CHANDIGARH: The Department of ENT at PGIMER Chandigarh observed World Voice Day 2026 today, April 20, with an extensive public awareness program centered on the global theme, “Caring for Our Voices!”. Every year on April 16, otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, and Speech-Language Pathologists worldwide join together to recognize the importance of vocal health. This year, PGIMER marked the occasion with interdisciplinary sessions designed for patients, caregivers, and the general public.

Prof. and Head of the ENT Department, Dr. Jaimanti Bakshi, addressed the gathering, explaining the various types, causes, and assessment procedures of voice disorders. She further elaborated on modern medical management and the critical role of speech therapy in restoration. Senior faculty members Dr. Anurag, Dr. Banumathy, Dr. Dharam Vir, and Dr. Noorain Alam also shared their expertise, highlighting the multidisciplinary approach to voice rehabilitation.

The highlight of the program was the presence of special guests, renowned Radio Jockeys RJ Megha and RJ SarvaPriya Nirmohi. RJ Megha talked about the professional importance of voice care, emphasizing the role of hydration, ‘vocal naps,’ and the use of vocal warm-ups for an effective and resilient voice. RJ Nirmohi mentioned that voice is the identity of a person and taking care of it is vital. He suggested that for any voice-related issues, one must consult an ENT doctor or a Speech-Language Pathologist for early identification and intervention.

To further educate the public, students of BASLP and Masters in Audiology performed an insightful skit play. The performance creatively demonstrated the different types of voice disorders and the transformative role of speech therapy in improving quality of life.

Chandigarh: The National Academy of Medical Sciences celebrated its 66^th Foundation Day on 21^st April, 2026. During the award ceremony PGI professors were awarded three of the nine recognitions of academic excellence (RAE) awards. All three made a presentation of the work during the CME organized on that day. 

Prof. Aman Sharma, from the Department of Internal Medicine, has been awarded the prestigious RAE General Amir Chand Award for his transformative contributions to the study of non-communicable diseases. The award recognizes Prof. Sharma’s extensive work in the field of systemic vasculitis—a group of rare diseases involving inflammation of the blood vessels that can lead to organ damage if left untreated.

Prof. Sharma’s research has brought global attention to how these complex conditions manifest specifically in Indian patients. His team’s work on DADA2 (Deficiency of ADA2), a rare genetic inflammatory condition, is now recognized as the largest clinical experience of its kind in the world.

Beyond the laboratory, Prof. Sharma has focused on practical solutions for the Indian healthcare landscape. He successfully led the initiative to create the first data-driven Indian Guidelines for ANCA vasculitis, specifically designed with local economic considerations in mind to ensure that life-saving treatments remain accessible to more patients.

“Our goal has always been to bridge the gap between high-level research and the actual needs of patients in our clinics,” said Prof. Sharma. “By refining how we use imaging to differentiate these diseases from more common conditions like tuberculosis, we can provide faster, more accurate care.”

The impact of this work is being felt globally: His team’s findings on the use of PET scans for evaluating rare cartilage inflammation (relapsing polychondritis) have been integrated into the world’s leading medical resources, including UpToDate.com and a Textbook of Rheumatology.

Prof Naveen Kalra from the Department of Radiodiagnosis got the RAE Dr Khandelwal award for intervention radiology. He presented extensive body of work done in the field of locoregional treatment of liver cancer. He highlighted the new techniques which were done for the first time at PGI including cryoablation and irreversible electroporation. The use of hybrid angio CT in the treatment of liver cancer was also elaborated upon. Prof Kalra has been a leading researcher in this field and has held various leadership positions in task forces formulating guidelines for liver cancer. 

Prof Sonu Goel from the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health was awarded R V Rajam award for community health. He shared his community level experience of 25 years especially in the field of tobacco control. He further elaborated upon International Public Health Management Development Program sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs, which is first of its kind program in Asia where senior policy makers from 97 countries have been trained on public health.

Chandigarh:

PGIMER Chandigarh today successfully conducted a dry run of the Neurology and Neurosurgery Outpatient Departments (OPDs) from Level-2 of the Advanced Neurosciences Centre, marking a significant step toward the formal inauguration scheduled on April 30, 2026.

The dry run witnessed a total of 581 patient registrations, including 181 new patients and 400 follow-up (old) patients, reflecting a smooth transition and robust patient response on the very first day.

Describing the initiative as a forward-looking step, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, stated, “The successful dry run marks a critical milestone in our journey toward creating a truly integrated, patient-centric neuroscience facility. It allows us to fine-tune systems and workflows ahead of the formal inauguration, ensuring that patients receive seamless, efficient, and high-quality care from day one.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Administration), PGIMER, said, “Today’s dry run has provided valuable operational insights and reaffirmed our preparedness for the formal inauguration. To further facilitate patient movement and accessibility, exclusive parking arrangements and dedicated routes are being worked out, ensuring smoother navigation and reduced congestion in and around the Advanced Neurosciences Centre.”

Following the planned transition, Outpatient Departments (OPDs) of Neurology and Neurosurgery (except Trauma OPD of Neurosurgery) have commenced operations from the new facility to identify and address any operational gaps ahead of the formal launch. The services had ceased functioning from the New OPD Block after the afternoon of April 18, 2026, to facilitate this shift.

