Chandigarh: Punjab Gaushala Mahasangh on Monday sought to ban the storage of wheat dry fodder (tudi) while demanding to ensure availability of dry fodder for cattle heads in the state.

Speaking to the media here today, Swami Krishnanand Maharaj, National Chairman-Gausewa Mission, said that Punjab is reeling under a severe crisis of wheat dry fodder. Some mills and factory operators have stocked tudi on a large scale, causing shortage. The situation is worsening day by day and can become a threat to the lives of thousands of cattle heads in the state , he said.
He further stated that the administration and Punjab government would bear the moral responsibility for the deaths of cattle heads due to the non-availability of dry fodder.
Swami further said that though the state government is collecting huge funds through ‘cow cess’, registered gaushalas are not getting any financial assistance. Maintaining the availability of dry fodder for cattle during this summer season is becoming a big challenge, due to which many cow shelters are facing financial and resource crisis, he asserted.
The prices of tudi have gone skyrocket, due to which the financial burden on dairy farmers and cattle rearers has increased significantly, he said.
Swami alleged that many cardboard factories, brick kilns, and coal boilers in Punjab have purchased large quantities of straw directly from farmers. As a result, cow shelters are unable to obtain straw, which they previously had readily available.
“We request the Punjab Government to impose a ban on the purchase of tudi by factories and brick kilns to ensure gaushalas get it for their cattle heads.”
We also demand that the amount of cow cess should be released to the gaushalas, he asserted.
The failure of the Punjab government to meet our demands would leave only the option for us to stage a state wide protest , he said.
We are giving the state government two days’ time to consider our demands, otherwise we will gherao the residences of the Chief Minister, ministers, and MLAs of Punjab. If within two days the state government does not invite for the talk on our demands, then on coming Saturday, gausewaks and gaushala owners along with Shiva Nandis will march to gherao the residences in their respective districts, he maintained.

Mohali, April 29

Committed to safety, hygiene, purity of ingredients and healthy cooking mediums, Back To Source has unveiled a distinctive range of traditional Indian summer coolers and fermented probiotic beverages, to beat the scorching summer heat. The unique beverages were showcased at BTS’s Sector 66 outlet in Mohali’s Jubilee Junction.

Sharing details with the media, Puja Aggarwal, Founder Director, Back To Source and Operations Head Dhruv Ahluwalia, spotlighted the brand’s philosophy of clean, mindful eating rooted in natural and time-tested ingredients.

Puja Aggarwal said, “We have designed the beverages to counter the intense North Indian summer, the newly introduced drinks combine hydration, nutrition, and digestive benefits. The highlight offerings include the Gond Katira Almond Milk Cooler, Jowar Badam Milkshake, and Pineapple Tepache.”

Puja informed that the Gond Katira Almond Milk Cooler, is inspired by age-old Indian remedies, and uses soaked edible gum combined with fresh almond milk and natural sweeteners to deliver a cooling and nourishing experience. “Similarly, the Jowar Badam Milkshake blends millet-based milk with almonds to provide steady energy without heaviness, making it ideal for hot weather conditions. Pineapple Tepache, a lightly fermented beverage made using pineapple peels, adds a naturally fizzy and refreshing global touch to the unique summer cooler options,” added Puja.

While holding an informative session on the importance of gut-friendly and hydration-focused drinks in summers, Puja said, “Our focus has always been to go back to ingredients and practices that our bodies understand. With these summer coolers, we are reviving traditional wisdom like gond katira and millet-based drinks in a way that fits into today’s lifestyle. These beverages are not just refreshing but are designed to naturally cool the body, support hydration, and promote overall wellness during peak summers.”

Alongside beverages, Back To Source showcased a carefully curated summer menu featuring light, easily digestible, and nutrient-rich dishes. The offerings include fresh seasonal salads, barley salad, avocado chickpea salad, avocado toast, and lighter versions of popular items like pizza and kathi rolls. Chef-special additions such as kurkuri bhindi and faluda kulfi further enhance the seasonal appeal.

Speaking at the interaction, Dhruv Ahluwalia emphasized the importance of balance in summer dining. “We have consciously designed our menu to be gut-friendly and hydrating. From minimal oil usage to incorporating seasonal produce and natural ingredients, every dish is crafted to ensure it is light on the stomach while still being satisfying and flavorful. Our aim is to offer food that energizes rather than weighs you down,” he said.

