CHANDIGARH:

Dr. Kusum Sharma, Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Nodal Officer for Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has been selected for the prestigious *National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) Women in Medicine Award for 2026.

The national honour recognizes Dr. Sharma’s pioneering, two-decade-long contributions to molecular diagnostics, clinical microbiology, and translational research in extrapulmonary and drug-resistant tuberculosis.

 She will be officially honoured with a Scroll of Honor during the NAMSCON 2026 convocation, scheduled for October 10, 2026, at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu.

Working in a high-burden nation where complex forms of tuberculosis present severe diagnostic challenges, Dr. Sharma has fundamentally transformed the landscape of EPTB and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) management. Her research group has successfully bridged the gap between advanced genomic science and routine clinical care, impacting patient outcomes across India.

Key Scientific and Academic Milestones:

 Patented Multiplex PCR Innovation (Indian Patent No. 340788 ): Developed and internationally validated (including at the Jacksonville State Laboratory, USA) a novel multiplex PCR assay that significantly enhances diagnostic sensitivity in paucibacillary conditions such as Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM), ocular TB, and gastrointestinal TB.

 Point-of-Care & Decentralized Diagnostics : Pioneered magnetic bead-based and multi-targeted Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assays, enabling accurate, battery-operated, instrument-free testing designed for rural and resource-constrained settings.

 Global Breakthroughs in Ocular TB: Led the world’s first global report on drug resistance in ocular tuberculosis, establishing clinical criteria that revolutionized intraocular TB diagnosis and care.

National Leadership on INDEX-TB Guidelines: Served as the Lead Microbiologist for the national Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Guidelines for India (INDEX-TB Guidelines), formulated by the Central TB Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in collaboration with the WHO and AIIMS, New Delhi.

 Advanced Genomic Surveillance & Make-in-India Integration: Extensively evaluated indigenous platforms like the Truenat MTB-plus assay under the Make in India initiative, while leading cutting-edge research projects involving High-Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing (tNGS), Long-Read Nanopore Sequencing, and CRISPR-Cas12a diagnostic platforms.

Excellence in NTM Identification: Standardized molecular, sequencing-based, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry protocols for species-level identification of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria, transforming PGIMER into a major national referral center for complex NTM cases.

Dr. Sharma’s election to the NAMS “Women in Medicine” 2026 cohort underscores her enduring commitment to medical excellence, academic leadership, and alleviating the suffering of patients with complex mycobacterial infections.

Chandigarh:

The key to success in public health lies in innovation and its effective implementation, said Dr. Navneet Dhaliwal, Additional Professor-cum-Joint Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, Chandigarh, while briefing the delegates on the concept of a green hospital during the field visit of 45 international delegates from 25 countries participating in the 8th Public Health Policy and Management Program, organized by PGIMER, Chandigarh, with the support of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

PGIMER has excelled in providing state-of-the-art digital healthcare services to citizens and has emerged as a torchbearer for the Digital Health Mission, said Dr. Sonu Goel, Program Director. He further added that, over the past decade, the successful delivery of the programme to more than 1,800 professionals has enabled participants to gain insights into PGIMER’s best practices and explore their replication in their respective countries.

During the field visit to PGIMER, Chandigarh, the delegates witnessed several state-of-the-art practices, including the Tele-Evidence facility, the first of its kind in the country, which enables doctors to provide testimony through video conferencing rather than requiring their physical presence in court. This facility has resulted in savings of ₹1.92 crore over a period of two years, besides saving approximately 30,000 hours of doctors’ time, shared the Consultant for Tele-Evidence. The innovative practice of telemedicine was also demonstrated. The service is connected with neighbouring states and SAARC countries, facilitating access to basic as well as highly specialized healthcare services.

The delegates also appreciated the visit to the Green Hospital, the first government hospital in the country to receive the prestigious Platinum Rating Award from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). They were also briefed about the Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO), a national award-winning centre. The participants expressed that the visit provided an important platform for cross-country learning, exchange of experiences, and strengthening of international cooperation in public health.The program reflects India’s continued commitment to sharing its health-system experiences, innovations, and best practices with partner countries since 2016.

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Chandigarh, September 9, 2026: GB Realty, through its sports promotion initiative GB Legends, has joined hands with Chandigarh Golf Club (CGC) as Title Sponsor of the Chandigarh Golf League (CGL) 2026, marking a significant step towards strengthening competitive golf and creating greater opportunities for the next generation of golfers in the region.

