Chandigarh, August 25:In view of waterlogging and traffic conditions caused by heavy monsoon rainfall, the district administration has taken special measures to ensure the safety of schoolchildren. District Disaster Management Authority Chairman and DC Uttam Singh held an inter-departmental coordination committee meeting today in view of difficulties faced by school buses at some locations following heavy rainfall on Monday.

During the meeting, he issued necessary directions to officials of the concerned departments to ensure the safe movement of schoolchildren. Accordingly, the District Disaster Management Authority has issued detailed guidelines for the safe operation of school buses.

Under the directions issued by the District Disaster Management Authority, the Gurugram Traffic Police has been instructed to establish a system for preparing and sharing real-time information on waterlogging along school routes with schools. On rainy days or when there is a weather warning, reports will be issued at 5:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM. In addition, in the event of heavy rainfall or sudden blockage of any route, a flash update must be issued within 30 minutes.

All schools in the district have been directed not to send school buses through routes declared waterlogged and to use safe alternative routes wherever available. If no safe alternative route is available, students must be kept on the school premises under staff supervision and parents must be informed immediately. During heavy rainfall, dispersal of students will also be carried out in phases, taking the waterlogging situation into account.

The DC has directed that no child should be dropped off at a waterlogged or unsupervised bus stop. Children must be handed over only to their parents or authorised guardians. Every bus must have a staff escort, adequate drinking water, and drivers must be clearly briefed not to take buses through waterlogged routes or underpasses. In case of any change in route or timings, schools must inform parents in advance through SMS or the school app.

*Traffic Police to Give Priority to School Bus Movement*

The DCP Traffic has been directed to ensure the deployment of traffic personnel, tow vehicles and PCR vehicles, wherever required, at sensitive locations along school bus routes. During dispersal hours from 7 AM to 9 AM and 12 PM to 3 PM, safe movement of school buses through affected routes will be given priority.

During rainfall or weather warnings, additional Haryana Roadways buses will also be kept on standby. These buses will be stationed at pre-identified safe locations and will be used to transport students to a safe location or school if a school bus gets stuck or breaks down due to waterlogging. Under no circumstances will any student be left unattended.

*Dedicated WhatsApp and SMS System for Schools*

Under the directions issued, the District Education Officer and District Elementary Education Officer have been instructed to prepare, within 24 hours, a dedicated WhatsApp broadcast group and bulk SMS/email list covering the principals/heads and transport in-charges of all government, private, aided and recognised schools in the district.

Every report or flash update received from the Traffic Police must be forwarded to all schools, without any modification, within 15 minutes.

The system will cover schools across all areas of the district, including Sohna, Pataudi, Manesar, Farrukhnagar and Badshahpur. A weekly compliance report must be submitted to the district administration every Monday.

*Special Safety Arrangements at Schools*

The directions state that every school must appoint a Transport In-charge/Route Safety Officer. During rainfall, students must not be assembled in basements or any low-lying areas of the school premises. Schools must also ensure inspection of electrical panels and exposed wires on their premises.

Any incident involving a school bus getting stuck in waterlogging or a situation in which the safety of a child is at risk must be reported immediately to the GMDA/MCG helpline at 18001801817 or WhatsApp number 9821395354.

*Drainage on School Routes to Get Priority*

GMDA, Haryana Roadways, Municipal Corporation Gurugram, Municipal Council Manesar, HSVP, PWD (B&R) and NHAI have been directed to give priority to drainage along school bus routes and around school gates.

The concerned officials will remain present at identified waterlogging points during and after rainfall. Haryana Roadways has been directed to identify a fleet of additional buses and drivers and provide details of their numbers and standby locations within 48 hours.

ADC Sonu Bhatt has been assigned overall responsibility for monitoring compliance with the directions. He will hold a joint review meeting every Friday with the Traffic Police, Education Department, GMDA, Haryana Roadways and Municipal Corporation.

Chandigarh, August 25:In view of waterlogging and traffic conditions caused by heavy monsoon rainfall, the district administration has taken special measures to ensure the safety of schoolchildren. District Disaster Management Authority Chairman and DC Uttam Singh held an inter-departmental coordination committee meeting today in view of difficulties faced by school buses at some locations following heavy rainfall on Monday.

