CHANDIGARH, June 21: Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has urged the External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to help in tracing the missing Indians who are stranded in Russia and have reportedly been forced into the Russia-Ukraine War.
Many of them have lost their lives also, he said, adding, while they had gone in search of work, they were forced to become mercenaries.
Warring disclosed that about 126 Indian citizens from different parts of the country including Punjab were duped by the travel agents with a promise of work permit in Russia.
He said, after paying huge money to the travel agents to the tune of lakhs of rupees these people landed at the battlefront. He disclosed that about 12 such Indians have died while many others are missing.
Warring revealed that some of the victims’ relatives had travelled to Russia on their own spending huge money but to no avail.
The PCC president said that all these people had gone there in search of jobs and not to become mercenaries to fight some other country’s war.
He pointed out, the way government of India was helping evacuate people and students from war torn Iran and Israel, it must make similar efforts to trace and bring back Indians stranded in Russia.
Warring noted that India and Russia have great friendly relations and hoped that the external affairs ministry will use its good offices in Russia to trace the missing Indians and bring them back.
Chandigarh, June 21 – The Haryana Civil Secretariat hosted a Yoga Diwas programme at Haryana Niwas, Chandigarh, to celebrate the 11th International Yoga Day. Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The event saw enthusiastic participation from officers and employees across various state government departments, highlighting a growing awareness of the importance of physical and mental well-being.
Addressing the gathering, Sh. Rastogi extended his heartfelt wishes on International Yoga Day and commended all participants for their collective effort in following the Common Yoga Protocol.He emphasized that yoga is not just a physical activity, but a holistic discipline that fosters balance between body, mind, and spirit. “If each of us dedicates even a small amount of time daily to yoga and walking, it will significantly boost our fitness, focus, and energy levels. This, in turn, enhances both personal well-being and professional efficiency,” he stated.
Rastogi urged officers and employees to incorporate yoga into their daily routines and encouraged them to inspire others—both in their workplaces and communities—to adopt a healthy lifestyle. He added, “Yoga not only strengthens the body but also cultivates mental clarity, emotional stability, and resilience.”
The programme featured a guided session led by expert instructors from the Haryana AYUSH Department. They demonstrated various yogasanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation practices. The instructors also explained the benefits of each asana, highlighting their contribution to physical strength, flexibility, and inner calm. Additionally, participants listened to the International Yoga Day addresses by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
Among the dignitaries present were Director General, Information, Public Relations, Languages & Culture, K. Makarand Pandurang; Special Secretary, Personnel, Training and Parliamentary Affairs, Aditya Dahiya; Special Secretary, Monitoring & Coordination, Dr. Priyanka Soni; Additional Director (Admn.), Information Public Relation & Languages, Varsha Khangwal; Special Secretary, Secretariat Establishment, Sh. Samwartak Singh Khangwal, and senior officers from various other departments.
Chandigarh, June 21 — The 11th International Yoga Day was celebrated across Haryana with great enthusiasm and held special significance this year. While over 1 lakh people gathered at the sacred Brahma Sarovar in Kurukshetra for the state-level event, sending a powerful message to the world through collective yoga practice, nearly 20 lakh participants joined yoga sessions held across 22 districts and 121 blocks of the state.
The state-level function was graced by Haryana Governor, Sh. Bandaru Dattatraya, Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, AYUSH and Health Minister, Kumari Arti Singh Rao, MP, Sh. Naveen Jindal, and renowned Ayurvedacharya, Sh. Balkrishna and other dignitaries. Notably, Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev led the yoga session. The live broadcast of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi’s address from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, was watched by all participants.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced that a Yoga Writer Incentive Scheme will be launched to promote yoga research in universities, with outstanding authors to be honored annually. Additionally, 100 new Yoga evam Vyayamshalas will be established this financial year. Currently, there are 883 vyayamshalas already operating in the state. An international meditation hall will also be built at Shri Krishna AYUSH University in Kurukshetra, he announced.
