Chandigarh, Nov 3 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Indian women’s cricket team for winning the ICC Women’s World Cup. He said that the country’s daughters have brought immense pride to India on the international stage, and this historic achievement is a moment of great honour for the entire nation.

Addressing a press conference at Haryana Niwas here today, the Chief Minister said that Haryana’s daughter Shefali Verma, who was part of the winning team, delivered an outstanding performance in the final match and was honoured with the Player of the Match award. Shefali played a decisive innings, scoring 87 runs, and also took two wickets, playing a vital role in securing India’s victory.

The Chief Minister said that Shefali’s exceptional performance symbolizes the talent, dedication and determination of Haryana’s daughters is a matter of immense pride for the entire state. He added that Haryana’s daughters continue to bring glory to the nation in various sports and serve as an inspiration for generations to come.

He further said that the state government is consistently making efforts to promote sports and recognize the achievements of athletes across Haryana.

On this occasion, Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Rajesh Khullar, Commissioner and Secretary, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Director General of the Department, K. Makarand Pandurang, Media Secretary to the Chief Minister, Praveen Attrey and several officials from the Kurukshetra Development Board were also present.

Chandigarh, November 3 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini today virtually inaugurated state-level essay writing and story narration competitions titled “Suno Kahani Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Ki” from the Haryana Secretariat on the occasion of the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

Paying tribute to the unparalleled courage, sacrifice, and supreme martyrdom of Guru Sahib, the Chief Minister said that the life of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji stands as an eternal example of truth, courage, and humanity.

Present on the occasion were Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sh. Rajesh Khullar, Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary of Higher Education Department Sh. Vineet Garg, Director General of Information, Public Relations and Languages Department Sh. K.M. Pandurang, Additional Director (Administration) Smt. Varsha Khangwal, OSD to Chief Minister Sh. Prabhleen Singh, and other senior officers. Schools from across the state joined the event virtually.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister listened to the thoughts of students and encouraged them to draw inspiration from the life and teachings of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. On this occasion, four students presented Saakhi Vachan—narrating inspirational episodes from the life of Guru Sahib.

Congratulating all participating students, teachers, and parents, the Chief Minister said that the objective of these competitions is to inspire the younger generation to follow the path shown by our Gurus and national heroes. He said that from Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, all Gurus have sanctified the land of Haryana with their presence, and their teachings remain deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

He further informed that more than three and a half lakh students from schools across the state are participating in this initiative, which reflects the growing inspiration the new generation draws from the ideals and sacrifices of the Gurus. He urged students to participate wholeheartedly and imbibe the values of sacrifice, tolerance, equality, and justice propagated by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

The Chief Minister said that today’s tech-savvy generation should use social media and other platforms to spread messages of humanity, compassion, and brotherhood — this would be the truest tribute to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. He called upon all students, teachers, and citizens to strengthen the nation through their actions and thoughts, as that is the true purpose of this competition.

Chandigarh, Nov 3 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will participate in the state-level event being organized in Kurukshetra on November 25 to commemorate the 350th Shahidi Diwas of Hind Ki Chadar Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The Prime Minister will also take part in the International Gita Mahotsav. The 10th edition of the International Gita Mahotsav will be held in Dharmakshetra–Kurukshetra from November 15 to December 5. For the first time, the festival will span 21 days.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, the Chief Minister said that the International Gita Mahotsav will present a unique confluence of culture, knowledge, and spirituality. He said that Dharmakshetra–Kurukshetra covers a 48-kos radius and is home to numerous pilgrimage sites. The Kurukshetra Development Board has identified 182 such sites. Highlighting the festival’s growing global appeal, the Chief Minister said the Gita Mahotsav has already been celebrated in Mauritius, London, UK, Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. The number of devotees from India and abroad attending the Mahotsav in Kurukshetra, the birthplace of the Bhagavad Gita, continues to rise each year, prompting extensive preparations annually.

