With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state completed 132 days, Punjab Police on Friday arrested 116 drug smugglers and recovered 4.5 kg heroin and 1 kg opium from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 21,495 in just 132 days.
The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.
Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.
Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 180 Police teams, comprising over 1300 police personnel, under the supervision of 86 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 459 locations across the state leading to the registration of 85 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 459 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.
The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 75 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.
In a surprise move, Punjab’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr Balbir Singh on Friday inspected at the residences of his cabinet colleagues and LOP as a part of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s initiative ‘Har Shukarvar Dengue Te Var’. The drive revealed a concerning presence of mosquito larvae in Desert coolers ,Flower pots & water-containers for birds etc , highlighting the need for immediate preventive measures.
“Dengue can become deadly if it turns hemorrhagic, leading to severe complications. However, collective efforts can halt its spread,” Dr. Balbir Singh said while emphasising the importance of eliminating breeding spots and urged caretakers, ministers, LOP and the public to work together to make Punjab dengue-free.
The Health Minister directed officials,from ASHA workers to senior officers, to intensify awareness drives and mobilise communities. He emphasised that Health Committees in every village and mohalla must conduct home inspections every Friday from 9-10am to ensure no mosquito larvae survive.
Dr Balbir Singh urged for mass participation for a better impact to defeat dengue, he also advised everyone to cover water containers, cleaning the desert coolers weekly and not accumulate any stagnant water around their houses.
On the occasion, Principal Secretary Health Kumar Rahul, Director Health and Family Welfare Dr Hitinder Kaur, State Program Officer (NVBDCP) Dr Arshdeep Kaur and other health officials were also present.
The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the welfare of every section of society and is according special priority to the progress and welfare of the Scheduled Castes. This was stated today by the Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, while addressing a meeting held at the Punjab Civil Secretariat.
During a special review meeting with the Director of Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation (PSCLDFC), Mr. Ravinder Hans, Dr. Baljit Kaur issued directives to ensure that the benefits of welfare schemes being run by the Corporation effectively reach every eligible beneficiary.
In the meeting, Director Ravinder Hans gave a detailed presentation about the various schemes of the Corporation and informed that a large number of needy families are availing benefits from these government initiatives. He also suggested that special camps should be organized in every district to spread awareness about these schemes and to ensure their benefits are delivered directly to the rightful beneficiaries.
During the meeting, issues such as shortage of staff in the Corporation, administrative difficulties being faced by officials, and some pending matters were also brought to the Minister’s notice.
After giving a patient hearing to all the issues, Dr. Baljit Kaur issued immediate directions to resolve some of the important matters on the spot. She assured that all other pending issues would also be addressed promptly. The Minister further emphasized that the implementation process of the Scheduled Castes welfare schemes would be made more efficient, prompt, and organized to ensure maximum outreach and timely delivery of benefits to the eligible individuals.
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has reached a remarkable milestone: Over 1000 pituitary adenoma surgeries have been performed endoscopically by a single surgeon, Prof. Rajesh Chhabra, Senior Neurosurgeon, over the past 7 years—a distinction that places this achievement among the largest single-surgeon series globally.
“Despite advances in medicine, we continue to see patients presenting with large or even giant pituitary tumors, often due to delayed diagnosis or limited awareness,” said Prof. Rajesh Chhabra. “This milestone reflects not only surgical success but also the importance of early detection and the collaborative strength of a dedicated team.”
This achievement would not have been possible without the skilled multidisciplinary team at PGIMER:
• Prof. Rajesh Chhabra and Dr. Apinderpreet Singh — Neurosurgery
• Dr. Ramandeep Virk — ENT (Otorhinolaryngology)
• Dr. Pinaki Dutta and Dr. Rama Ahluwalia — Endocrinology
• Dr. Chirag Kamal Ahuja — Neuroradiology
• Dr. Nidhi Panda and Team — Neuroanaesthesia
The Hidden Power of the Master Gland
The pituitary gland—a pea-sized structure at the base of the brain—plays a crucial role in regulating many of the body’s vital functions. Known as the “master gland,” it controls the production of essential hormones including those responsible for growth, thyroid function, stress response, reproductive health, and fluid balance. Despite its small size, the pituitary gland holds the key to our body’s hormonal harmony.
Due to its strategic location near optic nerves (responsible for vision) and critical blood vessels (carotid arteries), abnormalities of the pituitary gland—especially pituitary tumors (adenomas)—can lead to serious health problems. These tumors account for nearly 15% of all brain tumors, making them the third most common brain tumors after gliomas and meningiomas. Fortunately, the vast majority are non-cancerous, but if left untreated, they can cause vision loss, hormonal imbalances, life-threatening crises, and even coma.
