Rohtak, October 25

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Bhupinder Singh Hooda has stated that every section of society is troubled by the BJP government. Farmers, workers, government employees, traders, SCs , Backward classes, women, the poor, and people in both rural and urban areas are all suffering due to the misdeeds of this administration.
Speaking to journalists at his residence, Hooda said the BJP is failing to manage anything, be it the economy, law and order, or the power supply system. He remarked that the state government is directly responsible for the power supply breakdown that persisted across the state for three days. This is because the government sought to impose the burden of expensive electricity on a large segment of the population, including farmers, solely to benefit a private company.
“When we first learned about the privatization of power distribution in Gurugram and Nuh, we immediately expressed our concerns. I personally raised this issue in the Legislative Assembly, but the government, intent on favouring private companies, deliberately chose to ignore it. The entire state has had to pay the price for this,” he said.
“Who will compensate the people for the losses they suffered over these three days,” he questioned.
Hooda stated that the government’s intentions were flawed from the very beginning, despite his demands, they failed to oppose the privatization at the time. However, now that the employees have demonstrated their unity, the government is merely putting on a show of standing with them.
“We suspect that the government might still push forward with this decision to benefit a private company, but the Congress party will oppose it on every platform. If power distribution falls into private hands, the subsidies currently provided to farmers will be eliminated,” he said.
“Under this government, the condition of farmers is already dire. Even today, farmers’ produce remains unsold in the mandis. Despite repeated demands, the government has shown no urgency in procuring paddy and Bajra, nor has the procured produce been lifted from the mandis in a timely manner. Farmers are bearing the brunt of this as their hard work, spanning several months, has been ruined by rain on two separate occasions. Across the state, hundreds of thousands of metric tonnes of paddy have been submerged in water, causing massive losses to both farmers and arhtiyas,” he added,
Hooda said the government is deliberately attempting to avoid procuring farmers’ produce at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), effectively forcing them to sell their crops to private agencies at lower prices. Due to this stance by the government, farmers are being compelled to sell their paddy at Rs 400 per quintal below the MSP, and pearl millet at Rs 800–900 per quintal below the MSP, he added.
The former Chief Minister reiterated that the situation in Haryana has been steadily deteriorating under the BJP government. During its tenure, the Congress party had made Haryana the nation’s top-performing state in terms of per capita income, per capita investment, job creation, and law and order. In contrast, the BJP has pushed the state to the top spot in terms of unemployment, corruption, crime, distress, and oppression.
A report by NITI Aayog indicates that Haryana’s financial condition has worsened to such an extent that it now ranks 14th out of 18 states. Furthermore, the central government’s Social Progress Index identifies Haryana as the most unsafe state in the country.

Chandigarh: Oasis Group today announced the launch of its brand ‘Aaghaaz’ in Chandigarh during an event attended by prominent personalities of the city.

Speaking during the launch event, Deep Malhotra, Chairman of Oasis Group, said, “Aaghaaz is built on a strong Indian foundation, and we believe its growing appeal comes from the authenticity of its roots and the thought behind its identity. Our vision is to create a brand that celebrates Indian artistry while connecting with contemporary audiences. Bringing Aaghaaz to Chandigarh, a city with a distinct cultural identity, is an important step in that journey.”
“Aaghaaz reflects our belief in celebrating Indian artistry with a contemporary perspective. With the festive season beginning, we want to celebrate what matters most—spending quality time with family, friends and loved ones,” said Gaurav Malhotra and Gautam Malhotra, both Directors at Oasis Group.

Meanwhile Oasis Group’s growing portfolio reflects its presence in India’s evolving consumer market. All Seasons, one of the Group’s established brands, has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing brands, with sales exceeding 25 million cases across the country. This milestone underscores the Group’s experience in building brands and expanding its footprint in a competitive market. The Chandigarh launch comes as the festive calendar brings people together for family gatherings, reunions and social celebrations.

CHANDIGARH

In a remarkable act of humanity amid profound grief, the kidneys of a 20-year-old woman who lost her life in a road accident have given two men, aged 38 and 32, a new lease of life at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.