He further informed that Madhya Pradesh will be the partner state for this year’s International Gita Mahotsav. Known for its rich religious and spiritual heritage, Madhya Pradesh’s participation as the partner state has significantly enhanced the festival’s stature. A special cultural pavilion from Madhya Pradesh is being constructed at Purushottam Pura Bagh near Brahma Sarovar, offering visitors an immersive experience of the state’s diverse traditions.

The Chief Minister added that the International Gita Mahotsav will be formally inaugurated on November 24 with a Gita Yagna and worship ceremony at Brahma Sarovar. A three-day International Gita Seminar will also be inaugurated at Kurukshetra University. In addition 25 scholars from 16 countries will be present in the International Seminar with the support of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

He also mentioned that through the Ministry of External Affairs, Gita Mahotsav programs will be organized in 51 countries and broadcast live. Twenty Pandits from Fiji and Trinidad and Tobago will visit Kurukshetra for two days to participate in various festival programs.

The Chief Minister informed that from November 26 to 30, a Katha will be conducted by Padma Vibhushan awardee Rambhadracharya under the aegis of Jeeyo Geeta at Purushottampura Bagh. In addition, a Sant Sammelan will be held at Purushottampura Bagh on November 29, where renowned saints from across the country will convene to discuss the teachings of the Gita and the essence of spirituality. On November 30, the All India Devasthanam Conference will take place in the Senate Hall of Kurukshetra University, bringing together heads of various religious and spiritual institutions from across India.

The Chief Minister also said that the Information and Public Relations Department, Haryana, will operate a YouTube channel during the festival. Devotees will be encouraged to share their experiences and reflections on their favourite verses from the Bhagavad Gita, highlighting how these teachings have influenced their lives. The most viewed video clip will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh during the festival’s closing ceremony.

He said that a grand Gita Maha Aarti will be held on the sacred banks of Brahma Sarovar from November 15 to December 5. Cultural programs will also be organized at various pilgrimage sites across the 48 Kos Kurukshetra region from November 25 to December 1. On December 1, a Gita Yagya, Gita Path and Bhagwat Katha will take place at the Jyotisar Tiratha. On the same day, a global recitation of the Gita will be conducted by 18,000 students at the Theme Park, Kurukshetra, with millions of devotees and Gita enthusiasts from India and abroad joining online.

The Chief Minister further informed that a 48 Kos Tirtha Sammelan will be organized in the auditorium of Kurukshetra University, with representatives from all 182 Tirtha Samitis of the Kurukshetra region participating. On December 1, a grand Deepotsav will be celebrated simultaneously at all 182 pilgrimage sites, accompanied by a Gita Shobha Yatra. As in previous years, a Gita Book Fair will be held at Brahma Sarovar from November 24 to December 1. Alongside this, an exhibition on public welfare schemes, a craft fair, a fun fair, and the traditional Balram Kushti Dangal will also be organized.

Gita Mahotsav events across Haryana Districts from November 28

The Chief Minister said that International Gita Mahotsav celebrations will also be held across all district headquarters of Haryana starting November 28. A Gita Shobha Yatra will be organized in every district on December 1. Also, 1,800 students will participate in a global recitation of the Gita, while village panchayats will celebrate the Deepotsav at their respective pilgrimage sites in the evening.

Kurukshetra emerged as a Global Center of Devotion – Swami Gyananand Maharaj

Gita scholar Swami Gyananand Maharaj said that the International Gita Mahotsav has brought about a remarkable transformation in Kurukshetra, giving the city a unique identity on the global stage. He said that Kurukshetra holds a place of great significance among the sacred pilgrimage sites of India. Owing to the dedicated efforts of the Haryana Government, the Gita Jayanti Mahotsav has now attained international stature, drawing millions of pilgrims and tourists from India and abroad.