Surgical Evolution: From Open Surgery to Minimally Invasive Endoscopy
In earlier decades, pituitary tumors were operated on by opening the skull (craniotomy)—a procedure associated with considerable post-operative risks. With medical advancements, the microscopic transnasal approach gained popularity, significantly reducing morbidity. The real breakthrough, however, came with the advent of endoscopic transnasal pituitary surgery, which has now become the gold standard worldwide for most pituitary tumors, offering a safer, scarless, and faster recovery.
Together, we employ minimally invasive endoscopic transnasal techniques that enable:
Safe and scarless surgery through the natural nasal passage
Minimal hospital stay and faster recovery
Preservation of vision and hormonal function
Reduced complication rates
Why Do Giant Pituitary Tumors Still Occur?
In India, patients often present with giant or advanced pituitary tumors due to:
• Late diagnosis: Early warning signs such as headaches, vision changes, or subtle hormonal disturbances are frequently ignored.
• Limited public awareness: Many are unaware that these symptoms could point to a pituitary problem.
• Fragmented healthcare: Smaller centers may manage minor cases, while complex or larger tumors require timely referral to tertiary care centers like PGIMER. Early Detection Saves Sight—and Lives
The team at PGIMER urges the public to watch for warning signs such as:
• Persistent headaches
• Gradual vision loss
• Unexplained weight gain or changes in body features
• Menstrual irregularities or hormonal disturbances
A simple MRI scan and hormonal evaluation can lead to early diagnosis, enabling safer and more effective treatment.
Managing pituitary tumors requires not only technical excellence but also: Meticulous surgical planning,Continuous post-operative monitoring, A well-trained team of resident doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff.
The high volume of cases at PGIMER ensures world-class training for young doctors, who carry forward this expertise across India and abroad.
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, is India’s premier academic and healthcare institution, known for: the State-of-the-art facilities, Advanced neurosurgical innovation and Excellence in multidisciplinary patient care
The successful treatment of over 1000 pituitary tumor cases endoscopically by a single surgeon underscores PGIMER’s role as a national and regional leader in skull base and pituitary surgery—aligning with high-volume global standards where experience is key to superior patient outcomes.
The General Secretary of All India Congress Committee, former Union Minister, and MP from Sirsa, Kumari Selja, has expressed concern over the serious flaws in the crop insurance scheme in the state and the injustice being done to farmers. Kumari Selja has demanded immediate intervention from the central and state governments. Kumari Selja said that the primary objective of the crop insurance scheme was to provide financial relief to farmers during natural disasters, but it has now become a means of profit for insurance companies. Strict action should be taken against officials involved in scams under the guise of insurance.
In a statement released to the media Kumari Selja said that thousands of farmers across various districts in the state have been struggling for years to get their crop insurance claims. However, they are not receiving any satisfactory response. Farmers are being forced to run from one office to another. The collusion between officials and insurance companies has become a cause of distress for farmers. Such officials should be identified and punished. When farmers insure their crops, the companies neither conduct timely surveys nor maintain transparency in assessing the damage. Many farmers are not even given any documentation regarding their claims, whereas in sectors like vehicle insurance, consumers are handed the full policy. This double standard is an injustice to farmers. It clearly shows that companies have always been profit-driven and have no concern for farmers’ interests.
Kumari Selja said that the insurance companies treat an entire village as a single unit while assessing damage. If a particular field suffers actual loss but the entire village is not declared as a damaged area, that farmer does not receive a claim. This system is anti-farmer and must be changed immediately. Kumari Selja said that in the era of climate change, disasters like floods, excessive rainfall, and hailstorms have become common. If a farmer’s crop is destroyed, they should receive compensation immediately so they can prepare for the next crop. However, under the current system, delays of 2 to 3 years are common, pushing farmers deeper into debt.Selja said that governments take responsibility only up to collecting premiums, but when it comes to disbursing claims, farmers are left at the mercy of insurance companies. This situation must be changed immediately. Kumari Selja further alleged that in the cotton-producing regions, a ₹300 crore insurance scam occurred during the determination of Kharif-23 cotton claims in Bhiwani and Charkhi Dadri due to the collusion between the agriculture department and CIC company officials. To date, neither have the guilty officials been punished, nor have the affected farmers received any compensation.
