Chandigarh, October 25: Haryana Chief Secretary Dr. TVSN Prasad chaired the 21st meeting of the Standing Committee of the Northern Zonal Council today at Hotel Lalit, Chandigarh. The meeting was attended by Sh. K. Moses Chalai, Secretary of the Inter State Council Secretariat (ISCS), Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh Sh. Prabodh Saxena, Chief Secretary of Rajasthan Sh. Sudhansh Pant, Chief Secretary of Punjab Sh. KAP Sinha, and senior officers from the participating States, Union Territories (UTs), and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Participating states included Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh, along with the UTs of Ladakh, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Various important matters discussed in the meeting of NZC held under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister  Sh Amit Shah at Amritsar last year were also discussed in the meeting.

Councils facilitate discussions on a wide range of issues, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation

In his welcome address, Dr. Prasad highlighted the importance of Zonal Councils in promoting cooperative federalism, which empowers states and enhances coordination between the Centre and the states within the policy framework. He said that these councils facilitate discussions on a wide range of issues, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.

The Chief Secretary emphasized that the Zonal Council meetings enable a coordinated approach to address critical social and economic development issues. This collaborative environment aids in resolving pending matters amicably between the Centre and the states, as well as among the participating states, and allows them to share and adopt best practices.

Dr. Prasad  invited participants to explore Rakhigarhi and to visit the holy land of Kurukshetra

Dr. Prasad also expressed pride in Haryana’s rich cultural heritage, inviting participants to explore Rakhigarhi in district Hisar, the site of one of the oldest civilizations, and to visit the holy land of Kurukshetra, where Lord Krishna delivered the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

Speedy investigation of cases of rape and sexual offences  against women and children

The meeting also stressed upon the need of speedy investigation of cases of rape and sexual offences  against women and children. The Government in 2018 approved the Criminal Law ( Amendment ) Act 2018 prescribing stringent provisions for sexual offences including award of death penalty in the rape of a girl below the age of 12 years of age. In order to ensure compliance to the two months timeline for completion of investigation under the the Criminal Law ( Amendment ) Act 2018, advisories are being issued to all the States, UTs along with compliance reports urging them for hundred percent compliance in order for the effective implementation of the Act, the measures to strengthen investigation and prosecution machinery will instill a sense of security amongst women.

Several important inter-state issues discussed

Several inter state issues were also discussed in the meeting including need for neighbouring states to shift to cleaner fuels such as piped natural gas in their industries, complete ban on manufacturing, storage, sale ( including delivery through online marketing platforms) and bursting of all kinds of crackers in NCR , vehicular pollution control : BS VI vehicles registration and electric vehicle promotion and discourage entry of non-destined truck into Delhi.

A total of 69 issues were discussed in the 21st meeting of the Standing Committee of Northern Zonal  Council. Out of these several issues have been identified as important topics at the national level, these are being regularly discussed and monitored in the meetings of various zonal councils. These included Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana , effective implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer for Social Security Schemes, addressing malnutrition among girl children through Poshan Abhiyan, dropout rate of school children, Sahakar-se-Samriddhi, good practices of States and UTs,  improving banking services in rural areas, speedy investigation of  cases regarding rape and sexual offences against women and children and setting up of fast track court for such cases.

States/UT shared best practices

During the meeting, the participating states and UTs gave presentations on the good practices adopted by them. From Rajasthan, Special Secretary Planning Anupama Jorwal  gave presentation on Smart shift from paper to pixel and Rajasthan Jan Aadhar Yojna, from Chandigarh SP Head Quarter Chandigarh Ketan Bansal on Implementation of New Criminal Laws, from Haryana Additional Chief Secretary Raja Shekhar Vundru on AHD Department ,  Dr Saket Kumar on Energy Department and Amneet P Kumar on WCD Haryana.

From Himachal Pradesh Secretary Ashish Singhmar gave presentation on Child Protection Schemes and Director Fisheries Vivek Chandel on Trout Fish Farming in Cages, a new step towards blue revolution, from Ladakh Sajad Mufti on India’s first dark sky reserve ‘Hanle’ and from Punjab Ajoy Sharma gave presentation on Door Step Service Delivery, Barnala Pahunch and Future Tycoons.

In his closing remarks Chief Secretary Dr. TVSN Prasad praised the innovative practices shared by the states, emphasizing that the meeting served as an excellent platform for collaboration and the exchange of ideas.

