Mohali : As many as 50 bariatric surgery patients took part in a weight-loss champions meet at Max Hospital, Mohali today. During the occasion, the participants shared their inspiring transformational journeys from being obese to the healthy person post successful bariatric surgery.

Many people who are overweight or obese spend years trying to take-off the weight through diet and exercise but have no success, says Dr. Anupam Goel, senior consultant gastro-intestinal & robotic Surgery at Max. In those cases, weight-loss surgery can be life-extending, he informs.

Chandigarh Congress has urged the Union Government not to give clearance to the proposed India-Pakistan matches during the upcoming Cricket Asia Cup in September, as the terror and the sports cannot go together.

Expressing deep concern at the media reports to the effect that the Board of Control for Cricket in India has agreed to hold India-Pakistan Cricket matches during Asia Cup tournament at a neutral venue, Rajiv Sharma, the Chief Spokesperson of Chandigarh Congress stated that the people of Chandigarh and India are extremely upset over this unwarranted agreement to resume cricket ties with Pakistan. 

The Congress spokesperson said that on the one hand, the operation Sindoor initiated to teach Pakisan a lesson for its acts of terror has not been called off, on the other hand, the Cricket Boards of both the countries have decided to foster friendly sporting relations with each other. Expressing his anguish that not a single killer of Pahalgam has been nabbed so far, the Congress spokesperson stated that in such circumstances, India can not play cricket matches with Pakistan.  He expressed concern that  during the match, a huge amount of money invested by Indian sponsors will go to the coffers of the bankrupt Pakistani Cricket Board, which could be used to perpetrate further terror attacks in India. He warned the BCCI that it must not do anything that increases the capacity of Pakistan to hit our country.

Further, the Congress spokesperson questioned the rationale of going to a neutral venue in order to please Pakistan, when India already possesses the right to host all matches. 

Stating that the decision of Indian Cricket Board to hold matches with Pakistan amounts to an insult to the self-respect of the people of Chandigarh and India, he urged the local Member of Parliament Manish Tewari to raise this issue in the Parliament.

The Congress Spokesperson condemned the President and other office bearers of the UT Cricket Association Chandigarh for keeping mum on this matter of National interest and added that their silence shows that they have no hesitation in compromising national dignity and self respect for petty gains.

Chandigarh, July 27: Marking World Hepatitis Day, Paras Health highlighted the urgent need for early screening and greater public awareness around hepatitis and liver health. The hospital’s Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is actively working to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes through advanced technologies and expert-led care.

“Hepatitis often progresses silently and may only be detected once severe damage like cirrhosis or liver failure sets in. Timely testing is critical to prevent long-term complications,” said Dr Rakesh Kochhar, Director – Gastroenterology, Paras Health. He added that the hospital uses advanced diagnostic tools like Fibroscan, liver function tests, endoscopy, colonoscopy, and liver biopsy for early detection and effective management.

Hepatitis—caused by viruses such as Hepatitis B and C, alcohol use, long-term medication, or metabolic disorders—is increasingly becoming a public health concern in India. Doctors at Paras have also cautioned against the rising cases linked to some herbal and ayurvedic supplements.

According to WHO’s 2024 report, India has the highest global burden of viral hepatitis, with nearly 40 million people living with chronic Hepatitis B and 6–12 million with Hepatitis C. Yet, testing and treatment remain limited—less than 3% of Hepatitis B patients are diagnosed, and treatment rates for Hepatitis C are below 20% in many areas, including tier-II cities.

Paras Health is preparing to launch liver transplant services soon, with successful cases already conducted at its Gurugram centre. With a focus on prevention, timely care, and public education, the hospital continues to expand its specialised services for liver and digestive health in the region.

Chandigarh, July 27:

In a major step towards ensuring the dignity and welfare of senior citizens, the Punjab Government has disbursed an amount of ₹1347 crore under the Old Age Pension Scheme up to June 2025. This was stated today by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Punjab’s Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development.

Sharing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that as many as 22.75 lakh senior citizens have benefitted from the pension scheme till June 2025. She further informed that a budgetary allocation of ₹4100 crore has been made under the scheme for the current financial year.

