Chandigarh: The continued non-implementation of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) on vehicles registered prior to April 1, 2019 is emerging as a serious issue, leading to duplication of number plates, misuse of vehicle identities and harassment of innocent citizens.

The absence of tamper-proof number plates has created opportunities for criminals to use cloned vehicle numbers and making it difficult for enforcement agencies to track vehicles involved in crimes.

International road safety expert Dr. Kamal Soi, Chairman, Raahat – The Safe Community Foundation and Society for Corruption Free India (SCFI) while addressing this issue during a press conference held at Chandigarh Press Club had expressed deep concern over the situation and termed it alarming for public safety and law enforcement.

Dr Soi is also a Member of the National Road Safety Council under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Government of India, where he contributes to road safety policy, transport reforms and accident prevention strategies across the country

He stated that today an innocent vehicle owner can receive a police notice or face legal trouble for a crime he never committed simply because his vehicle number has been duplicated and misused. He said this is not just administrative negligence but a serious injustice to law-abiding citizens.

Dr. Soi further pointed out that Punjab, being a sensitive border state, already faces serious challenges related to drug trafficking, terrorism and organized crime. Such a weak vehicle identification systems directly compromise national security and public safety.

He also highlighted the unchecked proliferation of unauthorized dealers and illegal vendors who are openly affixing fake or non-compliant number plates. Duplicate number plates and HSRP-like plates are easily available through online platforms and local markets, defeating the purpose of a secure registration system.

According to him, this lack of enforcement has resulted in rampant duplication of vehicle numbers, criminals operating with cloned identities, harassment and legal trouble for innocent vehicle owners and loss of credibility of the vehicle registration system.

In a corrective step, the Transport Department has now expanded HSRP affixation for pre-2019 vehicles through authorized automobile dealers across the state via the SIAM digital platform.

Dr Soi advised that an applicant should visit the official website www.siam.in to enter their vehicle details, choose an authorized dealer and than select a convenient date and time slot. The payment must be made online to ensure transparency and avoid any cash dealings. Once the appointment is confirmed, the HSRP can be affixed at the selected dealership. This system is secure, transparent and effectively eliminates the role of illegal operators.  

HSRP plates also incorporate retro-reflective technology that enhances visibility up to 200 meters at night, improving road safety.

Dr. Soi urged the Govt and enforcement agencies to take immediate and strict action, including crackdown on unauthorized dealers, monitoring online sale of duplicate plates, strict enforcement with penalties and time-bound implementation to achieve 100% HSRP coverage.

Chandigarh:

A Single Theme Workshop on Neonatal Neurological Disorders will be held at the Advanced Pediatric Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), on 4th and 5th April 2026. The workshop will be conducted by the Newborn Unit, Department of Pediatrics.

The workshop will be inaugurated by Prof. Vivek Lal, Director of PGIMER. The Chairperson of the Organizing Committee is Prof. Praveen Kumar; the Organizing Secretary is Prof. Sourabh Dutta; and the Joint Organizing Secretary is Dr. Jogender Kumar. Other faculty members include Dr. Naveen Jain from Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and Dr. Naveen Gupta from New Delhi; Prof. Deepak Chawla, Prof. Suksham Jain, and Dr. Supreet Khurana from Government Medical College, Chandigarh; and Dr. Sajan Saini, Dr. Bijaylakshmi Behera, Prof. Naveen Sankhyan, Dr. Arushi Saini, Dr. Anupriya Kaur, Dr. Chirag Ahuja, and Dr. Bharti Sharma from PGIMER.

Neonatal neurological disorders include diseases affecting the nervous system of newborns, primarily the brain. There was a time when the primary focus of newborn specialists was to save the lives of premature babies or full-term babies born with asphyxia. With significantly improved survival rates today compared to a few decades ago, the focus has shifted from mere survival to ensuring “neurologically intact survival.”

“Neurologically intact survival” refers to surviving into childhood and adulthood as a mentally and physically normal individual who can function independently and contribute to society. There is little value in expending enormous family and societal resources to save a newborn baby if the child grows up with severe disabilities such as intellectual impairment or cerebral palsy and remains dependent on caregivers throughout life.

A systematic analysis of data from low- and middle-income countries published in 2021, including India, reported that the average survival rate of babies weighing less than 1 kg was about 30%, with approximately 20% of survivors having abnormal neurological development. Data from major centers in India suggest that very to moderately premature babies have nearly five times the risk of brain disorders compared to full-term babies, and about 35–40% of babies weighing less than 1 kg either die or develop serious brain impairments.

