The Vigilance Cell of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, organised a workshop on “Essentials of Public Procurement, GeM Procedures and Rules” today as part of the three-month Preventive Vigilance Campaign (August 17–November 16, 2026), being observed under the guidance of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The campaign’s theme is “Probity for Prosperity” (सत्यनिष्ठा से समृद्धि).
The technical session was conducted by Prof. Rakesh Kapoor, Professor In-charge (EP), PGIMER, who spoke on public procurement, GeM procedures and applicable rules, emphasising awareness of prescribed processes and compliance in institutional decision-making.
In his introductory remarks, Prof. Sunil Dogra, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), PGIMER, outlined the objectives of the CVC campaign and its relevance to faculty members and officials. He highlighted the importance of preventive vigilance in strengthening transparency, integrity, fairness and accountability, and preventing procedural lapses through greater awareness of rules, proper documentation and responsible use of public funds.
The workshop was attended by Sh. Rattan Lal Thakur, Senior Administrative Officer (Vigilance), PGIMER, along with faculty members, administrative staff and other employees of the Institute. Employees of the PGIMER Satellite Centre, Sangrur, also joined the workshop through online mode. The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from approximately 165 participants, including doctors, nursing staff, paramedical personnel and administrative employees, reflecting the Institute-wide commitment to promoting vigilance awareness, transparency and integrity in official functioning.
The workshop forms part of PGIMER’s continuing efforts to promote ethical conduct, transparent processes and good governance. It reinforced the message that integrity and accountability are shared responsibilities across the Institute.
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Congress Begins Decisive Fight to Protect Voting Rights and Constitution: Kumari Selja
Chandigarh:
The Sirsa MP, Former Union Cabinet Minister, General Secretary of All India Congress Committee, Congress Incharge of Uttarakhand and Congress Working Committee member Kumari Selja on Monday, while speaking to journalists in New Delhi ahead of the Congress’s proposed march, said the time had come for a decisive fight against alleged vote theft through the purported collusion between the BJP government and the Election Commission. She asserted that the people’s votes were not the property of any government but a right guaranteed by the Constitution. The Congress would firmly oppose any attempt to weaken or take away this right.
Kumari Selja said Congress workers were mobilising in New Delhi on October 12 under the leadership of party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to protect democracy and voting rights. A march from Barakhamba Road Junction to the Supreme Court has been called for 1.30 pm. She said the struggle was not limited to the Congress but concerned the rights of every citizen who had been given the power to vote under the Constitution.
Kumari Selja alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls could adversely affect the voting rights of poor people, Dalits, backward classes and minorities. She said the Election Commission had a constitutional responsibility to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. The names of all eligible voters must remain on electoral rolls, and no citizen should be deprived of the right to vote. She said Rahul Gandhi had consistently raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral process and vote theft. Questions raised by the Congress, she added, should be answered transparently.
Kumari Selja further alleged that attempts were being made to suppress democratic dissent through police action and arrests. Expressing disagreement and questioning the government, she said, were constitutional rights of every citizen. She asserted that the country would be governed by the values and principles of the Constitution framed under the leadership of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, not by the arbitrary wishes of any government.
Kumari Selja called upon citizens to remain aware and united in protecting democratic rights. She said the Congress would continue its struggle to safeguard the impartiality of democratic institutions, transparency in elections and the people’s right to vote, adding that there would be no compromise on the protection of the Constitution and democracy.
EDUTHON 6.0 Brings 1,200+ Education Leaders to Chandigarh to Discuss AI and the Future of School Education
Chandigarh, October 10, 2026: EDUTHON 6.0 brought more than 1,200 school leaders, educators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, educationists and industry representatives to Hyatt Regency, Chandigarh, to discuss “AI and the Future of School Education”. Presented by TRINITi and powered by Chitkara University, the sixth edition built on a platform that has grown from 70 school leaders at its first gathering into a national forum recognised by the India Book of Records.
A fireside conversation between Shantanu Deshpande, Founder of Bombay Shaving Company and Bombae, and Ankur Malhotra, Founder Director of TRINITi, was among the key sessions. Deshpande also launched the Anandi Fellowship, an initiative aimed at identifying, mentoring and funding young business talent in India.
Speaking at the event, Ankur Malhotra, Founder Director of TRINITi, said, “Education cannot afford to simply react to every new technology that comes along. Our responsibility is to understand what is changing and ensure that in the process of becoming future-ready, we do not lose sight of what makes education meaningful in the first place.”