Vote of thanx was presented by Special  Secretary Monitoring and Coordination Dr Priyanka Soni .

Chandigarh: The MSME credit access in India is only 14%, whereas it stands at 72% in the U.S. and between 40-50% in other countries. Hence, expanding credit by empowering MSMEs is crucial. This was stated by Rajat Chopra, Founder and CEO of BankersKlub, during a press conference here today.

He provided insights into the innovative FinTech platform, BankersKlub, explaining how they are working to bring a transformation in the financial advisory field with the help of experienced bankers.

He shared plans to expand into northern Indian states and central regions like Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir, with the leadership of the organization’s first co-partner, Rajiv Puri, a seasoned banking expert and former Executive Director of the Central Bank of India. BankersKlub is strengthening its regional efforts with a goal of engaging more than 1,000 bankers in these regions. Under its expansion plans, the organization has opened a new branch office in Chandigarh, located in Sector 17. The operations for this region will be run from this office. Through the assistance of qualified former bankers, the company will offer numerous strategic corporate financial advisory services and solutions to small businesses, MSMEs, and startups.

Rajiv Puri brings deep experience in the banking sector, having held significant positions in PNB and Central Bank. He will now contribute his expertise to BankersKlub. Born in Punjab, Puri has a strong local network and deep understanding of northern India’s market. He will drive growth in markets like Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal.

The new office in Chandigarh will strengthen the growing network in northern India, ensuring smooth operations. With Rajiv Puri’s leadership and broad network, we are now well-positioned in this emerging business hub and will directly engage with local corporates, MSMEs, and the startup ecosystem.

Rajiv Puri, Director and Co-Partner at BankersKlub, expressed his excitement at being part of BankersKlub’s mission to bridge the gap between experienced banking professionals and growing businesses in India. He stated that with the Chandigarh office, they will be able to provide customized financial advisory services and strengthen their ties with industries in northern India. Leveraging decades of banking experience, they will help businesses seize growth opportunities, improve their financial standing, and face financial challenges more effectively. As a co-partner, Puri is eager to advance this mission and contribute to BankersKlub’s expansion across the country.

Rajat Chopra emphasized that capital availability for enterprises can only be provided by expanding into Tier-II and Tier-III cities, where there is a lack of awareness about funding opportunities, transaction flow, and available financial facilities. At BankersKlub, the aim is to act as a catalyst in bridging the gap between capital providers and those in need of capital in smaller cities.

BankersKlub offers services in debt and equity fundraising, debt restructuring, international expansion, NPA resolution, mergers and acquisitions, MSME advisory, regulatory compliance, and more. It contributes not only to financing but also to the broader economic development in the region. The platform’s goal of reutilizing human capital aligns with the “Make in India” initiative, aiming to boost GDP through the expertise of Indian advisors for corporates in both domestic and international markets.

The startup plans to engage over 1,000 bankers on its platform by March 2025, incorporating retired bankers from across India. The platform is rapidly expanding and is establishing its presence in key business centers, offering its services to MSMEs and the corporate ecosystem.

Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Administration on Monday launched an 8-day awareness campaign, inaugurated by Rajiv Verma, Adviser to UT Administrator at the UT Secretariat. The campaign focuses on eliminating beggary in the city and promoting a more compassionate way of supporting those in needs. Various departments are actively participating in this drive. The Department of Police, in collaboration with the Anti Human Trafficking Unit and the Union Territory Child Protection Unit, will conduct rescue operations. The Department of Excise will increase vigilance in market areas to curb street begging and exploitation. The Department of School Education will raise awareness across schools to educate children on the social implications of beggary. Additionally, NSS volunteers will engage the public through flash mobs to spread awareness and discourage giving alms. Citizens are encouraged to contribute by donating winter essentials such as new socks, gloves, shoes, mufflers, scarves, and school supplies at designated ‘Neki ki Deewar’ locations: Nari Niketan, Sector 26; Old Age Homes, Sectors 15 and 43; and Snehalaya, Sector 39, from 21st to 28th October 2024.

The Adviser to Administrator urged the citizens of Chandigarh not to give alms to beggars and not to buy things from children on roads, traffic signals and round abouts so as to curb problems of begging, child trafficking and child labour. He further said that the donations made at the designated ‘Neki Ki Deewar’ locations would bring happiness in the lives of needy women, children and senior citizens. Sh. Rajiv Verma also urged the citizens that such acts of benevolence may be captured on camera and selfie be posted on social media, tagging the Social Welfare Department, UT Chandigarh with hashtag ‘Beggar free Chandigarh”. He said that let us all come forward to make the City Beautiful as beggar free city.