Newborns are particularly vulnerable to neurological disorders because their brains are delicate. In premature babies, the brain is prone to internal bleeding due to fragile blood vessels, white matter damage due to inadequate blood supply or inflammation, and impaired growth and development. In full-term babies, brain injury may occur due to birth asphyxia, metabolic disturbances, or severe jaundice.

Significant advances have been made in the prevention, diagnosis, management, and follow-up of neonatal brain disorders in recent years. These include therapeutic hypothermia (external cooling of the brain) for selected asphyxiated babies, newer anti-epileptic medications, advanced ultrasound and MRI techniques, bedside EEG monitoring, improved recognition and prevention of factors leading to bleeding and white matter injury, diagnosis of complex metabolic disorders using sophisticated laboratory techniques, optimization of antibiotic duration for brain infections, and establishment of standardized follow-up protocols for early detection of cerebral palsy. Together, these advances have contributed to improved neurologically intact survival. Strategies to protect the vulnerable brains of premature babies begin well before birth and continue for months afterward.

Keeping these considerations in mind, the Neonatal Unit of the Department of Pediatrics has organized this two-day workshop dedicated entirely to neonatal brain disorders. The workshop will be highly practical and hands-on. It will include three practical workstations focusing on therapeutic hypothermia, EEG recording, and neuroimaging (ultrasound and MRI). There will also be six real-life clinical case discussions highlighting the management of newborns with serious neurological conditions.

The participants are pediatric specialists with a special interest in neonatal care. Lectures on the first day will cover the basics of neurological examination in newborns (which differs significantly from that in adults and older children), an approach to the stuporous neonate, and the diagnosis and management of brain injury due to asphyxia, intracranial hemorrhage, and white matter injury. The second day will include lectures on the management of neonatal seizures, hydrocephalus, preventive strategies, neonatal stroke, brain injury due to hypoglycemia or severe jaundice, and long-term follow-up.

Simple measures that the general public can adopt to promote neurologically intact survival include regular antenatal check-ups, adherence to medical advice during pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, prevention of infections, and seeking immediate medical attention if a newborn shows abnormal movements, lethargy or severe jaundice.

Chandigarh:

Recognizing the growing burden of kidney diseases and the importance of early awareness on the occasion of World Kidney Day 2026, the PGIMER,
 Chandigarh, decided to reach out to the people instead of people having to reach the hospital. The Director, Prof. Dr. Vivek Lal has always been a strong proponent of outreach campaigns for promoting public health. The Department of Nephrology therefore undertook a community outreach interactive initiative to spread awareness about kidney health.

The outreach programme was conducted at three locations: Panjab University, Chandigarh; Gian Jyoti Institute, Mohali; and Dadu Majra. The National Institute of Nursing Education (NINE), PGIMER, enthusiastically collaborated with the Department of Nephrology in conducting these activities.

At Gian Jyoti Institute, Mohali,
 Prof. Dr. HS Kohli and the team of Department of Nephrology conducted an informative and interactive session with students. Prof. Kohli addressed the students on the increasing use of protein supplements and explained the types of supplements available in the market. He cautioned against adulterated or unregulated supplements that may potentially harm the kidneys and stressed the importance of a balanced and wholesome diet. He also warned against the indiscriminate use of over-the-counter painkiller medications. The team educated the youngsters on the early signs and symptoms of kidney disease and emphasized the importance of adequate hydration.

At Panjab University, PGIMER team interacted with students and spoke in simple and practical terms about maintaining kidney health through healthy lifestyle habits and avoidance of modifiable risk factors. They emphasized sustainable dietary practices and highlighted natural, balanced sources of protein rather than relying on unnecessary supplements.

Students across these institutions displayed enormous curiosity about kidney health, dietary practices, and protein supplements, leading to engaging discussions. In response to their questions, the team also discussed recent advances in kidney disease treatment and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in nephrology.

At Dadu Majra, Department of Nephrology PGIMER team, in collaboration with the Nursing teams lead by Dr. Sukhpal Kaur and Dr. Naina Singh, conducted a session addressing common questions regarding kidney health, lifestyle practices, and prevention of kidney disease beautified by hand made posters and slogans on kidney care.

The outreach programme witnessed enthusiastic participation and engagement. The large turnout and active interaction from students and community members made the World Kidney Day outreach initiative a meaningful and successful effort in promoting kidney health awareness.