Karnal, November 5. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister Manohar Lal and BJP State President Dr. Archana Gupta addressed a public gathering during the ‘Save Democracy, End Mobocracy’ Padyatra held in Karnal under the leadership of Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah. The three leaders expressed their views on democracy, the Constitution, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, national unity and various issues concerning opposition politics.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the greatest strengths of democracy are our Constitution and the vote of an ordinary citizen. Whether a person possesses wealth, influence or belongs to a prominent family makes no difference at the polling booth, where every citizen’s vote carries equal value. That single vote represents the hard work of farmers, the hopes of labourers, the future of young people and the aspirations of mothers and sisters.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is a regular constitutional exercise undertaken by the Election Commission from time to time. He accused the Congress of spreading falsehoods and creating confusion regarding the process. Referring to a statement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha, he said that the SIR process was first initiated in 1952 and had subsequently been undertaken in different years. The Chief Minister emphasized that the revision of electoral rolls is an essential exercise for strengthening the democratic system.

Union Minister and Member of Parliament from Karnal, Manohar Lal, said that the Congress and its allies were attempting to create an atmosphere of anarchy in the country. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the spirit of patriotism and national consciousness had grown stronger across the nation in recent years. He alleged that certain opposition leaders were using anti-national elements as a front to spread confusion, disorder and instability in the country.

Manohar Lal said that the people of India have deep faith in democracy and the values enshrined in the Constitution. Haryana, he said, has always been known for its contribution to national defence and service to the nation. Therefore, maintaining public confidence in democratic institutions and constitutional systems is a collective responsibility. He called upon the Congress and its allies to abandon politics aimed at spreading anarchy in the country.

BJP State President Dr. Archana Gupta described Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah as the Chanakya of modern India. She said that just as Acharya Chanakya had worked towards the unity and integrity of India and formulated strategies to drive foreign aggressors and infiltrators out of the country, Amit Shah was today working with unwavering determination to strengthen national unity and internal security.

BJP State President Dr. Archana Gupta said that Amit Shah had accomplished the historic task of strengthening the nation’s unity and integrity by abrogating Articles 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir. She said that he had spearheaded decisive campaigns against Naxalism and taken significant steps towards making the country free from the menace of Left-Wing Extremism. She further stated that he was equally committed to freeing the country from the serious threat of drug abuse and trafficking.

BJP State President Dr. Archana Gupta said that the visit of a Union Home Minister known for his visionary leadership and strong determination to the historic land of Haryana was a matter of immense pride for BJP workers across the state. On behalf of all BJP workers in Haryana, she extended a warm welcome and heartfelt greetings to Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah on the soil of Karnal.

Those present on the occasion included BJP National General Secretary and Haryana In-charge Smriti Irani, State Co-In-charge Dr. Bhola Singh, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, Cabinet Ministers Krishan Lal Panwar, Mahipal Dhanda, Ranbir Gangwa, Rao Narbir Singh, Krishan Bedi and Dr. Arvind Sharma, Dr. Krishan Middha, Gaurav Gautam, MLAs Jagmohan Anand and Yogender Rana, BJP State General Secretary Gopal Sharma, BJP District President Praveen Lather, along with several other senior leaders and party workers.

Chandigarh:

In a heartening development, the six-year-old girl who was admitted to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, on October 28 following the unfortunate school incident in Panchkula, has been discharged after receiving comprehensive medical care at the Institute.

The child’s treatment was undertaken with utmost care and sensitivity, with the Institute bearing all expenses, including the cost of treatment and private room facilities, ensuring that the family faced no financial burden during this difficult period.

Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, who had personally visited the child during her hospitalisation to enquire about her health and well-being, expressed satisfaction over her discharge, as he stated, “The safe discharge of the little girl is a moment of great relief and happiness for all of us at PGIMER. The unfortunate incident had deeply moved us, and our priority throughout was to ensure that she received the best possible medical attention in an environment of care, compassion and reassurance. I am particularly grateful to our doctors, nursing professionals and supporting teams who worked with dedication and sensitivity towards her recovery.”

