CHANDIGARH: The 19th Global Youth Peace Fest (GYPF2026) opened today at GGDSD College, Sector 32C. It brought young people from six countries onto one campus with one urgent question: how do we turn peace from an idea into a daily practice? Organised by Yuvsatta (Youth for Peace) in collaboration with GGDSD College, the day moved from cooperative games in the morning to a packed stadium at night, with difficult conversations on gender, HIV stigma and climate in between. The festival runs until 2 October, Gandhi Jayanti and the International Day of Non-Violence.

Delegates had arrived a day earlier for a “Culture Without Borders” exchange that included the Rock Garden, a walk at Sukhna Lake and a Global Friendship Dinner. This morning began with ice-breaker cooperative games led by Mr. Ajatshatru of Play for Peace, India. The games were designed to dissolve the distance between strangers before the formal Inaugural Ceremony.

The inaugural dignitaries were Mr. Jitender Bhatia, Finance Secretary, GGDSD Managing Committee; Dr. Ajay Sharma, Principal, GGDSD College; Mr. Dev Tyde, Senior Gandhian Activist; Rev. Fr. Kirialdeniyage Antoney Lakshman, Rector, St. Nicholas’ International College, Negombo, Sri Lanka; Mr. Mohammed Shahnaz Bin Mawardi, Head Delegate, Ministry of Youth & Sports, Government of Malaysia; Mr. Jadzreill Bin Jaafar, International Youth Centre, Malaysia; Mr. Deepak Dhiman, Senior Journalist; and Dr. Krishna Athal, Executive Director, YUVA, Mauritius.

“It is a matter of pride for GGDSD College to host young people from across borders on one campus,” said Dr. Ajay Sharma, Principal, GGDSD College. “When students from different countries listen to each other, peace stops being a textbook idea and becomes lived experience.”

“For thirty-six years, Yuvsatta has believed that youth are not just the future but the present of peace building,” said Mr. Pramod Sharma, Founder, Yuvsatta. “GYPF brings them together to turn values into action.”

Day 1 highlights

Girls’ leadership at the centre of the room. A fishbowl dialogue on gender equality and girls’ leadership was chaired by Ms. Shabina Ali of the Centre for Peace & Spirituality (CPS) International, Kolkata, and co-chaired by Dr. Nidhi Choudhary of GGDSD College. It was an open circle in which anyone could step in and take a seat. The speakers were three young women leaders from Malaysia: Ms. Mirsha Naresh Kumar and Ms. Nur Najwa Hussein, both Gold Award recipients of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, and Ms. Saba Sharma, winner of the ASIAN Girls Human Rights Award.

Schools take the floor. Student teams tested their arguments on the Sustainable Development Goals at the 4th Inter-School SDGs Youth Parliament Trophy. The judges were Dr. Krishna Athal (YUVA, Mauritius), Mr. Ajatshatru (Play for Peace, India) and Mr. Tan Lit Voon (Malaysia). Dr. Ajay Sharma and Mr. Pramod Sharma presented the prizes. The winning schools are:

1. St. Nicholas’ International College, Negombo, Sri Lanka,

2. Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Gurdaspur

3. Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Hoshiarpur

4. Chitkara International School, Chandigarh

5. Mount Carmel School, Chandigarh

#BreakFree: facing HIV stigma head-on. In the “Walk in My Shoes” empathy exercise, delegates stepped into the lived experience of people living with HIV. A youth dialogue followed, chaired by Mr. Sandeep Mittal, Deputy Director, Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society (CSACS), and co-chaired by Mr. Jitender Dahiya, Deputy Director (IEC), CSACS. Moderated by Dr. Krishna Athal (YUVA, Mauritius), the panellists included Mr. Muhammad Raif bin Kamarul Anwar (Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia), Ms. Nurul Qistina Balqis Binti Radzuan (Universiti Utara Malaysia) and Ms. Dinesha Fernando (St. Nicholas’ International College, Sri Lanka). Delegates then gathered for a group photograph with the Red Ribbon #BreakFree banner. A voluntary HIV testing and counselling camp and a Peace Wall ran through the day, turning awareness into action.

