Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

31 May

Heatwave Abates Across India as Rain and Thunderstorms Lower Temperatures Nationwide

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

new Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Overcast skies and sporadic rainfall prevailed over several states on Sunday, bringing significant relief from scorching summer temperatures as the India Meteorological Department announced that heatwave conditions have officially abated across the country. The national capital and surrounding areas witnessed a sharp plunge in temperatures, a seasonal shift that meteorological experts attribute to intense rain and thunderstorm activity triggered by an active western disturbance stationed over Rajasthan and central Pakistan. The weather department has forecast moderate to severe thunderstorm activity accompanied by squally winds hitting speeds of up to 90 kmph over northwest, central, and adjoining…

31 May

Consent and Autonomy of Adult Sex Workers Central to Rehabilitation Decisions, Rules Supreme Court

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaHuman Trafficking, Justice JB Pardiwala, Sex Work Regulations, Supreme Court, Victim Protection Plan

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Supreme Court of India has delivered a landmark ruling affirming that voluntary adult sex workers cannot be forcibly "rescued" or detained against their will. A Bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan declared that the personal consent of an adult sex worker must be treated as the primary consideration by authorities when making decisions regarding their rehabilitation, reintegration, or temporary placement in protective shelter homes. The apex court issued these sweeping directions while adjudicating a 22-year-old public interest litigation filed by the non-governmental organization Prajwala, which sought robust national measures to combat human…

31 May

TMC Lok Sabha Chief Whip Kalyan Banerjee Attacked in West Bengal’s Hooghly District Following Assault on Abhishek Banerjee

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

Kolkata (Gurpreet Singh): Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and chief whip in the Lok Sabha, Kalyan Banerjee, sustained a head injury on Sunday after being allegedly attacked and mobbed by a group of protesters near the Chanditala Police Station in West Bengal’s Hooghly district. The incident occurs just a day after a violent mob targeted TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee in the South 24 Parganas district, intensifying political tensions in the state. The confrontation took place when Kalyan Banerjee, the Member of Parliament from Sreerampore, arrived at the Chanditala premises to submit an official memorandum protesting the arrest of local…

31 May

Orthopaedic Treatments Under Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Cross ₹84 Crore as Demand Rises; Among Top Services Under Scheme, Says Health Minister

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabcashless treatment, Dr Balbir Singh, Healthcare, Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, Orthopaedic Care, Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab is witnessing a steady rise in bone, joint and trauma-related health conditions, with orthopaedic treatments emerging as one of the most significant components of the state’s public healthcare delivery, according to data from the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. Highlighting the trend, the State Health Agency (SHA) data revealed that more than ₹84 crore has been spent so far on bone, joint and trauma-related treatments so far, under the scheme, reflecting both increasing demand for surgical care and expanded access to specialised orthopaedic services across government hospitals. The data shows that knee replacements account for the highest…

31 May

Punjab Aims to Become Top Education Hub and Halt Student Exodus to Canada, Says CM Bhagwant Singh Mann

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabBhagwant Singh Mann, Education, Harjot Singh Bains, Punjab, Sikhya Kranti, Student Toppers

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Four years after launching a sweeping transformation of Punjab’s education system, the Bhagwant Mann Government is now setting its sights on a bigger goal: turning Punjab into the country’s leading education destination and reversing the long-held perception that quality education can only be found abroad. Pointing to Punjab’s rise past Kerala in national education rankings, the growing dominance of girls among board toppers, and the success of 359 government school students in JEE Main, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the state’s Sikhya Kranti (Education Revolution) has begun delivering tangible results on the ground. Speaking at the ‘Sitaare…

31 May

Major Rural Infrastructure Boost as Punjab Government Unveils Road Projects Worth Over ₹18.76 Crore in Lehragaga Region

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabHarpal Singh Cheema, Infrastructure, Lehragaga, Punjab, Road Development, Rural Connectivity

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday dedicated and laid foundation stones for a series of road infrastructure and development projects worth more than ₹18.76 crore in the Lehragaga region, giving a major boost to rural connectivity and strengthening the local economy. The projects are aimed at eliminating safety hazards, improving rural infrastructure and ensuring all-weather connectivity for thousands of villagers. Highlighting the vision of the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the government is transforming rural Punjab by actively strengthening nearly 40,000 kilometres of roads across the state, thereby delivering…

31 May

New Road to Improve Access to Chandigarh Airport, Reduce Travel Distance by 8 km

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndia

Gurpreet Singh :- Commuters travelling to Chandigarh International Airport will now have a faster and more direct route, with a new connecting road linking the airport corridor to the city network being formally opened on Sunday. The road, developed near the Bawa White House junction, is expected to significantly ease access to the airport while reducing congestion on existing routes. The new connectivity is set to benefit travellers from Punjab and Haryana, many of whom currently rely on the busy PR-7 corridor to reach the airport. Officials said the road would shorten the travel distance by nearly 8 km and…

31 May

Amritsar on High Alert Ahead of Operation Bluestar Anniversary; Additional Forces to Be Deployed

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabPunjab Police

Gurpreet Singh :- Security arrangements have been significantly intensified across Amritsar ahead of the June 6 anniversary of Operation Bluestar, with Punjab Police preparing a comprehensive security plan to maintain law and order in the city. A high-level review meeting chaired by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav was held on Saturday to assess preparedness and coordinate security measures. Senior police officials, including Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and DIG Sandeep Goel, attended the meeting and reviewed arrangements for the upcoming observance. Sources said the police have been directed to closely monitor individuals and groups that have previously…

30 May

Centre Waives Customs Duty on Cotton Imports to Boost Textile Sector

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaCotton import, Customs duty, Economy, Textile industry

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): In a major relief for India’s textile and apparel sector, the Central Government has announced a temporary exemption from all customs duties on cotton imports from June 1, 2026, to October 30, 2026. The move aims to improve cotton availability in the domestic market, reduce raw material costs, and support textile manufacturers currently navigating rising cotton and yarn prices. According to the official gazette notification, the government exercised its power under Section 25(1) of the Customs Act, 1962, and Section 124 of the Finance Act, 2021, to exempt cotton falling under Customs Tariff Heading 5201 from…

30 May

Vinesh Phogat’s Comeback Bid Ends in Semifinal Heartbreak Amid Selection Trials Drama

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAsian Games trials, Vinesh Phogat, WFI, Women's wrestling

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Vinesh Phogat’s highly anticipated return to competitive wrestling ended in heartbreak on Saturday following a hard-fought 4-6 loss against Asian Championship silver medallist Meenakshi Goyat in the 53-kg semifinals of the Asian Games selection trials. The defeat leaves the seasoned wrestler just short of re-entering the national squad following the emotional trauma of her disqualification at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Stepping onto the competitive mat for the first time since Paris, Phogat's campaign was marked by high drama even before the bouts commenced. During the official morning weigh-in, sports officials initially informed her that she could…