Director PGIMER further added, “ At PGIMER, we firmly believe that access to quality healthcare must never be constrained by financial circumstances. The Institute was committed to supporting the child and her family through this difficult time, and we wish her a healthy, happy and fulfilling life ahead.”

The child’s care involved coordinated efforts under the guidance of Prof. J.K. Mahajan, Head, Department of Paediatric Surgery, PGIMER with the Trauma Centre playing an important role in facilitating her care. Dr. Raman Sharma, In-charge, Trauma Centre, coordinated the trauma-related aspects of her management, while Prof. Ashok Kumar, Medical Superintendent, ensured the necessary institutional support and coordination for her treatment and hospitalisation.

Sharing his perspective, Prof. J.K. Mahajan, Head, Department of Paediatric Surgery, PGIMER said, “Treating a young child following such an unfortunate incident calls for not only clinical expertise but also sensitivity, patience and a compassionate approach. Our team remained focused on providing the necessary medical care and ensuring her well-being throughout the hospital stay. We are pleased that she has now been discharged, and we sincerely hope she returns to normal life soon. The coordinated efforts of the various teams at PGIMER helped ensure that her care remained our foremost priority.”

The discharge marks a reassuring conclusion to an unfortunate episode that had raised concern and anxiety among the family and the wider community. PGIMER’s response reflects its enduring institutional ethos of Excellence, Empathy and Equity, reaffirming its commitment to placing patients, particularly children and vulnerable sections of society, at the centre of its healthcare delivery.

The Institute wishes the little girl a speedy return to normal childhood, good health and a bright future.

Chandigarh, November 4

The Haryana Legislative Assembly organised Haryana Youth Dialogue-2026 on Wednesday, bringing together 90 young participants from 15 states. Organised in collaboration with the social organisation Rajdhani Yuva Sansad, the programme featured in-depth discussions on Indian culture, constitutional values and women’s empowerment. In the competition, Janvi Sharma secured the first position, Arzoo Parashar stood second, while Akshay Kumar Jha bagged the third position.

Addressing the concluding session, Haryana Legislative Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan called upon the youth to play an active role in creating awareness among society about constitutional values. Earlier, the programme was inaugurated by Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr Krishan Lal Middha by lighting the ceremonial lamp. After the programme, the Speaker also interacted with the young participants over tea.

Kalyan said that the core ethos of Indian culture lies in placing the interests and welfare of others before oneself. This spirit strengthens mutual cooperation, harmony and social cohesion. He said that the Constitution is an important document defining our rights and duties. Understanding its values and incorporating them into our conduct is the responsibility of every citizen. We must imbibe the ideals of great personalities, and their birth anniversaries should not remain confined to ceremonial events. Their thoughts and values must also find expression in our everyday lives. He emphasised that citizens must remain equally conscious of their responsibilities along with their rights.

Referring to the prevailing global situation, he said that one of the major reasons behind conflicts and tensions in different parts of the world was the decline in harmony and tolerance among human values, coupled with an uncontrolled race for material progress. In contrast, Indian culture teaches us tolerance, mutual respect and the spirit of collective welfare.

Kalyan said that young people must harness modern technology to enhance their capabilities and skills. However, development would be truly meaningful only when it remained rooted in values and cultural ethos. Just as the strength of a building depends on its foundation and the survival of a tree on its deep roots, the strength of human life rests on its values. Prioritising the interests of others and developing a sense of responsibility towards society are integral to these values.

He said that the Indian Constitution has given the country a unique parliamentary system, under which the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary have been entrusted with distinct roles, powers and responsibilities. Citing the examples of Dr BR Ambedkar, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that all of them had overcome difficult family and social circumstances through talent, hard work and determination, making significant contributions to the country and society. Most of the young participants present in the House today had already moved beyond such circumstances and had numerous opportunities to develop their potential and contribute to society and nation-building. He expressed confidence that many of them would go on to achieve significant positions in life and play an important role in the democratic system through their talent and hard work.

