Chandigarh, December 13, 2025: Haryana Police’s state-wide campaign ‘Operation Hotspot Domination’ continues to reach new heights of success. Determined to dismantle the nexus of crime and narcotics from its roots, police teams across the state simultaneously raided 805 identified drug and gambling hotspots on December 12. During this action, 210 individuals were arrested and 69 new cases registered. Over the past 12 days, police have registered 1,117 FIRs and arrested 2,006 offenders, including 430 involved in violent crimes and 139 charged with illegal possession of arms. During this period, 99 fresh cases related to illegal weapons were also registered. Additionally, Haryana Police strengthened inter-state coordination by sharing 606 intelligence reports with other states to ensure that criminals cannot evade the law by crossing borders.

Major Crackdown on Narcotics and Illegal Assets

During the campaign, police struck at the financial backbone of criminal networks by seizing a massive cache of narcotics, cash, and illegal property. So far, ₹21.20 lakh in cash, 60.9 kg of ganja, 1.6 kg of heroin, 92 kg of opium husk, 3.8 kg of charas, and 282 kg of poppy husk have been recovered. Police have also seized 12 cars and 51 two-wheelers. On December 12 alone, recoveries included 183.3 grams of heroin, 15 kg of opium husk, 1 kg of charas, and 29.9 kg of ganja. In addition, police seized more than 10,000 narcotic tablets, 29,574 bottles of English liquor, 8,884 bottles of country-made liquor, and 1,801 liters of illicit alcohol. In the arms category, police confiscated 49 country-made pistols, 63 handguns, and 146 live cartridges. Overall, illegal assets worth around ₹16 lakh have been seized so far.

The Humane Face of the Police

Alongside its tough crackdown on crime, the campaign also set an inspiring example of community policing. Adopting a humanitarian approach, police assisted 7,210 needy and distressed individuals during patrols and checks. In districts such as Gurugram, Panchkula, and Bhiwani, officers distributed blankets and food to those in need to help them face the harsh winter. Traffic police, meanwhile, handed out helmets at intersections to promote road safety. This compassionate initiative has beautifully embodied the police motto — ‘Service, Security, and Cooperation’.

Bhiwani Police’s Big Breakthrough: Three Main Accused in Rohit Bodybuilder Murder Case Arrested from Bengaluru

Under this operation, Bhiwani Police achieved a major breakthrough in crime control. The CIA-1 team of Bhiwani successfully arrested three absconding accused from the Rohit Bodybuilder Murder Case thousands of kilometers away in Bengaluru. Acting on the directives of DGP Haryana O. P. Singh, a special team comprising the Sadar Police Station, Crime Unit, and Cyber Cell carried out the operation jointly. The case dates back to November 27, when an argument broke out during a wedding after some miscreants made indecent remarks toward women. When Rohit protested, the accused attacked him later that night near Rewari Khera–Bamla Road railway crossing by ramming his vehicle and brutally assaulting him, leading to his death during treatment. The case was registered at Sadar Police Station, Bhiwani, under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). After persistent pursuit, the police team raided Bengaluru on December 12 and arrested the three accused — Varun, Tarun (both brothers), and Deepak, all residents of Tigadana village in Bhiwani. The police are currently interrogating them on remand to recover weapons and other evidence. This swift and effective operation by Bhiwani Police has reinforced law and order and instilled fear among violent offenders.

Decisive Blow Against Cybercrime

Haryana Police have also launched a major offensive against cybercriminals, arresting 19 fraudsters across the state. Based on 341 complaints received on the Cyber Helpline 1930, a total of ₹2.60 crore worth of online frauds were reported. Swift action by the cyber teams resulted in ₹65.94 lakh being frozen before it could reach the fraudsters’ accounts, and ₹15.83 lakh was successfully refunded to victims — a significant relief that has strengthened public trust in the police.

Investment Scam Worth ₹61 Lakh Busted in Panchkula

In Panchkula, police exposed a major cyber fraud case in which two accused duped a woman of ₹61 lakh under the pretext of online trading. Acting under the leadership of Cyber Police Station SHO Yudhveer Singh, the team arrested Vijay Rathi (resident of Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh) and Ashok Kumar (resident of Palwal). During interrogation, police obtained crucial leads that could lead to more arrests in the near future.