During the meeting, he issued necessary directions to officials of the concerned departments to ensure the safe movement of schoolchildren. Accordingly, the District Disaster Management Authority has issued detailed guidelines for the safe operation of school buses.

Under the directions issued by the District Disaster Management Authority, the Gurugram Traffic Police has been instructed to establish a system for preparing and sharing real-time information on waterlogging along school routes with schools. On rainy days or when there is a weather warning, reports will be issued at 5:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM. In addition, in the event of heavy rainfall or sudden blockage of any route, a flash update must be issued within 30 minutes.

All schools in the district have been directed not to send school buses through routes declared waterlogged and to use safe alternative routes wherever available. If no safe alternative route is available, students must be kept on the school premises under staff supervision and parents must be informed immediately. During heavy rainfall, dispersal of students will also be carried out in phases, taking the waterlogging situation into account.

The DC has directed that no child should be dropped off at a waterlogged or unsupervised bus stop. Children must be handed over only to their parents or authorised guardians. Every bus must have a staff escort, adequate drinking water, and drivers must be clearly briefed not to take buses through waterlogged routes or underpasses. In case of any change in route or timings, schools must inform parents in advance through SMS or the school app.

*Traffic Police to Give Priority to School Bus Movement*

The DCP Traffic has been directed to ensure the deployment of traffic personnel, tow vehicles and PCR vehicles, wherever required, at sensitive locations along school bus routes. During dispersal hours from 7 AM to 9 AM and 12 PM to 3 PM, safe movement of school buses through affected routes will be given priority.

During rainfall or weather warnings, additional Haryana Roadways buses will also be kept on standby. These buses will be stationed at pre-identified safe locations and will be used to transport students to a safe location or school if a school bus gets stuck or breaks down due to waterlogging. Under no circumstances will any student be left unattended.

*Dedicated WhatsApp and SMS System for Schools*

Under the directions issued, the District Education Officer and District Elementary Education Officer have been instructed to prepare, within 24 hours, a dedicated WhatsApp broadcast group and bulk SMS/email list covering the principals/heads and transport in-charges of all government, private, aided and recognised schools in the district.

Every report or flash update received from the Traffic Police must be forwarded to all schools, without any modification, within 15 minutes.

The system will cover schools across all areas of the district, including Sohna, Pataudi, Manesar, Farrukhnagar and Badshahpur. A weekly compliance report must be submitted to the district administration every Monday.

*Special Safety Arrangements at Schools*

The directions state that every school must appoint a Transport In-charge/Route Safety Officer. During rainfall, students must not be assembled in basements or any low-lying areas of the school premises. Schools must also ensure inspection of electrical panels and exposed wires on their premises.

Any incident involving a school bus getting stuck in waterlogging or a situation in which the safety of a child is at risk must be reported immediately to the GMDA/MCG helpline at 18001801817 or WhatsApp number 9821395354.

*Drainage on School Routes to Get Priority*

GMDA, Haryana Roadways, Municipal Corporation Gurugram, Municipal Council Manesar, HSVP, PWD (B&R) and NHAI have been directed to give priority to drainage along school bus routes and around school gates.

The concerned officials will remain present at identified waterlogging points during and after rainfall. Haryana Roadways has been directed to identify a fleet of additional buses and drivers and provide details of their numbers and standby locations within 48 hours.

ADC Sonu Bhatt has been assigned overall responsibility for monitoring compliance with the directions. He will hold a joint review meeting every Friday with the Traffic Police, Education Department, GMDA, Haryana Roadways and Municipal Corporation.

Chandigarh, August 25:In view of waterlogging and traffic conditions caused by heavy monsoon rainfall, the district administration has taken special measures to ensure the safety of schoolchildren. District Disaster Management Authority Chairman and DC Uttam Singh held an inter-departmental coordination committee meeting today in view of difficulties faced by school buses at some locations following heavy rainfall on Monday.

 

During the meeting, he issued necessary directions to officials of the concerned departments to ensure the safe movement of schoolchildren. Accordingly, the District Disaster Management Authority has issued detailed guidelines for the safe operation of school buses.

 

Under the directions issued by the District Disaster Management Authority, the Gurugram Traffic Police has been instructed to establish a system for preparing and sharing real-time information on waterlogging along school routes with schools. On rainy days or when there is a weather warning, reports will be issued at 5:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM. In addition, in the event of heavy rainfall or sudden blockage of any route, a flash update must be issued within 30 minutes.

