The Resource Centre for Tobacco Control (RCTC), today formally received the WHO Regional Director’s Special Recognition Award at the WHO Country Office for India, New Delhi. The award, announced on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day 2022, recognises outstanding contributions towards advancing tobacco control through innovation, digital public health, evidence generation and policy support. The honour was received by Prof. Sonu Goel, President of the Resource Centre for Tobacco Control and Professor at Department of Community Medicine and School of public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh by Dr. Yvan JF. Hutin, WHO Country Representative (Director) for India.

Conceived as India’s first dedicated digital knowledge repository on tobacco control, the Resource Centre was developed in 2018to supportNational Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP). At a time when tobacco continues to claim over a million lives annually in India and newer nicotine products are rapidly emerging, access to timely, credible and evidence-based information for policymakers, programme managers, researchers, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations and students has become as important to drive policy in the country.It houses one of India’s most comprehensive collections of tobacco control legislation, government notifications, policy documents, implementation guidelines, circulars, educational resources and technical materials, making reliable information available through a single national platform.

Beyond serving as an information hub, the Resource Centre has played a pivotal role in providing technical support to several States and national institutions, contributed evidence to policy formulation, supported the implementation of India’s landmark ban on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), strengthened the effective implementation of tobacco control legislation, and worked closely with key stakeholders to strengthen the NationalTobacco Control Programme.

Over the years, it has organised more than 80 national and regional workshops, webinars, consultations, conferences and summits, equipping nearly 19,000 professionals with the knowledge and skills required to implement evidence-based tobacco control interventions. It has also pioneered dedicated online professional learning programmes like 3- and 6-month courses in tobacco control, besides many short-term programs, thus ensuring continuous capacity development for programme managers, healthcare providers, researchers and public health practitioners across the country.

Resource Centre has brought together experienced researchers and early-career professionals and facilitated the publication of more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific papers, strengthening India’s scientific contribution to global tobacco control literature. Complementing these efforts, its flagship bi-monthly newsletter, Tobacco-Free Times, has completed 45 editions, providing regular updates on emerging evidence, policy developments, implementation experiences and best practices from India and around the world.

The Centre has also fostered strong national collaborations, serving as a technical resource partner to initiatives including, the AIIMS Consortium for Tobacco free India,the Consortium of Medical Colleges for Tobacco free India, and the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) Task Force and numerous government departments, academic institutions and civil society organisations. These partnerships have created a vibrant national ecosystem for knowledge exchange, innovation and collaborative action against tobacco.

Receiving the honour, Prof. Sonu Goel said:

“This recognition belongs to every individual and institution that has contributed to strengthening tobacco control in India. The Resource Centre was created with a simple yet powerful vision—to make reliable knowledge accessible to everyone who works to protect public health. Today, that vision has evolved into a national movement connecting policy, research, capacity building and innovation. This award motivates us to continue supporting the National Tobacco Control Programme and developing innovative solutions that help move India closer to a tobacco-free future.”

By integrating knowledge management, policy support, research, capacity building and strategic partnerships into a single ecosystem, the Resource Centre has demonstrated how innovation can accelerate public health action at scale.

Looking ahead, the Resource Centre aims to further strengthen its digital platform through emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence-enabled knowledge support, expand its research and implementation collaborations, develop next-generation capacity-building programmes and continue supporting governments, institutions and communities with evidence-informed solutions for tobacco control.

