Category Archives: Chandigarh

Clarify your stand on SYL water for  Haryana

IEP Chandigarh

Shiromani Akali Dal today asked Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to clear his stand on his own Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak’s demand for SYL water for Haryana even as the party asked the CM that before calling opposition parties for a debate he should hold a debate with his Haryana AAP unit on SYL canal issue.

Addressing a press conference here today, SAD Legal Wing President Arshdeep Singh Kler said the Punjab CM first provided Ministerial Kothi No. 964 to Haryana AAP unit team for demanding construction of SYL canal and ensuring water supply for Haryana and now he is silent on statement of his own Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Sandeep Pathak who has publicly advocated supply of SYL water for Haryana. He asked CM on how a Punjab Rajya Sabha MP can demand water for Haryana from SYL and why he was silent on the issue ?

Advocate Kler said that Bhagwant Mann should demand immediate suspension of the MP from the party while forwarding his case to Rajya Sabha secretariat for his suspension and subsequently declaring his seat vacant for opposing Punjab’s rights in the country.

Lokpal Punjab inaugurates Institute of Fashion & Communication Technology 

IEP Mohali

Justice Vinod K. Sharma, Lokpal Punjab, inaugurated the Institute of Fashion & Communication Technology (IFCT) at the Rayat Bahra University (RBU)located in Mohali district. IFCT, is a fashion institute started by The Lifestyle Journalist Magazine, and has been set up in collaboration with RBU  as an industry-academia project. The institute has been established  to provide top class fashion education integrated with latest industry practices to students.

“These days even children  have a sense of style and show  keen interest in this area.  We had limited career choices during our student days but now there are multiple career options. The fashion industry in particular is growing at a fast pace. The  students at IFCT have a bright career ahead ,” said Justice Vinod K. Sharma during his speech. He encouraged the students to work hard and carve a niche for themselves.

Mohali branch of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) inaugurated

IEP Chandigarh

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)’s new branch at Phase 2, Mohali was inaugurated by  Rahul Priyadarshi, Head of Direct Credit vertical of SIDBI on Monday. During the inauguration, Rahul Priyadarshi said that SIDBI has been committed for the last 33 years for the upliftment of MSMEs units and will continue to make every possible effort in this direction. On this occasion,  Balbir Singh, Regional Incharge, Manoj Sharma, Branch Incharge and many industrialists were also present.  Balbir Singh said that through the new branch in Mohali, we will reach every MSME unit and provide them financial assistance and become a partner in their development. Manoj Sharma thanked all the industrialists present and assured of prompt loan disbursement and services. The new branch of SIDBI in Mohali will provide maximum benefits of financial services to the MSMEs industrial units present in Mohali, Kurali, Dera Bassi and nearby areas.
On the day of inauguration, Mohali branch by the hand of Rahul Priyadarshi distributed loan sanction certificates to 5 units amounting to Rs.1193.84 lakh to following units viz. Rs.300 lakh to JLPL Infrastructures, Mohali, Rs.103.84 lakh to M/s Santech Industries, Mohali, Rs.315 lakh to M/s Mahalaxmi Packaging, Baddi, Rs.45 lakh to M/s Lakshmi Ferro Cast and `430.00 lakh to M/s C K Alloys, Mandi Gobindgarh.

Sardar Bhagwant Singh Memorial Basketball Trophy: VHS Mohali defeats Shivalik School in U-17 Girls

IEP Chandigarh

 

On day 3 of the ongoing 9th Edition of Sardar Bhagwant Singh Memorial Basketball Trophy (BSMBT) while competing in the girls (U-17) category, Vivek High School, Mohali registered a remarkable win over Shivalik School, Mohali, 26-6. Phalgun scored 8 points to become the highest scorer for Vivek High School, Mohali.  In the boys (U-17) category, Saupin’s School, Chandigarh defeated Shemrock School, Mohali by a huge margin 30-14.

Meanwhile in the boys (U-14) category, Saupin’s School, Mohali registered a win over Manav Mangal School, Mohali by a close margin, 19-16. Vivek High School, Mohali made a convincing win over Doon International School, Mohali, 21-15. With 5 points, Ansh was the top scorer from Vivek High School, Mohali.