Back To Source’s summer offerings also include refreshing beverages like Fresh Mango Mojito and Strawberry Mojito, complementing the newly launched drinks. However, the core focus remains on traditional and fermented beverages that deliver functional benefits such as improved digestion and enhanced hydration.

Highlighting the brand’s larger vision, Puja Aggarwal added, “At Back To Source, we believe food should be simple, real, and restorative. By bringing together traditional ingredients, fermentation techniques, and mindful preparation, we aim to restore trust in what we consume daily.”

The media interaction concluded with a tasting session, allowing attendees to experience the newly launched beverages and summer menu first-hand. The initiative reinforces Back To Source’s commitment to redefining everyday dining through a wellness-focused approach that blends tradition with contemporary preferences.

Chandigarh, April 29

In a heartfelt celebration of resilience, courage and silent achievement, the ‘Ageless Women Soirée’ brought into the spotlight women who have been doing exceptional work for family & society behind the scenes, often without recognition. The soirée was an initiative that culminated in the prestigious TWOS (Touch Woman of Substance) Awards 26.

Dr Preeti Jindal, Founder of The Touch Clinic and Senior Vice President of Indian Society of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Gynaecology (InSARG), “Many women are doing great work in their own spaces but remain unrecognised. This platform was designed to bring their stories to the forefront and empower them,” she said.

“Conceptualised to honour women, many of whom work from home in fields like baking, education, and care-giving, the event aimed to boost their self-confidence and give them the visibility they deserve,” added Dr Preeti.

The Guests of Honour included, Dr Sangeeta Jain, Civil Surgeon, Mohali; Ms Garima Singh – IRS; & Ms Kiran Sandhu – Owner of Chandigarh Group of Colleges.

The soirée also featured insightful sessions. A key highlight was the panel discussion titled ‘Decoding Obesity – A Path to Sustainable Slimming,’ moderated by Dr Sumitu Sahdev, with contributions from experts including Dr Preeti Jindal and Dr Pragati Tandon. The discussion stressed evidence-based approaches to weight management, advocating sustainable lifestyle changes over quick fixes.

Dr Preeti further informed that TWOS award is given every 2 years by Touch Clinic to women who are doing cutting edge work in any field of life. There are 7 categories and this award is unbiased as a jury of esteemed members’ reviews entries without names for fair selection. The esteemed jury for Touch Woman of Substance(TWOS) Awards 2026 comprised Ms. Aruna Chattopadhya, Ms. Reetinder Mohan Ms. Paru Sindhu, Ms. Seema Vinayak , Ms. Ritika Singh, Ms. Seema Talwar, Ms. Rachna Singh, Dr. Ladbans Kaur, Ms. Monika Bahwa, Dr. Madhu Gupta & Ms. Soumya Rastogi.

Talking about the TWOS 26 Awards, Dr Preeti said that over 100 nominations were received from across the region. These entries underwent a structured and meticulous evaluation process by the jury comprising accomplished and well-known women from diverse fields.

“Based on criteria such as resilience, transformation, and impact, 25 women were shortlisted and felicitated during the ceremony. Each awardee represented a unique journey.” Notably, TWOS ICON Awards and a Diva Award too were given.

Inspiring women awards were also handed out to deserving women. A motivating story is of Joban Sandhu who was diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy, took timely treatment at Touch Clinic, and is now healthy with two children. Anu Dhingra chose courage over fear by embracing robotic hysterectomy and stepped into the future of women’s health with confidence and clarity. Aruti Nayar chose innovation, precision, and self-care by opting for robotic hysterectomy for gynaecological issues.

Experts at the event emphasized that robotic surgery offers several advantages. It is highly precise, involves minimal to no blood loss, ensures faster recovery, and in many cases allows patients to be discharged the same or next day.

Moving further, among the awardees was Ms Brijesh who despite multiple miscarriages, held onto hope and eventually embraced motherhood. Another inspiring story was of Inderpreet Bhatti who conceived after 12 IVF attempts and is now expecting her second child. Prerna Jain faced a foetal growth restriction and was advised termination, but with proper guidance delivered a healthy baby girl. Priyanka Garg, faced less water & severe foetal growth issues during the early stage of pregnancy, which she overcame with the right medical support and her positive attitude. Bharkha went through complications during pregnancy (low fluid, high BP, restricted baby growth). With proper care, she delivered a healthy baby boy who is now 6 years old.