Chandigarh, September 16:

With the Punjab Government’s intensive cleanliness drive, fogging and spraying operations aimed at preventing outbreak of diseases, life is steadily moving back on track in flood-affected areas. The Cabinet Ministers today visited affected regions to oversee the ongoing relief measures launched under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains visited Tarapur and Kiratpur Sahib villages of his constituency under ‘Operation Rahat’ and reviewed the relief measures. He also inspected the damage caused to residential houses due to rainwater flowing down from the Shivalik foothills into the seasonal rivulets. The Minister also took stock of the embankment work at the historic Gurdwara Baba Gurditta Ji. Mr. Bains contributed Rs.50,000 towards diesel expenses of tractors and other vehicles engaged in the voluntary relief service under Operation Rahat.

Meanwhile, under the supervision of Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, a massive cleanliness drive was conducted in 10 flood-affected villages namely Skol, Dhinda/Bhupalpur, Kotli Jawahar, Palah, Ghola, Kot Bhattian, Balotar, Sarota, Danwal and Khojki Chak. The campaign covered removal of stagnant water, spraying, fogging and awareness drives to motivate residents for maintaining hygiene. Mr. Kataruchak informed that each flood-hit village will be provided Rs.1 lakh as the first installment by the Punjab Government for cleanliness measures.

During his visit to Radhalke, Ram Singh Wala and Muthianwala villages of Patti constituency, Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar launched a cleanliness campaign, reiterating that the drive will continue until all flood-affected areas are completely cleaned. The Health Department is consistently conducting fogging and anti-larvae spraying across all affected regions of the state.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian informed that as per the latest assessment till September 16, the number of villages affected has marginally increased from 2472 to 2483 with the population affected rising from 389176 to 389258. The Cabinet Minister said that a positive development has been witnessed in relief measures as the number of active relief camps has significantly reduced from 66 to 41 with the inmates also coming down from 3449 to 1945, reflecting improvement in the ground situation.

Chandigarh, September 16:

Punjab Jails Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar today inaugurated an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Central Jail Sri Goindwal Sahib as part of a landmark reform initiative, under which ITIs have been established in 11 jails across the state.

Addressing the gathering, the Cabinet Minister informed that in collaboration with the Technical Education Department, the Punjab Prisons Department has set up ITIs in 9 Central Jails and 2 Women Jails.

The Jails Minister said that under this major skill development drive, nearly 2500 prisoners will receive training, out of which 1000 will undergo long-term courses and 1500 will be enrolled in short-term courses.

He said the ITIs will impart vocational education aimed at preparing inmates for a dignified life after their release. The institutes will run one-year courses in trades such as Plumbing, Electrician, Baking, Welding, Woodwork, Cosmetology, Computer Technology and several others.

By equipping prisoners with employable skills, this initiative seeks to transform jails into hubs of rehabilitation and reformation rather than mere confinement, he added.

S. Laljit Singh Bhullar said the Punjab Government is committed to ensuring that prisons serve as centres of transformation and to the reformation and reintegration of prisoners into mainstream society. He underlined that skill training and education within jail premises will strengthen inmates’ future prospects and help in reducing re-offending rates.

He further said that this initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of “Rehabilitation through Education and Skill Development”, ensuring that prisoners are given a fair chance to lead productive and respectful lives after completing their sentences.

Chandigarh/ New Delhi, September 16,

Referring to the recent floods that damaged 5 Lakh acres under various crops in 2185 villages of the state, the Punjab Agriculture Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian today urged the Central government to provide additional financial assistance of Rs. 151 crore to the State under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for restoration of land silted-up due to floods in border districts of Punjab.

While addressing the national conference on agriculture Rabi campaign 2025 held under the chairmanship of union agriculture minister Mr. Shivraj Singh Chauhan at PUSA Bhawan here today, Punjab Cabinet minister S.Kudian said that recent unprecedented floods have adversely affected large areas of cultivable land and caused heavy losses to the standing crops. Border districts of Punjab (Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Kapurthala, Fazilka and Ferozepur) are the worst affected and up to 5 feet of silt/sand has been deposited in the flood affected agricultural fields.