Swami Gyananand Maharaj further said that the number of devotees and visitors coming to the holy land of Dharmakshetra—Kurukshetra is increasing throughout the year. The city regularly hosts seminars, spiritual discourses, and Katha sessions, attracting renowned kathavachak eager to share their teachings.

He added that the International Gita Mahotsav has given new global recognition to the timeless message of the Bhagavad Gita. The recent honour accorded to the Gita at an event in Bali stands as a testament to this growing influence. The Governor of bali also proposed that, with the Haryana Government’s consent, an Indian Cultural Centre could be established there to further strengthen cultural spiritual ties.

Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Rajesh Khullar, Commissioner and Secretary of the Information, Public Relations and Languages Department Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Director General of the Department K. Makarand Pandurang, Media Secretary to the Chief Minister Praveen Attrey and several officials from the Kurukshetra Development Board were also present on this occasion.

Chandigarh, November 3 – The Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC), the state’s nodal recruitment agency, has decided to conduct a comprehensive biometric verification for all candidates selected for the Group-D, Common Cadre posts against Advertisement No. 01/2023. This proactive measure is being implemented to ensure the integrity of the recruitment process and to conclusively address potential issues such as impersonation, litigation, and court cases. The HSSC has requested that all relevant authorities promptly furnish the necessary details of the newly joined Group-D employees.

A letter in this regard has been issued by the Human Resources Department, directing all Heads of Departments, Divisional Commissioners, and the Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, to immediately cooperate with the HSSC. The letter instructs these offices to forward the complete details of the Common Cadre, Group-D candidates who have joined their respective offices to the Secretary of the Haryana Staff Selection Commission.

The recommended candidates were initially directed to join the offices of the respective Divisional Commissioners or the Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, before their final posting orders were issued through the HKCL Portal. The upcoming biometric verification is the final step to secure the appointments and validate the identity of every selected candidate, cementing the government’s commitment to fair and transparent recruitment.

Chandigarh, November 3- Haryana Transport Minister, Sh. Anil Vij today said that the addition of five new air-conditioned electric buses (e-buses) to Ambala’s local transport network will further boost the city’s eco-friendly public transport infrastructure.  With this addition, the total number of e-buses operating in Ambala has increased to 15, marking another significant step towards sustainable and comfortable urban mobility.

Sh. Vij said that these new AC e-buses have been allocated to the Ambala Roadways Depot and will soon begin operations on various local routes. These buses will provide a comfortable, convenient, and eco-friendly travel experience to passengers, he added.

23 modern bus queue Shelters Under Construction

Sh. Vij said that to enhance passenger convenience, 23 new modern bus queue shelters are being constructed along Ambala’s local routes. Each shelter will feature seating arrangements, lighting, and fans to ensure comfort for commuters while they wait for buses.

He said that the initiative aims to ensure that passengers no longer have to wait in discomfort for local buses. The shelters are being developed at key locations such as Capital Chowk, Chungi Chowk, Tundla, Defence Colony, Kalrahedi, Shastri Colony, DRM Office, Sundar Nagar, Chandpuri Colony, Machonda, Shahpur, Civil Hospital (Ambala Cantt), Subhash Park, BD Floor Mill, Hathi Khana Mandir, Rangia Mandi Chowk, Nanheda, SD College, Mahesh Nagar, Tangri Bandh Road, Babyal, Dalipgarh, and Boh.

Local Bus Service relaunched After 25 Years, Thanks to Vij’s Efforts

Due to the persistent efforts of the Transport Minister, Sh. Anil Vij, Ambala’s local bus service was revived after nearly 25 years. The service was relaunched on November 1 last year with 10 mini-buses. Subsequently, five AC electric buses were introduced on January 26 (Republic Day), followed by five more on June 5, 2025 (World Environment Day). With today’s addition of another five e-buses, the total has now reached 15 electric AC buses operating on city routes.