Kumari Selja has demanded from the government that farmers should be given individual insurance policies, just like in other insurance sectors. The insurance survey must be transparent, and assessment of damage should be done at the individual field level. The claim amount should be paid within a fixed timeframe, with a maximum of 60 days. Companies profiteering in the name of insurance should be closely monitored, and fines should be imposed for negligence. Kumari Selja said that the Congress Party will raise this issue of farmers’ pain at every level and continue the struggle to ensure that farmers receive their rights.
Chandigarh, July 12 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij today strongly criticized Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, and said that “Kharge Ji does not trust his own country, its people or the Prime Minister—he has more trust in foreigners.” He added that “Kharge Ji may not trust us, but at least he should trust his dear Pakistan and what their Prime Minister/Deputy Prime Minister said—that Trump did not hold any talks or mediation to stop the India-Pakistan war.”
Sh. Vij made these remarks today while responding to questions asked by the media personnel regarding Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s statement that, “Modi Ji and the BJP lie so much. When the India-Pakistan war was ongoing, Donald Trump said that he stopped it, that he asked them to halt… Trump said this 16 times. Modi didn’t respond. Why? Because he didn’t have the courage to speak against Trump.”
The Energy Minister responded that “When the Prime Minister of India has clearly said there were no talks or mediation of any kind, and when the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan has also confirmed there were no talks, then at least Kharge Ji should believe the Pakistani Deputy PM, after all, Pakistan is close to his heart.”
*”During the present government’s tenure, all kinds of direct benefits go straight into beneficiaries’ accounts” – Vij*
In response to a question regarding Rahul Gandhi’s recent comment that “the sole aim of the crop insurance scheme is to steal farmers’ money and funnel it into the pockets of three or four billionaires by looting government funds,”on this, Sh Vij hit back and said that “Rahul Gandhi Ji, this is not your late father Sh. Rajiv Gandhi Ji’s time, when one rupee sent from the top used to result in only 15 paise reaching the ground, and 85 paise was eaten up by your system. Today, every rupee reaches the beneficiary’s account—whether it’s from the Kisan Nidhi, a pension, or disability support. Today, all money goes directly into the accounts of beneficiaries, so how can it end up in anyone’s private coffers?”
*”Former Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal made considerable efforts to improve infrastructure in Gurugram” – Vij*
In response to a question about the recent heavy rainfall and waterlogging in Gurugram, which led to the death of nine to ten people, Sh. Vij said that “When Gurugram was first established, it was under opposition governments. Proper planning of drainage, sewers, and roads should be done before settling a city. But now, breaking and rebuilding an already settled city is extremely difficult. No government at that time paid attention to this. However, in the last 10 years, former Chief Minister Manohar Lal made significant efforts to improve Gurugram. But when the initial design and planning of the city were flawed, making major improvements becomes difficult. He added that he is deeply saddened by the deaths in Gurugram.
Chandigarh, July 10- As a result of the active participation of Bihar electors in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and tireless efforts of the election officers, the volunteers and 1.56-lakh proactive force of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) who have been appointed by all recognised political parties, has resulted in the collection of 57.48 percent enumeration forms in the first 15 days of the exercise with 16 more days left.
By 6.00 PM yesterday, 4,53,89,881 Enumeration Forms, which is 57.48 percent of the total of 7,89,69,844 (nearly 7.90 crore) existing electors in Bihar, have been collected in the last 15 days, since the issue of SIR instructions on June 24, 2025. In the last 24 hours i.e. from 6.00 PM yesterday, 83,12,804 Enumeration Forms have been collected, which amounts to 10.52 percent collected in a single day.
Maintaining the same momentum on the field, and with just about 42.5 percent forms remaining to be collected, the exercise of collecting the Enumeration Forms could be completed well before the stipulated date i.e. July 25, 2025.
Para 3(d) of SIR guidelines provide that the existing electors, which includes those who have temporarily migrated, in line with the section 20(1A) of the RP Act 1950, can download a pre-filled Enumeration Form from: https://voters.eci.gov.in. Existing electors, who have temporarily migrated can also print and sign the Enumeration Form and send it, before 25th July 2025, to their BLO, through their family members or through any online means (as per para 3(d) of SIR guidelines), including WhatsApp or similar applications, so that their names are included in the draft Electoral Rolls.
During this period of the past 15 days since the beginning of the SIR exercise, 7.90 crore forms were printed and nearly 98 percent forms (7.71 crore) have already been distributed to be electors.
