Gurpreet Singh, Author at National Times

14 Jun

TMC Internal Rift Escalates as Abhishek Banerjee Writes to Lok Sabha Speaker Against Rebel Faction Recognition

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaAbhishek Banerjee, AITC Faction, Anti Defection Law, Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, TMC Internal Conflict, TMC Rebel MPs, Trinamool Congress

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The internal conflict within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has intensified as party leader in the Lok Sabha Abhishek Banerjee urged Speaker Om Birla not to recognise any breakaway group of party MPs claiming to represent a separate faction. The development comes ahead of a planned meeting between rebel TMC MPs and the Speaker, where the dissident group is expected to seek recognition as an independent parliamentary bloc. In his letter to the Speaker, Abhishek Banerjee requested that the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) be treated as a single political entity represented in Parliament only through its…

14 Jun

Supreme Court Allows HIMSR to Proceed with 150 MBBS and 49 PG Seats for 2026–27 Academic Year

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaConsent of Affiliation, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jamia Hamdard, MBBS Seats 2026, Postgraduate Medical Seats India, Supreme Court HIMSR

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): In a significant relief to the Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (HIMSR), the Supreme Court has permitted the institution to proceed with admissions for 150 MBBS seats and 49 postgraduate medical seats for the academic year 2026–27, subject to the final outcome of the ongoing legal dispute. A Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, in its order dated May 27, observed that the “Consent of Affiliation is deemed to have been granted” by Jamia Hamdard (Deemed to be University) in favour of HIMSR for the said academic year, in continuation of…

14 Jun

PM Modi Pushes ‘Make in India’ Agenda in Defence Talks With Macron, Seeks Greater Local Production of Rafale Jets

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsIndiaEmmanuel Macron, India France Defence Ties, Make in India defence, Narendra Modi, Rafale Deal India

Paris/New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated India's push for greater indigenous manufacturing in the defence sector during discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, emphasizing that future defence cooperation should focus on co-development, co-production and co-manufacturing under the "Make in India" initiative. The issue was discussed during a high-level meeting between the two leaders in France, where both sides reviewed ongoing defence cooperation and explored opportunities to deepen strategic ties. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Prime Minister Modi consistently stressed the importance of increasing local manufacturing and technology partnerships during all…

14 Jun

Amritsar Police Recover Additional 5 Kg Heroin, Arrest Two More in Major Cross-Border Drug Smuggling Case

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsBusiness

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): : Continuing its crackdown on cross-border drug trafficking under the Punjab Government’s anti-drug campaign, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police has arrested two more accused, including a juvenile, and recovered an additional 5.041 kg of heroin in two separate operations linked to the recent 30 kg heroin seizure case. With the latest recovery, the total heroin seized in the case has crossed 35 kg, marking another significant breakthrough in Punjab Police’s ongoing efforts to dismantle drug smuggling networks operating across the international border. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the newly arrested accused has been identified…

14 Jun

Punjab Govt Strengthens Trader Outreach Through State Commission, Reaffirms Commitment to Business-Friendly Governance

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabArvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Singh Mann, PSTC, Punjab Business Community, Punjab Shopkeepers, Punjab State Traders Commission, Punjab Traders

Jalandhar (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accompanied by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Saturday directly engaged with traders, shopkeepers and business owners during a meeting of the Punjab State Traders Commission (PSTC) in Jalandhar, reaffirming the Bhagwant Mann Government’s commitment to resolving their concerns through dialogue and responsive governance. Highlighting small traders as the backbone of the economy, the AAP Supremo said that while previous governments ignored their issues and subjected them to harassment and extortion, the Bhagwant Mann Government has ended such practices and established the PSTC to ensure that even the smallest…

14 Jun

Punjab Govt Expands Free Pilgrimage Scheme; Adds Salasar Balaji, Khatu Shyam, Haridwar-Rishikesh and Mathura-Vrindavan Routes

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjabArvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann government, Mukhy Mantri Teerath Yatra Yojana, Punjab Free Teerath Yatra

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Reaffirming its commitment to preserving Punjab’s spiritual heritage and making religious journeys accessible to every devotee, the Bhagwant Mann Government on Saturday announced a major expansion of its free Mukh Matri Teerath Yatra Yojna, adding Salasar Balaji Dham, Sri Khatu Shyam Ji, Haridwar-Rishikesh and Shri Mathura Ji - Vrindavan Dham to the list of pilgrimage destinations. Addressing a gathering in the presence of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal said the Punjab Government is not only enabling devotees to undertake sacred pilgrimages free of cost but is also investing in…

14 Jun

Vaishno Devi Trip Ends in Fatal Road Mishap in Ludhiana; Teen Loses Life, Three Friends Hospitalised

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingLudhiana

Ludhiana (Gurpreet Singh): A joyful pilgrimage turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when a group of friends returning from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi met with a serious road accident near Salem Tabri in Ludhiana early Sunday morning, leaving one teenager dead and three others injured. The mishap took place around 6:15 am outside the Salem Tabri police station after a Toyota car reportedly collided with an e-rickshaw carrying the youngsters from the railway station towards Jassian. The victim, identified as 17-year-old Navjot Singh, was the only son of a local transporter and was known to work part-time alongside his studies. Despite…

14 Jun

Hospitals Witness Rise in Summer-Related Illnesses as Punjab Battles Intense Heat; Doctors Call for Extra Vigilance

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, Trending

Bathinda (Gurpreet Singh): With temperatures soaring across Punjab, health experts have sounded an alert over the growing number of heat-related illnesses, urging residents to adopt preventive measures as hospitals report an increase in patients suffering from dehydration and stomach infections. Senior Medical Officer of Government Hospital Bathinda, Dr. Arun Bansal, said the recent spell of extreme heat has begun affecting public health, particularly among children and elderly citizens. He stressed that vulnerable groups should avoid stepping outdoors during peak daytime hours unless absolutely necessary. According to Dr. Bansal, the state recently witnessed temperatures touching nearly 47 degrees Celsius, creating conditions…

14 Jun

Rain Brings Relief Across Punjab, But Humid Conditions Set to Return as Mercury Climbs

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingPunjab, Punjab News

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The spell of showers that brought welcome relief from the scorching heat across Punjab and Chandigarh is expected to give way to rising humidity over the coming days, with weather experts forecasting a gradual increase in temperatures after a brief cooling phase. According to the Meteorological Department, isolated light to moderate rainfall may continue in a few districts on Saturday, particularly Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Moga, Bathinda, Barnala and Mansa. However, the overall intensity of rainfall is likely to decline as the current weather system weakens. The recent rains have significantly lowered daytime temperatures across…

13 Jun

Over 90,000 Individuals Enter De-Addiction and Recovery Under Punjab’s ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ Campaign

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): As encouraging results of the Bhagwant Mann Government’s anti-drug campaign “Yudh Nashean Virudh” begin to emerge, authorities emphasise that lasting success will depend not only on enforcement against drug traffickers and peddlers but also on prevention, early detection, treatment and timely intervention at the family and community levels. Launched on March 1, 2025, the Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign has evolved into one of the state's most significant anti-drug initiatives, combining strict enforcement measures with efforts aimed at de-addiction, rehabilitation and awareness generation. Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said, "As part of prevention and…