Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

07 Aug

Punjab Government Launches Free Statewide Theatre Initiative With ‘Hamare Ram’ in Mohali

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAshutosh Rana, Bhagwant Singh Mann, Hamare Ram, Punjab, Theatre

Mohali (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday joined the audience to witness the inaugural performance of the acclaimed theatrical production ‘Hamare Ram’ in Mohali, featuring renowned actor Ashutosh Rana in a powerful lead performance, marking the beginning of a statewide cultural initiative under which the Punjab Government will organise 41 free performances across 12 cities during August and September. Describing the initiative as an effort to take the timeless teachings of Lord Sri Ram to the people, the Chief Minister said the programme aims to strengthen the values of Sanatan Dharma while spreading the message of…

07 Aug

Punjab-Chandigarh Weather: Rain Forecast Continues, Hoshiarpur Gets Highest 18 mm; Temperature Drops

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Rainfall activity is expected to remain intermittent across Punjab and Chandigarh as the monsoon continues to influence the region. Several parts of Punjab received showers on Thursday, while the weather office has forecast light to moderate rain at a number of places on Friday. Chandigarh is likely to see partly cloudy conditions, with one or two spells of rain or showers possible during the day. The rainfall brought some relief from the heat, with Punjab’s maximum temperature falling by 2.2 degrees Celsius. The average maximum temperature is now around 2.2 degrees below normal. Sri Anandpur Sahib recorded…

06 Aug

Bombay High Court Convicts Tarun Tejpal in 2013 Sexual Assault Case, Sentences Former Tehelka Editor to 10 Years Imprisonment

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaBombay High Court, Goa verdict, sexual assault conviction, Tarun Tejpal, Tehelka case

Panaji (Gurpreet Singh) — In a landmark judgment, the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court overturned a trial court's acquittal and convicted former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal of raping a junior colleague in 2013. A division bench comprising Justice Neela Gokhale and Justice Amit Jamsandekar sentenced the 62-year-old to ten years of rigorous imprisonment, bringing an end to years of legal proceedings following the initial incident during a media conference in Goa. The High Court termed the lower court's 2021 acquittal order as perverse and noted that the original trial had subjected the victim to severe cross-examination and unwarranted…

06 Aug

France Submits Technical and Commercial Proposal for Rs. 3.25 Lakh Crore 114 Rafale Jet Deal

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh)— In a major development for India's defence acquisition roadmap, French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation has officially submitted its comprehensive technical and commercial proposal to the Ministry of Defence for the procurement of 114 Rafale multi-role fighter aircraft. The bid comes in response to the formal Letter of Request issued by India under a Government-to-Government framework to bolster the Indian Air Force's declining fighter squadron strength. The proposed deal, estimated at approximately Rs. 3.25 lakh crore involves extensive local manufacturing and technology transfer under the 'Make in India' initiative. The submission is currently under rigorous evaluation by…

06 Aug

Lok Sabha Passes Bill Amending Payment Systems Act to Allow Service Charges on Digital Transactions

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaLok Sabha, MDR levy, Nirmala Sitharaman, Payment Systems Act, UPI charges

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh)— The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing crucial amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. The statutory change authorises the Union government to permit commercial banks and payment service providers to levy service charges, including Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), on digital payments executed via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and other notified electronic payment methods. Moved by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the legislation was passed by voice vote following a brief adjournment. The amendment directly alters Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007,…

06 Aug

Supreme Court Denies Interim Bail to Asaram, Permits Round-the-Clock Trained Caregiver

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAIIMS report, Asaram Bapu, interim bail, parole, Rajasthan High Court, Supreme Court

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh)— The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to grant interim bail on medical grounds to self-styled godman Asaram, who is serving a life sentence for sexually assaulting a minor at his Jodhpur ashram in 2013. A division bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice P.B. Varale kept his interim bail application pending while allowing him to engage a trained caretaker of his choice to provide 24-hour assistance inside prison. The order was passed after the apex court evaluated a health assessment report submitted by a medical board at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The…

06 Aug

Mohan Bhagwat Advocates Separate Legal Framework for Same-Sex Companionship, Opposes Altering Marriage Institution

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaIIMUN Mumbai, LGBTQ rights, Mohan Bhagwat, RSS Chief, same sex legal framework

Mumbai (Gurpreet Singh) — Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat suggested that society and policymakers consider establishing a distinct legal and social framework to accommodate same-sex companions, while maintaining that the traditional institution of marriage should remain undisturbed. Speaking during an interactive session at the 15th anniversary event of the India International Model United Nations in Mumbai, Bhagwat addressed queries regarding the RSS's stance on LGBTQ+ rights, stating that individuals of diverse sexual orientations are an integral part of society and deserve legal recognition and social acceptance. Clarifying his position, Bhagwat differentiated between providing legal arrangements for cohabitation and redefining…

06 Aug

Punjab Outperforms Kerala to Secure Top Rank in NITI Aayog School Education Index, Says Minister Harjot Bains

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabHarjot Bains, Mission Samarth, NEET qualifiers, NITI Aayog, Punjab education, Sikhya Kranti

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Claiming a historic turnaround, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains on Thursday said the state has overtaken Kerala to rank No. 1 in the NITI Aayog School Education Quality Index 2026. While 8,000 schools had no boundary walls and 4 lakh children sat on the floor in 2022, today Punjab has 882 NEET qualifiers from government schools and has become the first state in the country to introduce Artificial Intelligence as a core subject from Classes I to XII. This is the revolution AAP led government promised. Participating in a discussion on an education-related resolution moved…

06 Aug

Arvind Kejriwal Alleges Meta Restricted His Instagram Account Under Central Government Pressure

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAAP leader, Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Politics, Instagram restricted, Meta India, Social Media

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal shared that Meta has restricted his Instagram account in India, and is also not providing any explanation even after continuous enquiries. Emphasising that the action reflects pressure from the Modi Government, he said Meta is suppressing voices raising issues such as the examination leaks and forceful imposition of E20-Blended Petrol, and that many others critical of the government have faced similar restrictions. The AAP Chief and former Delhi CM appealed to people whose accounts have also been restricted to contact him through direct messages or comments so that…

06 Aug

Punjab Sees Fresh Spell of Rain; IMD Issues Alert for Seven Districts, Power Demand Rises

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): A fresh round of monsoon showers swept across parts of Punjab on Thursday, with Jalandhar witnessing heavy rainfall while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of intense showers at isolated locations in seven districts. The advisory remains in place for Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr), Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Patiala, and SAS Nagar (Mohali). The weather office has predicted partly cloudy conditions over Chandigarh, with intermittent light rain and thunderstorms likely during the day. Temperatures Rise Despite Rain Although rainfall has been reported from several areas, the state's daytime temperature has increased by 2.1 degrees Celsius,…