Karanvir Kaur, daughter of Jagdeep Singh, a resident of Mulowal village in Punjab’s Sangrur district, had completed her Class XII education, cleared the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination and was preparing to go abroad to pursue her dreams. However, her aspirations were tragically cut short following a road accident on October 15.

After receiving treatment at hospitals in Dhuri and Ludhiana, Karanvir was brought to PGIMER on October 16. Following the prescribed medical evaluations, she was declared brain-stem dead on October 21.

Amid the unbearable pain of losing his young daughter, her father took the courageous decision to donate her organs. His consent enabled both kidneys to be transplanted into two patients at PGIMER, giving them an opportunity to look forward to healthier lives.

Recalling his daughter’s dreams and the family’s devastating loss, Jagdeep Singh said the decision to donate her organs was driven by the hope that her life could continue to make a difference.

“Every parent dreams of seeing their child grow, fulfil her aspirations and build a future of her own. Karanvir had cleared IELTS and was preparing to go abroad. We had so many dreams for her. Accepting that she will never return is a pain beyond words. But if a part of my daughter can live on through someone else, and two families can have a reason to smile again, her life will continue to make a difference,” he said.

“We have lost our daughter, but we hope her gift gives others the opportunity to live, dream and look forward to tomorrow,” he added.

Expressing gratitude to the bereaved family, PGIMER Director Prof. Vivek Lal said Karanvir’s family had demonstrated extraordinary courage and humanity by choosing organ donation at a time of immense personal grief.

“While nothing can compensate for the loss of their young daughter, her legacy will live on through the lives touched by this precious gift. We hope this noble gesture inspires more families to consider organ donation,” he said.

Prof. H. S. Kohli, Head of the Department of Nephrology at PGIMER, said kidney transplantation could offer patients with advanced kidney disease greater independence and an improved quality of life. He noted that the availability of a suitable donor organ remained a major challenge and thanked Karanvir’s family for making transplantation possible for two patients.

Prof. Ashish Sharma, Head of the Department of Renal Transplantation at PGIMER, said kidney transplantation required careful donor-organ assessment, surgical expertise and close coordination among multidisciplinary medical teams. He emphasised that every transplant began with the generosity of a donor family.

Despite the unimaginable loss of his daughter, Jagdeep Singh chose to give two men, aged 38 and 32, an opportunity to rebuild their lives. The family’s decision, he said, reflected the life-changing impact of organ donation.

Dr. Navdeep Bansal, Transplant Coordinator at PGIMER, said organ donation required sensitive counselling, timely coordination and cooperation between donor families and medical teams. He said Jagdeep Singh’s decision, despite his profound grief, demonstrated the extraordinary difference one family could make.

Dr. Vijay Tadia, Nodal Officer, ROTTO North, said Karanvir’s story highlighted the life-saving potential of organ donation. He encouraged families to discuss organ donation openly and raise awareness so that more patients awaiting transplants could receive a second chance at life.

Although Karanvir’s dreams of travelling abroad and building a future were tragically cut short, her father’s decision has given two other individuals an opportunity to pursue their own journeys.

Her story stands as a poignant reminder that even in the face of unimaginable loss, organ donation can save lives and keep hope alive. Through the gift of her kidneys, Karanvir’s legacy will endure in the lives of two men who have received a renewed opportunity to live, dream and look forward to tomorrow.

CHANDIGARH : Indian plastic surgeon Dr Krishan Mohan Kapoor and his Japanese co-authors, Dr Manaka Tagaya and Dr Konyo Arai, received the 2026 Best Paper Award in the category ‘Best Case Report – Silver Award’ from the prestigious journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open.

Dr Krishan Mohan Kapoor is a plastic surgeon and the Founder-Director of Anticlock Clinic & Medispa in Chandigarh and Mohali. He completed his MCh in Plastic Surgery from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. He is a member of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSI) and focuses professionally on cosmetic surgery and aesthetic medicine.

The award was presented on October 16 at Plastic Surgery The Meeting 2026 in Houston, Texas. Dr Tagaya and Dr Arai attended the ceremony and accepted the honour on behalf of all three authors. 

