Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

21 Jul

Arvind Kejriwal Condemns Police Action on Student Protesters, Announces AAP Legal and Medical Helpline

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabAAP helpline, Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi News, Jantar Mantar protest, Police lathi charge, Student demonstration

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Following the ‘lathi charge’ on peaceful protesters at Jantar Mantar on Monday and subsequent efforts to trouble students through false cases, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal came forward to assure affected students and their families of full legal and medical support. Calling the action against the students "deeply shameful", he said the party stands firmly with every student who became a victim of the Modi Government's unprecedented brutality. Reassuring the students, the AAP Chief expressed, "You are all our children. Do not be afraid. We stand with you and we will fight this…

21 Jul

Punjab’s Business Class Programme Helps Students Launch Over 20,000 Ventures in First Year

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaBhagwant Mann, Business Class, Harjot Singh Bains, Punjab education, Sikhya Kranti, Student entrepreneurs

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab’s ‘Sikhya Kranti’ (education revolution) under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has delivered encouraging results through the Business Class programme introduced in Higher and Technical Education institutions across the state. Introduced as a mandatory subject for students pursuing B.Com., BBA, B.Tech. and B.Voc. courses, and students studying in ITIs and Polytechnics the programme covered nearly 95,000 students across Punjab during its first year. As part of the programme, 25,693 students started their own businesses, while 20,241 of these ventures have already generated nearly ₹90 crore in revenue. On this achievement, Punjab Higher and Technical…

21 Jul

Heavy Security, Detentions Mark Farmers’ Attempt to Reach Delhi for Protest Against India–US Trade Pact

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia, Punjab, TrendingFarmers

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): A fresh round of protests by farmer organisations witnessed heightened security and police action on Tuesday as authorities blocked key routes leading to Delhi. The Shambhu border, connecting Punjab and Haryana, remained heavily barricaded while several farmers travelling from different parts of Haryana were taken into preventive custody before they could join the planned gathering in the national capital. The protesters had announced a march to Delhi to participate in a 'Mahapanchayat' at Kisan Ghat, where they intended to voice their opposition to the proposed India–US trade agreement. Anticipating large gatherings, the Haryana administration strengthened security at…

21 Jul

Farmers Split Protest Strategy as Security Ring Tightens at Shambhu Border

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingShambhu Border

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Authorities have stepped up security arrangements at the Shambhu Border ahead of a fresh round of farmers' protests against the proposed India–US trade agreement. With protest groups planning demonstrations on Monday, the Haryana Police have strengthened border checkpoints to prevent any attempt to move towards Delhi. Multiple layers of barricades have been erected at the interstate border, while a large number of police personnel have been deployed to monitor the situation. Earth-moving equipment, including JCB machines, has also been stationed near the barricades as a precautionary measure in case protesters attempt to remove or cross the barriers.…

21 Jul

Punjab, Chandigarh Brace for Fresh Spell of Heavy Rain as IMD Issues Three-Day Orange Alert

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingChandigarh, Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another active phase of the monsoon across Punjab and Chandigarh, issuing an Orange Alert for the next three days as heavy rainfall is expected to affect several districts. The fresh spell has already brought a significant dip in temperatures, offering relief from the intense heat experienced over the past week. According to weather officials, daytime temperatures have fallen by nearly four degrees Celsius below the seasonal average following widespread showers. The changing weather pattern is expected to keep conditions pleasant in many areas while increasing the likelihood of heavy rainfall,…

20 Jul

Government Pauses Plans to Raise Ethanol Blending Beyond 20 Per Cent, Citing Scientific Analysis

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiabiofuel policy, carbon emissions, ethanol blending, petrol infrastructure, Rajya Sabha, Suresh Gopi

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The central government has not yet taken any decision to increase ethanol blending in petrol past the existing 20 per cent cap, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday. In a written submission, the minister clarified that any prospective expansion of the blending threshold would only be enacted following detailed scientific and technical evaluations alongside extensive consultations with automotive manufacturers, oil marketing companies, and research institutions. India achieved its benchmark 20 per cent blending goal five years ahead of its original target timeline, with average blending expanding…

20 Jul

Sonam Wangchuk Pledges to Continue Indefinite Fast From Hospital Until Protesting Youth Meet MPs

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaHunger Strike, Parliament march, Safdarjung Hospital, Sonam Wangchuk, student protest

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk declared on Monday that he will persist with his indefinite hunger strike, which has entered its 23rd day, until the government fulfills his conditions regarding the protesting youth. Writing from his bed at Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk stated that his decision to continue the fast follows the severe force and brutality deployed by law enforcement against peaceful youth demonstrators in the national capital. The activist has vowed to maintain his fast until youth representatives are officially permitted to meet with Members of Parliament inside Sansad Bhawan or, alternatively, are allowed unhindered access to…

20 Jul

Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann Slam Centre Over Lathi-Charge on Student Protesters at Jantar Mantar

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal strongly condemned the lathi-charge on students and young aspirants protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding reforms in the education and examination system and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Stating that lakhs of young people had gathered in the national capital seeking justice, the former Delhi Chief Minister said the government had chosen to respond with force instead of dialogue. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to set aside arrogance, listen to the country’s youth, and address their anger before it deepens further. During his…

20 Jul

Successful Mega Job Fair in Sunam Secures Employment and Shortlists Over One Thousand Candidates

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Aman Arora today said that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is making continuous efforts to create a progressive and employment-friendly ecosystem across the state. He was addressing the gathering at the Mega Job Fair organised in Sunam. The first Mega Job Fair for the Sangrur, Malerkotla and Barnala cluster was jointly organised by the Department of Industries and the Department of Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training. Candidates between 18 and 50 years of age participated in the event and secured employment…

20 Jul

Bhagwant Mann Government Introduces Methadone Maintenance Therapy to Enhance Drug De-Addiction Services in Punjab

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Mann, Dr Balbir Singh, Drug De-addiction, Methadone Maintenance Therapy, Punjab Healthcare

Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Punjab has introduced an internationally accepted drug de-addiction treatment known as Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) for people with severe opioid dependence. The introduction of methadone marks a significant step in the state’s treatment-focused approach to tackling drug addiction. Conventional treatment has largely relied on Buprenorphine-based Opioid Substitution Therapy through the state’s more than 500 OOAT centres, which involves replacing harmful opioids with regulated medication to treat addiction, and abstinence-based rehabilitation. The introduction of MMT provides an additional treatment option for patients with long-term opioid dependence who have not responded adequately to existing therapies. Six dedicated methadone clinics…