He said “The people of Punjab have always come forward with open hearts during the tough times in any part of the country, now the centre should extend its helping hand to pull out the state out of this critical situation.”

He emphasised that given the gravity of the situation, timely release of additional funds under DPR component of RKVY will not only help in compensating farmers for their losses but also ensure revival of the agricultural economy of the State.

He demanded that the centre should release Rs 80 crore to the state to provide 2Lakh quintal of certified wheat seed to the affected farmers under the seed village programme. He also demanded 25 Lakh for the wheat seed separately under national food security mission. S. Kudian also appealed the union agriculture minister to provide 637 quintals of certified mustard seeds and 375 quintal seeds of black gram to help the farmers.

Punjab agriculture minister S. Kudian urged the centre to ensure timely supply of DAP and Urea as per the requirement of the state so that the sowing of crops do not face further delay. He also sought the union agriculture ministers intervention to release Rs. 8,000 cr of RDF and other funds withheld by the centre. Union agriculture minister assured S. Khudian that the centre will take all the necessary steps to help the state facing tough times due to floods.

SAS Nagar, September 16:

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Mohali, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the only government medical college in the country, after Command Hospital Pune, to be accredited as a Breastfeeding-Friendly Hospital under the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI).

Divulging the details, Director – Principal, Dr Bhavneet Bharti,
out of the total 71 facilities accredited nationwide, nearly 50 percent (39) are Armed Forces facilities, while Telangana leads among states in accrediting government facilities. A few private medical colleges have also achieved this recognition, but AIMS Mohali is the only state government medical college to be accredited.

The accreditation was carried out by the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI), the national agency authorized to conduct BFHI assessments. Dr. Arun Gupta, Central Coordinator of BPNI and a passionate advocate for breastfeeding and child health in India, has been instrumental in steering the movement for protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding across the country. His leadership has ensured that international standards are upheld in India’s accreditation process.
The on-site inspection on August 5, 2025 was led by Dr. Rajinder Gulati, MD, FIAP, Paediatrician, Certified Lactation Consultant, IYCF National Trainer, Child Health Advocate, and President of the Human Milk Bank Association of India (2022 & 2023), who commended the outstanding commitment of the team of doctors, paramedics, and support staff at AIMS Mohali in implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.
This recognition also reflects the vision and leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Bhavneet Bharti, Director Principal, AIMS Mohali, who earlier established Punjab’s first Human Milk Bank—Ashneer Milk Bank—with the support of the Rotary Club. She also secured an ICMR-funded project to develop a hub-and-spoke human milk bank model with cost analysis, creating a roadmap for replication across the country.

Dr. Bharti emphasized that the journey to accreditation was “tough without the tireless dedication of local champions, who provide 24/7 services for mothers and newborns.” The Breastfeeding Committee at AIMS Mohali, she added, worked relentlessly and became a true example of collaborative leadership.
Notably, the “Team Breastfeeding Committee” initiative was also the focus of Dr. Bharti’s Women Lift Health Capstone Project, underscoring the role of women’s leadership in driving institutional change for maternal and child health.

This accreditation not only validates compliance with WHO and Government of India’s global standards, but also places AIMS Mohali at the forefront of India’s breastfeeding promotion movement, alongside the visionary efforts of BPNI under Dr. Arun Gupta.

Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini held a meeting with Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi today to discuss key issues concerning farmers’ interests and crop procurement. During the meeting, the Chief Minister requested the Central Government to allow early commencement of the upcoming crop procurement in Haryana, prior to the scheduled date of October 1, so that farmers can sell their produce without inconvenience. The Central Government has accepted this request.