In the girls (U-14) category Shemrock School, Mohali defeated Ashmah School, Chandigarh, 7-2.  Doon International School, Mohali drubbed Guru Harkrishan School, Chandigarh by a huge margin, 18-6. Adity from Doon International School, scored 10 points and was the top scorer for her team.

In the boys (U-12) category, Vivek High School, Mohali defeated Delhi Public School, Chandigarh, 7-4. Yadavindra Public School, Mohali won against Police Public School, Mohali, 11-5. In another match of the same category, St. Peter’s School, Chandigarh registered a win over Shivalik Public, Mohali, 14-7.

Today 9 matches were played. The tournament which is an annual affair organised by Vivek High School, Mohali is seeing 25 teams from tricity schools vying for top honours. Seventy-two teams of boys and girls are in the fray in age categories of U-12, U-14 and U-17. The finals of the tourney shall be held over Oct 19 and 20. On Oct 20 a prize distribution ceremony will be held.

German delegation visits Paragon Senior Secondary School

IEP Mohali

A German delegation from the Goethe Institute, Germany, New Delhi, including Timothy Strack, South Asia Project Head, PASCH (School Partners for the Future Initiative), and Tanvi Duggal, Project Manager, PASCH, visited Paragon Senior Secondary School, Sector 71, Mohali. Neha Dara, the head of Roundglass organization associated with the Goethe-Institute’s Science Film Festival initiative, the school’s Director Iqbal Singh Shergil, Principal Jasmeet Kaur, and Vice Principal Amarpal Kaur were also present. The delegation was greeted according to Indian traditions.

On this occasion, the students were shown the films ‘No Water No Village’, ‘Bio Acoustics Jungle Babblers with Manjari Jain’ and ‘Bio Acoustics a Series by Roundglass Sustain’ as part of the Science Film Festival, an international event held from 1st October to 20th December to raise awareness about current scientific, technological, and environmental issues. Together with regional partners, the Goethe-Institute promotes scientific literacy. After the screening of the films, a quiz was also organized which was conducted by Neha Dara.

School Director Iqbal Singh Shergill stated in his welcome speech that the PASCH program, which is fully sponsored by the German Federal Republic, has been used by Paragon School to teach German to its students from Class 5th onwards since 2008.

Timothy Strack also visited a German language classroom and spoke to the students in German in order to bolster their morale. During the vote of thanks, Vice Principal Amarpal Kaur expressed her gratitude to the German representatives. The students’ presented a cultural show in the school auditorium.

Principal Jasmeet Kaur stated that the school enthusiastically participates in all initiatives held by the Goethe Institute to promote the German language.

An MoU was also signed to strengthen the partnership between PASCH and Paragon School.

 

Sardar Bhagwant Singh Memorial Basketball Trophy-2023 from Oct 14 to 20

IEP Chandigarh

 Tricity’s biggest and now a very much iconic inter school ‘annual sports calendar event’ – Sardar Bhagwant Singh Memorial Basketball Trophy(BSMBT)-2023 – will be held at Sports Complex-42 here from October 14-20, 2023. As many as 72 teams in the categories of both Boys and Girls will be vying for honours in the coveted inter-school basketball tourney.

 

Talking to media persons at a curtain raiser press meet about the BSMBT’ 23 at the Press Club here, HS Mamik, Chairman, Vivek High School, said that this is the tricity’s biggest basketball tournament. Started in 2013. “This tournament is organized every year by Vivek High School   in the memory of my father, Late Sardar Bhagwant Singh,”said Mamik.

 

It is to be noted that Late Sardar Bhagwant Singh believed that true education meant ensuring  children develop holistically. It is also noteworthy that BSMBT was conceptualised and ‘institutionalised’ by Vikramjeet Singh Mamik, Administrator, Vivek High School, to give a fillip to basketball in Tricity.

 

Harbina Randhawa, Principal, Vivek High School, Mohali said that sports have an important role to play in the overall personality development of children. “This tournament is a unique platform for budding basketball players. The week long sporting event will see the participation of bright players from tricity’s schools, giving a boost to their talent.”