Fake Trading App Scam Exposed in Faridabad

In Faridabad, police busted an inter-state gang involved in online investment fraud through a fake app named ‘ELVN Institution’. The Cyber Police Station (Central) team arrested five accused — Kapil Dev, Arun Chauhan, Rohit Rai, Guraikbal Singh, and Ajay Kumar — from different districts of Punjab. Investigation revealed that the accused had provided their bank accounts to the main fraudsters in exchange for commission. A transaction of ₹3.69 lakh related to the fraud was traced to Kapil Dev’s account.

‘Task Fraud’ Racket Busted in Hansi

Hansi Police acted swiftly to arrest two accused involved in an online “task completion” scam, where victims were duped of ₹5.41 lakh. The accused — Aniket (resident of Hazira) and Mohan (resident of Gwalior) — were caught with two mobile phones and cash used in the crime.

Haryana Police’s extensive operation has sent a strong and clear message to criminals — escaping the law is no longer possible. Operation Hotspot Domination has not only dealt a heavy blow to crime and narcotics networks but also rekindled citizens’ faith in safety, justice, and cooperation.

Chandigarh

The slow progress of the Smart City Mission was strongly questioned in the Lok Sabha by Sirsa MP Kumari Selja, who stated that 22 projects worth ₹577 crore in Karnal and Faridabad are still incomplete, even though their stipulated deadline is December 2025. 

In reply to the question raised by Selja, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu acknowledged that a total of 161 projects were approved in both cities at a cost of ₹2,136 crore. Of these, 139 projects have been completed, and ₹1,559 crore has been spent so far. The remaining 22 projects, worth around ₹577 crore, are still under construction. The minister further informed that Karnal and Faridabad together had claimed central assistance of ₹980 crore, out of which ₹921 crore has been utilized. The ministry has advised the SPV companies of both cities to ensure that all projects are completed by December 2025 under all circumstances.The city of Karnal had 117 approved projects, of which 105 projects worth ₹801 crore have been completed, while 12 projects worth ₹406 crore are still pending. Karnal has so far failed to utilize central assistance amounting to ₹59 crore. The city of Faridabad has completed 34 out of its 44 approved projects, worth ₹758 crore, while 10 projects worth ₹171 crore are still under construction. Questioning the government’s working style, Kumari Selja said, “A Smart City does not merely mean releasing funds, but ensuring transparency, accountability, and time-bound development in public interest. The BJP government’s policies have reduced this mission to incomplete projects and unanswered questions.

The MP also asked the Centre what effective steps are being taken to ensure adherence to timelines and quality standards, especially when such significant delays are occurring in an important urban development programme like the Smart City Mission.

Chandigarh

The proposed “Vote Thieves, Vacate the Throne” mega rally of the Congress party at Delhi’s historic Ramlila Maidan is set to send a strong message across the country’s political landscape. Haryana Pradesh Congress President Rao Narendra Singh described it as a decisive step towards safeguarding democracy and the Constitution, stating that the mega rally will serve as a strong rebuttal to the BJP government’s alleged campaign of repression and will give a new direction to national politics.

Launching a sharp attack on the BJP, Rao Narendra Singh said that the present government is weakening the country’s social fabric through the misuse of power. He alleged that the BJP’s real objective is to undermine democratic institutions and strike at the very soul of the Constitution. “Investigating agencies are being continuously misused for political purposes, and now even the Election Commission is being put under pressure to capture power in state after state through alleged vote theft,” he said.

The Congress mega rally will focus on serious issues such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and the alleged theft of votes. The party says that questions are being raised about the fairness of electoral processes, thereby affecting the credibility of democracy. To be held under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, the rally will witness the participation of lakhs of Congress workers from across the country, who will reiterate their resolve to protect the Constitution. Haryana will play a significant role in this mega rally, with a large number of aware and committed workers from the state taking part.

In addition, large contingents of Congress workers from Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and several other states are reaching Delhi. Rao Narendra Singh stated that this show of strength, led by several senior leaders, could prove to be a major political challenge for the BJP.