Earlier, addressing the inaugural session, Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr Krishan Lal Middha said that in a vast and diverse country like India, democracy could be strengthened only when all sections of society were given adequate representation in the decision-making process.

He said that women’s empowerment was not merely a women-centric issue but a shared responsibility of both men and women. A society where women receive equal respect and opportunities also creates a better, more inclusive and healthy social environment. Referring to Rani Padmini of Chittor, he said that Indian women had set inspiring examples through their courage, sacrifice and ideals.

Dr Middha said that many daughters of Haryana had proved through their hard work and talent that ability knows no boundaries. What they need are the right opportunities, proper guidance and the confidence of their families. The present generation must take this progressive thinking forward so that no girl in the future has to struggle additionally to prove her talent.

During various sessions of the dialogue, young participants put forward several practical suggestions to promote awareness about constitutional values and strengthen women’s empowerment. They suggested introducing women’s political leadership programmes in colleges to familiarise female students with their constitutional rights, the electoral process and the functioning of the governance system. They also proposed organising mock parliaments and mock legislative assemblies in educational institutions to help students understand democratic processes through practical experience.

The participants further suggested launching leadership mentorship programmes to connect experienced legislators, Members of Parliament and village sarpanches with young women aspiring to enter public life. They also emphasised the need to introduce practical modules on civic and parliamentary leadership in schools and colleges and strengthen the legal literacy cells functioning in colleges.

Citing Rwanda as an example, one of the suggestions highlighted that its Constitution provides for a minimum 30 per cent representation of women in Parliament and decision-making bodies. The participants said that India should also consider mandatory reservation to ensure greater participation of women in decision-making.

One of the young participants observed that the objective of women’s empowerment should not be limited to increasing the number of women in legislative institutions. Rather, every girl should be empowered to make decisions with confidence and actively contribute to nation-building.

Advocate Isha Kapoor and Jai Saini of Rajdhani Yuva Sansad were also present on the occasion.

Ropar: A white paper proposing a framework to define, measure and evaluate wisdom in artificial intelligence (AI) was launched at IIT Ropar on Monday by Dr. Ishan Shivanand, Director of Research at Stanford University and founder of the Global Mental Health Alliance – Compassion Unites, in the presence of Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar.
Titled Beyond Intelligence: Defining and Measuring Wisdom for AI, it explores how wisdom in artificial intelligence can be defined, measured and tested, drawing upon Dr. Shivanand’s interpretation of the Shiv Sutras and India’s classical texts on the human mind.
Addressing a press conference, Dr. Shivanand said , “The initiative highlights the growing need to assess AI systems not merely on the basis of their intelligence and technical capabilities but also on their ability to exercise sound judgement and provide responsible guidance.”
He further said,” While AI systems can now pass professional examinations and perform well in emotional intelligence assessments, they often tend to tell users what they want to hear rather than what is genuinely beneficial for them. Citing a study published in the journal Science this year, the white paper points out that leading AI systems, when asked for everyday advice, sided with users approximately 49 per cent more often than humans did.”
The issue has also drawn global attention. In 2025, OpenAI withdrew an update to ChatGPT after acknowledging that it had become excessively flattering, stating that it had “focused too much on short-term feedback”.
The white paper argues that while AI has made significant advances in intelligence, it still lacks an essential human attribute—wisdom. To address this gap, the authors have introduced a framework called HEED to measure wisdom in AI systems.
Drawing parallels with the Shiv Sutras, the framework examines how ego and the need for validation can cloud human judgement. A similar tendency in AI, known as “sycophancy”, leads systems to provide responses that please users rather than prioritise truth and sound advice.
Under the HEED framework, an AI system scores higher when it demonstrates sound judgement by appropriately drawing upon its knowledge and values, and scores lower when its responses are influenced by the urge to please users. Any response that could potentially cause serious harm is assigned a zero score. The framework will initially be tested in English, Hindi and Hinglish, with plans to extend its evaluation to other languages.
Dr. Shivanand said, “For thousands of years, India has studied how a mind becomes wise, as well as what clouds it. We are now building a new kind of mind, an artificial mind that is becoming part of every aspect of our society. This paper distils what the Shiv Sutras teach about cultivating wisdom in the human mind and applies it to the artificial mind.”
Dr. Anjali Samani co-author of paper and a former AI and data science executive at Salesforce said, “We test AI rigorously for what it knows, but not for whether its advice is wise. This paper offers a way to measure that, so anyone who builds, regulates or relies on AI can see where it gets things right and where it falls short.”
Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, said, “Our students will build the AI that the world will use. Conversations like today’s help them think about how to build it with skill as well as wisdom.”
As part of the initiative, Dr. Shivanand is providing seed funding for an open call inviting independent researchers to test the proposed framework. A committee comprising independent members will select research teams to evaluate the model and develop HEED Bench, an open benchmark for measuring wisdom in AI, which will be made available to AI developers worldwide.
Researchers, AI developers, funding organisations and public bodies have been invited to express their interest by writing to wisdom@ishanshivanand.com.
The event also marked the inauguration of the Dr. Ishan Avdhoot Shivanand Centre for Yogic Sciences and Holistic Development at IIT Ropar, established with funding from Dr. Shivanand.