 

HS Mamik added that the inter-school championship will have student participants in the age brackets of Under-12, Under-14 and Under-17 Boys and Girls, and the tournament will be played under the rules and regulations of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) on a knock out basis. Twenty-five (25) top schools of the tricity have already registered for the tourney, he said.

 

Vishal Sharma, HOD, Sports Department, Vivek High School, Mohali said, “Over 65 fixtures will take place at the Sec 42 Sports Stadium’s Basketball court and Vivek High School court in Mohali.The Quarter finals are slated for Oct 18 and Semi-finals for Oct 19.  The finals will be 6 in number 2 each –boys and girls for each of the three age brackets and shall be held over Oct 19 and 20.”

 

Jayata Chopra, Cultural Coordinator, Vivek High School, Mohali said, “We have made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the tournament. The opening ceremony will also feature cultural programmes by Vivek students.”

 

Asked about the schools participating in the tournament, Mamik said that Vivek High School, Mohali; Vivek High School, Sec 38, Chandigarh; Strawberry Fields High School, Sec 26, Chandigarh; Learning Paths School, Sec 67, Mohali; St. Peters Senior Secondary School, Sec 37, Chandigarh; Police Public School, Jagatpura, Mohali; Saupin’s School, Sector 32, Chandigarh; Manav Mangal Smart School, Phase X, Mohali; and Smart Wonders School, Sec 71, Mohali have confirmed participation.

 

The other participating schools, he said, are Guru Harkrishan Public School, Sec 38, Chandigarh; Ashmah International School, Sec 70, Mohali; Doon International School, Sec 69, Mohali; Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, Sec 26, Chandigarh; Shemrock School, Sector 69, Mohali; Delhi Public School, Sec 92,  Mohali; Yadavindra Public School, Sec 51, Mohali; Shivalik Public School, Phase 6, Mohali; Delhi Public School, Sec 40, Chandigarh; St. Kabir Public School, Sec 26, Chandigarh; Gurukul World School, Sec 69, Mohali; Amity International School, Sec 79, Mohali; Paragon Senior Secondary School, Sec 71, Mohali; Shishu Niketan Public School, Sec 43, Chandigarh; Guru Nanak Public School, Sec 36, Chandigarh, and Saupin’s School, Sec 70, Mohali.

 

HS Mamik said that sports are an integral part of the new National Education Policy-2020 and go a long way in character building of our children, teaching them values of togetherness and inclusivity. “Sports also spread knowledge and integrity among youngsters, which is also the motto of Vivek High School,” he summed up.

No casualties despite massive fire mishap in PGI Chandigar

 

IEP Chandigarh

A fire incident occurred in the computer room of C-block of Nehru Hospital, PGIMER, Chandigarh around 11:45 PM on 09-10-2023 midnight. The primary reason of fire is guessed to be a short circuit in the computer room. The C-block has dialysis unit, Adult kidney Unit, Renal Transplant unit, Female Medical Ward, Male Medical Ward, Gynae, Maternity, Nursery& Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Bone Marrow Transplant and operation theatres which functions 24×7 throughout the year. As soon as the incident occurred, security officers, fire officers and staff members including faculty, residents, staff nurses and subordinate staff of PGI got into action and all the patients from these area were rescued and shifted to the safer areas.

Prof Vivek Lal Director, PGI along with senior faculty members Medical Superintendent and Administrative Officers reached the spot immediately and Fire wing, Engineering wing of PGIMER swung into action to provide all the needed care and support required for patient care.
The UT administration, UT fire department also reached the spot and contributed in quick & safe evacuation of the patients and their attendants. The smoke and heat spread to the corridors due to which the patients from adjoining areas Advanced Urology Centre, Male Surgical Ward were also shifted to the safer places so as to avoid any sort of suffocation to the patients.

Patients evacuated during fire incident in C block of Nehru Hospital:

1. Total patients evacuated = 424
2. Adults = 351
3. Intensive Care Unit = 34
4. Pregnant females = 80
5. Babies = 56
6. Paediatric = 17

These patients were shifted to 2 different areas of Nehru Hospital and Nehru Hospital Extension Block.

