Chandigarh, April 24

Orane International, India’s largest network of Beauty and Fashion Schools, operating 118 schools across 19 states and one centre in Victoria, Canada, today elevated its fashion education platform to a new high as Orane International School of Fashion Design and Management (Orane FDM) hosted a student fashion show and celebrity interaction session in Chandigarh. The event brought together aspiring designers, industry personalities, and media in a vibrant celebration of talent, creativity, and ambition.

In a display of skill and runway confidence, Orane FDM students presented their self-designed collections, transforming the venue into a dynamic stage for the next generation of Indian fashion. Each walk was a testament to the rigorous, hands-on training that defines Orane FDM’s learning philosophy — one that immerses students in the culture, pace, and expectations of the professional fashion world.

The event reached its peak with the presence of Farah Sanjana and Drishti Khurana, two prominent names from the world of fashion and entertainment. Both celebrities engaged candidly with students, sharing their professional journeys, the realities of the industry, and the qualities that separate good designers from great ones — an unfiltered exchange that students absorbed with palpable enthusiasm. Dedicated media bytes and in-house video coverage further enriched the occasion.

Adding significant weight to the day’s proceedings, Orane International formalised a landmark Industry Partnership with Lamrin Tech Skills University (LTSU), Punjab. Concluded with Mr Vimal Manhotra, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LTSU, the agreement positions Orane as the Industry Partner for LTSU’s Fashion Design degree programmes — enabling students to earn recognised university degrees while benefiting from Orane’s industry expertise, infrastructure, and professional network.

“Our partnership with Orane International is a transformative step for fashion education in India. By combining LTSU’s academic strength with Orane’s industry expertise, we are creating a pathway that gives students the best of both worlds — a recognised university degree and the hands-on, market-ready training the fashion industry demands.” saidVimal Manhotra, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lamrin Tech Skills University (LTSU), Punjab

“Today marks a proud moment for Orane on two fronts. Watching our students own the ramp with designs they conceived and built themselves is deeply gratifying — it affirms that our training model works. Equally significant is our partnership with Lamrin Tech Skills University, which now gives our students access to a recognised Fashion Design degree alongside Orane’s industry training. This combination of academic credibility and professional readiness is what the fashion industry has long needed, and we are proud to be the institution delivering it.”Kuljinder Sidhu, Director, Orane International, said on the occasion.

Beyond its commercial and academic achievements, Orane FDM is committed to making quality fashion education accessible to all. The institution currently provides free fashion education to students from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households across 34 branches nationwide. To date, 80 BPL students have been trained under this initiative — and all of them are today earning independently, having built sustainable livelihoods through the skills acquired at Orane FDM.

“At Orane FDM, our focus is firmly on skill development and hands-on practical experience. To ensure our students remain deeply connected to the realities of the industry, we regularly engage prominent fashion and interior design stalwarts who bring current market perspectives directly into the classroom. Our structured industrial training modules are designed to close the gap between academic learning and professional benchmarks — and it is this preparation that gives students the confidence to independently conceptualise and present their collections at our student fashion shows, under faculty supervision. Now with a degree from Lamrin, it will further boost the students’ formal achievements. Beyond our academic programmes, we are equally committed to building an equitable ecosystem for students from underprivileged backgrounds.” said Nidhi Sidhu, Director, Orane International.

Orane continues to set the benchmark for experiential fashion education in India, creating opportunities that bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional excellence.

About Orane International

Orane International is India’s largest network of Beauty and Fashion Schools, with a network of 118 schools spanning 19 states across India and one international centre in Victoria, Canada. Renowned for its industry-aligned curriculum, experienced faculty, and focus on practical skill development, Orane has established itself as the premier destination for aspiring professionals in beauty, wellness, and fashion. The institution’s commitment to career-ready education has empowered thousands of students to build successful, sustainable careers in some of the fastest-growing industries in the world.