Participants included Dr. Madhu Chitkara, President and Co-Founder of Chitkara University; Shreya Yashwanth Rao, Architect, Femina Miss India Runner-up 2018 and Founder of Simplify.Ed; Poonam Singh Jamwal, Chief Business Officer at Extramarks Education; Dr. Niyati Chitkara, Vice President of School Education at Chitkara Educational Trust; Harpreet Grover, Founder of The Curious Parent, widely known as the Parenting Guru; and Samriti Sharma, former Middle School Vice Principal at Future Bilingual School for Girls, Kuwait.
School associations were represented by Dr. Jagjit Singh Dhuri, President of the Joint Association of Colleges and Federation of Private Schools and Associations of Punjab; Dr. Kulbhushan Sharma, President of the National Independent Schools Alliance; Anubhavv Arora, Executive Chairman of the Confederation for Equality in Early Childhood Care and Education; and Ashish Sharma, President of the Independent Schools Association, Chandigarh.
Since its inception, EDUTHON has grown from a gathering of 70 school leaders into a national platform, bringing together more than 1,200 participants at its sixth edition. As artificial intelligence reshapes teaching and learning, the platform provides a space for school leaders, educators and industry voices to consider how technology can serve education while keeping human judgement, meaningful engagement and the role of educators at the centre. Its growth reflects the increasing reach of a forum dedicated to conversations about the future of school education.
Tandon participates ‘in Seva Ke Rang, Rashtra Ke Sang’ Rangoli events
Chandigarh, October 10, 2026: Senior BJP leader Sanjay Tandon on Saturday participated in the ‘Seva Ke Rang, Rashtra Ke Sang’ rangoli programmes organised in Chandigarh under the ongoing ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic milestone of completing 25 years in public life as the head of a government. The rangoli events were organised by BJP District Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay at Shivalik Garden, Manimajra, and BJP District Shyama Prasad Mukherjee at Mata Chintpurni Temple, Sector 32.
Through colourful rangoli designs, the programmes conveyed messages of service, dedication and nation-building. Speaking on the occasion, Tandon said, “The completion of 25 years of Narendra Modi ji’s public life as the head of a government is a significant milestone. His journey reflects a steadfast commitment to public service, dedication to the nation and the vision of building a stronger and more developed India.”
He added, “The ‘Seva Ke Rang, Rashtra Ke Sang’ initiative beautifully expresses the spirit of service and national commitment through the art of rangoli. Such creative initiatives bring people together and inspire them to contribute to nation-building.” Appreciating the efforts of the organisers, Tandon expressed his gratitude to the office-bearers and workers of both district units, as well as everyone who contributed to creating the rangoli designs. He said their hard work, creativity and dedication made the programmes meaningful and impactful. Reiterating the message of the campaign, Tandon said that service, dedication and collective participation were essential to the nation’s progress. “Seva Ke Rang, Rashtra Ke Sang” was the central message of the programmes, highlighting the connection between public service and the collective resolve to build a stronger nation.
Punjab’s PEHEL Is Using AI to Help SHG Women build high-performing businesses in under 2 weeks
Chandigarh:
— In Munsiwala village, Sangrur, Manjeet Kaur’s family once depended entirely on her husband’s factory income of ₹12,000–13,000 a month.
Today, they run two businesses. Her husband operates a kulcha cart earning ₹400–500 a day, while Manjeet runs a beauty parlour of her own, earning another ₹300–400 a day. Together, their household income has nearly doubled.
Her journey reflects the larger ambition of PEHEL, led by the Punjab Development Commission (PDC) and being implemented through the Department of Rural Development: helping women move beyond access to credit and become successful entrepreneurs with the plan to create 1.5 lakh+ women entrepreneurs in next 5 years.
“PEHEL was created to help women translate access to credit into economic opportunity. The results show what becomes possible when finance is combined with the right business choice, structured support and technology.”
– Seema Bansal, Vice-Chairperson, Punjab Development Commission
“Credit opens the door. The real breakthrough is helping every woman know what to build before the money arrives — and supporting her as that business grows.”
– Vinod Raghuwanshi, Co-Founder, Leap 300
Working with Leap 300, PEHEL has added a 300-day technology-enabled entrepreneurship journey around Punjab’s existing SHG credit system — helping women identify the right business, prepare before funds arrive, launch quickly, and continue growing with support from Sakhis, digital learning and AI-powered Vyapar Mitra.
PEHEL’s deployment of Leap 300 Technology has had immediate results. Loans facilitated per month per block have increased from around 4 to 25, while business launch time has fallen from roughly three months to 12 days. So far, 237 women across 50 villages have received ₹1.1 crore in credit, with 100% repayment to date. The share of first-time entrepreneurs has risen from 15% to 45%, and women have started 51 different types of businesses.
