Jammu/Pathankot/Chandigarh, November 20:

The Nagar Kirtan commemorating the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji received a spirited Khalsai welcome from the sangat in Jammu before the procession advanced towards next destination at Pathankot. Devotees accompanied the Nagar Kirtan barefoot for long stretches both during last night’s reception and at the time of its onward journey today, infusing the city with a deeply spiritual atmosphere. A dedicated stopover was arranged for the Nagar Kirtan at Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Chand Nagar, Jammu.

Sikh youth showcased the martial art Gatka skills as the procession departed from Jammu while the local sangat showered flowers upon the palanquin of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. A large group of devotees also joined the procession heading towards Sri Anandpur Sahib to pay homage during the main events.

As the procession passed through Jammu city, various gurdwaras extended a warm welcome. Singh Sabha Gurdwara Akali Kaur Singh Nagar in Digiana greeted the Nagar Kirtan with full devotion. Rajinder Singh Wazir, Rajinder Singh Raina, Narinder Singh Wazir, Sandeep Singh along with a sizeable gathering were present. At Sri Sant Mela Singh Ji Dastkari Ashram, devotees welcomed the Nagar Kirtan alongside Mahant Manjit Singh. The sangat of Singh Sabha Gurdwara Digiana Camp along with President Charanjeet Singh, Manjeet Singh, Suraj Singh also extended a hearty welcome.

At Dogyal and Amar, Kashmiri Sikh Sangat including Sarpanch Vikram Singh, Swarn Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Surjit Singh, Jagdeep Singh, Darbari Singh and others arranged a special kahwa langar. At Mata Vaishno Devi Bypass, the sangat of Kunjuwani welcomed the religious procession, while the sangat of Sarore area also offered greetings and organised langar.

Besides this, at Vijaypur in Samba district, former Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet Minister S. Manjeet Singh, Giani Harpal Singh, Jasvir Singh, Harnam Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Gurdeep Singh along with the local Sikh sangat welcomed the Nagar Kirtan and arranged langar. Likewise, the sangat at Bari Brahmana Adda in Samba also extended a warm reception to the Nagar Kirtan.

The sangat of Rajbagh in Kathua district, along with the District Gurdwara Management Committee Kathua, welcomed the Nagar Kirtan at Rajbagh. On this occasion, Daljit Singh (Treasurer), Kuldeep Singh, Gurnam Singh, Amarjeet Singh and Jagjit Singh were present.

The sangat of Kalibari warmly received the Nagar Kirtan and arranged a langar serving chilled sweet lassi. A separate langar was also organised by the Gupta Hospital.

The District Gurdwara Management Committee Kathua further welcomed the Nagar Kirtan at Hatli Morh. Those present included Charanjeet Singh Bhola from the District Gurdwara Management Committee Kathua, MLA Kathua Dr Bharat Bhushan, Tehsildar Kathua Jatinder Sharma and General Secretary Praveen Singh.

Notably, upon its late-night arrival in Jammu, special religious congregation was organised at Manda for the reception of the Nagar Kirtan. The District Gurdwara Management Committee Jammu led the collective arrangements. The preparations were jointly supported by Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Guru Nanak Nagar Jammu, Gurdwara Yadgar Sri Bala Pritam Ji Trikuta Nagar Jammu, Gurdwara Yadgar Chhevin Patshahi Talab Tillo Jammu, Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Bakshi Nagar Jammu, Gurdwara Yadgar Sri Guru Angad Patshah Ji Preet Nagar Jammu, Gurdwara Kalghidhar Sahib Rehari Jammu, Gurdwara Yadgar Sant Sundar Singh Ji Tapo Sthan Akhnoor and Surinder Singh Kala, President of Vegetable and Fruit Association Narwal Mandi.

RTO Jammu Jasveer Singh, Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji President Ranjit Singh Tohra, Sant Tejwant Singh Dannewale, General Secretary Master Ranbir Singh, Jagpal Singh (Treasurer), Taranjeet Singh (Dharam Prachar Committee Incharge), Balwinder Singh, Surjit Singh (General Secretary) and others were present on this occasion.

Chandigarh: Doctors at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali successfully treated a 63-year-old man diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves, leading to weakness and paralysis. The life-saving treatment was led by Dr. Sawan Kumar Verma, associate director neurology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali and his team.

Satpal Singh (63) from Patran in Punjab was brought to the emergency of Max with rapidly progressing weakness in his limbs. He initially developed weakness in both lower limbs, which then progressed to involve the upper limbs over a duration of 5–7 days. Within the next few days, his condition had worsened to the point where he could barely stand or move independently. After a detailed neurological evaluation and diagnostic tests, Dr. Verma and his team diagnosed GBS.