Chandigarh:

Dr. Suresh Kumar has been selected for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Medicine for the year 2025 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Pediatrics and Pediatric Critical Care. He is among the 15 Vigyan Yuva Awardees for the year of 2025.

After graduating from Government Medical College, Jammu, Dr. Kumar completed his MD in Pediatrics, Senior Residency in Pediatrics, and DM in Pediatric Critical Care at PGIMER, Chandigarh. Currently, he is working as Additional Professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Centre (APC), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh

His pioneering research has substantially advanced understanding of the gut microbiome’s role in critical illness and infection prevention in children. Dr. Kumar led several landmark clinical trials on probiotics in pediatric intensive care. A pivotal randomized controlled trial (Critical Care Medicine, 2013) demonstrated that a multi-strain probiotic mix significantly reduced gastrointestinal candida colonization and candiduria in children on broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Another randomized trial (Critical Care Medicine, 2018) showed that probiotics attenuated inflammation in severe sepsis by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, enhancing anti-inflammatory mediators, and improving clinical outcomes. A before–after study (Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, 2013) involving 720 children established that routine probiotic use decreased the incidence of candiduria and invasive candidiasis. Collectively, these studies provided robust evidence for integrating probiotics into the management of critically ill children. In several review articles, Dr Suresh Kumar explained the mechanism of action of probiotics in critically ill children and highlighted the role of probiotics in restoring gut microbiome, preventing bacterial translocation, and modulating inflammation.

Dr. Kumar made pivotal contributions during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, elucidating the clinical spectrum and outcomes of pediatric COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) in India. His work characterized cardiovascular involvement, shock, and long-term outcomes, contributing to national management protocols and guidelines. He also published a systematic review and meta-analysis on PIMS-TS. The comparative analysis of MIS-C and Severe Dengue informed understanding of these inflammatory disorders in children.

Dr. Kumar has demonstrated leadership in several national and international collaborative studies, including the ICMR-funded ReLiSCh-M Trial on fluid management in ventilated children, Effect of various therapeutic options on outcomes in MIS-C, and Development and Validation of Indian Children Length-Based Tape (InChiTape) for pediatric resuscitation. His international collaborations include the Severe Pneumonia in Children (S-PIC) study under PACCMAN (Singapore) and PRoVENT–PED on ventilation practices in critically ill children.

With over 240 publications in leading journals, 60 conference presentations, and contributions to more than 20 book chapters, Dr. Suresh Kumar has made exceptional contributions to pediatric intensive care research.

His work has been recognized with numerous national honors, including Dr. H.B. Dingley Memorial Award (ICMR), Dr. Tulsi Das Chugh Award (NAMS), Major General Amir Chand Gold Medal, and Prof. D. Subrahmanyam Gold Medal.

Dr. Suresh Kumar’s work exemplifies translational research that bridges bench to bedside, improving outcomes for critically ill children across India and beyond as he stated, ” I am deeply honored to receive the prestigious Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (Medicine, 2025). It is a moment of great pride and humility for a person like me, coming from a modest background, to be recognized with such a coveted national award. I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty, my teachers and mentors (Prof Sunit Singhi, Prof Jayashree M, and Prof Arun Bansal), my parents, family, and friends for their unwavering support and guidance. I am deeply thankful to the critically ill children and their families for their trust, and to PGIMER, Chandigarh for providing the platform and environment to pursue meaningful research and patient care. This Puraskar belongs to our Unit, Department, and Institute which provided the wonderful platform to serve humanity. My sincere thanks to the Government of India and the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Secretariat for this recognition. This honor will continue to inspire me to work with greater dedication toward improving outcomes and quality of care for critically ill children in India.”

Chandigarh:

At the 29th Annual Conference of the Association of Radiation Oncologists of India (NZ-AROI) held at Christian Medical College, Ludhiana,  Dr. Rakesh Kapoor, Professor& Head (Unit-II), Department of Radiotherapy & Oncology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, delivered the prestigious B.D. Gupta Oration in honour of Prof. (Dr.) Braham Dutt Gupta, the founding Head of Radiotherapy at PGIMER and a pioneer in establishing brachytherapy services in India.