Chandigarh, April 24

Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Anil Vij said that Haryana has a Bharatiya Janata Party government rooted in cultural values and nationalism. Along with administration, it also fully takes care of our cultural importance and beliefs. The cow holds a very significant place in our culture. We have always worshipped it, and the Haryana government works from time to time to ensure its proper care and maintenance.

Vij said this after presenting a grant cheque of ₹2,312,800 to the office bearers of the Rambagh Gaushala Committee located in Ambala Cantonment today.

On this occasion, Energy Minister Anil Vij said that Rambagh Gaushala is one of the best gaushalas in the Ambala Cantonment area. Its members are working day and night in the service of cows. He prayed that it continues to grow and prosper.

On this occasion, Gaushala Committee official Rajesh Kansal said that today they received a cheque of ₹2,312,800 from Energy Minister Anil Vij. This amount will be used for fodder as well as other gaushala-related work. This is a good initiative by the government. On behalf of the gaushala committee, he also expressed gratitude to Minister Anil Vij.

He further said that through the Haryana Gau Seva Aayog, grants are provided for better maintenance and expansion of gaushalas. Last year, the Haryana government allocated ₹4 billion through the commission for the maintenance of gaushalas in the state. Rambagh Gaushala in Ambala Cantonment received funds twice—₹3.5 million once and ₹2.2 million the second time. The gaushala currently shelters 1,300 cattle, which are being properly cared for.

On this occasion, committee members Jaswant Jain, Prem Jain, Mahavir Singh, Rajesh Singla, Gaurav Soni, Rajesh Kansal, Amit Bansal, Rajendra Wahi, Rinku Bhandari, Rajeev Goyal, Janak Budhiraja, Sachin Goyal, Sandeep Gupta, Vijay Garg, along with other distinguished persons, were present.

Chandigarh: Max Super Specialty Hospital, Mohali has been re-empanelled with the Government of Himachal Pradesh to extend comprehensive healthcare services to its beneficiaries, including employees, pensioners, and their dependents.

Through this empanelment, eligible beneficiaries can access a wide spectrum of medical services at the hospital, including Outpatient Department (OPD) consultations, Inpatient Department (IPD) care, advanced diagnostics, and specialized treatments across key disciplines such as Cardiology, Oncology, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, and more.

The renewed association enables beneficiaries to avail quality healthcare under the government-approved scheme, ensuring affordability, accessibility, and high standards of treatment. This initiative reflects Max Healthcare’s continued commitment to enhancing access to world-class medical services and delivering patient-centric care.

Max Super Specialty Hospital, Mohali is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge diagnostic facilities and a team of highly experienced clinicians, making it a leading tertiary care center in the region. The re-empanelment is expected to benefit patients from Himachal Pradesh by providing them with advanced treatment options closer to their region, reducing the need for long-distance travel.

Chandigarh, April 23: Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that a dedicated cluster for the toy industry will be developed in the state over an area of 250 to 300 acres. He stated that the development of this toy industry cluster will not only give a new identity to Haryana’s industrial sector but also strengthen the country’s economy by boosting exports. He shared this information while interacting with media persons at Haryana Bhawan in New Delhi on Thursday evening. Haryana Industries and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh and BJP State President Sh. Mohan Lal Badoli were also present on the occasion.

A two-day high-level meeting was held at Haryana Bhawan in New Delhi under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to deliberate on the final draft of Haryana Industrial Policy–2026, with participation from stakeholders across various sectors. Around 40 delegations appreciated the provisions of the policy and also presented their suggestions, many of which have been incorporated into the new policy.

The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, the country has witnessed unprecedented transformation over the past 11 years, and Haryana is playing a key role in advancing this national vision. He added that the state government is committed to achieving the goal of a ‘Viksit Haryana’ in line with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.

He further stated that before finalizing the Industrial Policy–2026, direct engagement was established with stakeholders to incorporate their needs and experiences into the policy framework.

During the meeting, representatives from automobile, textile, aerospace, defence and other sectors expressed strong interest in investing in Haryana and submitted several proposals.