Youth voices on a warming planet. A session on climate justice and climate-resilient cities heard from Mr. Soyed Zhadul Alom Opu (Youth Foundation of Bangladesh), Mr. Dev Desai (Gujarat Sarvodaya Mandal, Ahmedabad) and Ms. Tengku Saidatul Najihah (Malaysian Youth Exchange Alumni Association). At lunch, a “Human Library” let delegates interview prominent participants as living books. The Global Youth Marketplace and Success Stories Showcase then featured Ms. Esther Ezhilnanggai (MAGAA, Malaysia), Mr. Laxman Gole (Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal) and Dr. Krishna Athal (YUVA, Mauritius).

Peace under stadium lights. The day ended with a Special Evening of Sports, Music & Cultural Exchange. Delegates first travelled together to the Ministry of Sports, the Tricity’s largest sports hub, in SAS Nagar, Punjab. From there they went to the NAMO Cricket League at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Panchkula, a grassroots movement of more than 3,200 teams and 50,000 players from Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand. The evening brought together live cricket, a performance by a renowned Punjabi singer and a shared dinner.

Dr. Ajay Sharma, Mr. Jitender Bhatia and Mr. Pramod Sharma presented the prizes.

Partners

International and national partners of GYPF2026 include Chitkara University; the Chandigarh State AIDS Control Society (CSACS); the International Youth Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; St. Nicholas’ International College, Sri Lanka; the Youth Foundation of Bangladesh; YUVA Mauritius; AIHM, Chandigarh; and the World Assembly of Youth (WAY).

Coming up on Day 2: Gandhi Jayanti

On 2 October, delegates will begin at 6:30 am with tree plantation at AIHM 42 and a clean-up drive at Mini Lake. The rest of the day brings the GYPF Action Lab with 90-second youth pitches, the adoption of the Chandigarh Youth Peace Declaration 2026, a reflection circle titled “What Changed in Me: I am the CHANGE”, and the GYPF Youth Leadership Awards & Recognition Ceremony.

Chandigarh, September 29 Nexus Elante, in a meaningful initiative to raise awareness around childhood cancer and show solidarity with children undergoing treatment, in collaboration with Access Life Assistance Foundation, illuminated its iconic “I Love Chandigarh” landmark in the mall courtyard in gold.

Held as part of International Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, observed every September, the initiative used the symbolic golden illumination to spread a message of hope, strength and support for children battling cancer and their families.

The initiative also brought together children undergoing treatment, their parents, Access Life volunteers, caregivers and students at Nexus Elante. Beyond raising awareness, the gathering aimed to create a positive and joyful experience for the children, who spent time together and enjoyed a movie away from their regular treatment routines.

Through the initiative, Nexus Elante and Access Life came together to draw attention to the realities faced by children and families affected by cancer, while creating a space that encouraged empathy, togetherness and positivity. The golden landmark served as a visible reminder of the importance of standing alongside young cancer patients and supporting them through their treatment journey.

The collaboration reflects the shared commitment of Nexus Elante and Access Life to creating greater awareness around childhood cancer and bringing moments of hope and joy to children and families navigating the challenges of cancer.

Chandigarh, September 29 2026: Christian pastors and leaders gathered across national borders on Thursday for an international program addressing human rights, religious freedom, and the essence of faith. Pastors in New Delhi participated in person at Statesman House, while Christian leaders from other countries joined online from their respective locations, in a program organized with the support of the Beautiful Bridge Project.

The event, held in two parts — a general session on human rights and religious freedom, followed by a regional session on the essence of faith — brought leaders together to reflect on the responsibility of faith communities to protect human dignity, uphold religious freedom, and respond responsibly when fundamental rights are at stake.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the case of Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus in South Korea, whose pretrial detention has drawn attention in South Korea and abroad. Citing a September 10 Grit Daily News report, speakers distinguished between guilt — to be determined through evidence and due process — and the separate question of whether continued detention is necessary and proportionate given the defendant’s age. The report noted the detention warrant’s publicly reported rationale centered on concerns about evidence destruction, without citing flight risk or danger, and that Kenyan religious leaders and scholars have endorsed a petition asking UN bodies to conduct a humanitarian review of the case.