 

All schools in the district have been directed not to send school buses through routes declared waterlogged and to use safe alternative routes wherever available. If no safe alternative route is available, students must be kept on the school premises under staff supervision and parents must be informed immediately. During heavy rainfall, dispersal of students will also be carried out in phases, taking the waterlogging situation into account.

 

The DC has directed that no child should be dropped off at a waterlogged or unsupervised bus stop. Children must be handed over only to their parents or authorised guardians. Every bus must have a staff escort, adequate drinking water, and drivers must be clearly briefed not to take buses through waterlogged routes or underpasses. In case of any change in route or timings, schools must inform parents in advance through SMS or the school app.

 

*Traffic Police to Give Priority to School Bus Movement*

 

The DCP Traffic has been directed to ensure the deployment of traffic personnel, tow vehicles and PCR vehicles, wherever required, at sensitive locations along school bus routes. During dispersal hours from 7 AM to 9 AM and 12 PM to 3 PM, safe movement of school buses through affected routes will be given priority.

 

During rainfall or weather warnings, additional Haryana Roadways buses will also be kept on standby. These buses will be stationed at pre-identified safe locations and will be used to transport students to a safe location or school if a school bus gets stuck or breaks down due to waterlogging. Under no circumstances will any student be left unattended.

 

*Dedicated WhatsApp and SMS System for Schools*

 

Under the directions issued, the District Education Officer and District Elementary Education Officer have been instructed to prepare, within 24 hours, a dedicated WhatsApp broadcast group and bulk SMS/email list covering the principals/heads and transport in-charges of all government, private, aided and recognised schools in the district.

 

Every report or flash update received from the Traffic Police must be forwarded to all schools, without any modification, within 15 minutes.

 

The system will cover schools across all areas of the district, including Sohna, Pataudi, Manesar, Farrukhnagar and Badshahpur. A weekly compliance report must be submitted to the district administration every Monday.

 

*Special Safety Arrangements at Schools*

 

The directions state that every school must appoint a Transport In-charge/Route Safety Officer. During rainfall, students must not be assembled in basements or any low-lying areas of the school premises. Schools must also ensure inspection of electrical panels and exposed wires on their premises.

 

Any incident involving a school bus getting stuck in waterlogging or a situation in which the safety of a child is at risk must be reported immediately to the GMDA/MCG helpline at 18001801817 or WhatsApp number 9821395354.

 

*Drainage on School Routes to Get Priority*

 

GMDA, Haryana Roadways, Municipal Corporation Gurugram, Municipal Council Manesar, HSVP, PWD (B&R) and NHAI have been directed to give priority to drainage along school bus routes and around school gates.

 

The concerned officials will remain present at identified waterlogging points during and after rainfall. Haryana Roadways has been directed to identify a fleet of additional buses and drivers and provide details of their numbers and standby locations within 48 hours.

 

ADC Sonu Bhatt has been assigned overall responsibility for monitoring compliance with the directions. He will hold a joint review meeting every Friday with the Traffic Police, Education Department, GMDA, Haryana Roadways and Municipal Corporation.

Chandigarh, August 22: Under the Social Impact Vertical of Indian Women Network (IWN) Chandigarh, a special event was held at Kartar Aasra Old Age Home in Sector 1 . 

The objective of the event was to meet senior citizens , listen to their experiences, and spend time filled with affection and joy with them. 

During this event, useful information regarding Mental Health Awareness and Nutrition was shared. Karaoke, music, dance, and recreational activities made the atmosphere lively and joyful.

The event saw special contributions from IWN Chair Sakshi Katyal, Co-Chair Dr. Lipi Pathak, Preeti Malik, Anubhuti Byohar Sharma, Minni, Chandni, Harleen, Nalini, Kalyani, Kiran Gill, Balwinder, Latika Jindal, Suparna, Amarpreet Sabharwal, Prabhjapan, Shalini, and Rajvee. 

The day filled with meaningful conversations, laughter, music, and a sense of belonging—was deeply emotional and memorable for everyone.

Chandigarh, August 20: Haryana Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij said that the Central Government has approved approximately Rs. 13 crore for the acquisition of 5.18 acres of land in Sector 33 of the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HSVP), Ambala Cantonment, for establishing a 100-bedded state-of-the-art hospital by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).