This mega rally will write a new chapter in the nation’s politics. Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, the massive surge of Congress supporters will certainly shake the very foundations of the corrupt ruling establishment.

Chandigarh, December 13 — To accelerate the overall development of Fatehabad district, Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of several important projects related to basic amenities, education, and infrastructure.

The Chief Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for these projects during the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav Karyakram’ held in Fatehabad. Among the inaugurated projects, the new bus stand at Tohana has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 10.42 crore, the multi-complex in Jakhal Mandi area at a cost of Rs. 7.05 crore, and the 33 KV sub-station at village Meyond at a cost of Rs. 5.68 crore.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini also laid the foundation stones of five development projects in the district with a total cost of Rs. 5.26 crore. These include the construction of the village phirni at Musa Khera at a cost of Rs. 35.25 lakh, construction of an interlocking road from Kalia Road to Jammu Dhani in village Sadhanwas at a cost of Rs. 48 lakh and development works at the Government Senior Secondary School, Chandpura, involving construction of 12 new classrooms, an NSQF lab, and a boundary wall at a cost of Rs. 2.16 crore.

In addition, development works were also initiated at the Government Senior Secondary School in village Karandi, including construction of six new classrooms, two NSQF labs, and renovation of six existing classrooms at a cost of Rs. 97.68 lakh. Further, at the Government Senior Secondary School in village Parta, construction of four classrooms, a shed, an interlocking road, and a boundary wall will be undertaken at a cost of Rs. 1.28 crore.

Chandigarh, December 13- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday said that the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’ is not merely a sporting competition but a comprehensive health movement that motivates youth to adopt an active and disciplined lifestyle. Strengthening the Khelo India and Fit India initiatives at the grassroots level, the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’  has evolved into a people’s movement aimed at building a healthy, self-reliant and disciplined generation. Reflecting Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming sports into a mass movement, the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’  has proved to be an effective platform for identifying hidden sporting talent in rural areas and enabling young athletes to reach national and international arenas.

The Chief Minister was addressing the closing ceremony of the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’ in Fatehabad. On his arrival, he was accorded a warm welcome by Rajya Sabha MP and programme organiser, Sh. Subhash Barala. Athletes participating in the finals also took part in a ceremonial march-past.

The Chief Minister formally inaugurated the final matches and watched the kabaddi final between teams from Sirsa and Fatehabad. He interacted with the players and encouraged them. A total of 45,000 athletes from nine Assembly segments of the Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency had registered for the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’, out of which 3,604 athletes qualified for the finals across various disciplines.

Addressing the athletes and the gathering, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’ has placed the Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency among the country’s top ten parliamentary constituencies in terms of sports participation. He said that talent often remains unrealised due to lack of opportunity, and it was with this understanding that Prime Minister, Sh.  Narendra Modi directed the organisation of ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’. Such initiatives, he said, not only promote sporting interest but also motivate youth to compete at state, national and international levels.

Vision to make India a global sporting power by Olympics 2036

The Chief Minister recalled that 11 years ago Haryana had developed a clear sports vision, to connect every child with sports, create playgrounds in every village and provide opportunities to every youth passionate about sports. The objective, he said, was to establish Haryana not only as India’s but the world’s sports capital. He added that the Prime Minister has set the goal of making India a global sporting power by the 2036 Olympics and expressed confidence that Haryana’s athletes would win the highest number of medals and bring laurels to the nation.

He emphasised that participation in sports itself is a significant achievement and that effort, discipline and dedication matter more than victory or defeat. These values, he said, shape youth into responsible citizens and successful sportspersons.

The Chief Minister further said that the strong willpower and relentless hard work of Haryana’s youth have ensured that Haryanvi athletes continue to raise the national flag with pride, both at home and abroad.

Haryana is a land of  Dhaakad Jawaan, Dhaakad Kisaan aur Dhaakad Pehalwaan

Describing Haryana as the land of brave soldiers, resilient farmers and fearless wrestlers,  Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said the state’s farmers play a crucial role in filling the nation’s food reserves, while its soldiers guard the borders regardless of extreme weather conditions. Similarly, Haryana’s athletes bring glory to the country by winning medals at international competitions.