Pastor Subhash Chandra Yadav of Assembly Believers Church addressed the humanitarian dimension of the case, noting that acknowledging Lee’s age, history as a Korean War veteran, and interfaith work does not place him above the law. He urged consideration of alternatives to detention — such as bail, residential restriction, or medical accommodation — that could protect the judicial process while preserving human dignity.

Participants also reflected on religious freedom more broadly, stressing that fundamental rights must apply equally, including to minority or controversial religious groups, and that disagreement with a group’s theology should not determine how its members are treated under the law.

Organizers described the gathering as part of an ongoing effort — not a one-time event — to build communication and cooperation among Christian leaders across countries, and said they intend to continue hosting international conversations on religious freedom, human rights, and persecution.

The message from New Delhi was summarized as: religious freedom is a fundamental human right; human dignity must be protected equally; justice must be grounded in evidence and due process; and faith leaders have a responsibility to stand peacefully and responsibly for the rights and dignity of others.

Chandigarh: To mark World Heart Day on Monday, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali, hosted a heart health awareness event to highlight the importance of caring for one’s heart.

The event featured an insightful heart health awareness session by doctors from Max along with preventive health messages, an engaging RJ-led interaction, audience participation activities, a comedy performance and a themed photo booth.
Blending awareness with entertainment, the initiative encouraged the audience to view heart health not just as a medical priority, but as an essential part of living a longer, healthier and more fulfilling life.

Dr. Simmardeep S. Gill, Director & COO– Hospital Operations, Max Hospital said, “Healthcare goes beyond the walls of a hospital. Through initiatives like this, we aim to build meaningful connections with the community and create greater awareness around preventive health. We remain committed to being an active partner in building healthier communities.”

Chandigarh, September 27

Young swimmers showcased their talent, confidence and competitive spirit at ‘Aqua Velocity’, a swimming competition organised by Built For Speed NGO at the All Weather Swimming Pool, Sector 23, Chandigarh, on Sunday.
The event brought together young schoolchildren across different age categories and witnessed enthusiastic participation, with parents cheering the budding swimmers from the sidelines.

Aqua Velocity was organised with the objective of encouraging participation, confidence and competence in swimming and providing children with a positive, encouraging and well-structured platform to experience competitive sport at an early age.
The competition was attended by Dr. Rakesh Malik, Director, Sports and Physical Education, Panjab University; Dr. Mahender Singh, Joint Director, Sports Department, UT Chandigarh; Paramjit Singh, Senior Swimming Coach, UT Chandigarh; and Chahat Arora, swimming coach and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Awardee, Punjab and Sharanpreet Singh, swimming coach and incharge of Sector 23 pool.
Speaking on the occasion, Anish Zakhmi, General Secretary, Built For Speed NGO, said the organisation’s vision extends beyond organising individual sporting events.

“Our long-term objective is to identify and support promising and committed young athletes. We want to move beyond short-term participation and create a system where children receive appropriate support at different stages of their sporting journey — from discovering an interest in sport and developing fundamental skills to progressing towards competitive performance,” he said.
He added that competitions such as Aqua Velocity can help children overcome hesitation, understand healthy competition and develop discipline and sportsmanship while enjoying the experience of participating in organised sport.
Built For Speed NGO plans to expand the initiative by organising similar competitions in other disciplines, including athletics and lawn tennis, with the larger objective of nurturing sporting talent and promoting a culture of excellence, participation and sportsmanship across the Tricity region.

The organisation also aims to create more opportunities for young athletes to test their abilities in a supportive competitive environment and, over time, help talented and dedicated children progress to higher levels of sport.
Winners: Divyana Bhandari won the Girls U-17 50m Backstroke with a timing of 42.63 seconds, while Aditya Karakoti topped the Boys U-14 50m Butterfly in 31.33 seconds. Aaynee Singla secured first place in the Girls U-12 25m Butterfly with a timing of 22.93 seconds. In the Boys U-10 25m Freestyle, Gursanjam Maan finished first in 17.12 seconds, while Elawarbir Singh Gill won the Boys U-8 25m Freestyle in 22.11 seconds. Arnika Katoch emerged winner in the Girls U-8 25m Freestyle, clocking 21.00 seconds.
Among the other podium finishers, Gunroop Kaur (55.87 sec) and Salamatt Brar (01:06.42 min) secured second and third positions respectively in the Girls U-17 50m Backstroke. Nimish Sharma (32.50 sec) and Aryan Deodhar (34.73 sec) finished second and third respectively in the Boys U-14 50m Butterfly.