In addition, the Central Government approved an increase in Haryana’s warehouse storage capacity to 30 lakh metric tonnes under the Private Entrepreneurs Guarantee (PEG) Scheme. The state also received an assurance for the early release of Rs 6,200 crore pending dues for wheat and rice procured for the central pool.

The Chief Minister informed that Haryana currently holds 100 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and rice in the central pool. With the arrival of the next crop beginning in December, the state will receive an additional 14.5 lakh metric tonnes of storage space from the Central Government. The surplus rice and wheat stocks will be sent to other states.

To promote crop diversification and support sugarcane cultivation, Sh Nayab Singh Saini proposed reducing the minimum distance between sugar mills from 25 km to 15 km. This proposal was approved by the Central Government.

The Chief Minister also strongly supported the pilot scheme aimed at reducing the percentage of broken rice in Public Distribution System (PDS) supplies from 25% to 10%. He expressed gratitude to the Central Government for increasing Haryana’s target from 3.5 lakh tonnes to 8 lakh tonnes. He said that Haryana will meet the target of procurement of 8 lakh metric tonnes of 10 per cent broken rice this year. The remaining 15 per cent broken rice will be sold by the Central Government within 15 days.

Haryana Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Rajesh Nagar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Arun Gupta, Resident Commissioner D. Suresh and other officers were also present in the meeting.

After the meeting, while responding to a question of mediapersons, the Chief Minister said that Haryana has completed all preparations regarding the three new criminal laws introduced by the Central Government. A large exhibition on the subject will be organized in Kurukshetra, which will be inaugurated by Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Sh Amit Shah.

Responding to another query, the Chief Minister informed that a special Sewa Pakhwada will be celebrated from September 17 to October 2, on the birthday of Prime Minister, Sh Narendra Modi. During this fortnight, various departments will organize special programmes and action plans focusing on large-scale service activities such as women empowerment, cleanliness drives, blood donation camps, and health initiatives. He said that special attention will be given to the health and welfare of women and citizens.

Srinagar Garhwal:

A strong linkage between industry and academia is essential for the creation of intellectual property (IP), emphasized Prof. Rana Pratap Singh, Vice Chancellor of Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, as the Chief Guest at the valedictory session of the week-long Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on “Intellectual Property Rights: Drivers of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.” The event, organized by the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC), Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal), Uttarakhand, concluded today, September 15, 2025. Prof. Singh highlighted the critical role of industry-academia partnerships in advancing new technologies and materials, noting that the protection of these innovations through intellectual property rights (IPR) is equally crucial for sustaining innovation ecosystems. He cited real-world examples to underscore the need for robust IP frameworks to drive technological advancements.
Dr. Vishal Chaudhary, Scientist F, at the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, New Delhi, delivered the Guest of Honor address. He discussed several government initiatives aimed at promoting IPR and entrepreneurship, including the i-STEM program, designed to support innovation in science and technology.
Presiding over the session, Prof. Shri Prakash Singh, Vice Chancellor of HNB Garhwal University, emphasized the importance of IPR cells within universities and their role in disseminating knowledge about intellectual property rights. He also called for simplifying and making the patent filing process more cost-effective to encourage greater participation from innovators and researchers.
In his remarks, Dr. Rahul K. Singh, Director of MMTTC, stressed that IPR is vital for recognizing and protecting the creativity of innovators. He pointed out that the FDP served as an excellent platform for participants to deepen their understanding of IPR and its role in driving innovation and entrepreneurship, marking the successful conclusion of the week-long academic initiative. Dr. Somesh Thapliyal, Assistant Director, MMTTC, welcomed the dignitaries and moderated the session.
Dr. Saurabh Yadav, Course Coordinator, presented the technical report, noting that 30 faculty members from across the country participated in the program, receiving training from 22 eminent resource persons from seven states. He concluded the session with the vote of thanks.