The award-winning paper, “Late Intervention Yet Successful Outcome with High-dose Pulsed Hyaluronidase for Forehead Filler Vascular Complication,” was published in the journal’s September 2025 issue. It documents a successful outcome following late intervention for a forehead filler vascular complication. The report describes a 35-year-old woman with compromised skin blood supply following forehead filler injections. Despite presenting three days later, repeated high-dose hyaluronidase treatment led to near-complete recovery with minimal scarring. The case highlights the potential for recovery after delayed presentation, while emphasising the importance of early recognition and urgent treatment.

The collaboration between clinicians in India and Japan adds a documented clinical experience to the scientific literature on complications associated with aesthetic injectable procedures. According to the journal’s award notification, papers published in 2025 were assessed using readership and usage data, including downloads and article views. Scores were adjusted for the length of time each article had been available online before papers were ranked within their respective categories.

Dr Kapoor welcomed the recognition, crediting it to the team’s collective effort, shared learning and commitment to academic work. He expressed his happiness at seeing his co-authors accept the award in Houston, despite being unable to join them. Dr Kapoor thanked both colleagues for their collaboration and wished them continued success and fulfilling careers. He expressed hope that the award would encourage further research, documentation of clinical experiences and contributions to scientific knowledge.

Chandigarh: October 24

The Centre of Excellence (Trauma & Burns), PGIMER, Chandigarh, conducted an Immediate Trauma Life Support and Burn Management (ITLS & BM) training course for 57 doctors from Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh on October 24, 2026. The course was conducted under the National Programme for Prevention and Management of Trauma and Burn Injuries (NPPMTBI) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

The programme aimed to reduce preventable deaths and complications arising from trauma and burn injuries by strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals, standardising care protocols and improving the delivery of care within hospitals. The course was led by Dr. Atul Parashar, Course Director, Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery, PGI, Chandigarh, and Nodal Officer of the Centre of Excellence (Trauma & Burns), PGIMER. Dr. Nidhi Bhatia from the Department of Anesthesia was Course Co-director, while Dr. Ankit Dadra served as Course Coordinator. The training focused on a systematic approach to the initial assessment and management of trauma and burn patients.

Dr. Atul Parashar said that, according to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) data, in 2025 more than five lakh people were involved in serious road accidents and 1.87 lakh people lost their lives—an average of 512 deaths every day, or 21 every hour. He also highlighted that close to one lakh people suffered burn injuries requiring hospital admission, with mortality exceeding 30 per cent.

The Immediate Trauma Life Support and Burn Management course covered triage, disaster preparedness, traumatic brain injuries, musculoskeletal trauma and burn management. Knowledge sessions were complemented by hands-on training in essential emergency procedures, including airway management, intercostal drain insertion, intraosseous access and haemorrhage control. Through focused lectures, interactive learning and practical skill stations, the programme sought to strengthen participants’ clinical competence and preparedness to manage trauma and burn emergencies effectively, with the broader aim of reducing preventable morbidity and mortality.

The programme reaffirmed the commitment of PGIMER’s Centre of Excellence (Trauma & Burns) to supporting national efforts to improve trauma and burn care through capacity-building and training of healthcare professionals.

Srinagar (Garhwal), October 23: The 13th convocation ceremony of Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University will be held on December 1, 2026. According to a notification issued by the University Registrar, eligible candidates will be able to register online to attend the ceremony from October 23 to November 10, 2026.

Students who have successfully completed postgraduate (PG) programmes during the 2025–26 academic session across the university’s three campuses will be eligible to receive their degrees after submitting the prescribed online application. In addition, PhD scholars who have already been awarded their doctoral degrees or whose viva voce examinations have been completed by November 20, 2026, will also be eligible to receive their degrees at the ceremony.

All university gold medal winners for the 2025–26 academic session will be awarded their degrees and medals in person during the ceremony. The registration fee for attending the convocation has been fixed at ₹1,500 per candidate. Applicants can register through the university’s online portal at https://online.hnbgu.ac.in .