The 24-team league, featuring 384+ players, will be played from September 30 to October 30, 2026, bringing together Chandigarh’s golfing community on a larger competitive platform.

The agreement was signed by Jatinder Bajwa, Vice President, GB Realty, and Amarbir Singh Lehal, Honorary Secretary, Chandigarh Golf League. Amit Sood, CEO, GB Legends, was also present.

Building on a Strong Golfing Legacy
The partnership brings together the rich legacy, sporting infrastructure and institutional strength of Chandigarh Golf Club with GB Realty and GB Legends’ commitment to sports promotion, talent development, community building and CSR.

Jatinder Bajwa, Vice President, GB Realty, said:”Our association with Chandigarh Golf Club and the Chandigarh Golf League goes beyond the title sponsorship. CGC has built a remarkable golfing legacy in Chandigarh, and we want to complement that legacy by creating more opportunities for the next generation. Together, our vision is to strengthen competitive golf while expanding access through junior programmes, women’s golf, grassroots initiatives, mentorship and CSR.”

RS Virk, President, Chandigarh Golf Club, said: “The future of golf depends on nurturing young talent while expanding participation. We are pleased to partner with GB Realty and GB Legends, whose vision aligns strongly with our commitment to developing the sport. CGL provides a strong platform to bring the golfing community together, and this association can help create meaningful opportunities for juniors, women golfers and emerging talent.”

A Vision Beyond the League:

The association is envisaged as a long-term collaboration extending beyond CGL 2026, with a shared focus on Junior & grassroots golf development, Women’s golf and increased participation.

The partnership aims to establish a structured Golf Academy and talent pathway, CSR support for promising golfers, Coaching, mentorship and competitive opportunities. These initiatives will complement GB Legends’ existing grassroots programmes.

With Chandigarh Golf Club’s legacy and sporting ecosystem combined with GB Legends’ focus on the future of sport, the collaboration aims to further establish Chandigarh as a leading centre for golf — growing the game from the grassroots to the highest level of competition.

Chandigarh:

Artificial Intelligence will fundamentally transform healthcare by augmenting the capabilities of doctors, enabling greater knowledge, efficiency and reach,” stated the Chief Guest Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi , Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi at the 63rd Institute Foundation Day celebrations of PGIMER, Chandigarh, held at NINE Auditorium.
The Foundation Day celebrations were attended by dignitaries including Dr. Alka Rao, Director, IMTECH Chandigarh, Prof. Yogesh Chawla, Former Director, PGIMER, Prof. Sanjay Jain, Dean (Academics), Prof. Sanjeev Handa, Dean (Research), Prof. Ashok Kumar, Medical Superintendent-cum-Head, Department of Hospital Administration, Sh. Ravinder Singh, Financial Advisor, former and present Deans, Heads of Departments, senior faculty, resident doctors, nursing officers and members of the PGIMER fraternity.
Delivering the Foundation Day address on “ AI in Healthcare”, Prof. Chaturvedi described PGIMER as a “true national asset” and lauded its pioneering contributions to healthcare, education, research and innovation.
“ PGIMER Chandigarh is, without doubt, a true national asset—not limited to one region, but making a significant contribution to healthcare, education, research and innovation across the country. I congratulate each and every member of the PGIMER family for this remarkable journey and for keeping the institution at the forefront of Indian healthcare,” said Prof. Chaturvedi.
Emphasising that AI should be viewed as an enabler rather than a replacement for medical professionals, Prof. Chaturvedi said, “The most successful healthcare deployments today are not examples of AI replacing doctors. They are examples of AI helping doctors perform at their best.”

Vice Chancellor BHU noted that AI had moved beyond being a technological novelty and was making deep inroads into healthcare, research and decision-making. “AI is no more something like a fashionable toy or something that is a status symbol. It has made very deep inroads in the market, and naturally, we cannot be just watching it from a distance,” he observed.
Highlighting its potential to process vast volumes of medical information, he said AI could assist doctors in extracting information from clinical records, pathology reports and scientific literature. “The assistant does not replace expertise, but it dramatically expands the amount of knowledge a physician can effectively utilise,” he said.
On medical research, Prof. Chaturvedi observed, “The real transformation is that researchers can now ask questions that were previously too expensive or time-consuming to investigate.”