He said the government regularly organises sports competitions to sharpen qualities such as discipline, practice and mental strength among players. A year-long sports calendar has been prepared under which events such as Khel Mahakumbh, state-level akhara dangals, boxing, volleyball, athletics, badminton, swimming, basketball and handball competitions are held. The government’s endeavour, he added, is that every village in Haryana produces an athlete who unfurls the national flag on the global stage. The ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’, he said, is a golden chapter in this ongoing journey.

Haryana hailed as the ‘nursery of sports’

The Chief Minister said Haryana is now widely recognised as the “nursery of sports”. Robust sports infrastructure has been developed across the state to provide athletes with modern facilities. Sports nurseries have been established to groom talent from an early age, offering training and financial assistance. At present, 1,472 sports nurseries are operational in the state, training 37,225 athletes. Players aged 8 to 14 receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 1,500, while those aged 15 to 19 are given Rs. 2,000 per month.

Rs. 683.15 crore cash awards to 16,418 athletes

To ensure secure employment for outstanding sportspersons, the Chief Minister said the Haryana Outstanding Sportspersons Service Rules, 2021 have been framed, under which 550 new posts were created in the Sports Department. So far, 231 athletes have been provided government jobs. He added that medal-winning athletes are awarded cash incentives of up to Rs. 6 crore, and to date, 16,418 players have received Rs. 683.15 crore in cash awards.

He further said that 298 high-performing athletes are being given honorariums, while scholarships are provided to students participating in and winning medals at state, national and international competitions. Since 2014, over 24,000 students have been granted scholarships amounting to more than Rs. 70 crore. Under the Haryana Sports Equipment Provision Scheme, sports equipment has been distributed to 15,634 athletes.

Sansad Khel Mahotsav provides a strong platform for 2036 Olympic preparations- Subhash Barala

Presiding over the grand finale, Rajya Sabha MP, Sh. Subhash Barala welcomed the Chief Minister and said that the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’, launched nationwide under Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s leadership has emerged as a powerful tool for channelising youth energy positively and providing a platform for their talent.

He said India has set a target to host the 2036 Olympic Games, and athletes from Haryana, particularly the Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency, are already preparing for this goal. Such events, he noted, offer youth from both rural and urban areas an opportunity to reach national and international levels. Haryana’s athletes have consistently brought glory to the state and the country.

Responding to the Prime Minister’s call, nearly 45,000 youth from the Sirsa constituency registered for the ‘Sansad Khel Mahotsav’, reflecting the growing inclination of youth towards sports. He informed that the Mahotsav began on September 21 at Damkora Stadium and continued for 105 days, during which more than 1,500 competitions were organised.

Sh. Subhash Barala also lauded Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini for fulfilling his commitment to providing government jobs to youth on merit even before formally assuming office, calling it a clear reflection of the government’s commitment towards youth. He said the state government is offering government employment to players based on gradation certificates.

He further informed that Prime Minister, Sh.  Narendra Modi will deliver a live address on December 25, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister, Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for which preparations are underway.

Calling upon all participating athletes, Barala urged them to stay away from drugs and online gaming, play with true sportsmanship and contribute to nation-building.

Cabinet Minister, Sh. Krishan Bedi, former MP, Smt. Sunita Duggal, former MLA, Sh. Dura Ram, Chairman Ved Phulan, Chairman Bharat Bhushan Middha, Chairman, Ravinder Baliala, along with several Arjuna Award and Dronacharya Award recipients and other dignitaries, were present on the occasion.

Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar) today successfully concluded the 10th International

Conference on Computer Vision & Image Processing (CVIP 2025), a landmark event that brought together leading researchers, academicians, and industry experts from across the globe to explore cutting-edge developments in computer vision, image processing, and artificial intelligence.

The conference was inaugurated on December 11, 2025, with Prof. Anil K. Jain as Chief Guest and Prof.

Robert B. Fisher, IAPR President, as Guest of Honor. The opening ceremony on December 10 featured Dr. J.B.V Reddy, Mission Director of the National Quantum Mission, as Chief Guest, and Prof. M C Govil,

Director of NIT Sikkim, as Guest of Honor. Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar, served as the Patron of the conference. The event was co- organized by the Technology Innovation Hub, TIH-iHub Drishti Foundation at IIT Jodhpur, reinforcing the commitment to innovation and research excellence.