According to the notification, all PG and PhD candidates attending the ceremony in person must participate in the rehearsal scheduled for November 30. Convocation attire will be distributed from 10:30 a.m. on the day of the rehearsal at the Department of Computer Science on the university’s Chauras campus.

The university has advised candidates to enter their names in English capital letters, exactly as recorded in their examination records, and to ensure that all required information is filled in correctly. Incomplete or incorrectly filled application forms will be rejected. Candidates opting to participate in the ceremony online will receive their degrees by post after the convocation.

The university has advised candidates to regularly visit its official website, https://www.hnbgu.ac.in , for the latest updates regarding the convocation ceremony and rehearsal.

Kasauli, Oct 24: At the 15th Khushwant Singh Lit Fest in Kasauli, former Army Chief Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd.), in conversation with Kishalay Bhattacharjee, said abolishing AFSPA alone would not resolve conflict; addressing its root causes was essential.

Highlighting changing civil-military relations, he noted that people in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East, who once fled at the sight of military vehicles, now approach soldiers to greet them—reflecting growing trust in the Army.

Naravane also discussed his books, The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries and The Cantonment Conspiracy, and his forthcoming sequel.

Educationist and Wife of Sonam Wangchuk Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo accused the Centre of giving Ladakh “step-motherly treatment,” warning that political neglect was fuelling unchecked mining and land mafias, threatening the region’s fragile ecology. In conversation with Sunetra Choudhury during The Art of Disagreement session, Angmo said that while she and Sonam Wangchuk remained in touch with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), meaningful change required broader social and education reforms, not just a minister’s resignation. Criticising the political use of religion, she said Sanatan Dharma’s principles of tolerance and compassion had been misrepresented. Questioning India’s claim to be a Vishwaguru, she called for greater public accountability and an end to divisive politics. She added that Gen Z was increasingly moving beyond caste and religious divides, prioritising humanity, inclusivity and compassion.

Innovator Sonam Wangchuk who joined the session online said “Saving Ladakh is saving India.”  Environmentalist Dr. Ravi Chopra and former bureaucrat Avay Shukla warned of the Himalayas’ worsening ecological crisis during the session. They flagged unchecked mining, excessive construction and climate change, calling for ecologically sensitive development and greater local participation.

Former R&AW chief A.S. Dulat described ‘Dhurandhar’ as propaganda during a session titled A General and a Spy: The Kashmir Files. In conversation with journalist Sunetra Choudhury, Dulat and Maj. Gen. Ranjan Mahajan discussed Kashmir’s political realities and prospects for peace. Dulat stressed dialogue with Kashmiris over Pakistan, while both speakers emphasised that force alone cannot resolve the issue and that lasting peace requires equality and dialogue.

Veena Naravane and General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd.) engaged with students at the KSLF 2026, discussing grief, resilience and personal growth. Veena highlighted how children’s stories help young readers process loss, while General Naravane urged students to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes and cultivate discipline and self-belief.

In a session titled Dystopia in an AI World, Mandira Shah encouraged students to reflect on AI’s impact on creativity, privacy and independent thinking. The discussion highlighted the need to balance technological progress with human values.

 Environmental journalist Bahar Dutt and author Nikhita Singh highlighted sustainable living, responsible tourism and conservation at KSLF 2026. Dutt stressed the need for ecologically sensitive development in mountain regions, while Singh discussed how folk narratives and traditional art can inspire environmental awareness and protect cultural heritage.

Author Pooja Poddar Marwah, in conversation with Shinie Antony, explored parent-teen conflicts in a session titled It’s Teen Time, Bro. Drawing on everyday family disagreements, she stressed empathy, open communication and mutual respect as keys to bridging generational divides.

Rajeev Budhiraja and Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.) discussed governance reforms and India’s growth potential during India Unplugged: Governance for Growth at KSLF 2026. Budhiraja highlighted institutional bottlenecks and the need for accountable leadership, while Shukla called for defence modernisation, investment in AI and deep technology, and stronger indigenous capabilities.