On the concluding day of International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies week, celebrated on 13^th  September 2025, the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health organized a vibrant event featuring collage-making, awareness sessions, lectures, and interactive discussions. The event centered around this year’s United Nations theme: Run for Clean Air, which highlights the urgency of collective and sustained action to combat air pollution for a healthier and more resilient future.

The event included keynote lectures by Prof. RavindraKhaiwal and Dr.Bijaya Kumar Padhi. Delivering the keynote address, Prof. RavindraKhaiwal highlighted that ‘Run for Clean Air’ represents the ongoing, collective responsibility to combat air pollution through sustained action. He emphasized practical, science-based solutions such as promoting clean and renewable energy, improving public transport, reducing vehicular emissions, adopting sustainable urban planning, and managing waste responsibly. Dr Khaiwal encouraged individuals to take simple but impactful steps like carpooling, using bicycles, planting trees, and reducing indoor pollutants. Prof. Khaiwal urged the audience, especially youth, to be active champions for clean air, stressing that the journey must be continuous, driven by innovation, policy support, and community engagement. Dr.Bijaya Kumar Padhi emphasized the serious health risks of both indoor and outdoor air pollution, urging urgent, multisectoral action. Aligning with the theme, he called for community awareness, behavior change, and policy integration to protect public health and ensure cleaner air for future generations.

A session on breathing exercises was conducted to highlight the vital role of clean air in maintaining lung health and overall well-being. The practice emphasized how ancient Indian techniques support respiratory function while fostering air quality awareness, encouraging participants to reflect on the connection between breath and environment. Dr.HarmanjeetKaur, Senior Demonstrator, and Dr.Vibha Sharma, Junior Demonstrator, of Environmental Health jointly coordinated the program. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation of over35 students and staff, including Bachelor’s and Master of Public Health, MD students, PhD scholars, and staff.

In addition, the department’s field practice areas also organized public awareness sessions on the health effects of air pollution, motivating community members to contribute toward controlling and minimizing emissions in their daily lives.The event concluded with the message that individual and community-level efforts are essential to achieve cleaner skies and a healthier future.

Panchkula, 13 September 2025: Purushottam Das Rungta Charitable Trust organised its 182nd weekly ‘Ann Bhandara’, or Community Kitchen,  at Industrial Area Phase-1, Panchkula with great reverence and service spirit.

On this occasion, Trust founder Amitabh Rungta said, 

“By organising or helping in holding  a  ‘Community Kitchen’, one shows the spirit of service and philanthropy. In Hinduism, donating food to the needy is considered sacrosanct.”  

Rungta added, “It is said in the scriptures – ‘Annam Brahmaeti’ 

which means – food is the form of Brahma Himself. The person who gives food to the underprivileged, actually serves God.”
A large number of people  participated in the ‘Bhandara’ and consumed food. The volunteers of the Trust played an important role in making the ‘Bhandara’ a success.

Chandigarh, 9th September 2025 – The Resource Centre for Tobacco Control (RCTC), PGIMER Chandigarh, in collaboration with Vital Strategies, organized a high-level virtual National Webinar titled “Towards a Tobacco-Free India: The Role of Taxation in Curbing the Epidemic”. The event brought together distinguished experts, researchers, policymakers, and senior leaders from 10 national institutes—including AIIMS, NICPR, ICMR, NIOH, and NIIR-NCD—to deliberate on the critical role of tobacco taxation in reducing tobacco consumption and strengthening public health outcomes in India.

Prof. Sonu Goel, Director of RCTC, welcomed participants and emphasized that the webinar was organized at a pivotal moment, following the Government of India’s recent reforms in tobacco taxation policy. He noted that the session aimed to provide clarity amidst fragmented media reports and misinformation surrounding the new tax rates, particularly addressing misleading claims about uniform tax hikes and the reduction in GST on bidis. Dr. L. Swasticharan, Deputy Director General (DDG), MoHFW, Government of India, appreciated the efforts of RCTC in organizing the webinar and underlined taxation as one of the most cost-effective “best buys” for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and tobacco control. Dr.P.C.Gupta, Director Healis-Sekhsaria Institute of Public Health,Mumbai emphasised that without targeted reforms and uniform tax rates across all tobacco products, the full potential of tobacco taxation as a public health intervention will remain unreleased. Dr. Rana J. Singh from Vital Strategies further emphasized that Article 6 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) represents the single most effective tobacco control strategy. He called for evidence-based implementation and sustained stakeholder’s commitment to strengthen the taxation framework.