The Chief Minister further announced the introduction of a credit-based evaluation system for assessing students’ yoga performance in all government schools. A uniform yoga curriculum will also soon be implemented in all universities and colleges of Haryana.
He stated that yoga and naturopathy subjects will be recognized under the AYUSH, starting this year, with government registration of practitioners also commencing.
The Chief Minister also announced that experienced coaches will be appointed to strengthen yoga as a sport at the national level and to train athletes for international competitions. Recruitment for 40 yoga instructors in the sports department will begin shortly.
He announced that from today, a 5-minute ‘Yoga Break’ will be introduced in all government offices of Haryana to provide a stress-free work environment for employees.
PM Narendra Modi Re-established Yoga as India’s Identity on the Global Stage- CM
Extending greetings on the 11th International Yoga Day from the land of Kurukshetra, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the entire world is now embracing yoga, thanks to the efforts of saints, sages, and especially our visionary Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister has restored yoga—India’s ancient legacy—to the international stage and inspired millions with the slogan, “Khelega Bharat, toh Khilega Bharat; Yoga ki Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz,” which has become a source of motivation for many.
The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Yog Guru Swami Ramdev, noting that he has connected individuals worldwide with ancient yoga practices, thus giving yoga a global identity.
He emphasized that this year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” signifies that yoga is not just for individual well-being but for the welfare of all humanity.
International Yoga Day Celebrated Like a Festival; Entire Haryana Immersed in Yoga
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini shared that activities related to Yoga Day began in Haryana as early as May 27, 25 days before the International Yoga Day. Various programmes were organized across the state, involving officers, employees, the general public, and religious and social organizations, transforming Yoga Day into a grand celebration. Today, both Kurukshetra and all of Haryana have been immersed in yoga.
Yoga is Not Just Exercise, but a Complete Science of Living
The Chief Minister noted that yoga is not merely a form of exercise but a complete science for living a healthy, happy, and peaceful life. Yoga is an art of living, which is why it is said: ‘Do yoga daily, stay healthy always.’ We should all incorporate yoga into our daily routines, he said.
Yoga is the Foundation of Life, Devotion, Nature, and Culture — Swami Ramdev
On this occasion, Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev stated that yoga is the foundation of life, devotion, nature, and culture. He recalled how Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi had strongly advocated for International Yoga Day in his very first address to the United Nations General Assembly. As a result, in 2014, the UN passed a historic resolution declaring June 21 as International Yoga Day, with 177 countries supporting the proposal at that time. Today, more than 200 countries are embracing yoga, making this ancient practice a global way of life.
Swami Ramdev also emphasized the Prime Minister’s vision of development with heritage, prosperity with culture, and yoga as national duty.
He praised the Haryana government, under Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini’s leadership, for launching many welfare initiatives and connecting lakhs of people to yoga through numerous events.
During the programme, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini released three booklets published by Patanjali Yogpeeth on Swami Ramdev’s life and yoga journey, as well as a Yoga Protocol booklet prepared by the Haryana Yog Aayog. A video message from Geeta Manishi Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj was also played during the event.
Former Minister, Sh. Subhash Sudha, Chairman, Haryana Yog Aayog, Dr. Jaideep Arya, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and AYUSH Department, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, Director General, AYUSH, Sh. Sanjeev Verma, and other dignitaries, were also present at the event.
Chandigarh, June 19 – Haryana’s Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister Anil Vij today gave directives to relevant officials while hearing grievances of residents from Ambala Cantonment at his residence in Ambala Cantt.
A young woman from Ambala Cantonment submitted a complaint to Minister Vij, stating that a young man living near her home had shared her mobile number along with obscene messages on social media. She alleged that this act was done deliberately to defame her. Sh. Vij immediately directed DSP Ramesh Kumar, who was present on the spot, to register a case and take strict action against the accused.
