Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

24 Jul

NTA Initiates Structural Overhaul and Structural Reforms Following NEET-UG Paper Leak Controversy, Fires 47 Officials

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaEducation Ministry, NEET controversy, NTA Overhaul, Official Terminated, Recruitment Drive

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The National Testing Agency has terminated 47 officials and announced plans for legal and criminal proceedings against select personnel following the widespread controversy surrounding the NEET-UG examination. Operating as an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Education, the testing authority is undergoing an extensive structural overhaul aimed at restoring institutional credibility, addressing administrative lapses, and reinforcing internal governance mechanisms. To address critical staffing shortages and upgrade operational capabilities, the agency has initiated fresh recruitment drives for key leadership roles. Advertisements have been released for general manager positions covering assessment research, nationwide test centre operations, information…

24 Jul

India Rejects Russian Claim Over Grain Ship Strike That Killed Indian Seafarers

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaForeign Ministry, India Ukraine Conflict, Maritime Safety, MV Golden Leo, Russia Strike

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): India has virtually rejected Moscow's assertion that a merchant vessel recently attacked off the coast of Ukraine was transporting military hardware, confirming instead that the ship was carrying grain. Addressing a regular media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that information provided by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration confirmed the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel, MV Golden Leo, had loaded grain cargo prior to its departure from Odesa port on July 19. The official response follows New Delhi's decision to summon Russian Charge d’affaires Vladimir Ladanov to express grave concerns and lodge an unequivocal condemnation over…

24 Jul

India Expresses Deep Concern Over Maritime Safety Following Fatal Black Sea Ship Attack

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): India has strongly condemned ongoing assaults on commercial vessels after another Indian sailor was killed in a missile strike targeting a merchant ship in the Black Sea. The Ministry of External Affairs reported that the commercial vessel MV OMORFI was attacked on July 18 while transiting through Russian territorial waters with ten crew members on board, including three Indian nationals. While two Indian crew members were confirmed safe, one tragically lost his life, prompting Indian diplomatic officials in Russia to establish contact with local authorities and extend support to the victim's family. The latest incident marks…

24 Jul

Padma Shri Hans Raj Hans Returns with the Grand Musical Celebration “Aaja Doven Nachiye”; First Look Unveiled

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Legendary Singer and Music Wizard Padma Shri awardee Hans Raj Hans is all set to enthrall music lovers once again with his upcoming Punjabi single “Aaja Doven Nachiye.” The makers have unveiled the vibrant First-look Poster and Teaser, creating excitement among fans ahead of the song’s release. Presented by WaveKano Music and Harpreet Sekhon, the song promises to be a celebration of love, togetherness and Punjabi music. The project features Yuvraaj Hans who is first time appearing in any of his father's projects. The star cast also includes talented Sakshi Sharma, Harpreet Sekhon, Raj Dhaliwal, Arsh Naagra,…

24 Jul

Over 72 Lakh Women Register Under Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, Says AAP

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAAP government, Baltej Pannu, Maavan Dheeyan Satkar, Mukh Mantri Sehat, Punjab Welfare

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu stated that over 72.56 lakh women aged 18 and above have registered for the state's flagship Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, showcasing significant public participation in the welfare initiative. Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, Pannu announced that women whose registrations were finalized in later phases will receive a consolidated three-month instalment credited directly into their bank accounts on August 1. Ludhiana recorded the highest number of enrollments with over 7.86 lakh applicants, followed by Patiala and Amritsar. Highlighting the state's public health delivery, Pannu shared updated figures for the…

24 Jul

Shiromani Akali Dal Youth Leader Hanish Bansal Joins Aam Aadmi Party in Mansa

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAam Aadmi Party, Akali Dal, Hanish Bansal, Mansa Politics, Punjab politics

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) faced a setback in Mansa as its District Youth President, Hanish Bansal, officially joined the Aam Aadmi Party alongside several of his supporters. The formal induction took place in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Officer on Special Duty, Rajbir Ghuman, who welcomed Bansal into the party fold by presenting him with a ceremonial siropa. Hanish Bansal, who has held multiple key administrative positions during his long association with the Shiromani Akali Dal, stated that his decision was inspired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's governance model and public-centric initiatives. He pledged…

24 Jul

Arvind Kejriwal Questions Feasibility of Fast-Track Paper Leak Courts Citing CBI Findings

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Friday dismissed the Prime Minister's assurance of bringing a law in Parliament to establish fast track courts for paper leak cases as hollow and misleading. Citing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s reported submission in court declaring the mastermind of the 2024 NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) paper leak case innocent, Arvind Kejriwal argued that the government's own actions had undermined its promise within hours. Questioning the purpose of fast track courts if investigating agencies fail to present evidence, he called out the Modi Government for…

24 Jul

Incident Involving Sanitation Workers in Barnala Was Deeply Unfortunate & Highly Condemnable: Meet Hayer

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP from Sangrur Harmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Friday strongly condemned the unfortunate incident involving sanitation workers in Barnala and said that the Bhagwant Mann Government has acted promptly to ensure accountability. In a statement, AAP MP Meet Hayer said that the incident was highly condemnable and deeply unfortunate. He informed that the matter was discussed in detail with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann immediately after the incident. “Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the DSP of Barnala Sub Division, Satvir Singh, has been suspended with immediate effect,” he added.…

24 Jul

Punjab Allocates Over Rs 20 Crore for Free Cancer Care Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabCancer Treatment, Health Scheme, Medical Aid, Punjab Healthcare, State Governance

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Spends ₹20.22 Crore on Cancer Treatment for 8,069 Patients Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. Adults aged 36–60 form over half of beneficiaries; June records highest monthly treatment load. A cancer diagnosis is frightening enough. For many families, the fear becomes heavier when the next question is not only “Can the disease be treated?” but also “Can we afford the treatment?” That is the gap the Bhagwant Mann Government’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is attempting to address. According to figures shared by the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, 8,069 cancer patients received cashless treatment under the scheme…

24 Jul

STUDENTS’ FUTURE AT RISK: WHEN A PEACEFUL MOVEMENT TURNS INTO A POLITICAL BATTLEFIELD

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

STUDENTS NEED JUSTICE, NOT CHAOS: DON’T LET POLITICS DESTROY THEIR FUTURE Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): India’s students are the backbone of the nation’s future. Their concerns about examination irregularities, transparency, and employment opportunities deserve serious attention and a fair response from authorities. When young people spend years preparing for competitive exams, any question about fairness in the system naturally creates frustration and anger. However, a peaceful student movement can lose its purpose when it becomes a platform for confrontation, violence, or political battles. The moment a protest moves away from dialogue and enters the space of lawlessness, the biggest damage is…