In the Girls U-12 25m Butterfly, Yaavi Shah (23.15 sec) finished second and Anahita Chauhan (23.79 sec) third. Ayaan Bishnoi (18.46 sec) and Piyush (18.53 sec) secured second and third positions respectively in the Boys U-10 25m Freestyle.
Arhaan Singh (23.12 sec) and Karambir Singh (23.71 sec) finished second and third respectively in the Boys U-8 25m Freestyle, while Mira Gupta (21.86 sec) and Saira (24.10 sec) secured second and third positions respectively in the Girls U-8 25m Freestyle.

Girls – U-17 (50 m Backstroke)

1. Divyana Bhandari — 42.63 sec — 1st
2. Gunroop Kaur — 55.87 sec — 2nd
3. Salamatt Brar — 01:06.42 min — 3rd

Boys – U-14 (50 m Butterfly)

1. Aditya Karakoti— 31.33 sec — 1st
2. Nimish Sharma — 32.50 sec — 2nd
3. Aryan Deodhar — 34.73 sec — 3rd

Girls – U-12 (25 m Butterfly)

1. Aaynee Singla — 22.93 sec — 1st
2. Yaavi Shah — 23.15 sec — 2nd
3. Anahita Chauhan — 23.79 sec — 3rd

Boys – U-10 (25 m Freestyle)

1. Gursanjam Maan — 17.12 sec — 1st
2. Ayaan Bishnoi — 18.46 sec — 2nd
3. Piyush — 18.53 sec — 3rd

Boys – U-8 (25 m Freestyle)

1. Elawarbir Singh Gill — 22.11 sec — 1st
2. Arhaan Singh — 23.12 sec — 2nd
3. Karambir Singh — 23.71 sec — 3rd

Girls – U-8 (25 m Freestyle)

1. Arnika Katoch — 21.00 sec — 1st
2. Mira Gupta — 21.86 sec — 2nd
3. Saira — 24.10 sec — 3rd

CHANDIGARH:

The city ghazal buffs on Thursday evening had a date with a bonanza of music, melody and muse, at the historic Museum and Art Gallery auditorium, Sector 10, Chandigarh.

The occasion was ‘Sham-e-Ghazal’, an evening of ghazals, organised by
the North Zone Culture Centre (NZCC) Ministry of Culture Government of India, Patiala, in association with the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation, Chandigarh.
The mega ghazal concert brought artistes from Mumbai and Rajasthan under one umbrella to present a bouquet of ghazals, poetry and music.

The evening soaked in divine music turned nostalgic as acclaimed ghazal singer Waqar Khan, from Mumbai, and his team took the centre stage and created an ambient backdrop for a perfect evening with his nuanced rendition of popular ghazals, such as “Dil Hi Dukhane Ke Liye…” “Hazaar Khwahishein” ,“Jab Tum Sajda…” “Chupke Chupke Raat Din…”, “Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo…”, “Baat Niklegi To Door Tak Jayegi…” and so on. The maestro kept the audience mesmerised for hours with his craft and creativity, a sublime blend of words and wisdom, music and muse. The packed auditorium was transformed into a haven of lyrical elegance, where timeless compositions came alive with soulful notes, one after the other, rendered by him. The spellbound audience was seen swaying to the timeless melodic strains.

Up next ghazal icon of the evening was well-known Jaipur-based ghazal singer and composer Dr. Sunil Rahi, who added a distinct colour to the musical evening with his immaculate renderings, reflecting his poetic perfundity. A winner of the ‘Khazana Ghazal Talent Hunt-2023, Rahi began his soulful rendition with Dr. Tahir Faraz’s iconic composition “Kaash Aisa Koi Manzar Hota….” This was followed by Nida Fazli’s popular composition “Hosh Walon Ko Khabar Kya…” and “Har Taraf Har Jagah Beshumar Aadmi…” mirroring the typical Indian society and its outmoded mores, while “Apna Koi Mile To Gale Se Lagaiye…” filled the air with warmth, love and longing. His high octave rendition of the evening “Naghme Hain, Shikwe Hain…” made the day memorable. Dr Rahi went on to weave a spell with his mellifluous voice, presenting a perfect blend of sur, laya and jazbaat. From the soul-stirring renditions to the haunting melodies, each ghazal he rendered with heart-rending depth and impeccable diction earned him kudos. His nuanced adaaygi, classical finesse and vocal virtuosity struck an instant chord with one and all.