The enterprises span tailoring, beauty services, tuition centres, electronics, food businesses, repair services and more. Participation in post-launch support remains above 90%.
The programme is now expanding from four blocks in Sangrur toward nine blocks across Sangrur and Rupnagar, with a longer-term pathway to reach approximately 1 lakh women across Punjab over four years through the state’s existing SHG, credit and frontline infrastructure.
A rigorous evaluation of the model is also planned across the full 300-day journey, covering income, business and household outcomes.
Punjab’s emerging model is simple: don’t stop at giving women credit. Give them what it takes to build a business with it.
About Punjab Development Commission / PEHEL
The Punjab Development Commission leads PEHEL, a credit-led livelihood initiative designed to expand entrepreneurship opportunities for women across Punjab’s Self-Help Group ecosystem.
About Leap 300
Leap 300 is a technology enabled microenterprise programme that helps vulnerable households build sustainable businesses over a structured 300 day journey. Its model combines initial capital, entrepreneurship skilling and AI powered personalized support.Across its broader programme, Leap 300 has recorded a 91 percent graduation rate and an average income increase of around 150 percent. Learn more at leap300.org.
SAMARTH Initiative at PGIMER Promotes Mental Well-being Through Inclusive Pottery Workshop
Chandigarh:
Promoting mental well-being, creative expression and vocational empowerment, the Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER, Chandigarh, in collaboration with the Chandigarh Skill Development Mission (CSDM), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi (CLKA), organised an Inclusive Pottery Workshop-cum-Competition at DDTC, PGIMER, under “SAMARTH – Shaping Clay, Nurturing Minds,” a Collaborative Mental Health Awareness and Skill Development Initiative.
Launched jointly by the Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER, and CSDM, SAMARTH symbolises inner strength, resilience, confidence and empowerment. The initiative aims to integrate mental health awareness with skill development, vocational rehabilitation and employment opportunities, fostering an inclusive environment where individuals can recognise and develop their potential.
The workshop brought together 30 participants, including 10 from PGIMER and 20 students from CSDM-associated institutions—CCET, Sector 26; Government Polytechnic for Women, Sector 10; GITI, Sector 28; and GITIW, Sector 11. Through hands-on pottery and clay modelling, participants explored creative expression, developed practical skills and engaged in activities promoting concentration, social interaction and confidence. The programme also featured a competition and prize distribution, with certificates of participation for all participants.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Subho Chakrabarti, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER, Chandigarh, said, “Mental health care must extend beyond symptom management to helping individuals rebuild confidence, discover their strengths and participate meaningfully in society. Through SAMARTH, we aim to create an inclusive ecosystem that brings together mental health awareness, creative expression, skill development and employment opportunities. Activities such as pottery encourage self-expression, focused engagement and social connection, while vocational partnerships can help translate individual abilities into meaningful opportunities for greater independence, dignity and social inclusion.”
The workshop highlighted the potential of creative activities in supporting psychosocial well-being. Working with clay encourages concentration, sensory engagement, patience and creative exploration. In a supportive group setting, such activities may also promote self-confidence and social connection, complementing appropriate mental health care and rehabilitation.
The workshop was conducted by eminent senior city sculptor Tulsi Ram, along with young sculptors Chandini and Sahil, with support from Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi.
A distinctive feature of SAMARTH is its two-way collaborative learning approach. While mental health professionals from PGIMER have sensitised students to mental health awareness and stress management, faculty members, resident doctors and professional staff of the Department of Psychiatry have been oriented by CSDM on Chandigarh’s skill development ecosystem, the Skill India Mission, vocational rehabilitation pathways and employment opportunities for patients and caregivers. NSDC has also conducted orientation sessions on national skilling initiatives, future skills, certification frameworks and formal skill development programmes.
Since April 2026, PGIMER and CSDM have conducted collaborative programmes at CCET, Sector 26; Government Polytechnic, Sector 10; GITI, Sector 11; and GITI, Sector 28. The sessions covered mental health awareness, stress management, youth mental health, substance-use prevention, responsible behaviour and online and offline opportunities. Other activities included vocational guidance, individual skill and employability counselling for patients, and awareness of rehabilitation-linked opportunities. Three job fairs were also organised to facilitate employment opportunities.
The collaboration further seeks to facilitate tailored vocational training, with appropriate accommodations wherever required, and explore “Train and Place” and “Place and Train” models involving workplace support and industry partnerships.