Chandigarh, July 25

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda stated that Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation marks a victory for the struggle waged by the youth and students.
“Had Pradhan accepted moral responsibility and resigned at the very beginning, innocent students would neither have had to face lathi-charges nor endure such a prolonged struggle,” he stated, addressing a press conference.
“The government must now apologize to the youth, the country’s future, whom it subjected to lathi-charges and brutality. Furthermore, the examination system must be made transparent enough to eliminate any possibility of future paper leaks,” he added.
The former Chief Minister said the issue of paper leaks has assumed epidemic proportions across the country, and the youth were forced to take to the streets in protest due to the apathy of the BJP government. “In response, the Congress party, under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, launched a nationwide movement through the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ (Voice of Students) campaign. Ultimately, the BJP was compelled to yield to this mass movement. The Congress will now demand accountability from the government regarding paper leaks within Parliament,” he said.
Hooda noted that approximately 7.5 crore candidates have been affected by the recurring paper leaks under the BJP government. “This problem is not confined to competitive examinations alone, and rampant paper leaks are also occurring in various recruitment exams. The unemployment crisis is such that 9 crore young people apply for a mere 6 lakh jobs annually,” he said.
He remarked that Haryana has become a hub for paper leaks, citing details of over 30 such incidents that have occurred in the state during the BJP government’s tenure. Prominent among these are- HCS (2023), CET (2023), SI recruitment (March 2022), Dental Surgeon (December 2021), PGI Rohtak exam (2025), Police Constable recruitment (August 2021), Gram Sachiv recruitment (January 12, 2021), Clerk recruitment (December 2016), Electricity Department Clerk recruitment, Excise Inspector (December 2016), Agriculture Inspector (July 2017), Conductor recruitment (September 2017), ITI Instructor recruitment, Excise Inspector, Naib Tehsildar recruitment, PTI recruitment, HTET (November 2015), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan Primary Teacher (October 2015), Assistant Professor (College) recruitment scam (February 2017), B-Pharmacy paper leak scam (July 2017), HBSE Board 10th-12th paper leak (2025), HTET 2026 (where unsealed papers were distributed, raising suspicions of a leak), among others.
He stated that over 152 paper leaks have occurred across the country. An entire racket trading in exam papers and jobs is active nationwide, including in Haryana. “The problem has become so severe that it is proving fatal; 26 candidates across the country have committed suicide, distressed by the NEET paper leak alone,” he said.
He noted that numerous complaints have also arisen regarding the NEET re-examination. This clearly indicates that the government is not serious about this issue. “When the government repeatedly shirks its responsibility, the public is compelled to take the path of agitation to hold the government accountable, and that is precisely what has been witnessed in this movement,” he said.

Chandigarh, July 25 – Chief Electoral Officer Haryana, Sh. A. Sreenivas said that the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the State has been completed 100 per cent. The draft electoral roll will be published on July 31 and will be made available on the official website as well as at all designated publication centres.

The CEO was addressing a press conference at the Haryana Civil Secretariat, Sector-17, Chandigarh. Additional Chief Electoral Officers Ms Ritu and Sh Apurv and Joint Chief Electoral Officer,  Sh. Raj Kumar Lohan was also present.

Thanking the officers and officials for their cooperation during the Special Intensive Revision, Sh. A. Sreenivas said that 20,629 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) distributed enumeration forms to more than 2 crore 6 lakh 55 thousand electors, out of which 1 crore 72 lakh 71 thousand 361 enumeration forms have been digitised. However, the names of 33 lakh 84 thousand 568 electors could not be recorded. Of these, 13 lakh 75 thousand 278 had permanently shifted, 7 lakh 66 thousand 205 were found to be deceased, 2 lakh 4 thousand 916 were already registered as electors, 9 lakh 36 thousand 646 electors were found absent, while 1 lakh 1 thousand 523 electors did not submit their enumeration forms due to other reasons.

He said that claims and objections may be filed from July 31 to August 30. If the name of any elector does not appear in the draft electoral roll to be published on July 31, he or she may submit Form 6 to get the name included again. The name will be included in the final electoral roll.

He made it clear that the name of any elector will not be deleted without giving an opportunity of hearing. If an elector is aggrieved by the decision of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), an appeal may be filed before the District Magistrate within 15 days. If the grievance still persists, a further appeal may be filed before the Chief Electoral Officer within 30 days.