Prof. Chaturvedi also cautioned against adopting AI without considering Indian healthcare realities. AI systems trained predominantly on Western datasets may not adequately reflect Indian disease patterns, patient populations and clinical practices. He stressed the need for India to move from being merely a consumer of healthcare AI to becoming a creator of solutions rooted in Indian realities.
Prof. Chaturvedi highlighted AI’s potential in remote healthcare, radiology, hospital management and evidence-based decision-making, while noting that complex physical tasks such as surgery remain a frontier for further development. He also stressed that medical education would increasingly focus on clinical judgement, evidence evaluation, critical thinking and patient communication rather than memorisation alone.

Concluding, Prof. Chaturvedi said, “The first generation of AI helped humans find information. The next generation is helping humans make decisions. The generation after that will help humans take action.”
Earlier, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, highlighted the Institute’s remarkable expansion, growing patient capacity, affordable healthcare initiatives and declining waiting lists.
Referring to the recent inauguration of two major centres by the Prime Minister, Prof. Lal said, “ The Prime Minister inaugurated two major centres on July 17th, which was a boost in our arm. The Advanced Mother & Child Centre and the Advanced Neuroscience Centre directly gave us 800 beds. From 2,200 beds, we have 3,000 beds now for taking care of our patients.”
Highlighting PGIMER’s commitment to affordable healthcare, Prof. Lal said, “We don’t see that we have spent five lakhs. We don’t see how much we have saved in crores.”
Describing the Institute’s standing among leading global institutions, Prof. Lal said, “I consider PGI as one of the best institutions in the world. I will not say everything is 100% fine here, but considering our infrastructure, considering our patient trust, I think we are miles ahead of many top institutes across the world.”

Director PGIMER credited the Institute’s dedicated workforce for its continued progress and highlighted PGIMER’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure, diagnostic services, manpower and collaborations with emerging healthcare institutions.
Highlighting PGIMER’s commitment to making advanced healthcare affordable, Prof. Lal spoke about the benefits reaching patients through Ayushman Bharat and the availability of affordable generic medicines through Amrit Pharmacy outlets. He noted that the savings generated for patients run into crores, particularly in the treatment of serious and prolonged illnesses.
Pointing to improving service delivery despite increasing patient footfall, Prof. Lal said, “You must have seen, our waiting list is decreasing day by day. The patient rush is increasing. The waiting list is decreasing. So, PGI is moving in the right direction.”
On institutional collaboration, particularly with BHU, he assured continued support, saying, “We promise you all help of any kind for BHU. You just name it and we will do it. We are very happy to help and handhold centres.”
Thirty-five PGIMER employees were honoured by Chief Guest Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, along with Prof. Vivek Lal, Director; Prof. Sanjay Jain, Dean (Academics); and Prof. Sanjiv Handa, Dean (Research), for their outstanding service. The awardees were presented appreciation certificates and mementoes:
Mr. Alel Singh Negi, Hospital Attendant, Histopathology
Mr. Sushil Kumar, Hospital Attendant, Training Branch
Mr. Bhuram Singh, Hospital Attendant, Cytology & Gynae Pathology
Mr. Sate Singh, Hospital Attendant, Physiotherapy
Mr. Pratap Chand, Hospital Attendant, General Branch
Mr. Durga Singh, Hospital Attendant, Office of Deputy Director (Admn.)
Mr. Kiran Pal, MTS (Sanitation), Office of Sr. Admn. Officer
Mr. Vinod Kumar, MTS (Sanitation), Forensic Medicine
Mr. Dhan Singh, MTS (Sanitation), Central Animal House
Mr. Deepak, MTS (Sanitation), Medical Microbiology
Mr. Sonu, MTS (Sanitation), Medical Record Department
Mr. Kali Das, Mali, Engineering Department
Mr. Rajinder Singh, Work Inspector, Engineering Department
Mr. Surinder Kumar, Security Guard, Security Department
Mr. Paramjit Singh, Assistant Administrative Officer, General Branch
Mr. Ashok Kumar, Junior Administrative Officer, Establishment Branch-I
Mr. Ravjit Singh, Senior Lab Technician, Biochemistry
Ms. Lalita Arora, Technical Assistant, Hepatology
Mr. Ashwani Kumar, Senior Lab Technician, Gastroenterology
Mr. Mandeep Saini, Senior Lab Technician, Pulmonary Medicine
Mr. Ominder Kumar, Private Secretary, Pediatrics
Ms. Rajni Gupta, Senior Nursing Officer, Pulmonary Medicine
Ms. Reeta, Officiating DNS, Nursing (Infection Control)
Ms. Jyoti, Senior Nursing Officer, Clinical Hematology & Medical Oncology
Ms. Manpreet Kaur, Nursing Officer, APC PICU
Ms. Rajni, Nursing Officer, Renal Transplant OT
Mr. Rajesh, Nursing Officer, Pediatric Gastroenterology Ward
Mr. Lalit Chand Pant, Junior Administrative Officer, Establishment Branch-II
Mr. Sachin Sharma, Senior Administrative Assistant, Establishment Branch-II
Ms. Shweta, Senior Administrative Assistant, Establishment Branch-II
Mr. Vivek Kumar, Senior Administrative Assistant, Establishment Branch-II
Ms. Surbhi Sharma, Junior Administrative Assistant, Establishment Branch-I
Mr. Sourabh Sharma, Junior Administrative Assistant, Establishment Branch-II
Ms. Ambika Saini, Administrative Officer, Establishment Branch-I & II
Ms. Anand Yadav, Assistant Administrative Officer, Recruitment Cell
Prof. Sanjeev Handa, Dean (Research), PGIMER, proposed the vote of thanks, formally concluding the celebrations.