Under the proposed “From Uncertainty to Direction” framework, individuals may be guided towards suitable training and employment through the National Career Service, job fairs, the Skill India Digital Hub, SWAYAM and vocational institutions, including GITI, Sector 28-C; GITI for Women, Sector 11; and Jan Shikshan Sansthan, Sector 38-C, Chandigarh.
Through SAMARTH, PGIMER and its partners aim to strengthen the link between mental health care, skill development, social inclusion and sustainable livelihood opportunities, enabling persons with mental health conditions to pursue greater independence and dignity.
Five-Day Workshop on Participatory Action Research Concludes in Chandigarh
Chandigarh:
The five-day Transdisciplinary Workshop on Participatory Action Research (PAR), held from 5 to 9 October 2026 at Hotel Parkview, Sector 24B, Chandigarh, concluded yesterday, bringing together researchers, public health practitioners and experts to promote community-led, participatory and action-oriented approaches to public health research.
Organised by the Health Equity Action Learnings (HEAL) Foundation, with academic support from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh, and the Institute of Public Health (IPH), Bengaluru, the workshop was funded by the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
The workshop featured expert sessions, practical exercises, case studies and a community field visit, covering participatory research methods, community engagement, research ethics, power dynamics and translating community perspectives into policy and practice. Case studies from PRAXIS and Ekjut, Jharkhand, highlighted people-led research with marginalised communities and participatory approaches to improving maternal and newborn health.
The workshop brought together faculty and facilitators Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Dr. Manmeet Kaur, Dr. PVM Lakshmi, Dr. Tanya Seshadri, Dr. Tom Thomas, Dr. Dheeraj, Dr. Prasanta Tripathy, Dr. Sachin Barbde, Dr. Vikas Kumar and Dr. Vineeth Rajagopal , representing expertise across public health, participatory research and community-based interventions. Dr. Ashoo Grover, Scientist G and Head, Division of Delivery Research, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, led a session on research proposal development and funding opportunities on the concluding day.
The workshop concluded with group discussions, participant reflections and a closing ceremony. It emphasised the importance of equitable partnerships among communities, researchers and health systems to generate evidence that informs policies, strengthens programmes and drives meaningful public health action.
WWICS to hold mega immigration seminars across Punjab and Chandigarh on October 10-11
Chandigarh, October 8, 2026: Canada is emerging as an attractive destination for prospective immigrants, with growing opportunities beyond the country’s major metropolitan centres and increasing focus on regional labour-market requirements, said Lt Col BS Sandhu (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, WWICS Group, at a press conference here today.
Lt Col Sandhu informed that to provide prospective immigrants with a clearer understanding of the evolving global immigration landscape, WWICS will organise mega immigration seminars on October 10 in Amritsar at Hotel Best Western Merrion from 11 am to 1 pm; in Jalandhar at Ramada by Wyndham from 3 pm to 5 pm; and in Ludhiana at Hotel Park Plaza from 5 pm to 8 pm. In Chandigarh, the seminar will be held on October 11 from 11 am to 3 pm at Hotel Aroma.
Lt Col Sandhu added, “Canada is emerging as an attractive immigration destination amid renewed focus on regional opportunities.”
“Canada offers a very different proposition beyond its major metropolitan centres. Provinces such as Saskatchewan have vast land resources, a relatively small population and genuine requirements for skilled workers. This makes regional Canada an important opportunity for prospective immigrants who meet the eligibility requirements,” Sandhu said.
He said that after a period of moderation, interest in immigration to Canada and other major destinations was beginning to pick up. He added that the government led by PM Mark Carney was continuing to position immigration around Canada’s economic and labour-market requirements.
“Immigration opportunities continue to exist for well-qualified and well-prepared applicants. It is just that applicants must prioritise eligibility and compliance,” Sandhu said.
Lt Col Sandhu said the seminars being planned would cover immigration and resettlement opportunities across Canada, Australia, the USA, the UK, Europe and New Zealand, with a focus on eligibility, application processes, documentation, timelines and changing immigration policies. The sessions will cater to skilled professionals, businesspersons, investors and students.
Amit Khanna, Vice President, WWICS Group, who was also present at the press conference, said that immigration was increasingly becoming skill-driven and selective across major destinations.
“Immigration today is no longer about simply choosing a country and applying. It is about understanding where an applicant genuinely qualifies, assessing the requirements and following the most appropriate lawful pathway. Our approach is clear: Eligibility First, Application Second,” he said.
Khanna said Canada continued to offer opportunities in areas including healthcare and social services, STEM, skilled trades, education and transport, besides pathways linked to French-language proficiency and other specialised skills.
