Paigaam, Chandigarh (2025)

10/09/2025

Chandigarh :- The city has secured the eightth rank in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan-2025, up 19 spots from the 27th in 2024. The survey, conducted annually by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), assesses cities on their sustained efforts and progress towards improving air quality.

“Chandigarh’s upward movement by 19 positions is a testament to its sustainable urban development initiatives, proactive air quality management strategies, and active citizen participation,” said Saurabh Kumar, Director Environment-cum-Member Secretary, Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC).

The authorities have attributed the rise to collective efforts of the Municipal Corporation, Traffic Police, Transport Departments and the CPCC.

The Swachh Vayu Survekshan evaluates cities across eight major parameters, covering waste and dust management practices as well as enforcement of measures to limit emissions.

Among the measures undertaken to check all the boxes were expansion of green cover through urban forestry and plantation drives, strict enforcement of dust-control measures at construction sites, scientific remediation of legacy waste and proper management of construction and demolition waste.Several steps were also implemented to check emissions, including the introduction of e-mobility in public transport and expansion of EV charging infrastructure, development of an expanded non-motorised transport network and implementation of Intelligent Traffic Management Systems to reduce congestion and vehicular emissions.

The Director Environment said, “This achievement reflects Chandigarh’s strong commitment to ensuring clean air for its residents. Our collective efforts, from policymakers to citizens, all have made this possible, and we will continue to work towards a healthier and greener city.”

The objective of the survey is to create awareness among all sections of society, inform citizens about the impact of pollution on health.

10/09/2025

Ludhiana :- Three miscreants travelling in an auto-rickshaw tried to rob a woman on the Jalandhar-Ludhiana highway near the Jalandhar bypass here. They tied the woman’s hands with a dupatta and tried to rob her but the victim showed courage and fought with the suspects. She kept clinging on to the auto for about 500m to save herself. The video of the incident also went viral on social media as a car-borne person captured the same.

The victim took an auto-rickshaw from the Jalandhar bypass and had to catch a bus from Phillaur to Nawanshahr.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (City/Rural) Rupinder Singh addressed a press conference regarding the arrest of the suspects on Tuesday.

The woman narrowly escaped. Other drivers also tried to help her but the auto driver kept driving the vehicle. After some distance, the auto went out of control and overturned. Following which, two of the suspects were caught and handed over to the police.

The victim, Meena Kumari, said she was sitting in an auto when a passenger stopped the auto on the way on the pretext of going to toilet. When he returned, the robbers moved her from the side and made her sit in the middle. When she asked the driver to get down after going a little further, the miscreants did not stop the auto. The trio took out sharp weapons and tried to tie her hands with her dupatta, but she clung on to the moving auto and started asking for help. A car coming from the rear of the auto recorded the video of the entire incident.Another car driver tried to stop the auto but the robbers rammed their vehicle into it, damaging cars of two passers-by in the incident.

Two suspects, Mohit of Subhash Nagar and Dimple, who were staying near AR Model School, were arrested while the third suspect, Shubham, of Subhas Nagar was yet to be nabbed. Mohit has a criminal past as he had been facing three criminal cases.
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10/09/2025

Gurdaspur :- Prime Minister Narendra Modi today promised flood-hit farmers to look into their demand of depositing compensation into their bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.

A total of 19 farmers, including two women, from Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts got an audience with the PM to air their grievances at the Tibri Cantonment.

Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, BJP national secretary Tarun Chugh, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar and state party working president Ashwani Sharma told the PM that grievances of the farmers pertaining to the DBT initiative were genuine. “This demand of farmers was principled, ethical and correct,” said a senior leader involved in the deliberations. Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, too, was present when the PM met the farmers.

Despite the PM’s assurance that he would have a relook into the DBT scheme, sources said depositing money in banks through the DBT would pose a major challenge for the government.

“Many farmers do not have bank accounts and are digitally illiterate. Thus, they are not in a position to avail the initiative. That is why the government remains apprehensive of directly depositing the money through the DBT,” averred a senior leader.

Meenu Bala of Halla Chaiya village told the PM that several “kutcha” houses had been completely destroyed. She urged him to release the relief immediately so that people at least have a roof on their heads.