Held from December 10-13, 2025 the conference served as a premier platform for knowledge exchange,

fostering collaboration between academia and industry while showcasing breakthrough innovations in vision and imaging technologies. CVIP 2025 featured eight keynote addresses delivered by internationally renowned experts, providing

attendees with insights into the latest advancements in AI and computer vision. The distinguished speakers

included Prof. Anil K. Jain (Michigan State University, USA), IEEE, ACM, AAAS, SPIE and IAPR Fellow,

Prof. Mohit Bansal (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, USA), AAAI Fellow, Prof. Bob Fisher, IAPRPresident and Professor of Informatics at University of Edinburgh, Scotland, Prof. Dinesh Manocha

(University of Maryland, USA), IEEE, ACM and AAAI Fellow, Prof. Timothy Baldwin, Provost at

MBZUAI Abu Dhabi and Melbourne Laureate Professor, Prof. Richa Singh (IIT Jodhpur), IEEE Fellow,

Prof. Venu Govindaraju (University at Buffalo, SUNY) and Prof. Sanjay K. Singh (IIT BHU, Varanasi).

A unique feature of CVIP 2025 was the dedicated Industry-Academia Day on December 10, which

facilitated meaningful interactions between research scholars and industry leaders. The day featured

presentations from prominent organizations including Microsoft, MathWorks, Vehant technologies,

CARPL.ai and SegriTech.

The conference also featured specialized workshops on Quantum Algorithms and Their Applications in

Computer Vision and Image Processing by IBM, along with hands-on sessions by MathWorks on vision-

guided UAV simulation. The conference covered diverse topics including AI-powered image analysis, deep

learning for computer vision, medical image analysis, autonomous vehicles, biometrics and forensics,

quantum computer vision, explainable AI, and generative AI applications.

The proceedings of the conference will be published by Springer in the Communications in Computer and

Information Science (CCIS) series, which is indexed in Scopus, DBLP, Google Scholar, EI-Compendex,

Mathematical Reviews, and SCImago. The conference also featured presentations on national R&D

initiatives through ANRF (Anusandhan National Research Foundation) and included a session on Post-

Quantum Cryptography and its applications by Dr. Divesh Aggarwal, Associate Professor at the National

University of Singapore.

A tutorial on "Graph based Models for Computer Vision in Pre and Post Deep Learning Eras" by Prof.

Ananda S. Chowdhury, Professor at Jadavpur University and Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on

Image Processing, provided valuable insights to young researchers.

The success of CVIP 2025 at IIT Ropar has set new benchmarks for academic conferences in India, bridging

the gap between theoretical research and practical industry applications in computer vision and artificial

intelligence.

Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar) is a national Institute of higher education and research

established in 2008 and located in Rupnagar (Ropar), Punjab. The Institute offers undergraduate,

postgraduate and doctoral programmes across core and interdisciplinary engineering, science and technology

areas and operates from a modern permanent campus with extensive research laboratories and learning

facilities. IIT Ropar actively pursues industry-facing research, technology development and translation

through its R&D centres, Technology Business Incubator (TBI), IPR cell and national research initiatives,

partnering with government and industry to deliver training, validation and consultancy. Under strong

academic leadership, the Institute focuses on building applied capabilities that support India’s infrastructure,

energy transition and innovation goals. For more information, visit: www.iitrpr.ac.in

Chandigarh, December 12 — Haryana Chief Minister,  Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on late Friday  evening chaired a high-level review meeting here today regarding  the progress of various Chief Minister’s announcements and budget commitments related to the Education Department. During the meeting, departmental officers presented detailed progress reports on ongoing schemes, projects, and CM announcements.

The Chief Minister directed  the officers  to accord top priority to all announcements and ensure their completion within the stipulated timelines so that the announcements made in public  interest  are delivered with full transparency and efficiency.

The Chief Minister  was apprised that out of the 15 budget announcements, 6 have been successfully completed,  while work on the remaining 9 announcements is progressing swiftly.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini  gave  special emphasis on regular monitoring and strict adherence to timelines for each pending announcement.