Similarly, A woman from Vashisht Nagar also complained to Sh. Vij that she had made a deal to sell her ancestral property, but has not yet received Rs. 16 lakh, which was her share. Vij directed DSP, Ambala Cantt to investigate the matter. Now, in a similar case, a man from the Ambala Cantonment Sadar area complained about being duped in the name of sending his son abroad. He stated that a travel agent from Kurukshetra promised to send his son abroad and took Rs.5.10 lakh, but neither sent his son nor returned the money. Sh. Vij instructed the police to take action in this case as well.
*Sh.Vij directs police to increase patrolling in Housing Board area*
Sh. Vij also directed that to increased police patrolling in the Housing Board area of Ambala. Residents of the area complained to him about anti-social elements loitering in the area and a recent increase in thefts. Acting on their complaint, the minister directed DSP Cantt to take appropriate action.
*PWD union submits memorandum to Minister Anil Vij*
The PWD Mechanical Workers’ Union submitted a memorandum of demands to Sh. Anil Vij today. The union raised multiple demands in the form of a detailed memorandum. Meanwhile, several other complaints were also raised by the people in front of Energy Minister, on which Sh. Vij instructed the relevant departments officials to take action in each case. On this occasion, Municipal Council Vice President Lalta Prasad, DSP Ramesh Kumar and officials from various departments were also present.
Punjab Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO on Thursday instructed officials to conduct a traffic census in the state.
Directing the officials to complete the traffic census on the state’s roads by September 30, the Cabinet Minister said that the data would aid in rationalizing road upgrades and new constructions. Additionally, by gathering information on new construction, widening and other necessary road improvements through the traffic census, road safety can be enhanced, thereby preventing costly loss of lives in accidents.
Earlier today, Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO chaired a joint meeting with officials from the Public Works Department and Punjab Mandi Board to discuss measures for improving the state’s roads and bridges. The Cabinet Minister reviewed proposed and ongoing projects under various schemes, with a special focus on link roads. The meeting was attended by Public Works Department Administrative Secretary Mr. Ravi Bhagat, Punjab Mandi Board Secretary Mr. Ramvir, Special Secretary Mrs. Hargunjit Kaur and other senior officials.
The Chief Engineer of Public Works informed that under the PMGSY scheme, tenders are being invited for the construction of 581 km of link roads using FDR (Full Depth Reclamation) technology. Additionally, under the NABARD scheme, work is underway to strengthen and construct new rural roads across the state at a cost of ₹281 crore.
On this occasion, S. Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. also conducted a detailed review of other projects under PRBDB and sought updates on any challenges faced during execution. He instructed the officers to carry out their duties with integrity and high standards.
The Public Works Minister stated that the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to transforming the state’s roads into world-class infrastructure to further accelerate Punjab’s development.
Chandigarh: The Meeting of the Haryana Cabinet will be held on June 26 at 11 am in the main hall on the fourth floor of Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh under the chairmanship of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, said the government official spokesperson.
Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday said that ‘One Nation, One Election’ is a vital part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary concept of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”. It is not just a slogan but a national approach towards a strong and coordinated democracy. The Haryana government extends its in-principle support to this initiative, and its effective implementation will yield multi-dimensional benefits for the country, said Saini. The Chief Minister said this during a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee held in New Chandigarh. The Committee is on a study tour regarding the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territory Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Chairman of the Committee, MP, PP Chaudhary, along with several other members, was present on the occasion.
Chandigarh: Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sumita Misra on Friday said that the State Government will conduct a major state-wide Civil Defence exercise, named “Operation Shield,” on Saturday across all 22 districts to enhance the state’s emergency preparedness and response capabilities. Scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM, this comprehensive drill is being organized under the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to simulate critical incidents such as air raids, drone attacks, and other wartime scenarios in the light of current national security concerns. Earlier, this mock drill was scheduled for May 29 but was postponed as per the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), she added.