Sarpanch Rajinder Singh of Dhinda village in the Bamiyal block said till 2019, the water of Bhag nullah used to enter Pakistan, thus preventing any damage to the fields. “In 2020, the Centre had built a bundh due to security reasons. This bundh now prevents the water from flowing into Pakistan, a development which caused floods this time,” he said.

Bakshish Singh of Thetarke village falling in the Dera Baba Nanak block said silt had deposited in agricultural fields.

“I told the PM that so much silt has settled in my fields that it is impossible for me to sow wheat and paddy crops for the next two or three years. There are hundreds of farmers like me who have residue in their fields. A majority of them are already under debt. We fear that our future and families are ruined,” he said.

Rachpal Singh of Khokar Rajputana village claimed that a majority of schools and dispensaries of his area had been damaged. The PM said he would instruct the authorities concerned to expedite the process of rebuilding them.

Gurdaspur district BJP president Baghel Singh said the PM interacted directly with farmers and heard their grievances

10/09/2025

New delhi :- Bloodied, battered and visibly shaken — that is how Nepal’sand Panjab University (PU) alumna Arzu Rana Deuba appeared in disturbing videos that went viral on Tuesday, leaving the Chandigarh academic community horrifiedThe clips, circulating widely across social media, show the 65-year-old being punched and kicked by enraged protesters who stormed her residence in Kathmandu. In one frame, she can be seen wiping blood from her face. Her husband, former Prime Minister and Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba, was also injured in the attack before security forces intervened to rescue the couple.

The scenes unfolded against the backdrop of violent “Gen Z protests” that have shaken Nepal, sparked by anger over corruption and a government-imposed social media ban. Demonstrators set fire to Parliament, stormed Singha Durbar, and torched private institutions — including the school she had founded.

For many in Chandigarh, however, the violence felt painfully personal. Deuba is remembered on campus as a bright, determined student who went on to carve out an inspiring public life. She earned her MA in Psychology in 1984 and a PhD in Organisational Psychology in 1990 from PU’s Department of Psychology.

The PU alumni network was shaken when news of the assault surfaced. WhatsApp groups were flooded with frantic messages of disbelief and concern. “She studied right where we did. Seeing her being dragged and beaten like this is heartbreaking,” said one classmate. Another alumna, Rajni, recalled: “She was always bright and focused. I wish her safety in these dark times.”
Beyond academia, Dr Deuba’s work has been equally distinguished. She founded NGOs such as Saathi and the Rural Women’s Development and Unity Centre to champion women’s rights, and later established the Kathmandu College of Management, shaping generations of Nepali professionals. Rising through Nepal’s political ranks, she became the country’s Foreign Minister, a symbol of empowerment and progressive leadership.

Today, those achievements lie in sharp contrast with the brutal images from Kathmandu -- a respected PU scholar and leader, reduced to blood and bruises in her own home. For her peers in Chandigarh, the hurt is not distant. It feels like one of their own has been attacked.

10/09/2025

New Delhi :- Apple on Tuesday said it has unveiled the iPhone 17 series, priced between Rs 82,900 and Rs 2,29,900, which will be available in India from September 19.

The company has also introduced its thinnest iPhone ever – the iPhone Air series – with a 5.6 millimeter thickness that will support eSIMs only.

The company has discontinued the option of the lower storage capacity of 128GB in the new iPhone models, which also led to the higher price of base models compared to the iPhone 16 series.

The iPhone 17 Pro will be available in double the entry storage, 256GB, as well as 512GB and 1TB.

iPhone 17 Pro Max will be available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and for the first time, a 2TB storage capacity. “iPhone 17 Pro is the most advanced iPhone ever, featuring a striking new design and powerful capability,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said.The company has added bright cosmic orange as one of the colour options in the iPhone Pro series.

“Available in cosmic orange, deep blue, and silver, iPhone 17 Pro starts at Rs 1,34,900 and iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,49,900,” the statement said.

Customers in more than 63 countries, including India, can pre-order iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max beginning at 5 am PDT on Friday, September 12, with availability beginning Friday, September 19”, the statement said.