Photos caption 1& 2: Left to Right – Dr. Atharva Poundarik, Head, Department of Biomedical Engineering, IIT Ropar , Prof. Rajeev Ahuja Director, IIT Ropar, Dr Ishan Shivanand , Founder, Compassion Unites and Aarti Samani Founder, Shreem Advisory Partner.
3: Dr Ishan Shivanand , Founder, Compassion Unites inaugurate Dr. Ishan Avdhoot Shivanand Centre for Yogic Sciences and Holistic Development at IIT Ropar on Monday.

Chandigarh: Dr. Harinder K. Bali, Chairman – Cardiac Sciences, Livasa Hospitals, has been conferred the prestigious ‘Interventional Cardiologist of the Year’ award at BEAT 2026 – the 2nd Edition of the National Cardiovascular Summit & Cardiac Excellence Awards.
The award recognises his outstanding contributions to cardiovascular medicine, clinical excellence and the advancement of interventional cardiology. His extensive clinical expertise, commitment to adopting the latest treatment techniques and leadership in cardiac sciences have played a significant role in strengthening advanced cardiovascular care and services.

Congratulating Dr. Bali on the achievement, Anurag Yadav, CEO, Livasa Hospitals, said, “Dr. Bali’s leadership, clinical expertise and unwavering commitment to advancing cardiovascular care exemplify the high standards of clinical excellence that we strive to uphold across Livasa Hospitals. His achievement is a testament to his dedication to improving cardiac care and delivering better outcomes for patients.”

Panchkula, November 3, 2026: Marking the auspicious month of Kartik, tricity Non-Gvernmental Organisation (NGO)  Purushottam Das Rungta Charitable Trust organised its 239th  ‘Ann Bhandara’ or Community Kitchen  in Industrial Area, Phase 1, under the stewardship  of Amitabh Rungta, Founder of the Trust and noted philanthropist. Hundreds of passersby and needy people were served meals with devotion and compassion.

Speaking on the occasion, Amitabh Rungta said that food donation (Ann Daan) is not merely an act of charity but also a means of promoting humanity and the spirit of service. “Our endeavour is to reach out to the underprivileged sections of society and ensure that no one is deprived of food,” he said.

He further stated that the Trust is committed to supporting those in need and fulfilling its social responsibilities through various community service initiatives. The Trust will continue to undertake such initiatives in the future.

Trust volunteers played an active role in ensuring the successful organisation of the food distribution drive.

Chandigarh:

Demonstrating its commitment to compassionate and patient-centric healthcare, Director PGIMER, Prof. Vivek Lal, personally visited the six-year-old girl undergoing treatment at PGIMER following the unfortunate incident at a school in Panchkula. Expressing deep concern over the child’s condition, the Director interacted with the treating team and enquired about her health and progress.