The patient was immediately started on immunoglobulin therapy according to his body weight, administered over 5 days from the day of his admission. This immunotherapy was aimed at halting the immune system’s attack on the nerves and promoting recovery.

Dr. Sawan Kumar Verma said, “GBS is a challenging condition where early recognition and prompt treatment can make all the difference. In Satpal’s case, our goal was to stop the disease progression quickly and support his body’s natural healing process. By the end of the immunoglobulin course and at the time of discharge, he had started showing minor improvement. With continued intensive medical care, rehabilitation and physiotherapy, he went on to make significant recovery, and on follow-up after two months, he had regained his strength and mobility and was largely able to walk again independently.”

Following comprehensive treatment and physiotherapy support, Satpal has now returned to his normal life, a heartening outcome for both the patient and the medical team. 

Chandigarh:

Capitalizing on India’s accelerating financial growth story, Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Limited announced the launch of its Banking and Financial Services Fund, an open-ended equity scheme investing in Banking and Financial services sector. The New Fund Offer (NFO) opens for subscription on 10^th November 2025 and closes on 24^th November 2025. The fund is benchmarked against the NIFTY Financial Services TRI.

India’s Banking and Financial services (BFSI) sector is transforming at an unprecedented pace, expanding well beyond traditional banking to include NBFCs, insurers, AMCs, capital markets, and cutting-edge fintechs. Over the past two decades, the sector’s market capitalization has skyrocketed nearly 50X^#, powered by rapid digitization, rising credit penetration, financial inclusion, and bold regulatory reforms. Today, the sector stands at the heart of India’s economic momentum, offering investors a gateway to participate in the country’s financial transformation and long-term wealth creation story.

Built on Bajaj FinservMutual Funds’ Megatrends strategy, the fund aims to capture opportunities from India’s evolving financial ecosystem through a diversified portfolio spanning banks, NBFCs, insurers, AMCs, and other capital market participants. It will invest in 45–60* stocks shortlisted from a ~180-200-stock Megatrends universe aligned with long-term structural trends.Backed by megatrends such as UPI adoption, digital lending, Jan Dhan initiatives, and rising participation across NBFCs, mutual funds, and insurance, this scheme is designed for long-term investors with a higher risk appetite seeking wealth creation through focused exposure to the BFSI sector.

Ganesh Mohan, Managing Director, Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Limited, said, “As India marches toward Viksit Bharat and becomes a Top 3 economy globally, the financial services sector will play a significant role in enabling this growth. India’s increasing affluence and aspirations will drive significant growth across different financial services like lending, insurance, investments, payments and capital market products. BFSI will increasingly be central to India’s growth & will attract both domestic and foreign pools of capital as the economy expands. We believe this gives investors a great opportunity to participate in this megatrend through a dedicated thematic fund which will identify opportunities across the entire financial services spectrum and look to benefit from the future growth in these sectors.”

Nimesh Chandan, CIO, Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Limited, said, “Our investment approach for the Bajaj Finserv Banking and Financial Services Fund is anchored in rigorous research and disciplined stock selection. The fund will invest in 45–60 curated companies from a universe of 180-200 megatrends powered companies, across banking, NBFC, insurance, capital market intermediary, and asset management segments, ensuring both breadth and depth of exposure. While the sector offers multiple growth avenues, we believe superior outcomes are achieved by identifying businesses with sustainable competitive advantages, prudent capital allocation, and strong governance. By focusing on quality and maintaining a long-term orientation, we aim to deliver consistent risk-adjusted returns while giving investors access to the most compelling opportunities within India’s evolving BFSI landscape.”

The equity portion of the fund is managed by Mr. Nimesh Chandan (CIO) and Mr. Sorbh Gupta (Head- Equity), while its debt investments are managed by Mr. Siddharth Chaudhary (Head- Fixed Income). The minimum application amount is ₹500 (Plus multiples of Re.1), with a minimum additional application of ₹100 (Plus multiples of Re.1). An exit load of 1% is applicable if the investment is redeemed within three months of the date of the allotment. The fund offers both Growth and IDCW (Income Distribution cum Capital Withdrawal) options.*The portfolio count is indicative, and actual number will depend on market conditions at the time of making investment.

Chandigarh, November 20:-* In a continued effort to strengthen community participation in waste management, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh today conducted a Swachhata Ki Karyashala at Government School, Sector 37-B. The workshop aimed to sensitize students on the importance of waste segregation at the source and encourage them to adopt home composting techniques for a cleaner, healthier environment.

During the interactive session, students were educated on the correct methods of segregating wet, dry, and domestic hazardous waste, alongside practical demonstrations on converting kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost. Officials emphasized how small behavioral changes at the household level can significantly reduce landfill burden and support the city’s vision of sustainable waste management.