The Chief Minister said that due to its industry-friendly policies, Haryana has emerged as a preferred destination for investors from across the country and abroad. He emphasized that the new policy prioritizes investment in every district to ensure balanced industrial development.

He added that the new Industrial Policy will enhance employment opportunities and take Haryana’s industrial growth to new heights. The Chief Minister also thanked all stakeholders for their valuable suggestions and expressed confidence that the new policy will further strengthen the state’s industrial landscape.

On this occasion, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Rajeev Jaitley and Chief Coordinator, Industries, Sunil Sharma were also present.

Chandigarh/Sri Chamkaur Sahib, April 23

With the objective of promoting farmers’ welfare and strengthening the agricultural sector, Punjab Cabinet Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal on Thursday inaugurated a lift irrigation scheme at village Oind. The project is expected to prove a significant milestone for villages in Sri Chamkaur Sahib tehsil that have so far remained deprived of canal water and where groundwater levels are continuously declining.

Addressing the inaugural function, the Cabinet Minister said that Sri Chamkaur Sahib is a historic town and despite the presence of major canals such as the Sirhind Canal and the Bhakra Main Line Canal passing through the region, several villages had not been receiving canal irrigation facilities. As a result, small farmers without motor connections were dependent on other landowners for water.

He said that keeping in view the long-pending demand of the people and the government’s target to bring maximum cultivable land under canal irrigation, this lift irrigation scheme has been designed and is being successfully implemented across the state. The initiative will also help farmers move towards self-reliance, he added.

Providing technical details, he informed that under this scheme, water will be lifted from the Samrala Minor system of the Bhakra Main Line Canal near village Oind and transported through a main riser pipe of about 900 mm diameter to a D-Tank proposed at village Gaggon. Thereafter, water supply will be ensured to surrounding villages through four separate distribution schemes.

Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal further informed that the project entails an expenditure of approximately Rs.44.83 crore and will provide canal irrigation to nearly 4,500 acres of agricultural land and Sri Chamkaur Sahib, Sallomajra, Gaggon, Gadhram Khurd, Gadhram Kalan, Pippalmajra, Rurki, Talapur, Dugri, Kotli, Kamalpur and Rampur Bet among other villages will benefit from the scheme.

The Cabinet Minister said, the project will not only enhance agricultural productivity but also increase farmers’ income, reiterating that the Punjab Government is committed to resolving farmers’ issues and will continue to implement such pro-people initiatives in the future.

MLA Sri Chamkaur Sahib Dr. Charanjit Singh expressed gratitude to the Cabinet Minister for this significant project. Addressing the gathering, he said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the government has fulfilled its promises to the people and ensured maximum outreach of welfare schemes.

Prominent amongst others who were present included Assistant Commissioner (G) cum SDM Sri Chamkaur Sahib Pradeep Singh Bains, DSP Manjit Singh Aulakh, SE Gagandeep Singh Gill, XEN Gursharan Singh Virk, SDO Kulwinder Singh, Prof. Birdavinder Singh Ballan, NP Rana, Sikandar Singh Saheri, Amandeep Singh Mangat, Harnek Singh Bhura, Jagdev Bhattoa, Amritpal Kaur Nagra, Jagtar Singh Gharuan and other senior officials and dignitaries.

CHANDIGARH, 23rd April 2026:

In a significant move to support the Punjab’s essential grassroots healthcare workforce, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, operating in his capacity as the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to resolve employee issues, on Thursday directed the Health and Family Welfare Department to officially write to the Union Government advocating for a necessary increase in the incentives provided to Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers and facilitators.

The Finance Minister emphasised that the Union Government must be urged to enhance these payments under the existing scheme, which functions on a 60:40 financial ratio between the Centre and the State.

Chairing the meetings with delegations from various employee organisations, including the ASHA Workers Facilitators Sanjha Morcha, the Powercom And Transco Theka Mulazam Union, and the Punjab Police Corona Warriors, the Finance Minister Cheema also directed the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) and the Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) to frame a concrete policy to resolve demands of the Powercom And Transco Theka Mulazam Union.

