflects India’s timeless philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ — the world is one family. Beyond academic learning, this initiative has built enduring bridges of trust, knowledge and friendship across nations, positioning PGIMER Chandigarh at the forefront of international public health capacity building and academic diplomacy,” stated Prof. Lal.

Director PGIMER further shared that following the recent participation of Viraj Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the Ministry has expressed keen interest in expanding collaborations and launching additional international training initiatives with PGIMER under the ITEC framework, recognising the sustained success and global impact of IPHMDP over the past decade.

Other dignitaries gracing the occasion included Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Administration), PGIMER Chandigarh, along with senior faculty members and officials associated with the program.

Sharing his thoughts, Rai said, “IPHMDP reflects PGIMER’s commitment to global collaboration, knowledge exchange and strengthening public health partnerships across nations.”

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Sonu Goel, Program Director, IPHMDP, noted that the 33rd edition carried forward the program’s distinguished legacy through experiential learning, leadership exercises and cultural immersion.

“This program is no longer merely a training initiative; it is a global movement of public health leadership. Through our growing network of IPHMDP ambassadors, ideas and innovations shared at PGIMER continue to strengthen health systems across continents,” Prof. Goel said.

He formally inducted participants into the growing international network of ‘IPHMDP Ambassadors’, who continue to replicate best practices and contribute to strengthening health systems in their respective countries.

Participants from several nations appreciated the program’s practical learning approach and exposure to innovative public health models at PGIMER, particularly telemedicine and tele-evidence initiatives that hold promise for strengthening healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings. The program concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony.

The 33rd edition of IPHMDP once again showcased India’s expanding influence in global public health leadership and reinforced PGIMER Chandigarh’s emergence as a trusted international hub for sustainable health systems strengthening and global knowledge exchange.

Chandigarh: A new literary collective Writers’ Forum (WF) was formally launched at Novotel Chandigarh for the tricity region and beyond with the vision of creating an inclusive, intellectually enriching, and democratic platform for writers, poets, critics, and literary enthusiasts. The founder and core members of  WF  also unveiled the forum’s logo.

Founded on the slogan, ‘Where words meet their voice, Where writers meet their tribe,’ the forum seeks to encourage authentic literary expression and meaningful creative engagement beyond the constraints of popularity or social influence.

The forum has been established under the leadership of founder Sudha Aggarwal, an acclaimed poet and author.  While speaking about the initiative at a press conference, Sudha said that the forum was born out of the need to create a literary space where writers are respected for the sincerity of their ideas and the strength of their expression rather than external validation or social standing.

Notably, Sudha has penned the poetry collection HIRAETH, which was launched at Tagore Theatre in 2023. A picture titled SEHGAL HOUSE was also adapted from her poetry book by The Narrator’s Art Society.

 “The Writers’ Forum is not merely another literary group. It is a sincere effort to build a creative community where writers can express themselves fearlessly, participate meaningfully, and evolve collectively through dialogue and mutual respect,” she said.

Highlighting the objectives of the forum, she said it will create opportunities for emerging writers to flourish with confidence and dignity, encourage freedom of expression without intimidation, preserve originality and genuine talent, provide leadership opportunities to every member, and ensure respectful literary engagement through attentive listening and meaningful interaction.

The forum also aims to function on democratic principles, with decisions taken collectively through majority consensus to ensure transparency and equal participation.

Dr. Manjit Kaur, noted author, literary critic, and former Professor of English, said, “In today’s rapidly changing literary environment, there is a growing need for platforms that value substance over superficiality. The Writers’ Forum seeks to revive meaningful literary conversations.”

It is worth mentioning that Dr. Kaur has been honoured with the Literary Excellence Award, besides receiving international recognition in Dubai in 2018.

Dr. Anu Girdhar, poet, academic, and Professor & Head of Prosthodontics at National Dental College, Dera Bassi said, “A literary forum becomes truly meaningful when it encourages participation without hierarchy and inspires individuals to discover their own creative voice. This initiative is committed to creating such an environment where learning and creativity coexist harmoniously,”

Dr. Girdhar is the author of five poetry books and recipient of several prestigious honours, including the Rabindranath Tagore Literary Award in 2022.

Seema Sharma, author of Words That Whisper and Director–Operations at Amaira Multispeciality Hospital, said “Literature thrives where empathy, attentive listening, and respectful dialogue are nurtured. Our endeavour is to create a space where writers not only share their work but also genuinely connect with each other’s journeys and perspectives,”

Sanjeev Bansal, Chandigarh-based poet and novelist known for his lyrical explorations of love, longing and human emotions, said, Literature gives language to silence and dignity to human vulnerability. He added “Originality often gets overshadowed in the race for visibility and validation. The Writers’ Forum seeks to remind writers that enduring literature emerges from honesty, depth, and lived experiences.”