Chandigarh, July 10 – In a significant step towards improving eye health and preventing avoidable blindness, Haryana Health and Family Welfare Minister Arti Singh Rao will launch the Ujjawal Drishti Haryana Abhiyan tomorrow. This state-wide initiative aims to provide free spectacles to school children and near vision correction to citizens aged 45 and above.
Under the campaign, over 1.4 lakh spectacles will be distributed simultaneously across 22 District Hospitals, 50 Sub-Divisional Hospitals, and 122 Community Health Centres – making it one of the largest and first-of-its-kind such drives in the country. The initiative is aligned with the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) and is being implemented with dedicated budget support from the state government.
The campaign will also screen approximately 21 lakh students in 14,267 government schools, with a target to provide 40,000 needy students with free spectacles. Additionally, citizens above 50 years of age will be screened for cataract, with provision for free surgeries through government and NGO hospitals.
Chandigarh, July 10 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini visited the Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan in Nur Mahal, Jalandhar and took part in the Guru Purnima event organised today. Union Minister of State for Railways Sh. Ravneet Singh Bittu accompanied the Chief Minister at the event.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister bowed to the portrait of Sh. Ashutosh Ji Maharaj of Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan and took his blessings. He expressed his heartfelt greetings to all devotees.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said this sacred day gives us an opportunity to express gratitude to the great Gurus who, by bestowing the light of knowledge, taught us the right way to live.
The Chief Minister also visited the Kamdhenu Gaushala located in the premises of the Sansthan, took part in Gau Poojan and also performed Gau Seva.
The Chief Minister also visited Baba Mohan Dass Ashram in Jalandhar and paid his respects to Baba Mohan Dass ji Maharaj. He said It is a matter of great happiness that today we are all gathered here to celebrate Guru Purnima. I have been associated with Guru ji for a long time and have been taking his blessings every year, he said.
The CM said today, we also have to take a pledge and this pledge is that we all must plant a tree under Ek Ped Maa ke Naam campaign. The environment around us is getting polluted, and we are increasingly getting dependent on Air Conditioners. So, it is important that we must plant trees as per the teachings of our Gurus and Saints. This will will also help us to deal with climate change. On the occasion of Guru Purnima, we also have to take a pledge that we all follow the path shown by our Gurus and Saints, the CM added.
Later, the Chief Minister also visited Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar and paid obeisance there.
The CM was warmly welcomed by the spiritual heads and the management of the Dera.
During the visit, the Chief Minister took blessings and expressed his reverence for the teachings of Guru Ravidass Ji, whose message of equality, peace, and social harmony continues to inspire generations.
He also appreciated the Dera’s contributions towards community welfare, education, and healthcare.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of preserving spiritual heritage and promoting social unity.
He assured the support of the government in all constructive efforts being made by such revered institutions.
Meanwhile, on the way to Jalandhar, the Chief Minister stopped his cavalcade and interacted with a local shopkeeper and other residents in Jamsher village.
He stepped out of his vehicle, greeted the villagers warmly, and enquired about their well-being and local issues. The residents shared their concerns and expressed happiness over the Chief Minister’s surprise interaction.
Senior BJP leaders and other dignitaries accompanied the Chief Minister on the occasion.
Chandigarh, July 10 – Haryana Cooperation, Heritage, and Tourism Minister, Dr. Arvind Sharma said that the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, is committed to the equal development of every section of society and every region.
The Minister was speaking during the monthly meeting of the District Public Relations and Grievance Committee in Narnaul. Twelve public issues were discussed during the meeting.
During the meeting, on behalf of poet Sh. Surender Sharma, Lata Sharma raised concerns about tampering of revenue records. In response, The Minister directed to form an inquiry committee, consisting of the Additional Deputy Commissioner, SDM Narnaul, District Revenue Officer, and two Members of Public Grievances Committee.
One of the key issues raised was the drinking water problem in Nasibpur and Nuni Awal. In response to a complaint by Sanjay Kumar, officers informed that a project worth approximately Rs. 148 crore is being planned under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme to provide a permanent solution to the issue. Both villages have recently become part of the municipal council. Meanwhile, the Minister directed that water tankers be sent to these areas as a temporary measure.
While interacting with the mediapersons after the meeting, Dr. Sharma said that under the guidance of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini is working tirelessly for the holistic development of Haryana. The government is focused on service and good governance.
While responding to the question regarding jail safety, the Minister said that all jails in Haryana are now equipped with modern security systems.
Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Vivek Bharti and other dignitaries also remained present.