Khanna while talking about immigration in countries other than Canada said that Australia’s skilled migration programme continued to provide opportunities for eligible professionals, while New Zealand had introduced changes to its Skilled Migrant Category. The USA continued to have investment-based immigration options such as EB-5 for qualifying investors, while the UK had moved towards a more selective skilled-worker system.
“An immigration application should begin with a realistic assessment of an applicant’s profile rather than with a promise of a particular outcome. The right advice can help applicants avoid unnecessary delays, costs and risks,” said Col Sandhu in conclusion.
It is noteworthy that WWICS, founded in Toronto, Canada, on October 23, 1993, has completed more than three decades in the immigration sector and has assisted over five lakh families in pursuing opportunities in Canada, Australia and other destinations.
Aakash Education Services Limited launches Aakash INVICTUS – Engineering 2.0
Chandigarh, October 8, 2026: Aakash Education Services Limited (AESL), one of India’s leading test-preparation providers, has announced the launch of Aakash INVICTUS – Engineering 2.0, strengthening its engineering preparation ecosystem with a performance-driven academic architecture designed to create a structured pathway for students preparing for JEE Main, JEE Advanced, BITSAT and State CETs.
Speaking on the launch, Mr Chandra Sekhar Reddy Garisa, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), said: “Aakash INVICTUS – Engineering 2.0 has been built by our best teachers, the people with decades of experience in producing top ranks year after year. They rebuilt our curriculum, rewrote our books, and redesigned our testing mechanism from the ground up. We first ran the programme at select centres, and the results in JEE 2026 have been remarkable. Today, we are bringing Aakash INVICTUS to every student at every Aakash branch in India, starting with our existing students. We believe this system will help our students achieve their best possible ranks in JEE Advanced, JEE Main, BITSAT and state engineering exams, and we are confident that JEE 2027 and 2028 will be the best results in the history of Aakash.”
A 360-degree preparation experience, Aakash INVICTUS – Engineering 2.0 brings together six key pillars across the student’s academic journey. The unique aspects of INVICTUS include an Outcome-Focused Academic Approach, where every class, practice session and revision cycle is aligned to improving performance in competitive examinations; a Rank-Proven Faculty Team with extensive experience in preparing students for JEE and other engineering entrance examinations; Scientifically Designed & Research-Backed Study Material, rewritten by the academic team using learning science and detailed research into examination patterns to take students from fundamental concepts to advanced problems; Intelligent Testing & Deep Analysis, with a redesigned testing mechanism focused on the frequency, depth and rigour of assessments and providing students with a clear understanding of their strengths and learning gaps; a Transparent Growth Map that enables students and parents to track progress and understand the pathway towards their academic goals; and Mentorship & an Ecosystem Beyond the Classroom, encompassing JoSAA counselling guidance, doubt support and personalised academic guidance to help students stay on track throughout their preparation.
As part of the national launch, Aakash INVICTUS also introduces four focused batches — Ace, Achiever, Accelerator and Apex. Each batch is designed as an equally strong pathway, shaped around different learning styles and student aspirations, with the common objective of helping every student realise their maximum potential in a structured and stress-free manner.
The rollout covers all Aakash branches across India and begins immediately. Existing Aakash students will be the first to transition to the INVICTUS system, followed by new students joining the organisation. Branches will also conduct orientation sessions for students and parents to provide a detailed understanding of the programme and its academic framework.
Chandigarh Police Step Up Anti-Drug Drive; SSP Visits Sector 52
Today, Ms. Kanwardeep Kaur, IPS, W/SSP/UT, Chandigarh, visited Sector 52 of PS-36 and led the door-to-door awareness campaign, interacting directly with residents and checking drive under “Drug Free India”along with the police team, Sh. Dheeraj Kumar, SDPO/South-West, Insp. Chiranji Lal SHO/PS-36
During the drive, houses of persons involved in drug peddling and those previously booked in cases under NDPS Act in the area Sector-52 of PS-36 were checked and verified. The houses were thoroughly searched and antecedents of such persons were verified.
The public was also made aware of the Chandigarh following Police Helpline Number and encouraged to share information regarding drug-related activities with the police.
Anti-Drug Helpline Number 8283040100
Anti-Drug Helpline Landline 0172-2677037
MANAS Helpline: 1933**
Chandigarh Police appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and promptly inform the police about any information related to drug peddling, consumption or other drug-related activities through the designated helpline. The identity of the informer will be kept confidential.
Proper directions were given to such persons not to indulge in such activities in future and to maintain good conduct. They were also warned of strict legal action if found involved again in drug peddling activities. The drive was conducted with the aim to make the area drug free and to create a sense of security among the public.