The forum plans to organise regular literary sessions, poetry readings, discussions, workshops, and interactive engagements aimed at fostering creativity, collaboration, and intellectual growth among writers across the region and even beyond.

Chandigarh:

In a unique and inspiring initiative under the flagship student awareness programme “Be the Change, Be an Organ Donor,” St. Xavier’s Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh, in collaboration with ROTTO (North), PGIMER, transformed its Parent-Teacher Meeting into a meaningful platform for organ donation awareness and humanitarian action. Organised alongside a Blood Donation Camp, the initiative witnessed overwhelming participation from parents, teachers and school staff, many of whom came forward to support and pledge for the noble cause of organ donation.

The awareness programme aimed to sensitise students, parents and educators about the importance of organ and tissue donation, while addressing common myths and misconceptions associated with the subject. By integrating the initiative with the Parent-Teacher Meeting, the school created a rare opportunity to engage entire families in a life-saving social movement and encourage young minds to become ambassadors of compassion, empathy and community service.

The ROTTO North team interacted extensively with attendees, explaining how one organ donor can save multiple lives and restore hope to families awaiting transplants. The programme highlighted the growing role of educational institutions in shaping socially responsible citizens and demonstrated how schools can become catalysts for positive societal change beyond academics.

The camp saw enthusiastic participation from teachers and non-teaching staff, many of whom voluntarily pledged to donate their organs. Parents attending the Parent-Teacher interaction also showed keen interest in understanding the process and significance of organ donation and expressed their willingness to support the cause.

The school administration played a pivotal role in successfully organising the initiative and creating a supportive environment for spreading awareness among families and students alike. Through such educational outreach programmes, ROTTO North continues to strengthen community participation and foster a culture of compassion, humanity and social responsibility.

Dr. Vijay Tadia, Nodal Officer, ROTTO North, PGIMER, said, “Awareness at the school level creates a ripple effect in society. When teachers, parents and young minds come together for a humanitarian cause like organ donation, it helps build a more informed and compassionate community. Every pledge carries the potential to save multiple lives in the future.”

Dr. IvorineCastellas, Principal St. Xavier’s School, stated, “Schools are not only centres of academic learning but also platforms for nurturing values of empathy and social responsibility. We are proud to collaborate with ROTTO North in spreading the message of organ donation and encouraging our school community to contribute towards this noble cause.”

ROTTO North, PGIMER has been continuously organising awareness drives, sensitisation sessions, pledge campaigns and community outreach activities across educational institutions, healthcare facilities and public forums to strengthen the national movement for organ donation and transplantation.

Chandigarh:

Thalassaemic Charitable Trust (TCT) PGIMER Chandigarh jointly with Bhavan’s Old Students Society & Bhavan Vidyalaya School, Chandigarh and Thalassaemic

Children Welfare Society Rajpura organized its 334th and 335th Blood Donation Camps on 23rd May 2026 at Bhavan Vidyalaya School, New Chandigarh and on 24th May 2026 at Rajpura with the coordination of Deptt. of Transfusion Medicine

PGIMER Chandigarh to ensure the smooth supply of blood for thalassaemic patients and other needy patients. Hon’ble 67 and 84 (total 151) Blood Donors donated blood in these camps respectively. Blood Donors were honoured by presenting them with certificates, badges, and tokens of appreciation in recognition of their noble

contribution. TCT made comprehensive arrangements for the comfort and convenience of the donors and also set up a dedicated Thalassemia Awareness Desk to educate participants about thalassaemia and the importance of regular voluntary blood donation.

On this occasion, the urgent need for regular voluntary blood donation was emphasized, appealing to the general public to come forward and help save precious lives that depend on timely blood support.

Prof.(Dr.) R.R. Sharma, Head, Department of Transfusion Medicine, and Members of TCT, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to all the voluntary blood donors. They also appreciated the dedicated efforts of the teams from Deptt. of Transfusion Medicine and TCT team for ensuring the smooth and successful conduct of these camps.

Chandigarh:

The National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE), PGIMER Chandigarh, successfully concluded Seven-Day Workshop on “Understanding the Basics of Research Methodology” on 24^th May 2026 at NINE, PGIMER Chandigarh. The workshop was funded by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India, New Delhi.

The workshop aimed to strengthen research competencies among nursing professionals, and academicians from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh by providing comprehensive training and hand on session in various aspects of research methodology.

The workshop featured an intensive academic program covering a wide range of topics including identification of research problems using PICOT format, ethical aspects of research, quantitative, qualitative research designs, and mixed methods research, sampling techniques, validity and reliability of research tools, data collection methods, statistical analysis,  and writing manuscript for publication.