Talking to Reporters, Misra said that the exercise aims to test existing emergency mechanisms, improve coordination between the civil administration, defence forces, and local communities and to identify areas that need to be strengthened, thus ensuring swift and effective response during any crisis. She informed that currently there are around 32,000 Civil Defence Volunteers across state who will also contribute in this exercise. All Deputy Commissioners have been directed to call out Civil Defence Volunteers, NSS, NCC, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), Home Gaurds, etc. of their respective districts in order to brief them regarding their deployment, duties and exercises to be undertaken.
She further said that key components include drills responding to aerial threats such as air raids and swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), activation of air raid sirens, and testing of control room communication hotlines established with the Indian Air Force. Additionally, a controlled blackout of 15 minutes will be observed from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM near vital installations, with exception of essential emergency services such as hospitals, fire stations, and police stations.
Misra highlighted that the exercise aligns with the Incident Response System (IRS), which Haryana officially notified on January 28, 2025, under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, providing a structured framework for effective emergency response. She directed all Deputy Commissioners, who are also Chairpersons of District Disaster Management Authorities, along with Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, to ensure meticulous planning and execution of the exercise in their jurisdictions. They have been instructed to submit detailed Action Taken Reports to the Commandant General, Home Guards, and Director, Civil Defence, Haryana, which will be compiled for state-level review and forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The above mock exercises are scheduled for May 31 between 5 PM to 9 PM and should not be the cause of alarm for the citizen, she added.
KONE Elevator India, a leading provider of elevators, escalators, and automatic building doors, has expanded its footprint in North India with the inauguration of a new office in Mohali, Punjab. This move reflects KONE’s strategic commitment under its Rise strategy, which aims to accelerate growth, strengthen local engagement, and shape the future of cities with smart and sustainable urban mobility solutions.
The new office, strategically located at Mohali Phase-11, SAS Nagar, will cater to the increasing demand for elevator and escalator solutions across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and parts of Haryana. It will also serve as an exhibition center, showcasing KONE’s advanced elevator designs, innovative features, and cutting-edge technology. The office will support Sales, Installation, Service and Modernization teams working across key cities in the states.
KONE Elevator India takes pride in partnering with prestigious projects and institutions in Tricity, Himachal & Jammu- Falcon View-JLPL, Homeland Heights-Unity Group, ISB, IISER, Punjab & Haryana High Court, Omaxe- India Trade Tower, Ambika- Florence, New PCA- Stadium, Homi Bhabha-Cancer Hospital, PGI Hospital-Chandigarh, Fortis Hospital- Mohali, Sushma -Projects, Orbit Mall, Ananta Aspire- Savasitiga Group, Nirwana Heights & Square One, Prisma- Plaza-City, Chitkara University, MMU University, Grand Walk, East Wood, MBD Mall, Mittal Mall, ITC Hotel, IIT Mandi, IIT Jammu & Jammu ISBT .The CLIO by Jubilee Group , Trident Hills by Trident Group. Many existing and Premium High rise upcoming projects will be managed from the new office.
Speaking at the inauguration, Amit Gossain, Managing Director, KONE India and South Asia, said-“We are delighted to expand our presence in Mohali—an important and fast-growing economic and cultural center in Punjab. This new office reflects our continued investment in North India and is a key step in delivering our ‘Rise to lead’ strategy on the ground. By being closer to our customers, we can offer better service, smarter solutions, and faster response times”
With a growing network of offices across India, KONE remains focused on driving innovation, excellence, and sustainability across the residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors. The Mohali office adds further momentum to KONE India’s efforts to support rapid urbanization with efficient and future-ready people flow solutions.
The new office is located at KONE Elevator India Pvt Ltd, Plot No: 372, Bulk Material Market, Phase XI, Mohali, S.A.S Nagar – 160062.
Chandigarh, May 28 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday launched a real-time tracking portal and mobile app of door-to-door garbage collection vehicles to further accelerate the cleanliness drive and bring more transparency to the Urban Local Bodies Department. With this digital initiative, accurate information about vehicles and manpower involved in garbage collection in municipal corporations, municipalities, and municipal councils will be available online based on live location. Every citizen will be able to track garbage collection vehicles operating in their area. This move will also ensure regular garbage pickup from every household. Currently, 37 ULBs are live on this portal.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister chaired an important meeting with District Municipal Commissioners (DMCs) and Commissioners Municipal Corporation (CMCs) on Wednesday. Urban Local Bodies Minister, Sh. Vipul Goel was also present. Various ongoing projects under the Urban Local Bodies Department were reviewed during the meeting.