The workshop witnessed active participation and enthusiasm from students and teachers, who pledged to carry forward the message of Swachhata in their homes and communities. MCC officials highlighted that such educational initiatives play a key role in shaping environmentally responsible citizens and achieving long-term cleanliness goals.

Chandigarh, November 18 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini stopped at Ambli village on Tuesday morning while travelling from Chandigarh to Sadhaura and interacted with the local residents. The villagers accorded him a grand welcome. On the occasion, they congratulated the Chief Minister on the historic victory in the Bihar Assembly elections and distributed sweets to celebrate the win.

Expressing heartfelt gratitude for the affection and warm welcome, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the victory in the Bihar Assembly elections under the guidance of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi is the result of the people’s strength, trust, and the hard work of party workers. The dedication, commitment, and organisational unity of party workers have led to this historic success. He said he is deeply grateful for the love and respect shown by the workers and villagers.

He added that the government will continue to work consistently for public welfare and development, and fulfilling the expectations of the people remains the government’s top priority. Present on the occasion were Market Committee Chairman Narender Rana Kurali, Sandeep Saini, and a large number of party workers and villagers.

Chandigarh, November 18 – On the auspicious occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of ‘Hind ki Chadar’ Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the fourth holy Nagar Kirtan Yatra was commenced on Tuesday from Sadhaura in Yamunanagar district. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini offered Ardaas before Sri Guru Granth Sahib at Gurdwara Diodi Sahib and urged people to spread the message of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s unparalleled penance and supreme sacrifice. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also announced a grant of Rs 31 lakh from his discretionary quota to Gurdwara Diodi Sahib.

The Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government, in collaboration with the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, is commemorating the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on a grand scale. The aim is to disseminate the Guru’s profound message of sacrifice, courage and devotion to the masses. He added that Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji made the supreme sacrifice for the protection of humanity, religion and the nation, an inspiring legacy that must be shared with future generations.

Describing Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as the world’s first great champion of human rights, the Chief Minister said that this fourth Nagar Kirtan Yatra, beginning from the sacred land of Sadhaura, will carry forward the Guru’s message of penance, sacrifice, commitment to faith, and protection of religion to the masses.

He further informed that four sacred Nagar Kirtan Yatras have been organised across Haryana to mark the 350th martyrdom year, covering all districts of the state. These Yatras will culminate in Kurukshetra on November 24. On the following day, November 25, a mahasamagam will take place in Kurukshetra on the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, with Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi attending as the chief guest. The Chief Minister appealed to devotees to visit the holy land of Kurukshetra with their families and become part of this historic and spiritually significant event.

PM Narendra Modi fulfills historic Kartarpur Corridor resolution

The Chief Minister said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, the Kartarpur Corridor has been constructed, enabling devotees to visit the sacred Gurudwara and offer their prayers. He added that the Haryana Government is continuously working to promote the traditions, teachings, and sacrifices of the Gurus and other great personalities. In this context, the State Government celebrated the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji with great reverence, and is now commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji on a grand scale.

Referring to various initiatives undertaken by the State Government, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini informed that it has been decided to establish a Chair in the name of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, to enable future generations to research the Guru’s life, philosophy, and supreme sacrifice. He highlighted other notable initiatives, including naming the Panchkula–Paonta Sahib road after Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the Kurukshetra–Lohgarh Sahib road after Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. In addition, 70 kanals of land have been allocated free of cost to Gurudwara Sri Chilla Sahib in Sirsa, and the foundation stone of the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial has been laid in Lohgarh. The Chief Minister said that the government is committed to spreading the message of the Gurus’ sacrifices and their unparalleled contributions to humanity, so that future generations can draw inspiration and guidance from these sacred legacies.

Describing the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as an occasion for transformation, Chief Minister said that the fourth Nagar Kirtan Yatra, which began today, will traverse various districts of the state, spreading the inspiration of Guru Ji’s supreme sacrifice to every town and village. He added that this Yatra will provide a new direction and motivation for future generations.

On this occasion, Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Sh Shyam Singh Rana also addressed the devotees, urging everyone to contribute to society and the nation by following the path shown by the Gurus, in honour of the great sacrifices they made for the protection of religion and humanity.

On this occasion, President of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, OSD Dr Prabhleen Singh, District President Rajesh Sapra, former Minister Krishan Pal, former MLA Balwant Singh and Bishan Lal Saini, Banto Kataria, Suman Bahmani, Shalini Sharma, Ramesh Kumar Thaska, Inderjit Singh Dhillon, Kulwinder Singh, Iqbal Singh Bhatia, Sardar Gulab Singh, Bibi Kartar Kaur and other dignitaries were also present.