“iPhone 17 will be available in lavender, mist blue, sage, white, and black in 256GB and 512GB storage capacities. iPhone 17 starts at Rs 82,900,” Apple said in a statement.

The iPhone 17 lineup has been launched in three models—iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, unlike previous series that have a “Plus” model as well.

The basic iPhone 17 will start with 256 GB minimum storage capacity like the “Plus” series models in earlier versions. It will be available in India at a starting price of Rs 82,900 apiece, compared to the iPhone 16 Plus with the same storage space priced at Rs 89,900 onwards.

While the display size of iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus were 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches respectively, iPhone 17 has a display size of 6.3 inches.

Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing Kaiann Drance in a presentation shared that the A19 chipset in iPhone 17 makes it 20 per cent faster than iPhone 16, 80 per cent compared to iPhone 15, 90 per cent from iPhone 14 and double compared to iPhone 13.

She said that iPhone 17 will support 8 hours more of video playback compared to iPhone 16, and 10 minutes of charging can support up to 8 hours of video on the device.

The iPhone Air series will come with storage options in the range of 256 GB to 1TB storage at a starting price of Rs 1,19,900.

The company unveiled Apple Watch 3 Ultra with built-in satellite communications that will allow users to text emergency services, message friends and family, and share their location, all while they’re off the cellular network.

Priced at Rs 89,900, the company has opened pre-orders for the Apple Watch Ultra 3, and it will be available in India from September 19 onwards.

10/09/2025

New Delhi, :- The government on Tuesday directed manufacturers and importers to declare revised maximum retail prices (MRP) on unsold stock to reflect changes in goods and services tax (GST) rates, with the deadline set for December 31 or until stocks are exhausted, whichever is earlier.

The directive comes as the government has reduced GST on various products and services, which will come into effect from September 22.

“As per the new GST rates, manufacturers, packers and importers can revise the MRP on unsold stock until December 31, 2025 (or until stock lasts),” Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on X.

The minister emphasised that the revised prices must reflect GST changes only. “Any increase or decrease in price can only match the tax change,” Joshi said.

According to the directive, the new MRP should be declared with a sticker, stamp or online print, while ensuring the original MRP remains visible.The government has also mandated that manufacturers, packers or importers make at least two advertisements in one or more newspapers regarding the price revision.

They must also inform dealers and state/central government officials about the change in prices of such packages.

Companies are required to inform consumers through advertisements and public notices. “This measure ensures transparency and protects consumer interests,” Joshi added.

The government has clarified that packaging material or wrappers that could not be exhausted prior to the GST revision may be used for packing until December 31 or until such stock is exhausted, whichever is earlier, after making corrections in MRP on account of GST changes.
PTI

10/09/2025

Chandigarh :- Punjabi music icon Karan Aujla made history with his grand debut on NBC’s The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, delivering a high-energy medley of his hit tracks “Boyfriend” and “Gabhru.”

His dynamic performance marked a landmark moment for Punjabi music, bringing vibrant desi energy to an international stage and leaving fans worldwide thrilled.

The appearance wasn't just about music, Aujla also brought a touch of Punjabi culture to the show by turning dance coach for host Jimmy Fallon.

In a fun and light-hearted moment, Karan taught Fallon some classic bhangra moves. A video shared on the official Tonight Show Instagram account showed the duo bonding over dance, with Fallon admitting, “I’m not ready for this,” before Aujla encouraged him with, “It’s easy, it’s easy.”

Their brief dance tutorial ended with Fallon enthusiastically exclaiming, “Let’s go, man. That’s what I’m talking about!”The caption on the viral post read: This marks a significant milestone not only in Karan Aujla’s career but also for Punjabi music globally, showcasing its rising influence on mainstream Western platforms.

Karan Aujla began his musical journey as a songwriter, penning “Range” for Jassi Gill’s album Replay. He later collaborated with artists like Deep Jandu and Elly Mangat, before making his debut as a singer in 2016 with “Property of Punjab.” His rise to fame came with hits like “Yaarian Ch Fikk,” “Unity,” “Alcohol 2,” and “Lafaafe.” He gained mainstream popularity in 2018 with “Don’t Worry”, his first track to chart on the UK Asian Music Chart.