The patients admitted in adjoining wards and corridors were also shifted to other concerned wards or ICUs to avoid any untoward incident, as smoke spread out in the nearby wards. The evacuation was done with in 60 min of the incident and there was no loss to life of patients or staff. Around 2:00 AM all the services related to patient care were grossly restored.

The Director PGI immediately instructed the engineering wing for restoration of the affected area. The tarnished area will require major repair work and functioning of the OTs and other facilities are expected to made functional as soon as possible. At present, alternative arrangements have been made in other area of PGI, Advanced Trauma Centre and Nehru Hospital Extension & OTs.

A 14-member committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Dean (Academic) Prof Naresh Panda to ascertain the exact cause of fire and working out an action plan so as to avoid any such incidences in future.

Studio Blackline Hosts a Dynamic Meet-Up of Documentary Filmmakers in Delhi

IEP Delhi

 

Studio Blackline, a trailblazing name in the realm of documentary filmmaking, hosted a highly anticipated professional meet-up of documentary filmmakers in the heart of Delhi.

The event took place at the prestigious Press Club of India, situated on Raisina Hill, and brought together an array of industry stalwarts and rising talents. Studio Blackline, known for its unwavering commitment to documentary storytelling, comprises three distinctive components: Blackline Productions, Blackline Network, and the recently unveiled Blackline Expedition. Each component embodies Studio Blackline’s dedication to nurturing the documentary community and advancing the art of storytelling.

The event, organized under the banner of Blackline Network, marked the initiation of a series of monthly meet-ups scheduled for both Mumbai and Delhi. These gatherings are designed to foster a sense of community among documentary professionals, offering them an informal space to connect, share experiences, and brainstorm new ideas. A highlight of the evening was the official launch of “Documentary Expeditions” by Studio Blackline.

This innovative concept is tailored for travellers with a passion for documentary storytelling. It allows participants to embark on immersive journeys, learning the art of documentary filmmaking while exploring captivating destinations. The inaugural expedition is set in the enchanting landscapes of Goa and is scheduled for January 2024. : The event witnessed the presence of esteemed figures in the documentary industry, including Aditya Seth, President of the Indian Documentary Association, and www.studioblackline.co/productions Black Line Productions Pvt. Ltd. A-301 Antriksh Nature, Sector-52 Noida-201301, Uttar Pradesh Supriya Sobti Gupta, a luminary behind acclaimed documentaries like “A.P. Dhillon” (Amazon Prime), “Bad Boy Billionaires” (Netflix), “Caught Out” (Netflix), and “Mumbai Mafia” (Netflix). Their insights and experiences added significant value to the discussions.

Bhoomi Pujan of Civil Enclave in Ambala Cantonment to be performed on October 15

IEP Chandigarh

Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij said that the Bhoomi Pujan of the Civil Enclave to be constructed in Ambala Cantonment will be performed by Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal on October 15, 2023 (1st Navratri). He said that  under the RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) UDAN scheme, 20 acres of land has now been registered in the GLR (General Land Register) records in the name of “Civil Enclave”. The Minister further said that the land registration in the GLR, designated for the civil enclave’s construction, was facilitated by the Defence Estate Officer of the Defence Ministry. Previously, this land was registered as “Military Dairy Farm.” Vij said that the land has been made available through the Airport Authority of India for the civil enclave project under the UDAN scheme. Vij emphasized that the construction process for the Civil Enclave on the 20-acre plot adjacent to Ambala Air Force Station would commence shortly.

A technical bid for the construction, estimated at a cost of Rs 16 crore, has been opened, with three firms having submitted their applications. He expressed his determination to initiate flights from Ambala in the near future. In addition, the administrative team installed boards and flags representing the RCS UDAN scheme on the land designated for the Civil Enclave on Air Force Station Road. Vij said that the establishment of the Civil Enclave under the RCS Udaan Scheme is progressing. Recently, a sum of Rs 133 crore was transferred to the Defense Estate Officer in exchange for the 20-acre land. Vij explained that when the Civil Enclave is constructed alongside Ambala Air Force Station, passengers will perform check-in and check-out procedures here for security checks. Subsequently, they will be transported to the aircraft located inside the Air Force station near the airstrip via bus. The airstrip of Ambala Air Force Station will be utilized for flights. He mentioned that the Civil Enclave would initially operate on an ad-hoc basis, with plans for future expansion. Vij said that  discussions have been initiated for four-laning of the Air Force Station Road, extending from Capital Chowk in Ambala to GT Road. Correspondence regarding this matter is ongoing with  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The four-lane road project is expected to enhance travel convenience for commuters. Notably, the proposed airport in Ambala is intended to be named “Amba Airport Ambala Cantonment.” Home Minister Anil Vij has forwarded this proposal to the Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar for consideration.