The OPD schedules and timings remain unchanged. Neurology OPDs will continue on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, along with a Special Clinic on Thursday (11:30 AM to 1:00 PM), while Neurosurgery OPDs will function on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, with general OPD timings from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Patients and attendants can access the Advanced Neurosciences Centre via Gate No. 3, near SBI Bank and Gol Market. Adequate signage and support systems have been put in place to guide visitors and ensure a hassle-free experience.

PGIMER appeals to all stakeholders to take note of the change and extend their cooperation as the institute moves toward formally dedicating this advanced facility to the nation.

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, April 20:

          In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Amritsar Commissionerate Police has dismantled a cross-border and MP-based illegal arms supply module with the arrest of three accused persons and recovered six pistols from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Deepak Singh alias Deepu (22), a resident of Kashmir Avenue in Amritsar; Arun Kumar alias Sabu (26), a resident of Narayangarh in Amritsar; and Sukhjinder Singh alias Sukha (29), a resident of Rehana Jattan in Kapurthala. Recovered pistols include one .30 bore PX5, three .32 bore and two .30 bore pistols along with seven live cartridges.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused were procuring illegal weapons from Madhya Pradesh. Accused were also in contact with Pak-based smuggler through social media platforms, who were facilitating supply of illegal weapon through drones and coordinating distribution through local handlers, he said, while adding that the network was actively operating in the Majha and Doaba regions.

          The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case to dismantle the entire network.

          Sharing operational details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that in a targeted operation based on secret information, police teams initially arrested Deepak alias Deepu and recovered one pistol from his possession, while another two pistols were recovered from a location pinpointed by him. On his disclosure, his two accomplices identified as Arun alias Sabu and Sukhjinder alias Sukha were also arrested and three pistols were recovered from their possession, he said.

          The CP said that preliminary investigation has also revealed that the accused had procured these illegal weapons to execute a major criminal act, which has been successfully averted due to timely police action. Accused Deepak alias Deepu and Arun alias Sabu have a previous criminal involvement in cases pertaining to attempt to murder, theft and other serious offences, he added.

          In this regard, a case FIR No. 61 dated 04-04-2026 under section 25 of the Arms Act has been registered at Police Station Civil Lines in Amritsar.

Panchkula,April 19

On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the Purushottam Das Rungta Charitable Trust organised its 212th ‘Ann Bhandara’,  or community kitchen, at Phase I, Panchkula Industrial Area, continuing its longstanding commitment to serving the community.

Highlighting the significance of the day, social worker and Founder of the Trust, Amitabh Rungta, said, “On Akshaya Tritiya, offering food to those in need is one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate the festival. Such acts of kindness are believed to bring enduring merit and contribute to the well-being of society.”

Akshaya Tritiya is a sacred festival symbolizing prosperity, generosity, and eternal abundance. Acts of charity, especially donating food, are considered highly meritorious and are believed to bring lasting blessings.

The Bhandara saw active participation from volunteers and community members, who came together to serve freshly prepared meals to a large number of people, reflecting the spirit of compassion and selfless service.

Chandigarh, 18th April 2026 : GCC School, an initiative of KC Globed, in collaboration with the Punjab Unaided Colleges Association (PUCA), hosted a press conference in PHD Chamber, Chandigarh under the theme “From Campus to Corporate: Creating Global Financial Leaders.” bringing together key voices from academia, government, and industry.

The leadership meet scheduled after the press conference in the evening was graced by Chief Guest S. Harpal Singh Cheema, Hon’ble Finance Minister, Government of Punjab. The gathering aims to foster meaningful dialogue on building globally aligned career pathways for commerce graduates through stronger academia–industry collaboration. More than 15 commerce teachers were felicitated by the Hon’ble Minister, S. Harpal Singh Cheema for their outstanding services in the region, in the presence of over 100 academic leaders from across Punjab at the event.

GCC School is the brainchild of Dr. Kamal Chhabra, a well-known name in international finance education and the Founder and CEO of KC GlobEd. With GCC School, Dr. Chhabra has extended this vision further, building a structured pathway that connects education directly with employability in Global Capability Centres and multinational organisations.

Dr. Kamal Chhabra, Founder & CEO, GCC School and KC GlobEd said, “Punjab’s current GDP stands at approximately $110 billion, growing at around 6-7% annually, with a per capita income of about inr 2.3 lakh per annum. While country like India have significantly scaled their Global Capability Centers (GCCs)—with India hosting around 1,850 centers employing 2.6 million people and contributing around $65 billion—Punjab lags behind with only 5–7 GCCs, fewer than 1,000 employees, and less than $200 million in contribution in state gdp. The objective is to bridge this gap by creating over 10,000 jobs in Punjab and driving an additional year-over-year contribution of approximately $2 billion to strengthen the province’s GDP, particularly through the growth of the services sector in finance, accounts,audit and tax domain.”