This campaign has been initiated by the Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, Chandigarh Administration. Present during the occasion were Anuradha Chagti, Secretary Social Welfare, Ajay Chagti, Secretary Health and Prerna Puri, Secretary Education along with other officials of Chandigarh Administration.

Chandigarh : Indo-Pak relations need a fresh renewal to nourish the bonds of neighbourhood as much as to reignite the spirit of cultural and social affinity, said Rahul Singh, director of the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival here today.

Talking to the media persons to deliver his curtain-raiser address for the 13th edition of the Litfest that takes off from Oct 18 in Kasauli, Rahul said there was an urgent need to revive people-to-people contact between the two Punjabs.

Recalling an epic novel, Train to Pakistan, that his father Khuswant Singh wrote, Rahul said the thaw between India and Pakistan can be broken by rebuilding cultural and social ties.

The 13th Edition of the Khushwant Singh Litfest takes off from Oct 18 to 20, 2024 to celebrate the ideas and values that celebrated writer, litterateur and journalist, Khushwant Singh, cherished.

This time the theme of the Litfest is ‘Resilience and Renewal’   which  resonates deeply with the times we live in. The last few years, as we all know, have been a tribute to the enduring human spirit, its ability to adapt,overcome and flourish among challenges, said Rahul Singh.

The KSLF is basically a celebration of literature with a niche for Punjab and Punjabi ethos to pay tribute to the values and vision of accomplished writer Khushwant Singh.

As usual this year’s Litfest also promises to have a remarkable gathering of literary minds, cultural voices, and thought leaders.

The galaxy of speakers taking part in the Litfest would include William Dalrymple, Imtiaz Ali,Arundhathi Subramaniam ( one of the finest poets writing in India today), L. Subramaniuam (God of Indian violin),Amitabh Kant, Anindya Roy, Devdutt Pattanai, and Manish Tiwari., MP.

Since this can only flourish with  corporate assistance, Rahul expressed gratitude to the Vianaar group, which is into eco-friendly homes, much keeping in tune with the green fest, would be an integral part of the Litfest. It’s an outstanding group that has excelled in redefining the eco friendly second home concept across the country.

He underlined that the corporate assistance was very integral to carry forward the flavour of art and literature in the society

Sheetal Chadha, Director (Sales), Vianaar group echoed the thematic similarities that the KSLF and the Vianaar group shares for eco-friendly commitment and child education.

Background

The Khushwant Singh literary festival (KSLF) began 13 years ago in the tiny hill station of Kasauli, where Khushwant Singh would articulate his ideas and vision in his villa here.

Khushwant Singh was the most widely read English columnist in India, with several of his newspaper columns syndicated across some twenty publications all over India, translated into 17 Indian languages, as well as a hundred and fifty books, fiction and non-fiction.

The Litfest  has been  a meeting of minds to celebrate the power of ideas that can transform our lives. And raise awareness for causes he believed in. Ranging from women’s roles in society to improving Indo-Pak ties and saving the environment.

The KSLF is a not-for-profit as earnings from the Festival are ploughed back into preservation of Kasauli and its environs, as well as education of the girl child.

The Khushwant Singh Litfest London began as a pop-up in 2018 when we were invited there by the Indian High Commission. Subsequently King’s College invited us over to their campus in 2019 as Khushwant Singh was an alumnus there. Over the last couple of years SOAS has had us over.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi, commenting on the exit polls for the Haryana Assembly elections, said on Sunday that a wave of support for Congress is sweeping through the state and the public is against BJP. 

“If Congress wins 70 to 75 seats, I wouldn’t be surprised,” said the Congress leader further adding that wherever the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power, it exploits religion and plays the Hindu-Muslim card.

“The BJP has no concern for development or addressing public issues, it has ruled Haryana for 10 years, but they haven’t done any significant work,” alleged the Congress leader.

Regarding the Chief Ministerial candidate for Haryana, Rashid Alvi said, “Congress never decides on a CM face before the elections. The elected members will give their recommendations, and based on their input, the party will decide who will become the Chief Minister.”

Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of Prime Minister Modi, the Congress leader remarked, “The BJP’s Chief Ministers and Governors continuously undermine the Constitution. One Governor claims that secularism is a foreign concept, yet they take an oath on this very Constitution. In Gujarat, bulldozers are used in defiance of Supreme Court orders. Is this not tampering with the Constitution? The BJP shows no respect for the country or the Constitution.”

On the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative and former President Ram Nath Kovind’s comments, Alvi stated, “Former President said it would not violate the Constitution. If that’s the case, why is there a need to amend the Constitution? The government is already talking about making amendments in the upcoming winter session. If an amendment is required, it implies that the Constitution needs to be altered to accommodate this.”

“The government has no clear blueprint for this initiative; it’s all guesswork. Such moves are a mockery of both the Constitution and democracy,” he added.

Commenting on the Shimla High Court’s decision to demolish parts of a mosque deemed unauthorised, the Congress leader remarked, “If the mosque is unauthorised and has not been regularised, then the court’s decision should be accepted. However, if regularisation is possible, it would be better to go that route. The mosque’s representatives have already expressed willingness to comply with the court’s order.”

On Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s proposal to include Kannada as a business language, Rashid Alvi said, “Every language deserves respect, and the entire nation should honour that. India is a vast country with diverse languages and religions. It is our collective responsibility to keep India united. Unfortunately, the BJP neither respects other religions nor other languages. They are on a path that seeks to divide the country.”

Reacting to the tragic incident in West Bengal where a 4-year-old girl was raped and murdered, the Congress leader called it “extremely unfortunate.” He added, “Such incidents cause immense pain, but this is not limited to Bengal. In Amethi, people are being attacked in their own homes. Why doesn’t the BJP discuss those incidents? There is no law and order in the state where the BJP governs. However, if such a crime has occurred in Bengal, strict action must be taken against the culprits.”

Lastly, responding to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s comments on Hindu unity, Alvi expressed surprise, saying, “On one hand, the RSS chief claims that everyone in the country is a Hindu, but on the other hand, they talk about religious unity. What exactly is their ideology? What do they want? They say everyone in India has the same DNA but then issue statements like this.”

He further added that it reveals their true intentions, using religion for political gain, consolidating one community to keep power in the BJP’s hands. Which is against the Constitution. AGENCIES

The fast-unto-death of six junior doctors at Esplanade in Kolkata, to protest the rape and murder of their colleague in the state-run R. G. Kar Medical College Hospital entered the second day on Sunday.

The protest is unique as while these six junior doctors, three female and three male, are protesting, their colleagues have resumed duties for the patients at their respective medical colleges and hospitals.

“We have withdrawn our cease-work agitation keeping in mind the interest of the patients. But at the same time six of us have started the hunger strike agitation to send a message to the state government of not succumbing unless our demands are fulfilled,” said a representative of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front, the umbrella body spearheading the movement of the junior doctors against the heinous crime.

Meanwhile, Pulastya Acharya, one of the six fasting doctors, told media persons on Sunday that they have sought permission from the Kolkata Police to set up a bio-toilet near the hunger-strike venue.

“We have made it clear that the bio-toilet will be used only by those participating in the hunger strike. However, the police did not reply to our application. On Saturday only, we tried to arrange for the same. But the police did not allow us,” Acharya said.

Besides Acharya, who is from N.R.S Medical College & Hospital, the other five fasting junior doctors are Tanaya Panja, Snighdha Hazra and Anustup Mukhopadhyay from Calcutta Medical College & Hospital, Sayantani Ghosh Hazra from K.P.C Medical College & Hospital and Arnab Mukhopadhyay from S.S.K.M Medical College & Hospital.

“We have never thought setting up a simple bio-toilet would lead to so much complication. Now we are using the public toilet at a distance from the hunger-strike venue. Come what may, we will continue with our protests,” Arnab Mukhopadhyay said.

AGENCIES

In Rajasthan’s Ajmer a team of Muslim artisans from Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur Sikri is working day and night to construct the effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran for the grand Ravana Dahan event to take place on October 12.

Like every year the Ajmer Municipal Corporation in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district will celebrate Dussehra with the grand Ravana Dahan event at the city’s Patel Ground, where Ravana’s effigy will be burned.

With Dussehra approaching, preparations are in full swing.

Shabbir Ahmed Farooqui, a resident of Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, has been creating these effigies for the last 30 years. He first came to Ajmer in 1993 to make Ravana’s effigy and has been doing so ever since.

Farooqui mentioned that a team of 15 artisans, including his family members, are involved in building the effigies.