Dr. Kaur emphasized that the Mann Government is fully committed to the upliftment and care of the elderly population. “Under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is working tirelessly with the motto ‘Our Elders, Our Pride’. Timely disbursal of pensions is a top priority,” she said.

The Minister also issued strict instructions to departmental officials to ensure that pension amounts are credited on time without any delay. “Our elderly citizens are our most valued asset, and any lapse or negligence in disbursing their pension will be viewed seriously,” she asserted.

Dr. Kaur further warned that any official found guilty of negligence in the implementation of the scheme, regardless of their position or influence, will face strict disciplinary action.

She concluded by saying that the government’s social security schemes are a vital support system for the elderly, and all efforts are being made to ensure that every eligible beneficiary receives their entitlements in a timely and respectful manner.

Chandigarh, July 25 – A vibrant celebration of Hariyali Teej took place on Friday evening at the residence of Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini. The event was filled with traditional folk songs, and glimpses of rich cultural heritage. Women from across the state participated with great enthusiasm. Amid the greenery of the monsoon season, the colourful sarees, hands with mehndi, folk music, and dance created a truly beautiful and memorable atmosphere. Haryana Governor, Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh’s wife Smt. Mitra Ghosh,  Health Minister Kumari Arti Singh Rao, MLAs, Smt. Shakti Rani Sharma and Smt. Bimla Chaudhary, State BJP President MohanLal Badoli, BJP leader, Smt. Banto Kataria and several other dignitaries graced the occasion.

The event presided over by Vice-President of the Haryana State Council for Child Welfare  and  wife of the Chief Minister, Smt. Suman Saini. During the programme, she also visited the exhibition set up on the occasion of the Teej festival.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister extended greetings to the people of the state and said that Teej is not just a festival—it is the soul of our culture. It represents family values, social bonding, and our traditions. He especially appreciated the presence of young girls and said it is our collective responsibility to keep the new generation connected to their cultural roots.

Haryana is proud of its rich traditions and folk culture. Our folk songs, dances, music, and art are carriers of our cultural identity. Through them, the youth remain connected to their culture. It is the need of the hour to preserve and promote this heritage, he added.

Reiterating the state government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, the Chief Minister highlighted various initiatives and achievements aimed at improving the lives of women. He said that women form half of our population, and a Viksit Bharat can only be built when they play an equal and active role in shaping our society and nation. 

He also appealed to all the women present to go beyond rituals and use the occasion of Teej to draw inspiration for environmental protection. He emphasised that the greenery of Sawan (monsoon) will return only when we plant more trees and protect nature.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister extended greetings to the people of the state and said that Teej is not just a festival—it is the soul of our culture. It represents family values, social bonding, and our traditions. He especially appreciated the presence of young girls and said it is our collective responsibility to keep the new generation connected to their cultural roots.

Haryana is proud of its rich traditions and folk culture. Our folk songs, dances, music, and art are carriers of our cultural identity. Through them, the youth remain connected to their culture. It is the need of the hour to preserve and promote this heritage, he added.

Chandigarh, July 22:

Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, on Tuesday, handed over appointment letters to five Veterinary Inspectors, two stenographer-cum-typist and one Enumerator here at his office, taking the total number of recruitments in the department to 942 since March 2022.

Notably, 326 Veterinary Officers, 545 Veterinary Inspectors and 63 group C posts have been filled since the Aam Aadmi Party led Punjab Government came into power in the state.

Congratulating the newly appointed officials, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian implored them to serve the people of Punjab with diligence and full dedication reiterating, honesty and seamless service delivery, as the top priority of the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government. He emphasised that hard work is a key for success in life.

Meanwhile, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian also extended congratulations to 19 class-4 employees, who have been promoted to the clerical level.

Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Paramdeep Singh Walia and other senior officials were also present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, July 22

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday lauded the significant contributions of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in fostering the growth of Punjab’s agrarian economy.

Speaking at an event organised to celebrate NABARD’s 44th Foundation Day, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema emphasised the institution’s crucial role in empowering the state’s farmers and strengthening its cooperative banking network. He specifically highlighted the low-interest-rate loans provided by NABARD to cooperative banks and societies. He said that these accessible financial resources enable these institutions to, in turn, offer affordable credit to farmers, a cornerstone of agricultural development in the state.