Sh. Vij said that the State Government had submitted a proposal to the Central Government for establishing the hospital. The Centre has now approved the proposal and sanctioned approximately Rs. 13 crore for acquiring the required land. He said that once established, the hospital will provide improved healthcare facilities to approximately 70,000 insured workers and their families in Ambala and surrounding districts.

Insured Workers in Saha Industrial Area and Nearby Districts to Benefit Directly: Labour Minister Anil Vij

The Labour Minister said that the Saha Industrial Area is located adjacent to Sector 33 of Ambala Cantonment, where thousands of workers are employed. All insured employees and their dependents in the area will directly benefit from the hospital. He described the project as a major achievement for Ambala Cantonment, surrounding areas and neighbouring districts. He said that he had personally been coordinating continuously with the Central Government and the concerned departments for some time to move the project forward.The establishment of the hospital is an important step towards providing the insured population of Ambala with better, timely and patient-centric healthcare services.

Modern Hospital to Offer Advanced Healthcare Facilities

Energy Minister Anil Vij said that the hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, laboratories and modern medical equipment. Diagnostic services will include X-ray, ultrasound, LFT, KFT, CBC, lipid profile, urine routine microscopy, blood sugar, MRI, ECG and other blood-related tests. The hospital will also provide a wide range of specialised medical services, including general medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopaedics, ENT, ophthalmology, dermatology, psychiatry and emergency medicine.

He said that the hospital will have 24×7 emergency and trauma care, a modern ICU, advanced diagnostic facilities, and inpatient, outpatient and day-care services, ensuring that insured persons receive timely and appropriate treatment. Indoor treatment and other essential healthcare facilities will also be available at the hospital, he added.

Chandigarh, Aug 16 –  Haryana Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh said that since Independence, India has traversed an inspiring journey of development. Today, India ranks among the world’s leading economies and is advancing rapidly towards becoming a developed nation.

The Governor was addressing the people after hoisting the national flag as the Chief Guest at the State-Level Independence Day celebration held at the Grain Market in Jagadhri, Yamunanagar. On the occasion, he inspected the parade and extended his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Independence Day. Earlier, he paid a solemn tribute to the martyrs at the Shaheed Samarak Sthal. The First Lady Smt. Mitra Ghosh was also present on the occasion.

Paying homage to the freedom fighters, the Governor remarked that it is due to the sacrifices, martyrdom and struggles of these heroes that we have the privilege of living in an independent India. Alongside national icons such as Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, C. Rajagopalachari, Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sardar Udham Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Khudiram Bose and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Haryana has also made a significant contribution to India’s freedom struggle. Notably, Raja Rao Tula Ram of Rewari fought against the British during the Revolution of 1857.

The Governor said that India has achieved significant milestones in areas such as Digital India, Start-up India, Make in India, digital payment systems and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Farmers in Haryana have made a substantial contribution to agricultural production by adopting modern technologies. The government is empowering farmers through schemes such as the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, ‘Meri Fasal-Mera Byora’, the Mukhyamantri Horticulture Insurance Scheme and the Kisan Credit Card campaign.

He said that Haryana is also continuously achieving new milestones in the education sector, with the government increasing the education budget by approximately 10 per cent in the 2026-27 Budget. The state government is committed to providing quality healthcare services to every citizen. He stated that healthcare services have been significantly expanded through initiatives such as Chirayu Ayushman Haryana, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram and Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres.

The Governor further stated that on August 10, the government transferred Rs 1,595 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the bank accounts of 50 lakh beneficiaries under various schemes, including Deendayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana, Social Security Pension, Dayalu, Har Ghar-Har Grihini and Harit Khad Yojana.

He said that despite accounting for approximately 2.2 per cent of the country’s population, Haryana consistently produces world-class athletes and has emerged as the top medal-winning state for India in the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. The state’s tally of seven gold, two silver and one bronze medals at the recent Commonwealth Games stand as a testament to its strong sports ecosystem. Initiatives such as attractive cash awards for medal winners, government job appointments, sports nurseries, the Mukhyamantri Khel Protsahan Yojana, the Bhim Awards and the state’s comprehensive sports policy are motivating young athletes to excel.

The Governor said that the launch of India’s first hydrogen-powered train from Haryana marks a historic achievement for the entire nation. At the inauguration of the train, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi remarked that the initiative would give India a new identity in the field of eco-friendly transportation.