Expanding on the financial relief sought for the ASHA Workers Facilitators Sanjha Morcha, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema prioritised the immediate social security of these workers. Issuing directions, he said, “The Health and Family Welfare Department has been instructed to establish an agreement with a banking institution to ensure life insurance coverage for all ASHA workers and facilitators.”

He further said, “Any legitimate demands raised by the union that can be resolved directly at the departmental level must be addressed without delay through prompt administrative meetings and decisive action.”

Addressing the concerns of the state’s power sector workforce, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema held an in depth meeting with the Powercom and Transco Theka Mulazam Union. He sympathetically reviewed the operational difficulties they face and their demand to transition from outsourced employment to formal contractual terms.

Seeking a structural solution, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Direct instructions have been issued to Basant Garg, Chairman cum Managing Director of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited, to immediately formulate a concrete policy at the corporation level to comprehensively resolve the issues and demands of these outsourced employees.”

Concluding his series of administrative engagements, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema met representatives of the Punjab Police Corona Warriors and assured them regarding their issues. He provided the union with a firm reassurance regarding their issues, conveying that the state government is considering these sympathetically.

Reaffirming the government’s stand, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Under the dedicated leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, your demands are being considered with the utmost seriousness and are undergoing active review for a fair resolution.”

During the meetings, Amarjeet Kaur, Rano, Harinder Kaur Shatrana and Santosh Kumar from the Asha Workers Facilitators Sanjha Morcha, Balihar Singh, Tek Chand and Sher Singh from the Powercom And Transco Theka Mulazam Union, and Gurbaz Singh, Pawanbeer Singh and Gurwinder Singh from the Punjab Police Corona Warriors presented their issues and demands.

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, April 23:

          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 busted a cross-border drug and arms smuggling module with the arrest of three accused, and recovered 915 grams ICE (Methamphetamine), five sophisticated pistols from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha (21), Sola Singh alias Sonu (29) and Karan Singh (22), all residents of village Sahanke in Ferozepur. The recovered pistols include two 9MM Glock and three .30 bore pistols along with two live cartridges.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused were in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers through social media platforms and were receiving contrabands through drones from across the border. Accused were acting as local handlers for the distribution of drugs and illegal arms, he said.

          The DGP said that further investigation is underway to trace 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 arrested suspects Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha, Sola Singh alias Sonu and Karan Singh.

          During the operation, one .30 bore pistol was initially recovered, he said, while adding that on their disclosure, 915 grams of ICE and four additional pistols were recovered from their possession.

          The CP said that probe has revealed that consignment of drugs and weapons were dropped in densely forested areas of the Ferozepur sector. The accused used to retrieve these consignments from such locations and further supply them to different areas, he added.

          In this regard, a case FIR no. 105 dated 15-04-2026 under section 22-C of the NDPS Act and sections 25 (6, 7(iii) and 8) of the Arms Act has been registered at Police Station Gate Hakima in Amritsar.

Chandigarh, April 23:

Reaffirming the Punjab Government’s commitment to the welfare and holistic development of dependent and vulnerable children, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur, announced the release of Rs.35.50 crore as financial assistance for the month of March during the financial year 2026–27. The assistance will directly benefit over 2.36 lakh children across the State.

Highlighting the Government’s sustained focus on child welfare, the Minister informed that a budget provision of Rs.432.78 crore has been earmarked for the financial year 2026–27 to ensure uninterrupted financial support to eligible beneficiaries.

Providing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that a large number of dependent children are currently benefiting under the scheme. She emphasized that the objective of this assistance is to support children’s education, healthcare and overall development, ensuring that no child is deprived of a secure future due to financial hardship.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government continues to implement people-centric and compassionate welfare initiatives. The Minister said that extending financial support to dependent children is not merely a welfare measure, but a sensitive and significant step towards securing their future.

She further elaborated that the scheme covers children below 21 years of age whose parents have passed away, are missing, or are unable to support the family due to physical or mental incapacity. The financial assistance enables such children to continue their education and improve their standard of living.