By 2020, Aujla had solidified his status with multiple charting singles, including “Jhanjar,” “Red Eyes,” and “Kya Baat Aa,” all of which entered the Top 10, while “So Far” made it to the Top 5.

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10/09/2025

Kapurthala :- Boats prepared by Hanspal Traders of Kapurthala bear the inscription, “Halimiya, hamdardia te muhabbata di kishti” (boat created with compassion and love), a phrase that perfectly embodies the project’s compassionate spirit. Having already manufactured 100 boats for Punjab’s flood victims, the company owner, Pritpal Singh Hanspal, is getting ready for his next endeavour.

He now plans to construct prefabricated homes for those who lost their houses. This will involve consultations with experts and architects to bring the plan to fruition.

Putting his regular business of making rail parts on hold for a week, he and his team of 70 labourers worked tirelessly, over 16 hours a day, to build and deliver 100 boats in just seven days.

“I saw people devastated by the floods, crying out for help, even asking for boats. It broke my heart and I knew I had to step in. Punjab has given us so much. Now, it is our turn to rise up for Punjab.”

He said he was grateful to his labourers, who worked with unwavering dedication throughout the effort. Like him, the workers felt fortunate to be part of a mission that supported those in need. Foremen Jassa Singh, Malkit Singh and others shared that when Pritpal Singh explained the purpose -- to help flood victims -- they felt proud to have been chosen for the task.Pritpal Singh did not share much about the losses he suffered after putting his own work on hold. “We work all year round. If we can give a few days to those in need and if it helps save lives, then that’s what truly matters,” he said.

Regarding his plan to build prefabricated homes for flood victims, Pritpal Singh said he intended to pursue the idea after consulting with his design team, experts and architects.

10/09/2025

Shimla :- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a financial assistance of Rs 1,500 crore for rain-battered Himachal Pradesh and Rs 2 lakh ex gratia for next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

The PM, who conducted an aerial survey of the worst-hit areas, also announced the advance release of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the PM assured that the Centre would make all efforts to address the crisis. He chaired a meeting in Kangra to review the relief and rehabilitation measures. Modi asked for a multi-dimensional view to be taken to get the entire region back on its feet. This is to be done through multiple ways such as rebuilding homes through PM Awas Yojana, restoration of national highways, rebuilding schools, provision of relief under the PMNRF along with release of mini kits for livestock.

To ensure uninterrupted education, schools will be able to report and geotag damages, enabling timely assistance under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.

Modi, who landed at the Gaggal airport after the aerial survey, was received by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri. A presentation on the damages suffered during the monsoon was made by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena.The PM also met NDRF and SDRF personnel, and Aapda Mitra volunteers, appreciating their efforts in undertaking relief and restoration works.

Recognising the critical need to support the agricultural community, he said additional assistance would be provided to farmers who currently lacked power connections.

Under the PM Awas Yojana, geotagging of damaged houses will be done to help in accurate damage assessment and faster delivery of aid. The construction of recharge structures for water harvesting to help collect and store rainwater will also be done with central assistance to improve groundwater levels and support better water management. Inter-ministerial central teams have already visited Himachal Pradesh to assess the extent of damage and based on their detailed report, further assistance will be considered.

Himachal has suffered losses of more than Rs 4,500 crore while 370 persons have died and 41 are missing. A total of 136 landslides, 95 flashfloods and 45 cloudbursts have caused large-scale damage to both public infrastructure and private property since the start of the monsoon on June 20. As many as 615 roads, including four national highways, are closed while 1,748 electricity transformers and 461 water schemes remain dysfunctional.

Meanwhile, five members of a family, including two children, were killed and three others sustained serious injuries after two houses were hit by a landslide in the Nirmand area of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh, officials said.

10/09/2025

Chandigarh/Gurdaspur :-Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore for flood-ravaged Punjab, supplementing the Rs 12,000 crore already allocated to the state as disaster relief.