Chandigarh, September 6: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the youth of Haryana have resolved to fight a decisive battle against drugs, and this enthusiasm among the youth will give a new direction to the campaign to make the state drug-free. He said that the Haryana Government has put in place a robust system focusing on enforcement, awareness, treatment and rehabilitation to tackle the challenge of drug abuse.

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini was addressing the Half Marathon organised in Rewari on Sunday as the Chief Guest, with the objective of taking the resolve of ‘Nasha Mukt Haryana-Khel Yukt Haryana’ to every section of society and connecting youth with sports to create a strong social environment against drugs. The grand marathon was organised on the theme ‘Nashe se jung, Rewari ke sang’. Rewari MLA Sh. Laxman Yadav, Bawal MLA Dr. Krishan Kumar, Kosli MLA Sh. Anil Yadav, Nalwa MLA Sh. Randhir Panihar, Sh. Pankaj Nain, and the marathon’s brand ambassador, Commonwealth Games 2026 para-athletics gold medallist Sharmila Dhankhar, among other dignitaries, were present on the occasion.

Before flagging off the marathon, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that there can be no place for a social evil like drug abuse on the land of Rewari, known for valour, hard work and patriotism. He said that the drug problem did not emerge suddenly but is a long-standing challenge that was not given serious attention earlier. Over the past 12 years, the Haryana Government has viewed this problem not through a political lens, but in the context of the future of Haryana’s families and youth. The government is committed to taking effective and concrete steps against drugs and providing youth with a safe and positive environment.

The Chief Minister said that a drug-free youth is the foundation of a happy family, skilled youth will build a prosperous Haryana, and determined youth will become the strength of a developed and self-reliant India.

Chief Minister seeks cooperation from youth in raising public awareness against drugs

Calling upon the youth to actively participate in the public awareness campaign against drugs, Chief Minister Saini said that if they find anyone around them involved in drug sales or activities such as drug peddling, they should not remain silent. One piece of information from them can save the life of a young person and prevent a family from losing its hope.

He said that if every young person takes responsibility for making at least 10 other youngsters aware of the harmful effects of drugs, this resolve can soon take the form of a massive mass movement. He informed that a toll-free anti-drug helpline number, 9050891508, has been launched to assist drug-affected persons and provide information about drug-peddling activities. In addition, complaints related to narcotic substances can also be registered through the ‘MANAS’ portal and helpline number 1933.

The Chief Minister said that the identity of complainants is kept completely confidential. Therefore, citizens should participate in the campaign against drugs without any fear. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also administered an oath to those present to participate in the ongoing campaign against drugs.

Chief Minister boosts the morale of over 50,000 runners

During the Half Marathon, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini showered flowers on more than 50,000 runners and other participants from the flag-off stage, boosting their enthusiasm. Flowers were also showered on over 50,000 runners through drones along the marathon track.

The warm welcome extended by the Chief Minister created an atmosphere of enthusiasm and excitement among the runners. The sight of flowers raining down from the sky, along with the energetic participation of the runners, remained one of the major attractions of the event. Amid the flower shower, the runners also enthusiastically greeted the Chief Minister and participated in the marathon with full zeal.

Chief Minister reaches marathon track and encourages runners

After flagging off thousands of runners participating in the run, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini himself reached the marathon track and ran alongside the participants, encouraging them. Seeing the Chief Minister running among them generated considerable enthusiasm and excitement among the runners.