“Ghazal singing has been the warp-n-woof of the Indian musical legacy since time immemorial that refines not only our mind and soul but also connects us to the divine. A big hand to the artistes for turning the evening an immersive experience for the audience through their soulful renditions. Gratitude to the music-loving people of Chandigarh for turning up in great numbers to be a part of the one-day musical extravaganza” said Dr Ashwin M Dalvi, NZCC Director on the occasion.

Chandigarh:

PGIMER is set to institutionalize regular dialogue with its residents, with Director PGIMER Prof. Vivek Lal calling for structured and periodic interactions to ensure that concerns related to workload, stress, workplace well-being and other issues are identified and addressed in a timely manner.

The announcement came during an open and candid interaction between Prof. Lal and around 200 residents at LT-1, PGIMER, as part of an Orientation and Well-being Programme. The Director called upon Heads of Departments and faculty guides to hold regular interactions with residents at a fixed periodicity, making communication and early resolution of concerns an integral part of the institutional support system.

“Resident well-being is integral to patient care. We must create an environment where our young doctors feel heard, supported and able to thrive,” said Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Director PGIMER further said, “I would like such open interactions to become a regular feature at PGIMER. HODs and faculty guides should also have structured interactions with residents at a fixed periodicity. Regular communication will help us understand concerns at an early stage and ensure that issues are addressed through appropriate institutional mechanisms.”

The programme provided residents with a direct platform to raise concerns, share experiences and offer suggestions before the Director, faculty and administration. Discussions focused on the transition into residency, stress and burnout, seeking timely help, peer support and strengthening institutional mechanisms for resident welfare.

Sharing anecdotes from his own residency, Prof. Lal spoke about the expectations, challenges and opportunities that accompany this formative phase of a doctor’s career. He encouraged residents to communicate openly and seek support whenever required.

“Residency is an important and formative phase of a doctor’s life. Along with academic and clinical excellence, our residents need a strong support system and an environment where they can openly share their concerns,” said Director PGIMER.

The extended question-and-answer session saw residents engage directly with the Director, faculty and administration on a range of issues. The emphasis was on creating channels of communication through which concerns can be raised early rather than waiting for them to escalate.

Prof. Lal appreciated the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) for facilitating the dialogue and bringing forward constructive suggestions on resident welfare. He assured the residents that the administration would continue to examine appropriate measures to strengthen institutional support.

Prof. Sanjay Jain, Dean (Academics), PGIMER, stressed that the institution’s responsibility extends beyond academic and clinical training to creating an environment that supports residents’ overall growth and well-being.

“Our residents are immensely talented and hardworking. The institution’s responsibility is not only to train them but also to nurture and facilitate their growth in a healthy and supportive environment,” Prof. Jain said.

Prof. Shubh Mohan Singh, Department of Psychiatry, addressed the challenges associated with the transition into residency and the multifactorial nature of stress. He discussed practical approaches to managing stress, maintaining psychological well-being and developing healthy coping mechanisms.

Dr. Nidhi Chauhan, Department of Psychiatry, highlighted the importance of recognising early signs of distress and seeking timely support. She also spoke about simple and sustainable lifestyle measures that can help residents maintain their physical and mental well-being, particularly those living away from their families.

Dr. Vishnu Jinja, President, ARD, presented the residents’ perspective and highlighted the need for accessible peer support and timely institutional interventions.

“With increasing workload and stress associated with residency, resident welfare measures need to be strengthened to safeguard the health and well-being of the resident fraternity,” he said.

The ARD President also emphasised the importance of effective implementation of the weekly off and 24-hour rest following night duty, wherever applicable, noting that adequate rest helps reduce fatigue and burnout and contributes to patient safety and quality healthcare delivery.

The programme concluded with a clear emphasis on dialogue, accessibility and timely intervention, with PGIMER reaffirming its commitment to strengthening communication between residents, faculty and the administration.