The final electoral roll will be published on October 3. Along with the period for filing claims and objections, the notice phase and disposal of objections will continue up to September 28. During the notice phase, BLOs will issue notices to those electors whose particulars could not be matched with the electoral roll prepared during the previous Special Intensive Revision or where any discrepancy has been found in mapping.

He said that eligible persons may apply for inclusion of their names in the electoral roll through Form 6. Young citizens who attained 18 years of age on or before July 1, 2026, have also been provided the facility to enrol themselves as electors by submitting Form 6. Those whose names have been left out of the electoral roll or who could not submit their enumeration forms may also submit Form 6.

He said that electors whose names are already included in the electoral roll may submit Form 7 for deletion of their names. Form 8 may be used by electors to make corrections in their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) or to rectify any error in the electoral roll. This facility will also be available online.

Sh. A. Sreenivas said that for the successful conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and District Election Officers (DEOs) are carrying out the exercise across all Assembly Constituencies in the State. In the next phase, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) will also be associated with the exercise.

He further said that 37,055 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by various political parties are also assisting in the process. These include 19,051 appointed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 15,818 by the Indian National Congress, 1,476 by the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), 54 by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), 314 by the Communist Party of India (CPI) and 342 by the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP).

Chandigarh, July 25

The atmosphere at the main gate of the residence of Haryana Transport Minister Sh.Anil Vij in Shastri Colony, Ambala Cantonment, changed when the minister himself went among the hundreds of protesting Haryana Roadways employees to receive their memorandum. During the interaction, Vij assured the employees that a meeting would be convened within the next 15 days regarding their demands so that they could be discussed.

Members of the Haryana Roadways karmchari sanjha morcha, who had come from across the state, were protesting at the minister’s residence over their demands. As soon as he reached them, Transport Minister Anil Vij personally went among the employees to receive their memorandum. He took the memorandum from employee leaders and said that he was listening to them.

He said that he did not know how many unions the employees had, but he had earlier called all the unions and heard everyone’s concerns. In the same way, he would now also hear the concerns of the employees who were protesting today. Vij assured the employees that a meeting would be called within the next 15 days regarding their demands so that they could be discussed.

Following the minister’s assurance, the protesting employees ended their protest.

It is worth noting that Cabinet Minister Anil Vij, known for his outspoken style, has also earlier gone among protesting employees and personally received their memorandums.

Chandigarh, July 25: Chandigarh MP and former Union Minister Shri Manish Tewari dedicated a newly installed open-air gym at Leisure Valley, Sector 10, to the public. The facility was developed with a grant of approximately ₹5 lakh from his Members of Parliament Local Area Development fund.

Addressing the gathering, Tewari said he remains committed to promoting better health and a healthier lifestyle among citizens. He noted that the open-air gym would benefit people of all age groups, emphasizing that a healthy individual is better able to fulfill responsibilities towards both family and society. He also added that several other development projects are currently underway across the city.

Chandigarh Congress Committee President H.S. Lucky thanked MP Manish Tewari for fulfilling the long-pending demand of the residents of Sector 10. He said that good health is the right of every citizen and that the Congress Party has always stood for protecting the rights and welfare of the people.

Among those present on the occasion were included, S. Amarjit Singh Kahlon, Sandeep Varmani, Rajinder Kashyap, and a large number of local residents.

CHANDIGARH, July 25:

          In a major breakthrough against transnational organised crime amidst the ongoing Gangstran Te Vaar campaign launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Punjab, in coordination with Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) Punjab and Central Agencies, successfully secured the deportation of fugitive gangster Jobanjit Singh alias Joban Billa from Jakarta in Indonesia, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

          The accused Joban Billa was detained in Indonesia on on July 20, 2026 and subsequently deported to India. He was taken into custody by the Punjab Police from Mumbai Airport and is being brought to Punjab for further investigation.

          “The operation marks the successful culmination of Operation Nomad Hunt—a six-month-long intelligence-led international manhunt involving sustained surveillance, strategic intelligence gathering and close coordination with national and international agencies,” said DGP Gaurav Yadav.