Old age pensions automatically extended to 80,000 residents across Haryana: CM

IEP Chandigarh

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, while stressing the need for government resources to prioritize the well-being of underprivileged communities, said that the more schemes the government implements for the economically disadvantaged, the greater the well-being of society will become. The government is committed to the welfare and development of poor and deprived communities.                    

The Chief Minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a Jan Samvad program held at Karnal late last evening.

This event marked the 19th Jan Samvad program within the Karnal assembly constituency, with seven more scheduled to take place in the coming month. During the event, he attentively listened to the concerns of individuals from various segments of society and directed the relevant officials to address these issues promptly.

Highlighting initiatives aimed at transforming the system, Sh Manohar Lal mentioned the introduction of a Parivar Pahchan Patra (PPP) for every household—an unprecedented step by the government. The data recorded in the PPP is exceptionally accurate, encompassing information about births and deaths. This data forms the basis for determining the precise population of any city. Furthermore, the government has initiated the practice of sending birthday wishes to every citizen. In a heart-warming gesture, the Chief Minister called Praveen Beniwal, born on September 25, and another person on the stage and congratulated them spreading smiles on their faces.

The Chief Minister affirmed that the state’s 2.8 crore people are like his own family and their well-being is his foremost concern. The government has implemented various measures to ensure the education and healthcare of underprivileged children and to augment the income of economically disadvantaged individuals. He mentioned the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, which provides health insurance coverage up to Rs 5 lakh to citizens. The Central government had initially set an annual income threshold of Rs 1.20 lakh for eligibility. However, the Haryana government has expanded this limit to Rs 1.80 lakh, benefiting approximately 29 lakh families under the Ayushman/Chirayu Yojana. To further extend the reach of the Chirayu Yojana, the government has raised the annual income limit to Rs 3 lakh for eligible individuals within this income bracket, with beneficiaries required to pay an annual premium of Rs 1500. This scheme enables beneficiaries to access medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh at government or approved private hospitals.

Referring to the provision of an old age pension of Rs 2750 for individuals with an annual income up to Rs 3 lakh, Sh Manohar Lal highlighted that, based on income records in the PPP, pensions have now been automatically extended to approximately 80,000 residents of the state, eliminating the need for them to visit government offices. He said that Haryana is leading the way as the first state to grant widowers a monthly pension of Rs 2750 after reaching the age of 40. In addition, the government has also decided to provide pensions to unmarried individuals aged 45 to 60.

During his interaction with the people, the Chief Minister inquired about those who had not yet received their old age pensions or PPP and promptly instructed concerned officials to ensure that their pensions and PPP records are processed by Tuesday. Furthermore, he instructed the power corporation officials to resolve the electricity bill issue of Rs 1.90 lakh for a widow residence.

Responding to a request from OP Garg of the Senior Citizens Forum to install an umbrella over the statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, the Chief Minister assured a comprehensive assessment of the proposal. BK Nirmala requested land in Sector 9 for a community center, on this, the Chief Minister directed the EO of HSVP to investigate available space in the sector for social and religious institutions and communicate with the local Councillor. Subsequent steps, including advertising and further actions, will be carried out in accordance with established regulations. If no suitable space is found in Sector 9, efforts will extend to exploring options in surrounding sectors.

Gharaunda MLA Mr. Harivandra Kalyan, Municipal Corporation Mayor Mrs. Renu Bala Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Anish Yadav, SP Mr. Shashank Kumar Sawan, and officials from various government departments were also present on this occasion.