The Finance Minister also underscored the vital role of Multi-Purpose Cooperative Agricultural Service Societies (MPCASS) in the state’s progress. In a testament to the success stories within Punjab’s cooperative sector, Finance Minister Cheema invited representatives from The Lambra Kangri MPCASS Ltd., Hoshiarpur, established in 1920, to share their journey with the attendees. This society’s success served as an inspiring example of effective cooperative functioning.

Addressing the current state of Punjab’s Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that out of approximately 3,500 PACS in the state, around 1,800 are currently operating profitably, while others face financial challenges. He urged the farmers of Punjab, who have historically led the nation in agricultural innovation, to focus on strengthening the PACS network across the state.

During the event, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also distributed awards to outstanding MPCASS in various categories, including The Nurpur Bet MPCASS ltd., Ludhiana, Lambra Kangri MPCASS Ltd., Hoshiarpur, and The Sukhanand MPCASS ltd, Moga as ‘Best MPACS – Non-credit Services during the year’, The Bijapur MPCASS ltd., Ludhiana, The Sammipur MPCASS ltd., Jalandhar, and The Kalyan Sukha MPCASS ltd, Bathinda as ‘Best MPACS – Financial Performance’, and The Sukhanand  MPCASS ltd., Moga, The Mehal Gehlan MPCASS ltd., SBS Nagar, and The Gidrani MPCASS ltd., Sangrur as ‘Best New MPACS of the Year – Adoption of Various MoC Initiatives’. He also honoured Kapurthala DCCB, Jalandhar DCCB, Muktsar DCCB, PStCB, RCS, Sangrur Phulkari Producer Company, and Sangrur Agri Grower Producer Company for their outstanding performance.

Prominent among others, the Regional Director, RBI, Vivek Srivastava, CGM, NABARD, Punjab, VK Arya, CGM, NABARD, Haryana, Nivedita Tiwari, Chairman, PSCB, Jagdev Singh, and MD, PSCB, Harjeet Singh Sandhu, were also present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, July 22:

Under the able leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is actively working towards the upliftment of all sections of society. In particular, the government is making dedicated efforts to bring Scheduled Caste (SC) students into the mainstream through educational empowerment. This was stated by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities.

Dr. Baljit Kaur announced that the Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship Portal is being opened for the academic year 2025-26 to facilitate the process of providing financial assistance to Scheduled Caste students. Eligible students will soon be able to submit their applications online through the portal.

The Minister informed that the government has set a target to benefit 2.70 lakh students under this scheme in 2025-26. Under the scheme, Free-ship Cards are issued to new students, allowing them to secure admission in affiliated institutions with exemption from tuition fees as per the prescribed norms.

She further informed that during 2024-25, the target was set at 2.60 lakh students, and a total of 2,60,015 applications were received through the portal. Out of these, 2,37,456 cases were found eligible, and the Punjab Government released ₹267.54 crore as its share towards the scholarship disbursement.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that the Punjab Government is fully committed to the educational, economic, and social development of SC students. Instructions have been issued to all district authorities, educational institutions, and implementing Departments to ensure that the scheme reaches the maximum number of students so that no eligible student is left out of the scholarship benefits.

Chandigarh, July 22:

The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is making determined efforts to expand horticulture across the state and enhance the income of farmers. In this regard, Horticulture Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat today held a meeting with senior officials of the Horticulture Department at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh.

During the meeting, the Minister reviewed ongoing departmental activities and directed the officers to accelerate the recruitment process for 111 Horticulture Development Officers (HDOs).

Sharing further details, the Minister said that the recruitment of these officers is aimed at providing better technical guidance to farmers, encouraging crop diversification, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Earlier, Director Horticulture Mrs. Shailender Kaur briefed the Minister on the current status of the recruitment process .She assured that all necessary steps are being taken to complete the recruitment in a transparent and time-bound manner. She also apprised the Minister of other administrative matters during the meeting.

The Minister further said that the Punjab Government is fully committed to promote farmer-centric policies and modernizing the horticulture sector to make it more profitable and farmer-friendly. He added that clear instructions have been issued to ensure complete transparency throughout the recruitment process.