Chandigarh, November 18 — Showcasing significant progress in its fight against air pollution, Haryana today highlighted major achievements and new initiatives during a virtual review meeting held by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests & Wildlife, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal apprised the Ministry of Haryana’s strengthened measures across NCR-linked districts at the meeting chaired by Sh. Tanmay Kumar, Secretary, MoEF&CC.

During the meeting, the MoEF&CC reviewed the current air quality scenario and sought detailed updates from state governments on the implementation of pollution-control actions mandated for the winter months. Briefing the Ministry, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal informed that Haryana has undertaken a series of short-term and long-term measures across major sectors—including transport, agriculture, municipal management, and power generation—to curb pollution in NCR-linked districts.

He stated that due to consistent and coordinated efforts, incidents of stubble burning in Haryana have reduced by nearly half compared to last year. Measures to reduce vehicular emissions have also shown results, with diesel autos taken off the roads, deployment of mechanical road-sweeping machines in Gurugram and Faridabad, and actions to control road dust across urban areas.

Sh. Rajpal further highlighted that brick kilns in districts beyond NCR have transitioned to using paddy-straw-based pellets and briquettes, supporting both clean fuel usage and stubble-management efforts. He added that GMDA and FMDA have implemented IT-based technological systems to monitor farm fires, ensuring real-time detection and prompt action, while electric buses are also being deployed to further reduce emissions in major urban centres.

He also informed the Ministry that Haryana is implementing a World Bank-supported Clean Air Programme. The project will support the strengthening of air quality management systems in the state, while synergising efforts being undertaken by the Government of India. It will focus on designing and implementing sector-specific air pollution abatement measures and facilitating coordination among Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) states to reduce cross-border emissions.

The Additional Chief Secretary reaffirmed Haryana’s commitment to continued inter-departmental coordination and strict enforcement of all pollution-control directives.

Additional Chief Secretary, Transport, Sh. Raja Sekhar Vundru, Chairman, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Sh. Vineet Garg, Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Sh. Pankaj Agarwal, Commissioner & Secretary, Urban Local Bodies, Sh. Vikas Gupta, Managing Director, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited, Dr. Saket Kumar, and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

Chandigarh, November 18- Haryana Development and Panchayat Minister, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar said that today, the entire nation looks towards athletes from Haryana with great hope in the Olympics and international competitions. More than 50 percent of the country’s medals are won by Haryana players. He said that athletes from Haryana are not only bringing pride to the state but also shaping a bright future for India.

Sh. Panwar was speaking as the Chief Guest after inaugurating the 50th Annual Athletic Meet at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, on Tuesday.

He said that the Khelo India initiative launched by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has given a new direction to the country’s sporting culture. He said that under Haryana’s progressive sports policy, Olympic gold medalists are awarded Rs. 6 crore, silver medalists Rs. 4 crore, and bronze medalists Rs. 2.30 crore. Besides this, players receive Rs. 5 lakh for training and 3 percent reservation in government jobs, he added.

He further said that just like the Pro-Kabaddi League for boys, steps are being taken to launch a similar league for girls. Appreciating MDU’s achievements in sports, he announced a grant of Rs.11 lakh for sports development at the university. He said that children must set clear goals and move forward with full passion to achieve success in life. The Minister also appreciated the efforts of MDU Athletic Coach, Dr. Ramesh Sindhu and felicitated him.

MDU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rajbir Singh said that MDU holds a national reputation in the field of sports, and the university is committed to further developing international-standard sports facilities. He expressed gratitude for the continuous support and guidance provided by the state government.

Chandigarh, November 18 -While the International Gita Mahotsav has already established its identity on the global stage, artisans from different states are showcasing their extraordinary craftsmanship at the Mahotsav. The handicraft work displayed by these artisans at the International Gita Mahotsav seems to narrate a tale of life through its intricate details. This remarkable hand-crafted artistry is drawing tourists in large numbers, who are enthusiastically purchasing these items.

Artisans shared that they participate in the International Gita Mahotsav every year. This time too, they have brought with them beautiful and captivating terracotta flower pots, statues, and other decorative items for home decor. They explained that all these items are made from terracotta clay, which is imported from Nuh. They further explained that after shaping these terracotta pieces on the wheel, they are baked, followed by the finishing process. Once that is done, the items are decorated with vibrant colours to give them their stunning appearance. Tourists are purchasing these items in large quantities.

At the International Gita Mahotsav, this crafts fair will continue until December 5, 2025. The sacred banks of Brahma Sarovar have come alive with the artisans’ handicraft work, and the colourful handmade art has completely transformed the ambience of the Mahotsav. While artists from various states are joyfully presenting the culture of their regions and capturing the hearts of visitors, these extraordinary handcrafted items are adding a special charm and vibrancy to the Mahotsav.