The workshop was organized under the expert guidance of Dr Sukhpal Kaur, Principal NINE. Distinguished faculty members and experts from PGIMER Chandigarh including  Dr. Sushma Kumari Saini, Dr. Saurabh Dutta, Dr. Manju Dhandapani, Dr. Joseph L. Mathew, Dr. Nitasha Sharma, Dr. Madhu Gupta, Dr. Kavita Narang, Dr. Ashok Kumar, Dr. Ankita, Dr Ajay Prakash and Dr. Geetanjli Kalyan were the resource persons.

The workshop emphasized hands-on learning through daily group activities and practical sessions on literature search, development of research proposal for funding, sample size calculation, use of different softwares like SPSS, MS Excel and Zotero, and  tool development. Participants were actively engaged in group work daily and presented research proposals during the concluding session.The workshop received enthusiastic participation and positive feedback from attendees, who appreciated the practical orientation and expert guidance provided throughout the program.

The organizers highlighted that such initiatives are essential for promoting evidence-based nursing practice and enhancing research culture among healthcare professionals. The workshop concluded with a commitment by the participants to continue the developed proposal in their area of work with hand holding from the experts of the institute. 

Chandigarh:

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Indian Women Network (IWN), Chandigarh Tricity Chapter, organised SheBuilds Conclave on the theme ‘From Vision to Venture: Women Building Tomorrow’, bringing together distinguished women leaders, entrepreneurs and industry experts for insightful discussions on leadership, innovation, branding, financial growth and breaking barriers across sectors.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Sakshi Katyal, Chairperson, IWN Chandigarh Tricity Chapter, said, “SheBuilds Conclave was envisioned as a platform to celebrate and empower women who are transforming industries with courage, creativity and leadership. Through meaningful conversations and shared experiences, we aim to inspire more women to turn their vision into impactful ventures.”

The conclave commenced with welcome remarks and context setting by Sakshi Katyal, Chairperson, IWN Chandigarh Tricity Chapter. The event also featured addresses by Ms Sandeep Riat, Managing Director, Akal Spring Ltd.; Nandini Chaudhary, Chairperson, IWN Northern Region; and Chief Guest Hargunjit Kaur, Managing Director, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Ltd. Rachna Jindal, Regional Director, CII NR too participated in the inaugural session. The closing remarks were delivered by Dr Lipi Pathak, Co-Chairperson, IWN Chandigarh Tricity Chapter.

The first panel discussion on ‘Scaling Aesthetics and Brand Loyalty’ explored how businesses can strategically scale their aesthetic appeal while strengthening customer loyalty in a competitive market. The session highlighted the importance of aligning design, branding and customer experience to create a memorable and consistent identity, while leveraging innovation and digital engagement to sustain long-term brand value.

The panel was moderated by Ritu Kochhar, Founder Director, INIFD. Panelists included Suruchi Savlani, Managing Director, Colour Lounge; Drishti Mishra Khurana, Executive Director, Khurana Jewellery House; and Rinki Dhingra, Chief Executive Officer, Violla Marketing & Events. The session concluded with closing remarks by Ritu Kochhar.

The second panel discussion on ‘Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Traditional Strongholds’ focused on the challenges and opportunities for women leaders in traditionally male-dominated industries. Speakers shared their experiences of overcoming systemic barriers, redefining leadership norms and fostering inclusive growth through resilience and collaboration.

The session was moderated by Taruna, Financial Analyst, Tynor Pvt. Ltd. Panelists included Nisha Luthra, Founder and Director, The Narrators Performing Art Society; Ritu Bhatia, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Wade Maritime Group; and Inderjit Aulakh, Founder, Mpro Realtors Pvt. Ltd. The discussion concluded with closing remarks by Taruna.

The final panel discussion on ‘The Future of Human & Financial Capital’ examined the evolving dynamics of workforce development, innovation and sustainable financial growth in today’s rapidly transforming economy. Experts discussed strategies for investing in talent, optimizing resources and integrating technology to enhance long-term value creation.

The session was moderated by Upasana Todi, Co-Founder, Wah Tea. Panelists included Nandini Chaudhary, Chairperson, IWN Northern Region; Dr Amanjot Kaur, Director, Innovative Financial Management; and Vanshika Mittal, Founder and Owner, Floreal. The discussion concluded with closing remarks by Upasana Todi.

Dr Lipi Pathak, Co-Chairperson, IWN Chandigarh Tricity Chapter, said, “The conclave reflected the strength of collaboration, innovation and resilience among women leaders. As industries evolve, it is important to continue building ecosystems that encourage inclusion, mentorship and sustainable growth for future generations.”

The conclave witnessed enthusiastic participation from entrepreneurs, professionals, industry leaders and aspiring women change makers, reaffirming CII IWN’s commitment to fostering leadership, entrepreneurship and inclusive growth.