He further stated that recently, development projects worth approximately Rs 14,700 crore were inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid in Haryana, giving fresh impetus to road networks, healthcare and infrastructure. The Haryana government has continuously strengthened the use of modern technology to make law enforcement more effective and accountable.

He said that Yamunanagar district is renowned across the country for its plywood, paper, stainless steel utensil and sugar industries, which play a vital role in strengthening Haryana’s economy. He stated that the goal is to build a developed, prosperous, self-reliant and inclusive India by 2047, when the nation celebrates the centenary of its Independence.

A march past and vibrant cultural programmes were organised to mark Independence Day. In the march past, the male police team of the Haryana Police Academy secured first place, the Haryana NCC girls’ contingent secured second place, and the male team of the Uttarakhand Police finished third.

Similarly, in the cultural events, New Happy Public School secured first place in the Haryanvi dance category, Mukund Public School secured second place in the rhythmic yoga demonstration, and MLN College secured third place for its Gidda performance.

On the occasion, the Governor also honoured the widows of war heroes. Subsequently, he also flagged off a Red Cross ambulance on this occasion.

Dignitaries present on the occasion included Haryana DGP Ajay Singhal, IG Pankaj Nain, District and Sessions Judge Dayanand Bhardwaj, Deputy Commissioner Preeti, Superintendent of Police Kamaldeep Goyal, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Mahabir Prasad, former Minister Kanwarpal Gujjar, Chief Minister’s Special Officer (Grievance Redressal) Bhopal Singh Khadri, former MLAs Ishwar Singh Palaka and Balwant Singh, Municipal Corporation Mayor Suman Bahmani, Zila Parishad Chairman Ramesh Thaska, BJP District President Rajesh Sapra and Additional Deputy Commissioner Naveen Ahuja, along with officials from various departments and other distinguished guests.

Chandigarh, July 27:

On the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of Padma Shri Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi, a great scholar of Punjabi, Hindi and Gurmat literature, a memorial function was organized by the Punjab Kala Parishad today at Punjab Kala Bhawan in collaboration with Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi Memorial Foundation.

During the function, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan honoured former MP and former Chairman of National Minorities Commission Padma Bhushan S. Tarlochan Singh with the first Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi Memorial Award, in which he was presented with a cash prize of Rs. 51 thousand, a citation and a plaque.

Speaker S. Sandhwan also inaugurated the Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi Open Air Theatre equipped with ultra-modern facilities and his statue inside Kala Bhawan on this occasion.

Addressing the occasion, the Chief Guest Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that today we are celebrating the day of a Karma Yogi who was a man of the era in the true sense. He said that Dr. Jaggi’s contributions were commendable for uniting the society. He said that it is a matter of pride for all of us that we are honouring S. Tarlochan Singh. Tarlochan Singh led the Sikhs and Punjabis by becoming the voice of truth in the Parliament. He highly appreciated the efforts made by the Jaggi family through the Foundation. He said that any nation survives only with its language, literature and art.

Padma Bhushan Tarlochan Singh praised the literary works and handwritten works of Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi. He said that Dr. Jaggi will remain a beacon for everyone and returned his cash prize of Rs. 51000/- to the Foundation. He added that Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi’s books should be distributed free of cost to the young generation by using this amount.

Punjab Kala Parishad Chairman Swaranjit Swai, while addressing, gave a brief information about the work done by the Kala Parishad. He said that the Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi Memorial Award will be given every year on July 27, which began today. He thanked Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi Memorial Foundation for spending Rs 20 lakhs to renovate the open air theatre of Kala Bhawan.

Dr. Amarjit Singh delivered a speech on Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi’s ‘Contribution to Punjabi Language, Literature and Culture’. He said that Dr. Jaggi has devoted himself to medieval literature with full dedication and sincerity for more than six decades. He was a multifaceted personality with deep insight and expertise in English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Persian and Sanskrit. He made a wonderful and comprehensive contribution in the field of literature with his unparalleled works like books, commentaries and encyclopedias.