          The DGP said that accused Joban Billa has been wanted in multiple heinous criminal cases, including murder, attempt to murder, NDPS Act and Arms Act offences.

          As per the information, accused Joban Billa fled abroad on January 9, 2025, using a passport prepared on fake particulars of Gorakhpur resident. The passport was issued from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, on March 8, 2024.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that accused Joban Billa was evading arrest by operating across multiple countries. Joban was earlier hiding in United Arab Emirates (UAE) from where he travelled to Georgia and further from Georgia, he travelled to Indonesia.

          “Punjab Police had issued Red Corner Notice against accused Joban Billa and inputs regarding his fake passport and whereabouts were shared with central agencies at different intervals. In addition, five INTERPOL references were also issued,” he said, while adding that sustained and persistent efforts led to detention of accused in Indonesia.

           Pertinently, Operation Nomad Hunt has been executed under the close supervison of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) AGTF Promod Ban and led by Superintendent of Police (SP) AGTF/OFTEC Bikramjit Singh Brar.

          ADGP Promod Ban said that accused Joban Billa is wanted in four murder cases registered in Punjab including murder of Jarnail Singh at Village Sathiala Amritsar in May 2023, murder of Deepu Ajnala in January 2024, murder of 12-years-old boy Gursewak Singh in March 2025 and murder of Vicky Chugh in March 2025.

          Meanwhile, on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has established OFTEC, headed by Inspector General of Police (IGP)  Ashish Choudhary, to reach out the criminals sitting abroad and expedite their extradition process to bring them back to Punjab to face legal action.

Chandigarh, July 25, 2026: Senior BJP leader Sanjay Tandon today hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisive initiatives to restore public confidence in the National Testing Agency (NTA) and strengthen the integrity of competitive examinations across the country. Tandon said, “The 

PM’s bold reforms to restore faith in competitive examinations is a welcome step.”

“The decision to establish fast-track courts for cases related to examination fraud sends a powerful message that there will be zero tolerance for those attempting to play with the future of our students. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again demonstrated that the interests of India’s youth remain at the heart of his governance,” Tandon said.He added that fast-track courts will ensure speedy prosecution of those involved in examination malpractices, this coupled with comprehensive reforms in the NTA, reflects the Prime Minister’s resolve to protect the future of India’s youth.

Tandon observed that honest students deserve an examination system that rewards merit alone.  “Every deserving candidate must compete on a level playing field without fear that dishonest elements will compromise the examination process. The reforms initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi are aimed precisely at creating such a robust, transparent and foolproof system,” he said.

Tandon urged students to remain focused on their preparations, assuring them that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is committed to ensuring that merit, transparency and justice remain the guiding principles of every national-level examination.
Tandon noted that the Centre has acted with determination by initiating structural reforms, strengthening security protocols, improving accountability within the NTA and ensuring that those responsible for compromising examinations face swift legal consequences.

He further said that the government’s ongoing reforms including enhanced security mechanisms, institutional restructuring of the NTA, deployment of technology to improve transparency and measures to modernise the conduct of examinations will significantly strengthen the credibility of NEET-UG and all other national examinations conducted by the agency.

Chandigarh, July 25, 2026: Senior BJP leader and member of the party’s National Council Sanjay Tandon  reacting to the Education Minister’s resignation on the NEET issue said, “The Education Minister’s decision to resign shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to accountability, transparency and dignity of youth.” 
Tandon hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisive initiatives to restore public confidence in the National Testing Agency (NTA) and strengthen the integrity of competitive examinations across the country. Tandon said, “The PM’s bold reforms to restore faith in competitive examinations is a welcome step.” 