Expressing deep concern, **Prof. Vivek Lal **stated, “At PGIMER, our responsibility goes beyond providing medical treatment; it is equally about standing by patients and their families in their most difficult moments. The circumstances involving this little child are deeply concerning. We want to ensure that she receives the best possible medical care, along with all the support and comfort she needs. The entire treatment is being provided free of cost, and the Institute will extend every possible assistance to the family.”

Taking a special humanitarian approach, the Director directed that the child be accorded completely free treatment, with all medical expenses borne by PGIMER. The Institute has also provided her a private room to ensure appropriate care, comfort and privacy during her treatment.

The child is under the care of a multidisciplinary team of specialists at PGIMER, which is closely monitoring her condition and providing all necessary medical attention.

The six-year-old girl was brought to PGIMER with critical injuries following an alleged assault by an eight-year-old boy inside her classroom at a school in Panchkula on October 28. She was referred to PGIMER for specialised medical care and is currently undergoing treatment under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

Chandigarh, October 30: Senior BJP leader Sanjay Tandon has welcomed the decision to double the monthly pensions for widows and persons with disabilities in Chandigarh from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000, expressing gratitude to Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria for approving the long-awaited enhancement of welfare benefits.

Thanking the Administrator for the decision, Tandon said, “I sincerely thank Gulab Chand Kataria ji for this sensitive and people-oriented decision. Increasing the monthly pension for widows and persons with disabilities will provide much-needed financial relief to some of the most vulnerable sections of society. This is a welcome step towards ensuring social security, dignity and a better quality of life for those who need the support of the administration the most.”

In a statement, Tandon said he had been pursuing the demand for an increase in social security pensions for a long time and had consistently taken up the matter with the concerned authorities.

“I have been making sustained efforts for this enhancement for a long time, as I firmly believe that the welfare of widows, persons with disabilities and economically weaker sections must remain a priority. I am delighted that this long-pending demand has finally received due consideration,” he said.

He also welcomed other welfare measures approved by the Chandigarh Labour Welfare Board, including financial assistance of Rs 21,000 under the Maternity Benefit Scheme, an additional fixed deposit of Rs 10,000 in the name of a newborn child, and financial assistance of Rs 25,000 under the Digital Education Scheme for purchasing laptops or other prescribed digital learning devices.

He said the decision to extend scholarship benefits to working employees pursuing education through self-study and the expansion of the Kanyadaan Scheme to cover unmarried female employees themselves were also commendable initiatives.

“These decisions reflect a progressive approach towards inclusive development and social welfare. Supporting women, strengthening the financial security of vulnerable families and promoting education and digital empowerment are essential for building a more equitable society,” Tandon said.

He expressed confidence that under the leadership of Gulab Chand Kataria, the Chandigarh Administration would continue to introduce people-centric initiatives and strengthen the social security framework for the benefit of all sections of society.

Chandigarh:

The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, earned distinction at NEUROPEDICON 2026, the 25th National Conference of the Academy of Pediatric Neurology, India , held recently in Lucknow.
Prof. Jitendra Kumar Sahu , Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, PGIMER, Chandigarh, and National Chairperson of the Academy of Pediatric Neurology, India, delivered the Presidential Oration at the conference. The oration is among the most prestigious academic addresses of the society and reflects Prof. Sahu’s leadership and sustained contributions to pediatric neurology in India, particularly in the field of childhood epilepsy.

Adding to the institute’s achievements, Dr. Souraja Datta, Senior Resident, Pediatric Neurology Unit, PGIMER, Chandigarh, received the Best Oral Presentation Award for her work on temporal trends of epidemiology of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome.
The 25th edition of NEUROPEDICON brought together pediatric neurologists, pediatricians, researchers and trainees from across the country to discuss recent advances in the diagnosis, treatment and care of children with neurological disorders.
The recognition received by the PGIMER team at this national platform highlights the institute’s continued commitment to excellence in clinical care, research and training in pediatric neurology.