“At KC GlobEd, we began by training students for global finance roles through certifications like US CPA, US CMA, US EA, and UK ACCA. However, we soon realized that training alone wasn’t enough—there was a need to directly connect talent with real corporate opportunities. This led to the creation of GCC School and our unique philosophy ‘Get Hired First, Then Trained’ approach, bringing the Global Capability Centre model into education. Here, students are selected, hired, and then trained in line with industry needs—making them job-ready for global roles while working from India. This model is truly one of its kind.” added Dr. Chhabra.

Prof. (Dr.) Manpreet S. Manna, Executive Director, GCC School and Former Director, AICTE, highlighted the model’s industry-first approach, stating, ““GCC School is built around real industry expectations, with a structured pathway—from the National Finance Entrance Test to assessments and industry interactions—ensuring both aptitude and readiness. With globally aligned learning, including the UK ACCA curriculum and communication training with the British Council, the focus remains on outcomes, with students securing placements starting at ₹10 lakh per annum,” he said, adding that this integrated approach prepares graduates for roles in Big firms and MNCs through a curriculum aligned with evolving industry needs.

Representing the academic ecosystem, Dr Anshu Kataria Chairman Aryans Group of Colleges Chandigarh President Punjab Unaided Colleges Association, said, “Colleges today are focused on improving student career outcomes, and such partnerships open doors to global opportunities. PUCA is pleased to collaborate with GCC School, as initiatives like these demonstrate how aligned efforts between academia and industry can create meaningful, real-world impact for students.”

The conference saw participation from Dr. Kamal Chhabra, Founder and CEO of KC GlobEd. With GCC School, Prof. (Dr.) Manpreet S. Manna, Executive Director, GCC School and Former Director, AICTE, Shri Anshu Kataria, President, PUCA & Chairman, Arya Group of Colleges, Mrs. Sonal Goel (IAS), Resident Commissioner, Tripura Bhawan, New Delhi and senior academicians alongside institutional leaders and young finance aspirants across Chandigarh and Punjab.

The dialogue concluded with a shared perspective that commerce education in India is entering a phase of redefinition. As global finance roles continue to expand, the emphasis is gradually shifting toward structured preparation coupled with international alignment & early exposure to professional environments.

Chandigarh, April 18

In a significant boost to the region’s sporting ecosystem, Dikshant International School has unveiled a world-class cricket academy at its Dera Bassi campus in collaboration with CricKingdom, mentored by Rohit Sharma. The academy aims to bring structured, international-standard coaching to aspiring cricketers across Tricity and Punjab. Details of the academy which was inaugurated by Vishal Sharma, Rohit Sharma’s brother who is also Director of Operations for CricKingdom Academy By Rohit Sharma. Later details of the academy were shared with media by Mitul Dikshit, Chairman of Dikshant Group of Schools, Vishal Sharma & Gururaj YS Sales Head for CricKingdom Academy by Rohit Sharma.

Mitul Dikshit, said that the initiative underscores a strong commitment to nurturing young talent. “At Dikshant, we believe in creating meaningful pathways for young talent. Alongside the academy, we are developing a dedicated sports hostel and will actively scout talent across North India, offering structured training and scholarships to promising players,” he said.

The academy is designed around the philosophy and approach associated with Rohit Sharma’s cricketing excellence. CricKingdom’s globally standardised training framework, which combines professional coaching with advanced technology and performance analytics is all set to ensure holistic player development. Rohit Sharma will also visit the academy at regular intervals to share tips with young trainees, special camps too will be held.

Speaking on the launch, Vishal Sharma, said, “CricKingdom’s focus is on producing world-class cricketers from the region by bringing global best practices to grassroots training. This academy is a step towards building a strong pipeline of talent equipped to compete at the highest levels.”

He added, “Punjab and the Tricity region have immense untapped potential. With the right infrastructure, coaching, and exposure, we aim to create a new generation of disciplined, high-performing cricketers ready for competitive and professional platforms.”

The academy was inaugurated by Vishal Sharma, as Rohit Sharma is currently engaged with commitments during the Indian Premier League season. It is open to all aspiring students & young cricketers from the region.

Adding a market perspective, Gururaj YS said, “We expect an extremely encouraging response from the region. Our aim is to make world-class cricket training accessible, structured, and scalable.”

With this collaboration, Dikshant International School, Dera Bassi positions itself as an emerging hub for cricketing excellence, offering players the opportunity to train under a globally recognised system and pursue the sport at a competitive level.

Chandigarh, April 18, 2026

EPIC 2026, a premier national medical conference, took off here at Hyatt Regency Chandigarh, witnessing participation from over 600 doctors and healthcare professionals across the country. The event was graced by Kiran Bedi, India’s First Woman IPS Officer and Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry as the Chief Guest.

In her keynote address, she spoke with great conviction on leadership, perseverance, and integrity, highlighting courage and resilience as essential values in both public service and the medical profession—leaving a strong impression on the audience.

Advocating women empowerment, she encouraged greater representation of women in leadership roles and acknowledged their significant contribution to nation-building. She also appreciated Chandigarh for its urban planning, cleanliness, and tourism appeal, while thoughtfully addressing the importance of effective traffic management and responsible civic participation.