The announcement came following an aerial survey and a review meeting in Gurdaspur—among the worst-hit districts—where he also met a number of flood victims. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

“Conducted an aerial review of the floods in Punjab. The authorities are working round-the-clock, assisting those impacted. Our thoughts are with the people in this challenging time,” Modi said in a post on X. Children orphaned due to the floods will be supported under the PM CARES for Children Scheme. Damaged houses will be rebuilt under the PM Awas Yojana-Gramin while schools will be restored through the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. With Punjab battling one of the worst floods in decades, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had demanded Rs 20,000 crore immediate relief and the release of Rs 60,000 crore pending dues.

The PM held the meeting in Gurdaspur with officials and elected representatives. Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and Punjab ministers Gurmeet Singh Khuddian and Hardeep Singh Mundian were among those present. Chief Secretary KAP Sinha shared the details of the damage.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was not part of the meeting as he was indisposed and is admitted to hospital.Opposition parties and farmer organisations rejected the relief package as “meagre”, calling it a “cruel joke” with the border state. Congress state president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said the assistance was “a drop in the ocean”, arguing that the losses suffered by farmers were long-term and far more severe.

AAP state president Aman Arora said, “This meagre amount, in comparison to the losses suffered, is an insult to the state and its people, who have played the most important role in nation building, ensuring food security and protecting the borders of the country.

Farmer bodies, including BKU-Dakaunda, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and SKM (Non-political), demanded a relief package of Rs 1 lakh crore, loan waiver and long-term relief plan.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders observed with keen interest which Punjab leader would be seen with the PM. Union Minister and the BJP’s Sikh face in Punjab, Ravneet Singh Bittu, accompanied Modi from New Delhi for the aerial survey and meetings.

BJP state chief Sunil Jakhar led the party’s briefing to the PM and introduced him to several flood victims. He was joined by working president Ashwani Sharma and party’s national general secretary Tarun Chugh.

Visuals from the recent visit of Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan showed Bittu and Jakhar driving tractors alongside in flood-hit areas, symbolising solidarity with farmers.

10/09/2025

Chandigarh :- A 29-year-old woman in Delhi accidentally drove her brand-new Mahindra Thar off the first floor of a car showroom during a customary ritual ‘totka’, moments after taking delivery of the vehicle.

The incident took place on Monday evening at the Mahindra showroom in Nirman Vihar.

Maani Pawar, a resident of Indirapuram in Ghaziabad, had arrived at the showroom to collect the Thar. Before taking it onto the road, she chose to perform a traditional ritual, which involved placing a lemon under the front wheel and gently driving over it, a symbolic gesture believed to bring good luck.

However, instead of easing the vehicle forward, Pawar accidentally pressed the accelerator, causing the SUV to move ahead at high speed. The vehicle crashed through the glass wall of the first-floor showroom and plunged onto the pavement below.

A showroom employee, identified as Vikas, was seated in the car with Pawar at the time of the crash. Security footage and bystander videos captured the shocking aftermath, showing the overturned vehicle on the road.

Both occupants escaped serious injuries. The Thar’s airbags opened and the two were quickly rushed to Malik Hospital nearby, where they were treated and discharged after receiving first aid.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Abhishek Dhania confirmed that a medico-legal case (MLC) was filed following the incident. "It was found that Maani and her husband Pradeep had purchased a Thar Rox variant from the showroom," he said.

10/09/2025

New Delhi :- The Election Commission has asked its Bihar poll machinery to accept Aadhaar card as an additional document to establish the identity of electors following the Supreme Court’s directives.

In a letter to the state Chief Electoral Officer on Tuesday, the Commission said, “The Aadhaar card shall be treated as the 12th document, in addition to the 11 documents listed...”

The Election Commission made it clear that the Aadhaar card is to be accepted and utilised as a “proof of identity and not as a proof of citizenship”, in terms of Section 9 of the Aadhaar (Delivery of Financial And Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act.

Under Section 23(4) of the Representation of People Act, 1950, the Aadhaar Card is already one of the documents enumerated for the purpose of establishing the identity of a person.

The poll panel also cautioned that “any instance of non-compliance or refusal to accept Aadhaar in accordance with this directive shall be treated with utmost seriousness”.The Supreme Court on Monday directed that Aadhaar card “must” be included as an identity proof of voters in the special intensive revision exercise of electoral rolls in Bihar and asked the Election Commission to implement the direction by September 9. PTI

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