During this, the Chief Minister waved to the participants taking part in the marathon and encouraged them. He also planted saplings in the greenbelt along the marathon track, conveying the message of environmental conservation.

Cultural performances boost the enthusiasm of youth

Various cultural performances, from the flag-off stage to the marathon track, remained a major attraction during the marathon. Performances by singers Naveen Poonia and Satyan Lamba at the flag-off stage filled the atmosphere with enthusiasm and excitement.

At various cultural points set up along the marathon track, students from different schools of the district presented cultural programmes and worked to energise the runners. Sand art and exhibitions conveying the message of a drug-free Haryana also spread awareness among the participants.

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini honoured the winners of the Rewari Marathon, which concluded with record participation, by presenting them cash prizes and certificates of appreciation at the stage set up in front of Rao Tula Ram Stadium.

The 10-kilometre Half Marathon, which started at 6 a.m., was won by Monu Kumar in the men’s category. Dharmendra secured second place, while Ramsangrup won the third prize. In the women’s category of the same marathon, Sarita Pal secured first place. Sonika won the second prize, while Neeta Rani secured third place and received the award from the Chief Minister.

The 5-kilometre marathon, which started at 7 a.m., saw Yash secure the first prize in the men’s category. Pankaj stood second, while Shankardayal secured third place. In the women’s category, Pooja finished first, followed by Sonia in second place and Neelam in third place.

The Chief Minister awarded cheques of Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 21,000, respectively, along with certificates of appreciation, to the first three winners of the 10-kilometre race. Similarly, the runners securing the first three positions in the 5-kilometre race were awarded incentive amounts of Rs. 5,100, Rs. 3,100 and Rs. 2,100, respectively. Para-athlete Sharmila Dhankhar was also honoured on the occasion.

Nainital

The Nainital Police have busted an alleged international cybercrime racket operating from the Mukhani area and arrested six people, including the alleged kingpin, while two juveniles in conflict with law were taken into protective custody.

The breakthrough came during a joint operation by the Mukhani police, SOG and Cyber Cell under ‘Operation Hotspot-2026’, a statewide drive against cybercriminals, mule bank accounts, suspicious mobile numbers and illegal cash withdrawals.

Acting on specific intelligence, a joint police team raided a house in Laxman Vihar Colony under Mukhani police station during the intervening night of September 5 and 6. The operation was conducted under the supervision of senior police officials and on the directions of Nainital SSP Dr Manjunath TC.

Police identified Rahul Yadav, 30, a resident of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, as the alleged kingpin of the network. Five other accused — Harshit Kumar, Kamal Goswami, Sahil Kumar, Mohammad Ayan and Mohammad Shubhan — were also arrested.

According to police, the syndicate allegedly used mule bank accounts, ATM/debit cards, SIM cards and an unauthorised application to facilitate and layer illicit financial transactions. Investigators suspect that the racket was involved in cyber fraud involving more than ₹5 crore over a period of four months.

Crypto transactions and mule accounts

Police said Rahul Yadav allegedly used the Binance app to purchase USDT cryptocurrency after collecting cash. The cryptocurrency was then allegedly sold through an unauthorised application called UMASTER, which investigators said was obtained through Telegram and operated without valid documentation, KYC or source verification.

According to police, USDT worth around ₹4-5 lakh was allegedly transacted daily, with participants being lured by an additional three per cent profit and bonus.

The gang allegedly recruited local youths by offering them commissions and obtained bank accounts, ATM/debit cards, cheque books and passbooks from account holders. These accounts were allegedly used as mule accounts to layer and route illegally obtained funds.

Police further alleged that gang members withdrew cash from the mule accounts through ATMs. When the cash involved was substantial, the money was allegedly deposited or transferred into other bank accounts through Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs).

The gang allegedly retained the SIM cards linked to the bank accounts, allowing its members to control the accounts and restricting account holders from independently accessing or monitoring transactions.

24 ATM cards, 11 smartphones seized

During the raid, police recovered ₹1,18,800 in cash, a Dell laptop, an Apple iPad and 11 smartphones, including iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24 and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra models.

The police also seized 24 active ATM/debit cards belonging to different banks, 12 active SIM cards, six cheque books, four passbooks and 16 bank deposit/CDM slips.

Police said efforts were underway to arrest two other wanted suspects allegedly linked to the network.

The two juveniles taken into protective custody were produced before the competent authorities for further legal proceedings under the Juvenile Justice framework.