In his address, Dr. Kapoor reflected on Dr. Gupta’s visionary contributions, including the early development of structured radiation oncology training, indigenous brachytherapy advancements, and the establishment of systematic treatment practices that positioned PGIMER among the leading cancer care centres in the country. Archival clinical material and historical treatment protocols were highlighted to showcase the rich legacy and precision-driven foundations laid at PGI.

During the oration, Dr. Kapoor also presented his talk titled “Reintegrating Brachytherapy: A Strategic Shift in Modern Radiation Oncology Practice.” He emphasized that despite significant technological progress in external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy remains indispensable for certain cancers due to its precision, outcomes, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in a resource-sensitive healthcare environment. He highlighted the need to reintegrate brachytherapy training, infrastructure, and clinical adoption in India, supported by modern advances including image guidance, AI-assisted planning, personalized applicators, and improved workflow systems.

A proud moment for the department came as Dr. Shilpa Kaushal, Brachytherapy Fellow at PGIMER, secured first prize in the oral presentation category for her innovative work titled “In-house prototype development of a rectal brachytherapy applicator using artificial intelligence and 3D printing.” The project, conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Kapoor and Dr Arun Oinam (Medical Physist), reflects PGIMER’s leadership in innovation and clinical excellence in brachytherapy. Dr. Swapnil, Junior Resident in the Department of Radiotherapy & Oncology won the third prize for her presentation titled “Evaluating acute toxicity and quality of life in extended field radiotherapy versus pelvic radiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer with positive pelvic nodes.”

The oration and academic achievement in an annual conference further highlights PGIMER’s commitment to advancing precision-based cancer care, bridging tradition with technology, and fostering the next generation of oncology innovators.

Chandigarh, November 1 – Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao has directed all doctors serving in government hospitals to sign OPD slips, lab reports, and prescriptions issued by them. She has also instructed that the generic names of medicines must be written in bold and clear letters on all prescriptions.

The minister has ordered strict compliance with these directions, and a circular in this regard has been sent to all Civil Surgeons across districts.

Arti Singh Rao said that it has been commonly observed that many doctors do not mention the generic names of medicines in prescriptions, and OPD slips as well as lab reports often lack the doctor’s seal and name.

She issued clear instructions that all prescriptions must include the generic names of medicines in large and legible letters. In addition, every prescription must carry the doctor’s seal and signature, along with their name, designation and registration number.

Lab reports provided to patients must also bear the doctor’s name, designation, and registration number.

The Health Minister stated that these directives should be implemented with immediate effect. She emphasized that these measures have been issued to enhance transparency in the state’s healthcare services and to safeguard the interests of patients.

Chandigarh, November 1 – Due to the efforts of Haryana’s Health and AYUSH Minister, Arti Singh Rao, the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, has re-granted permission to Baba Khetanath Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Patikara (Narnaul) to admit students in all 100 BAMS seats for the academic session 2025–26.

Arti Singh Rao informed that over the past few academic sessions, due to a shortage of faculty and technical staff, the college was unable to admit students in all 100 seats, reducing the intake to only 63 seats. The state government took prompt action to fill the required teaching positions, improve infrastructure, and meet the academic standards. With effective departmental coordination, NCISM has now restored full recognition for the college’s total capacity of 100 seats.

The AYUSH Minister said that this decision will bring great relief to students who aspire to pursue BAMS studies from Haryana’s only government Ayurvedic college. The state government is continuously working to strengthen Ayurvedic healthcare and education to provide better opportunities for the younger generation.

She further added that the government is also planning to expand Ayurvedic institutions in the state and develop new projects equipped with modern facilities to ensure the AYUSH healthcare system reaches every section of society.