Other notable sessions included The Founder’s Office, featuring Sarthak Ahuja in conversation with Sam Tully; Me & Maa, with actress Divya Dutta; and Manipur: Stories the Fire Could Not Burn, featuring Hoihnu Hauzel in conversation with Preeti Gill. Gillian Wright, Sam Tully and Hartosh Singh Bal also interacted with Rekha Khanna during a session titled No Full Stops.

Kasauli, October 24: At the 15th Khushwant Singh Lit Fest in Kasauli, former Army Chief Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd.), in conversation with Kishalay Bhattacharjee, said abolishing AFSPA alone would not resolve conflict; addressing its root causes was essential.

Highlighting changing civil-military relations, he noted that people in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East, who once fled at the sight of military vehicles, now approach soldiers to greet them—reflecting growing trust in the Army.

Naravane also discussed his books, The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries and The Cantonment Conspiracy, and his forthcoming sequel.

Educationist and Wife of Sonam Wangchuk Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo accused the Centre of giving Ladakh “step-motherly treatment,” warning that political neglect was fuelling unchecked mining and land mafias, threatening the region’s fragile ecology. In conversation with Sunetra Choudhury during The Art of Disagreement session, Angmo said that while she and Sonam Wangchuk remained in touch with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), meaningful change required broader social and education reforms, not just a minister’s resignation. Criticising the political use of religion, she said Sanatan Dharma’s principles of tolerance and compassion had been misrepresented. Questioning India’s claim to be a Vishwaguru, she called for greater public accountability and an end to divisive politics. She added that Gen Z was increasingly moving beyond caste and religious divides, prioritising humanity, inclusivity and compassion.

Innovator Sonam Wangchuk who joined the session online said “Saving Ladakh is saving India.”  Environmentalist Dr. Ravi Chopra and former bureaucrat Avay Shukla warned of the Himalayas’ worsening ecological crisis during the session. They flagged unchecked mining, excessive construction and climate change, calling for ecologically sensitive development and greater local participation.

Former R&AW chief A.S. Dulat described ‘Dhurandhar’ as propaganda during a session titled A General and a Spy: The Kashmir Files. In conversation with journalist Sunetra Choudhury, Dulat and Maj. Gen. Ranjan Mahajan discussed Kashmir’s political realities and prospects for peace. Dulat stressed dialogue with Kashmiris over Pakistan, while both speakers emphasised that force alone cannot resolve the issue and that lasting peace requires equality and dialogue.

Veena Naravane and General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd.) engaged with students at the KSLF 2026, discussing grief, resilience and personal growth. Veena highlighted how children’s stories help young readers process loss, while General Naravane urged students to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes and cultivate discipline and self-belief.

In a session titled Dystopia in an AI World, Mandira Shah encouraged students to reflect on AI’s impact on creativity, privacy and independent thinking. The discussion highlighted the need to balance technological progress with human values.

 Environmental journalist Bahar Dutt and author Nikhita Singh highlighted sustainable living, responsible tourism and conservation at KSLF 2026. Dutt stressed the need for ecologically sensitive development in mountain regions, while Singh discussed how folk narratives and traditional art can inspire environmental awareness and protect cultural heritage.

Author Pooja Poddar Marwah, in conversation with Shinie Antony, explored parent-teen conflicts in a session titled It’s Teen Time, Bro. Drawing on everyday family disagreements, she stressed empathy, open communication and mutual respect as keys to bridging generational divides.

Rajeev Budhiraja and Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.) discussed governance reforms and India’s growth potential during India Unplugged: Governance for Growth at KSLF 2026. Budhiraja highlighted institutional bottlenecks and the need for accountable leadership, while Shukla called for defence modernisation, investment in AI and deep technology, and stronger indigenous capabilities.

Other notable sessions included The Founder’s Office, featuring Sarthak Ahuja in conversation with Sam Tully; Me & Maa, with actress Divya Dutta; and Manipur: Stories the Fire Could Not Burn, featuring Hoihnu Hauzel in conversation with Preeti Gill. Gillian Wright, Sam Tully and Hartosh Singh Bal also interacted with Rekha Khanna during a session titled No Full Stops.