A case has been registered at Mukhani Police Station under FIR No. 141/2026 under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act and Sections 3(5) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

SSP Nainital announced a cash reward of ₹2,500 for the police team involved in the operation.

Police appeal

Nainital Police have appealed to the public not to hand over their bank accounts, ATM/debit cards, passbooks or cheque books to anyone in exchange for commissions or financial incentives.

Police warned that account holders may also face legal action if their accounts are found to have been used for cybercrime.

The public has been advised to report suspicious financial activity immediately to the nearest police station or through the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930.

Chandigarh, September 4

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that while following the teachings of Lord Krishna, the youth should acquire modern education and advance in science and technology. They should bring glory to Haryana and India in every field across the world. At the same time, they should remain connected with their values, culture and roots. Modernity, discipline, talent, humility, success and a spirit of service should also be reflected in the lives of the youth. This is the strength of our culture and will form the strong foundation of ‘Viksit Bharat-Viksit Haryana’.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the Shri Krishna Janmashtami Mahotsav organised at Shivala Ramkundi in Ladwa, Kurukshetra, on Friday.

The Chief Minister visited the exhibition organised as part of the programme. Former Minister of State Sh. Subhash Sudha was also present with him on the occasion.

The Chief Minister extended greetings and best wishes to the people of the country and the state on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami. He also announced an amount of ₹21 lakh for the Vaman Dwadashi Mela Committee.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Janmashtami is a celebration of the great message of religion, duty, truth, courage, love and public welfare that Lord Shri Krishna gave to all humanity through his life. The birth of Kanhaji gives us the confidence that no matter how difficult the circumstances are, and no matter how powerful injustice may be, if a person remains steadfast on the path of truth and righteousness, victory ultimately belongs to him.

He said that Lord Shri Krishna was born in a prison. The circumstances were adverse and there was an atmosphere of injustice all around. However, amid that darkness, a ray of hope was born, and that ray later became the cause of the end of unrighteousness. This is the greatest message of Janmashtami: no matter how deep the darkness may be, no one can prevent light from being born.

The Chief Minister said that Lord Shri Krishna never gave the message of escaping from life. He inspired people to face challenges. Remaining silent in the face of injustice is not righteousness. Standing up for what is right is true righteousness. Therefore, Lord Shri Krishna is our guide in life. He said that we learn from His life that greatness lies not in position but in conduct. Despite being God, He honoured His friendship with Sudama. He lifted Govardhan to protect society. He heard Draupadi’s call for help. He accepted the role of Arjuna’s charioteer. His entire life teaches us that the person who shares in the joys and sorrows of others is truly great.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that we are part of the sacred land of Kurukshetra, where Lord Shri Krishna gave the immortal message of Karmayog to all humanity through the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. This is the same land where Lord Shri Krishna showed Arjuna, who was overcome by attachment, the path of duty. It is a matter of pride for us to live on this land. We must not step back from our duty when faced with difficulties in life. We must continue performing our duties with complete dedication and honesty, without worrying about the results. For me too, this message of the Gita has remained a source of inspiration in public life. Public service is my duty, and performing this duty with complete dedication is my Dharma, he said.

He said that the life of Lord Shri Krishna is also a special source of inspiration for the youth. Youth is not merely a matter of age; it represents energy, determination and courage. Lord Shri Krishna confronted oppression at a young age. He organised society and took even the most difficult decisions for the establishment of righteousness.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said that today, our youth are also facing numerous challenges. There is competition, distraction, and the danger of drugs and negativity. In such times, the message of the Gita becomes even more relevant. The youth should remain focused on their goals. Work hard and respect your parents. Keep your body healthy. Stay away from drugs and channel your energy towards nation-building. The day the youth recognise the power within themselves, no goal will remain impossible for them.

The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, India today is moving towards new heights of development while taking pride in its cultural heritage. At present, India is conveying to the world the message that modern development and ancient culture complement each other. On the one hand, the country is advancing in digital technology, science, space and modern infrastructure. On the other hand, our faith, traditions and cultural heritage are being presented before the world with renewed self-confidence. This is the New India, which remains connected to its roots and is moving confidently towards the future.

The Chief Minister said that when the people place their trust in a public representative, that trust inspires him to work day and night in the service of the people. Assuring the people of his commitment, the Chief Minister said that work is being carried out with complete dedication for the development of Ladwa, expansion of facilities and improvement in the lives of every family here, and the same efforts will continue in the future as well. On this occasion, students from various schools presented excellent performances and won everyone’s hearts.