Vice Chairman of Kala Parishad Dr. Yograj, while reading the letter of honor of Tarlochan Singh, looked back at his life and said that S. Tarlochan Singh is a personality dedicated to minorities, religion, society and culture. He served in many important positions in the Punjab Government, including the Information and Public Relations Department, Tourism and Culture Department. He served from the Chief Minister’s Office of Punjab to the President’s Office of the country. He also served as the Vice-Chairman, Chairman and Member of Rajya Sabha of the National Minorities Commission. He was also the Vice-President of the Indian Olympic Association, where he contributed greatly to the prosperity of sports in creating a healthy society. He was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in the year 2021.

At the conclusion of the event, Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi Memorial Foundation Chairman and retired IAS officer Malvinder Singh Jaggi, thanked all the guests.

At the beginning of the event, ‘Shabad Gayan’ was performed by the students of Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Chandigarh.

 On this occasion, MLA Gurdit Singh Sekhon, Dr. Rattan Singh Jaggi’s wife Dr. Gursharan Kaur Jaggi, Amarjit Singh Grewal, Secretary Revenue Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Director of Language Department Jaswant Singh Zafar, Gulzar Singh Sandhu, Dr. Deepak Manmohan Singh, Padma Shri Pran Sabharwal, Padma Shri Jagjit Singh Dardi and other prominent personalities from the literary world were present.

Chandigarh, July 11-  Haryana  Health, Medical Education and Research, and AYUSH Minister, Ms. Arti Singh Rao  on Saturday inaugurated the newly constructed Physiotherapy Centre at the Jagannath Sarraf Wellness Centre and Haryana Yog Naturopathy Hospital campus on Meham Road in Bhiwani.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that healthcare infrastructure in the state is being continuously expanded and that Haryana will have access to even better medical facilities in the coming years.

She said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi will dedicate new medical colleges at Bhiwani and Koriawas in Mahendragarh district from Jind on July 17, adding that these institutions will prove to be a milestone in strengthening healthcare services.

The Minister said that International Yoga Day has been observed under the leadership of the Prime Minister for the past 11 years. She said the observance conveys the message of embracing nature to remain healthy. Regular practice of yoga and pranayama, she added, helps people stay fit and protects them from common ailments associated with old age.

She further said that the state has witnessed continuous expansion of healthcare facilities over the past nearly one and three-quarter years. During this period, 1,100 doctors have been recruited across the state. She said the government’s endeavour is to ensure that Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in rural areas provide medical facilities comparable to those available in general hospitals so that rural residents, particularly women, do not face any difficulty in accessing healthcare services.

Bhiwani MLA, Sh. Ghanshyam Saraf, Bawani Khera MLA, Sh.  Kapoor Singh Valmiki and other dignitaries also remained present on this occasion. 

Chandigarh, July 10, 2026

Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh celebrated Van Mahotsav with a plantation drive at the road between Convention Centre and Government School, Sector 25 and the area around the PU Convention Centre, South Campus.

PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig inaugurated the drive by planting a sapling near the Convention Centre gate. About 200 trees and shrubs of various species, including Gulmohar, Ficus, Golden Cypress, Terminalia, Ficus Microcarpa and Conocarpus, were planted during the inaugural drive organised by the PU Horticulture Division.

PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig appreciated the efforts of the Horticulture Division and extended her best wishes for future plantation drives in monsoon season.

Prof. Meenakshi Goyal, Dean of University Instructions presided over the plantation; Prof. Y.P. Verma, Registrar; Prof. Jagat Bhushan, Controller of Examinations; Prof. Ravi Inder Singh, Dean College Development Council; Prof. Simrit Kahlon, Chief Vigilance Officer; Prof. Namita Gupta, Dean Student Welfare (W); Er. Anil Thakur, Executive Engineer-II; Er.Vinay Lalia, Executive Engineer-I; Ar. Inder Gulati, Architect; Sh. Honey Thakur, President, PUSA (NT); Prof. Amarjeet Naura, President, PUTA; Chairpersons of various departments; Wardens of various hostels; Representatives of PUTA, PUSA (NT) and other employees unions were present on the occasion.

During the plantation a young participant, Mehul Thakur, also came to plant the tree in the Campus.

Er. Amandeep Singla, Assistant Engineer (H) stated that the Horticulture Division will organise plantation drives during the coming monsoon season in different departments and Hostels to spread awareness about the environment among the masses.