The Chief Minister said that the education sector forms the foundation of a state’s prosperity and development. Therefore, it is the government’s core responsibility to ensure that every initiative related to education. whether infrastructure expansion, facility upgradation, or quality-improvement programmes, reaches students promptly and equitably. He reiterated that the government’s approach rests on speed, transparency, and accountability, and it is the responsibility of officiers  to ensure that each announcement yields visible outcomes on the ground.

Chief Principal Secretary to the ChiefMinister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar,  Chief Secretary, Sh. Anurag Rastogi,  Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Sh. Vineet Garg and senior officiers of the department.

Chandigarh, December 12: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that on December 24, on the eve of the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Sh Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Home Minister Sh Amit Shah will unveil Vajpayee Ji’s statue at Atal Park in MDC Sector 1, Panchkula. He will also participate in other events organized in Panchkula.

Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini was interacting with the media persons after inspecting the arrangements for the event at Atal Park today. BJP State President Sh Mohanlal Badoli was also present on the occasion.

He informed that after unveiling the 41 ft. tall metal statue of Atal Ji, Sh Amit Shah will inaugurate a mega blood donation camp at Atal Park. He will also inspect the exhibition set up at the state BJP office, “Panchkamal.” The Chief Minister said that Home Minister Sh Amit Shah will then take the salute at the passing-out parade of about 5,000 police personnel at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Stadium, Sector 3. Sh Shah will also attend the “Veer Bal Diwas” program to be held the same day as the chief guest.

Responding to a question regarding the issue of vote theft raised by the Congress Party in Parliament, Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that the opposition has become issueless and is trying to mislead the people of the country by spreading lies. However, the public will no longer be fooled. He added that Rahul Gandhi is misleading the nation and weakening constitutional institutions. Congress Party has no future in the country for the next 40–50 years.

Responding to another question, the Chief Minister said that it is the responsibility of the police to ensure the safety and security of every individual. He said that strict instructions have been issued to the police in this regard, and they are working diligently. The police department evaluates and decides whether or not security should be provided to any individual.

Responding to another question, Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini said that providing accessible medical care to everyone is a priority for the government, and doctors play a crucial role in achieving this goal. He said that the recent special campaign under the Ayushman/Chirayu Yojana in Haryana has reduced the backlog of surgical cases to zero. The government listens to the concerns of doctors and is continuously working to address them, along with providing additional incentives. He added that from today onward, doctors will once again be available to serve the public with full dedication.

Present on the occasion were former Haryana Assembly Speaker Sh Gian Chand Gupta, Chief Secretary Sh Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Town and Country Planning Department Sh A.K. Singh, Commissioner and Secretary of the Information, Public Relations and Languages Department and Industries and Commerce Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Deputy Commissioner, Sh Satpal Sharma, Additional Director (Administration), Information, Public Relations and Languages Department Smt Varsha Khangwal were also present.

Chandigarh, December 12 — Reaffirming the Haryana government’s commitment to honouring the unparalleled sacrifice of Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, Chief Minister, Sh.  Nayab Singh Saini on Friday virtually inaugurated an essay writing competition across schools in the state to commemorate ‘Veer Bal Diwas’.

The initiative aims to ensure that the message of the Sahibzadas’ martyrdom, courage and steadfast commitment to truth reaches every child in Haryana. Lakhs of students joined the virtual event from different districts, during which the Chief Minister interacted with them and encouraged them to reflect on the inspirational lives of the young martyrs.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that reading and understanding the Sahibzadas’ story reinforces clarity of purpose and strengthens determination among students. He added that the competition is being held in four languages, Hindi, English, Punjabi and Sanskrit, so that children can express their thoughts with ease and showcase their abilities through well-crafted essays. He conveyed his best wishes to all participants.

The Chief Minister highlighted that the younger Sahibzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji—Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh—exemplified exceptional bravery at just nine and six years of age. Their sacrifice, he said, stands as an eternal symbol of courage and truth. He also recalled that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi decided in 2022 to observe December 26 every year as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’, ensuring national remembrance of these heroic children.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini urged students to recognise that responsibility and moral courage do not depend on age. Every child, he said, must fulfill their duties with honesty, protect cultural values and contribute to nation-building. Students should face challenges fearlessly and remember that real bravery lies in standing up for the truth.