Issuing strict directives on legacy waste in cities, the Chief Minister emphasized that special attention should be paid to cleanliness. No heaps of garbage should be visible in any city. The government’s goal is to make cities clean. Therefore, all officials must work responsibly. Cleanliness is our first priority, he said.
Road repairs to be completed by June 15
Issuing directions regarding the strengthening of roads in local bodies, the Chief Minister said that road improvement works must be completed within the stipulated time. No potholes should be present on any road. Concerned officers should monitor the repair works. Accelerate the pace of road repair and re-carpeting, and complete all renovation work by June 15, directed the Chief Minister.
He further directed that officers from the headquarters must visit local bodies where new sanitation tenders have been issued and submit a report on the status and progress of the work within the next 7 days. Additionally, action should be taken against the agency and contractors based on performance.
Recognition for best-performing local bodies and sanitation agencies
The Chief Minister directed all officers to ensure attendance of all sanitation workers is taken regularly. He said that local bodies performing exceptionally well in cleanliness will be recognized and awarded. Sanitation agencies and contractors ensuring proper sanitation will also be honored. To ensure safety in cities, CCTV cameras must be installed at major entry and exit points. This will also help in reducing criminal activities, he said.
Drain cleaning to be a top priority
Reviewing the progress of drain cleaning, the Chief Minister directed that clear deadlines be set and pending work be completed without delay. All drains under the jurisdiction of local bodies must be cleaned by June 15. Officials must prioritize drain cleaning ahead of the monsoon season.
Mandatory safety checks before sewer cleaning
Sh. Nayab Singh Saini expressed concern over fatalities during sewer cleaning. He directed that safety checks must be mandatory before sewer cleaning to ensure there is no presence of harmful gases or chemicals that could endanger sanitation workers who clean sewers. He stressed the need for strict steps to improve the system.
Tagging and management of stray cattle
While reviewing stray cattle management, the Chief Minister directed that abandoned cattle be sent to gaushalas or nandishalas and be tagged to ensure all related data is available with the department. People should be made aware not to abandon animals on the roads. Individuals repeatedly abandoning cattle should be identified and strict action must be taken. The goal is to make all cities free of stray animals.
It was informed during the meeting that a State Level Committee is being formed for the relocation of stray cattle to gaushalas and nandishalas. The committee will include the Chairman of the Gau Seva Aayog, officials from Urban Local Bodies, Panchayat and Animal Husbandry Departments, and representatives from concerned gaushalas.
Resolve issues promptly in Samadhan Shivir so no citizen returns dissatisfied
Reviewing the progress of Samadhan Shivirs, the Chief Minister directed concerned officers to ensure that citizen issues are resolved quickly and no citizen returns dissatisfied. Clear reasons must be provided for rejection of complaints.
The Chief Minister suggested that where municipal bodies are performing excellently in areas like sanitation, water management, and road strengthening, mayors, district council chairpersons, and councilors should go on study tours with officers. Best practices from other cities will be implemented in Haryana to benefit the public.
All officers should work with a spirit of public service: Chief Secretary
Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Rastogi said all local bodies must set revenue targets for the financial year and make dedicated efforts to achieve them. Open auctions should be conducted for advertisement sites in all bodies, and illegal hoardings, if any, must be removed. He emphasized that municipal administration represents the government’s face, and all officers must actively engage and work with a sense of public service.
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. Arun Kumar Gupta, Commissioner and Secretary, Urban Local Bodies Department Sh. Vikas Gupta, Director General Sh. Pankaj, OSD to Chief Minister Sh. Raj Nehru, and other officers also attended the meeting.