The plantation drive also started in different departments and Hostels in Sector-14 and Sector-25, South Campus. The Horticulture Division will plant Jacaranda, Bottle Brush, Neem, Gulmohar, Ashoka, Hibiscus, Tulsi, Lemon Grass, Moringa, Kaner Kachnar, Aloe Vera Double Chandni, Single Chandni etc. within the Campus.

CHANDIGARH — Senior Punjab Congress leader, former MP, and Cabinet Minister Vijay Inder Singla, alongside other senior Congress leaders, addressed media personnel in Chandigarh today, delivering a scathing indictment of the AAP government. Congress leaders declared that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has lost all moral authority to remain in office and must step down immediately. The party leadership asserted that nothing can be more shameful and deeply damaging for the state of Punjab than a sitting Chief Minister facing serious allegations of sacrilegious conduct and subsequently using the unbridled power of his high office to orchestrate a criminal cover-up.

Unveiling a series of scathing attacks, Congress leaders revealed that immediately following the supreme Temporal authority Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s categorical order on June 15 regarding the viral video, senior Punjab Police officers were dispatched to Gurugram with state funds to secure a favorable, manufactured forensic report. A ₹10 lakh deal was struck with a private forensic laboratory to dismiss the truth and shield the Chief Minister from public and religious accountability. The leadership emphasized that the undeniable seriousness of this conspiracy is now a matter of public record, evidenced by the criminal FIR registered by the Haryana Police for illegally coercing a cyber expert into fabricating a forensic report in favor of Bhagwant Mann.

Congress leaders further stressed that this sordid episode has now become a definitive litmus test for the integrity of the Punjab Police. The recently enacted, stringent Beadbi law cannot be reduced to a selective tool used only to penalize ordinary citizens while leaving the Chief Minister completely immune to scrutiny. The party demanded that the case under this newly enacted law must be registered against Bhagwant Mann for his sacrilegious conduct. Concluding the address, Congress leaders warned that Punjab is now plunged into an unprecedented constitutional crisis where a sitting head of state stands accused of manipulating police machinery for personal immunity, making it a fit case for his immediate removal. The leaders issued an uncompromising appeal to the entire global Guru Nanak Naam Lewa Sangat to completely boycott this “Guru Dokhi” Chief Minister who has desecrated the state’s holiest institutions.

Congress leaders unanimously demanded the Chief Minister’s resignation, an impartial investigation, and strict action against the officials allegedly involved.

Chandigarh:

At just 26 years of age, Yogesh Kumar had already begun shaping young minds as a Lecturer at Aryans Group of Colleges, Rajpura. An M. Pharma graduate with a promising academic future ahead of him, Yogesh’s life was tragically cut short following a road traffic accident. Yet, in the midst of an unimaginable loss, his family made a courageous decision that transformed grief into hope for three patients who had been waiting for vital organ transplants for a long time.

A resident of Chila Kalan, Shamti, in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, Yogesh sustained severe injuries on May 28, 2026, when he was struck by a vehicle while crossing a road. Following initial treatment at Gian Sagar Hospital, Rajpura, he was referred to PGIMER, Chandigarh, where multidisciplinary teams made every possible effort to save him. Despite intensive treatment, he succumbed to a devastating brain injury and was declared brain stem dead following due certification under the provisions of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act.

In the midst of profound grief, his father, Shri Puran Chand, chose to honour his son’s compassionate spirit by consenting to the donation of all eligible organs. The decision enabled the successful retrieval and transplantation of the liver, pancreas and both kidneys at PGIMER, including the Institute’s 73rd Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney (SPK) transplant.

Demonstrating extraordinary courage and generosity while holding back his tears, Shri Puran Chand shared, “Our son was our lifeline, and his sudden loss has left a void that can never be filled. He was devoted to education and always believed in helping others. When doctors told us there was no possibility of bringing him back, we felt that if his organs could help others, a part of him would continue to live on. Knowing that Yogesh has brought hope to families who had been waiting for these organs gives us some strength in this painful time. We only wish that more families find the courage to support organ donation so that others may receive a second chance when all hope seems lost.”

Paying tribute to the donor and his family, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, said, “Yogesh Kumar’s story is a poignant reminder that even the deepest personal tragedy can become a source of hope for others. At just 26 years of age, he had a bright future ahead of him as an educator and scholar. The decision of his family to consent to organ donation reflects extraordinary courage, generosity and social responsibility. Through this noble act, hope has reached patients who had been waiting for a second chance for a long time. PGIMER salutes the family and remains committed to strengthening organ donation and transplantation services so that more such lives may be touched through the gift of donation.”