Reiterating the Government’s commitment, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that continuous efforts are being made to strengthen social security schemes and ensure the care, protection and holistic development of every child belonging to vulnerable sections of society.

She added that the Government’s objective is to build a safe, inclusive and progressive Punjab, where every child gets equal opportunities to grow and shape a better future.

Chandigarh 23 April 2026:

Head Sewadar of Nihang Singh, Baba Kulwant Singh Chanakya of Gurdwara Sahib Patshahi Dasvin Kotkapura today honoured Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha S Kultar Singh Sandhwan at Kotkapura and said that due to the sincere efforts of Bhagwant Singh Mann, Chief Minister of Punjab and Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, The Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill 2026 came into force thereby Sangat across the globe are rejoicing.

After recitation of Sukhmani Sahib, Nitnem Banis, Ardas and the holy Hukamnama, Baba Kulwant Singh Chanakya said that Speaker Sandhwan’s clean image and humble nature impress everyone.

Speaker Sandhwan thanked the entire Sangat including Jathedar Baba Kulwant Singh Chanakya and said that all this has been accomplished only with the cooperation of the Sangat and the blessings of Guru Ji. He claimed that this work could not be done by the leaders of various traditional parties and representatives of influential organisations despite being in power. Now they are trying to create confusion among the society with baseless and unnecessary statements.

Speaker Sandhwan said that anyone will now onwards will afraid of to commit this heinous crime as harsher punishment law have been enacted.

On this occasion, the Sangat gathered from different areas of the city thanked the Punjab Government, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan for this exemplary work.

CHANDIGARH, April 23:

Punjab’s ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ has intensified into a sustained, high-impact crackdown under the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government, with fresh data pointing to a sharp rise in enforcement, deeper network disruption, and significantly improved conviction outcomes driven by the flagship campaign Yudh Nasheyan Virudh.

The data shows that 73,541 NDPS cases have been registered between 2022 and 2026 (till date), marking an increase of over 40 percent compared to 52,255 cases during 2017–21. Arrests have also seen a steep rise, reaching 98,596 in the current period, up nearly 45 percent from 68,064 earlier, indicating sustained, large-scale action against drug trafficking networks across Punjab.

The scale of enforcement is most evident in seizure patterns, which reflect a deeper penetration into supply chains. Heroin recoveries have surged by 148%, with 5,979 kg seized since 2022 compared to 2,412 kg between 2017–21. Opium seizures have also risen by over 43 percent to 3,583 kg, pointing to intensified ground-level operations.

Action against synthetic drugs has seen a particularly sharp escalation. Ice (crystal methamphetamine) seizures have jumped more than fourfold, rising from 17 kg in the earlier period to 93 kg since 2022, registering a 447% increase. Cocaine seizures, at 6,064 kg, remain broadly consistent with 6,852 kg recorded earlier, reflecting continued pressure on high-value narcotics.

The crackdown has also widened to address pharmaceutical drug abuse, with enforcement agencies recovering 8.7 crore tablets and capsules between 2022–26, underlining a broader strategy to cut off supply chains feeding addiction among youth.

Crucially, the enforcement drive is translating into stronger judicial outcomes. Conviction rates have climbed to 89 percent, indicating tighter investigations, improved evidence-building, and more effective prosecution.

Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said, “This is not just an increase in enforcement activity, it is a structural shift in how the drug menace is being tackled. The rise in cases and seizures reflects deeper, intelligence-led targeting of networks, while the jump in conviction rates shows that cases are being carried through to conviction. There is sustained pressure across the entire chain, from suppliers to distributors.”

The DGP said that scale and consistency of this action stems from the clear strategic direction under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, with Yudh Nasheyan Virudh emerging as the central driver of coordinated, high-intensity enforcement across Punjab.

While the rise in seizures reflects intensified action on the ground, the Bhagwant Mann Government has reiterated that the larger objective remains long-term disruption of drug networks and reducing availability at the grassroots level, ensuring that enforcement translates into lasting impact.