“This year, Ravana’s effigy will stand at 65 feet, while those of Kumbhkaran and Meghnath will be 45 feet tall. A replica of Lanka is also being constructed,” he told IANS.

For the creation of these effigies, materials such as bamboo, waste paper pulp, rope, fabric, colours, coconut husk, jute, and crackers for the explosions are being used.

Shabbir Ahmed further informed that this year’s Ravana will feature special effects: it will blink its eyes, wave a sword with its hands, emit flames from its mouth, and have a spinning chakra in its navel. Moreover, Ravana’s 10 heads will fly off one by one, controlled by a remote.”

Shabbir’s brother, Shakeel Ahmed Farooqui, added that the Ajmer Municipal Corporation has allotted them Rs 4 lakh to make the effigies of Ravana, Meghnath, and Kumbhkaran. Due to the late issuance of the contract by the corporation, the team has been working around the clock to complete the effigies on time.

This year, Dussehra will be celebrated on October 12. As Saturday marks the fourth day of the Navratri festival, with limited time remaining for Dussehra, artisans are racing to complete the effigy before the deadline.

AGENCIES

Army said on Sunday that it seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.

Officials said that the Army’s Romeo Force seized a huge cache of weapons and explosives in the Jhullas area of the district late Saturday evening.

“Based on specific intelligence inputs, a search was launched in the Jhullas area of Poonch district by the army. Weapons and explosives were recovered from a suspected terrorist’s bag. The recovered items included AK-47, pistol rounds of Pakistani origin and sophisticated explosives like RCIED (radio-controlled improvised explosive device), Timed destruction IED, Stove IED, explosives for IEDs and Chinese Grenades. The search operation was launched yesterday evening,” officials said here.

It must be mentioned that terrorists believed to be hardcore foreign mercenaries, have carried out hit-and-run attacks against the Army, local police and civilians in the hilly districts of Doda, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi of Jammu division during the last three to four months.

After carrying out ambushes against the Army and others in the hilly areas, the terrorists would escape into the densely foliaged and forested areas of these hilly districts.

To thwart the tactics of the terrorists, over 4,000 soldiers drawn from the elite Para Commandos and those trained in mountain warfare were deployed in the high and densely forested areas of the Jammu division. After this revised strategy by the security forces, terrorist attacks in these districts have drastically come down.

With their ubiquitous presence in these areas, the security forces have been able to establish contact (engage terrorists in gunfights) in these areas.

Eight terrorists have been killed so far after the security forces revisited their strategy to meet the challenge posed by the foreign mercenaries.

In order to protect villages from the terrorists, who seek inhabited places for food and shelter, J&K Police have issued automatic weapons and imparted basic weapon handling training to the village defence committees (VDCs) in all the hilly districts of Jammu division.

AGENCIES

 Rajya Sabha MP Kiran Choudhary on Sunday dismissed the Haryana exit polls and said that the BJP will again form government in the state. 

The BJP leader compared the situation to previous exit polls during the Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh elections, where despite predictions, the government was hardly formed. “We will form the government in Haryana, I assure you,” she declared confidently.

She further added that every party worker from Tosham in Haryana worked tirelessly, waging a battle for truth during the elections.

The BJP MP also claimed victory for her daughter, Shruti Choudhary.

Kiran Choudhary further stated that while elections were usually peaceful, this time outsiders were brought in. She alleged that a former Sarpanch was caught distributing money.

“Workers were assaulted, and such actions must be condemned. People must understand this and boycott those who are doing this,” she emphasised.

Soon after the culmination of voting in the Haryana Assembly polls on Sunday, exit poll forecasts started pouring in. Most have forecast a clear mandate for the Congress in Haryana and a big setback for the ruling BJP.

Multiple exit polls have predicted a landslide majority for the Congress in Haryana and a near washout for the BJP, which ruled the state for two consecutive terms.

According to Republic Bharat-Matrize, the Congress is likely to fetch anywhere between 55-62 seats while the BJP is seen getting reduced to a mere 18-24 seats. The Dushyant Chautala-led Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) is projected to fetch 0-3 seats, however, Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is seen doing fairly better than its offshoot with 3-6 seats. The AAP is expected to draw a blank.

People’s Pulse has forecast 49-61 seats for Congress and 20-32 seats for the BJP. It sees the INLD bagging about 1-3 seats while the JJP will fail to open its account.

AGENCIES