Following the family’s consent, multiple teams across the Institute—including transplant coordinators, laboratory services, retrieval teams, operating theatre personnel, anaesthesiologists, intensivists and transplant surgeons—worked seamlessly to facilitate the donation and transplantation process. One patient received a kidney transplant, another underwent a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant, and a third recipient received the donor liver. For these patients and their families, the donation marked the end of a long and uncertain wait and the beginning of a new chapter in life.

Prof. Ashish Sharma, Head, Renal Transplant Surgery, PGIMER, emphasized the significance of the simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant as he shared, “A particularly noteworthy achievement was the successful simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation performed on a 30-year-old recipient from Chandigarh. Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation is among the most complex procedures in abdominal transplantation and is offered only at select centres with advanced expertise and infrastructure. This procedure not only restores kidney function but also has the potential to free eligible diabetic patients from lifelong insulin dependence. Significantly, this was the 73rd successful simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant performed at PGIMER, reflecting the institute’s growing leadership in advanced transplant surgery.”

Dr. Vijay Tadia, Nodal Officer, Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (ROTTO), PGIMER, underscored the broader significance of the family’s decision. “Behind every successful organ donation is a family that chooses humanity over grief. The decision taken by Yogesh Kumar’s family demonstrates the profound impact one donor can have on several individuals and their loved ones. Their generosity serves as a powerful example of the importance of deceased organ donation and highlights how hope can emerge even in moments of profound loss. We hope this inspiring gesture encourages greater public awareness and motivates more families to support this life-saving cause.”

PGIMER continues to be a leading centre for organ transplantation in North India, performing complex kidney, liver, pancreas and multi-organ transplant procedures while actively promoting awareness about deceased organ donation. Yogesh Kumar’s final gift stands as a lasting testament to the power of compassion and the extraordinary difference that one family’s selfless decision can make in the lives of others.

CHANDIGARH, May 10:

Marking a historic turnaround for government schools in the state, Punjab has been recognised as one of India’s best-performing states in school education, with the NITI Aayog Education Quality Report 2026 placing it ahead of Kerala, long considered India’s gold standard in school education, on key foundational learning metrics.

Hailing the achievement as the beginning of ‘Punjab’s Era’ driven by systemic reforms and grassroots dedication, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains stated, “This honour belongs to every parent, student and teacher who refused to give up on government schools. This is not a one day miracle. When policy, intent and execution walk together, results follow.”

Sharing details of the report, he said, “Punjab recorded 82% proficiency in language and 78% in mathematics in Class 3, surpassing Kerala’s 75% and 70% respectively. In Class 9 mathematics, Punjab scored 52%, significantly higher than Kerala’s 45%.”

Highlighting the impact of the Punjab Government’s reforms, the minister continued, “Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s post COVID pandemic recovery push through Mission Samarth and the Schools of Eminence programme has yielded tangible results.”

Citing findings from the NITI Aayog report, he added, “99.9% of government schools now have electricity, 99% have functional computers and over 80% are equipped with smart classrooms. Additionally, over 90% of Class 10 students now transition smoothly to Class 11, indicating a sharp decline in dropout rates. The student teacher ratio has also been improved to an ideal 22:1.”

Referring to the report’s observations, Harjot Singh Bains said, “The NITI Aayog report specifically praised Punjab for bridging the urban rural divide in education and ensuring equal opportunities for village students and girls. Punjab’s adoption of global best practices has led to a sharp rise in competitive exam success among government school students. As many as 786 government school students have cleared JEE Main and 1,284 students have qualified for NEET so far.”

Sharing details of teacher training and infrastructure expansion, the Punjab Education Minister stated, “Teacher training programmes in Finland and Singapore, rolled out under the state’s education reforms, have translated into results on the ground. This shows our classrooms can compete with the best. Punjab has recruited 13,000 teachers and staff and rolled out the English Edge Programme for nearly 3 lakh students, besides establishing 118 Schools of Eminence.”

“With the right policy, intent and performance, quality education is inevitable. Our teachers have proved it,” Harjot Singh Bains added, while noting that, “NITI Aayog has now validated what the state has been seeing on the ground. Government school children are not just catching up, they are leading.”