The technical sessions offered an in-depth exploration of tobacco taxation history and existing policy gaps. Dr. Upendra Bhojani traced the evolution of tobacco taxation from Mughal-era levies to the complex excise system of modern India, culminating in the introduction of GST in 2017. Dr. Rijo John presented evidence from a joint study, showing that while GST reforms modestly reduced smokeless tobacco and bidi use, the recent proposal to lower bidi taxes from 28% to 18% threatens public health, given bidis’ widespread use among low-income populations.

The high-level panel discussion featured distinguished directors and experts including Prof. Saurabh Varshney, Prof. Ashutosh Biswas, Prof. Meenu Singh, Dr. Madhabananda Kar, Dr. Bhavesh Modi, Dr. Shalini Singh, and Dr. Pankaj Bhardwaj. The panelists unanimously agreed that tobacco taxation should be treated primarily as a public health intervention, rather than a revenue-generation tool. Their key recommendations included implementing uniform taxation across all tobacco products by eliminating differential tax rates, closing GST loopholes, and preventing tax reductions on cheaper products like bidis. They further recommended reinvesting tax revenues into cessation services, community health programs, and supporting alternative livelihoods for tobacco farmers, along with enhancing intersectoral coordination between the health and finance departments. Additionally, they stressed the need for strong advocacy and translational research to effectively counter industry interference.

Experts highlighted that tobacco remains one of the leading preventable causes of death globally, responsible for more than 8 million lives lost annually. They stressed taxation as the most effective, evidence-based strategy to reduce tobacco use, particularly among youth and low-income populations, while also contributing to government revenue for health and social development programs. Dr. Pankaj Bhardwaj remarked, “The recent tax reduction on bidis leads to detrimental health outcomes or burden in the poorest segment of the society.It is crucial to narrow the tax gap between cigarettes and bidis and provide cessation services alongside taxation measures.”

Beyond taxation, the expert discussions emphasized the importance of complementary tobacco control measures, including clear health warnings, standardized packaging, campus-level tobacco-free policies, regulation of points of sale, and accessible cessation services.

The National Webinar was attended by approximately 400 participants from across India, including state nodal officers, civil society representatives, and researchers. The event concluded with a broad consensus that a comprehensive, evidence-driven approach integrating taxation, prevention, cessation, and implementation is key to supporting India’s ambition of achieving a tobacco-free future.

Chandigarh. September 13, 2025
PCA Blue won the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Trophy and PCA Red lost by 5 wickets. In response to Team Red’s 148/9 runs, Team Blue achieved the target in 18.3 overs.
In the match played at PCA Mohali, PCA Red batted first and scored 148 runs losing 9 wickets in 20 overs. Kartik Sharma scored 34 runs and Anil Yadav also contributed 34 runs. Mridul added 27 runs. Gaurav Chaudhary walked 4 batsmen, while Mehakjot Brar took 2 wickets. Ramandeep and Yuvraj got 1-1 wickets.
In response, PCA Blue team, batting first, achieved the target by losing 5 wickets in 18.3 overs. Uday Saharan lost his wicket on a score of 36, but Harpreet Brar scored an unbeaten 42 off 23 balls and Gवurav Chaudhary scored an unbeaten 37 off 15 balls to ensure the team’s victory. Lovekirat Singh, Madhav Singh, Mayank Markande, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Arun Kalia dismissed 1 batsman each.