“The decision to establish fast-track courts for cases related to examination fraud sends a powerful message that there will be zero tolerance for those attempting to play with the future of our students. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again demonstrated that the interests of India’s youth remain at the heart of his governance,” Tandon said.
He added that fast-track courts will ensure speedy prosecution of those involved in examination malpractices, this coupled with comprehensive reforms in the NTA, reflects the Prime Minister’s resolve to protect the future of India’s youth.
Tandon observed that honest students deserve an examination system that rewards merit alone.  “Every deserving candidate must compete on a level playing field without fear that dishonest elements will compromise the examination process. The reforms initiated under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi are aimed precisely at creating such a robust, transparent and foolproof system,” he said.Tandon urged students to remain focused on their preparations, assuring them that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is committed to ensuring that merit, transparency and justice remain the guiding principles of every national-level examination.
Tandon noted that the Centre has acted with determination by initiating structural reforms, strengthening security protocols, improving accountability within the NTA and ensuring that those responsible for compromising examinations face swift legal consequences.

He further said that the government’s ongoing reforms including enhanced security mechanisms, institutional restructuring of the NTA, deployment of technology to improve transparency and measures to modernise the conduct of examinations will significantly strengthen the credibility of NEET-UG and all other national examinations conducted by the agency.

Chandigarh

Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee President Rao Narendra Singh reacted to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, stating that it marks a historic victory for the peaceful, democratic, and persistent struggle of students across the country. He said that in a democracy, the voice of the people and the rights of students cannot be suppressed indefinitely. The government’s eventual acceptance of accountability is the result of sustained public pressure and the students’ unwavering fight for truth and justice.

Rao Narendra Singh said that the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan is only the first step and does not, by itself, resolve the problems faced by students. He demanded that the Central Government conduct an impartial investigation into the irregularities in NEET, CBSE, and other competitive examinations, fix accountability for those responsible, take stringent action against the examination mafia, and ensure justice for all affected students.

He stated that the Congress Party has consistently fought for students’ rights, from the streets to Parliament. Students raised their voices with patience, discipline, and democratic determination, compelling the government to take this decision.

Rao Narendra Singh further said that Congress’ movement is not limited to the resignation of a single minister. The party’s objective is to build an education system that is transparent, credible, and accountable. He emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms in the examination system, effective measures to curb corruption, and the establishment of a robust and transparent mechanism to prevent such incidents in the future. Congress will continue its struggle until every student receives justice and a fair examination system is guaranteed.

Quoting, “Defeat comes only when one accepts it; victory comes when one resolves to achieve it,” Rao Narendra Singh said that this victory is dedicated to the memory of the 21 sons and daughters who are no longer with us. It also belongs to the millions of young people across the country who ignited a new movement for accountability and reform in the education system. He added that this victory also reflects the determination and leadership of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who rose above politics to fight for the future of the nation’s youth through the “Students’ Echo” (Chhatron Ki Goonj) campaign, taking students’ concerns from the streets to Parliament and making them a national issue.

Rao Narendra Singh informed that the Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee has instructed all District Congress Committees (DCCs) to replace the previously planned candlelight marches and satyagrahas with “Victory Marches” at district headquarters today. These marches will be dedicated to the students’ struggle, the victory of democracy, and the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, whose persistent efforts compelled the government to become accountable.

He appealed to all District Congress Committees, frontal organisations, departments, cells, and Congress workers to participate in the Victory Marches in large numbers, stating that this is not merely a political programme but a celebration of the nation’s youth, the demand for educational reforms, and the triumph of democratic values.

CHANDIGARH: The 14th Saint Soldier Football Trophy concluded on a thrilling note at Saint Soldier International School, Sector 28-B, Chandigarh, after four days of exhilarating football, outstanding sportsmanship, and spirited competition. The much-awaited championship clash was played between St. John’s High School, Sector 26, and Saint Soldier International School, Sector 28. Both teams displayed exceptional skill, resilience, and determination, keeping the spectators engrossed throughout the match. The winner was eventually decided through a penalty shootout where St. John’s High School converted their first three spot-kicks through Tanish, Daksh, and Aryaveer. Jasgun scored for the host school.