Teachers, like Guru Gobind Singh Ji, must instil values of courage and character

The Chief Minister said that teachers play the role of guides and nation-builders. Just as Guru Gobind Singh Ji nurtured courage and righteousness in his sons, today’s teachers shape the thoughts and character of the next generation. He encouraged teachers to focus not only on academics but also on instilling values, discipline, compassion and integrity in students, as these form the foundation of a strong society. He emphasised that students must draw lessons of discipline, courage, principles and patriotism from the Sahibzadas’ lives.

If every child adopts the Sahibzadas’ values, schools will become true centres of character-building

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Haryana’s schools would achieve their highest purpose if every student internalised the values demonstrated by the Sahibzadas. He encouraged small, everyday acts, helping classmates, maintaining cleanliness, respecting teachers, supporting weaker students, speaking the truth and opposing wrongdoing, as meaningful steps towards becoming responsible citizens.

The Chief Minister said that such competitions strengthen children’s connection with their heritage and inspire pride in history. He announced the prize money for the competition, State level cash reward of Rs. 21,000 for first prize, Rs. 11,000 for second and Rs. 5,100 for third (for Hindi, English, Sanskrit and Punjabi). District level, a cash reward of Rs. 3,100 for the first prize.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini Saini urged society to remember the young martyrs and pledged that together we must build an India where every child grows up to be honest, hardworking and patriotic.

Chief Principal Secretary  to the Chief Minister,  Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Chief Secretary, Sh.  Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary, School Education, Sh. Vineet Garg, Deputy Principal Secretary, Sh. Yash Pal and OSD, Dr. Prabhleen Singh and other senior officers remained present. 

Chandigarh, December 12 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Swami Brahmanand Ji was a visionary ahead of his time, a towering figure whose light continues to guide our culture, thoughts, and society even today.

The Chief Minister was addressing followers who had come from Chuhar Majra, the birthplace of Swami Brahmanand Ji, at Sant Kabir Kutir, Chandigarh on Thursday late evening. He said the gathering was to honor the great ascetic, social reformer, and spiritual leader, Jagatguru Swami Brahmanand Ji, whose life was devoted to human service, religion, sacrifice, and nation-building. He offered his heartfelt respects and salutations to Swami Ji. On this occasion, Speaker, Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Sh. Harvinder Kalyan, MLA, Sh. Satpal Jamba was also present.

The Chief Minister said that the lives of saints and sages serve as guiding lights for society. Learning from them helps us sow the seeds of morality, sacrifice, love, and service in our own lives. Swami Ji’s life inspires us to protect and promote Indian culture, civilization, and moral values. In today’s age of materialism, his teachings are more relevant than ever.

He highlighted that Swami Ji left home at a young age, received Vedic education from Gurukul Kurukshetra, and dedicated his knowledge, penance, and work to the welfare of humanity. A firm believer in Arya Samaj principles, he advocated monotheism, the worship of a formless God, and considered service to humanity as true devotion. During times when rural India lacked education and healthcare, and society was steeped in orthodoxy, Swami Brahmanand Ji ignited a spark of awareness through his words, writings, and actions. He studied the Vedas and Upanishads and authored numerous texts, offering society fresh perspectives and inspiration.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini emphasized Swami Ji’s mission of spreading education, particularly among women in rural areas, and his belief that a happy, civilized society rests on three pillars: cow protection, education, and social reform. In 1947, Swami Ji established the first model cow shelter at Gurukul Omkarpura. It is our duty to uphold morality, social values, and harmony by following the path shown by Swami Ji. This is the truest tribute to him. We must carry forward his noble work of social reform, education, and cow protection to new heights, he added.

The Chief Minister added that saints, sages, and gurus are an invaluable heritage. To preserve and cherish their legacy, the government has launched the ‘Sant Mahapurush Samman Evm Vichar Prasar Yojana’. Through this initiative, the messages of these great personalities are being shared to inspire future generations.