Rajeev Sharma, Author at National Times

18 Jul

Abhijeet Dipke Alleges Police Detention During Jantar Mantar Protest, Says “I’ve Been Beaten Up”

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingAbhijeet Dipke

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dipke has alleged that he was detained and physically assaulted by the Delhi Police during the protest at Jantar Mantar, where demonstrators have been demanding action over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. Dipke claimed the police intervened after activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been observing an indefinite hunger strike, was shifted to a hospital following concerns over his health. According to Dipke, the police action triggered confusion at the protest site, with several supporters being removed. In a statement shared on social media, Dipke alleged that he was taken into…

18 Jul

Monsoon Set to Regain Strength in Punjab, Chandigarh from July 20; Heat and Humidity to Continue Till Then

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsPunjab, TrendingChandigarh, Punjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Residents of Punjab and Chandigarh are likely to endure another couple of days of hot and humid weather before the southwest monsoon becomes active again. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that rainfall activity is expected to increase from July 20, with a yellow alert issued for several areas between July 20 and July 22. Despite isolated light showers in a few districts over the past day, weather conditions remained largely dry across most parts of the region, allowing temperatures to stay well above seasonal averages. Humidity levels have also remained high, making outdoor conditions uncomfortable.…

18 Jul

Police Shift Sonam Wangchuk to Hospital as Health Worsens; Protest Site Asked to be Vacated

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingSonam Wangchuk

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk was admitted to a hospital on Friday after his health reportedly deteriorated during a 20-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, with Delhi Police saying the decision followed medical advice and directions issued by the Delhi High Court. Police officials stated that Wangchuk's condition required immediate medical attention after doctors monitoring his fast recommended hospitalisation. He was subsequently moved under official supervision for further treatment. In a statement posted on social media, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) said the transfer was carried out in accordance with the High Court's orders and…

17 Jul

Nenshi’s Calgary Comeback: Alberta NDP Leader to Contest Calgary Seat in 2027 Election

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanadaAlberta election, Alberta NDP, Calgary, Edmonton-Strathcona, Naheed Nenshi

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has announced that he will seek election from a Calgary riding in the next provincial general election, choosing not to run again in his current constituency of Edmonton-Strathcona. Nenshi, who served as Calgary’s mayor for 11 years from 2010 to 2021, made the announcement through a message to constituents, saying he remains grateful to the people of Edmonton-Strathcona, where he won a 2025 byelection with a strong majority. The NDP leader said Calgary holds a special place in his political journey and argued that the party needs to strengthen its presence in…

17 Jul

India Tightens Maritime Safety Measures as Gulf Crisis Deepens; Shipping Firms Told to Suspend Crew Deployment

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingIndia

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): India has stepped up efforts to protect its merchant navy personnel amid the deteriorating security situation in the Gulf, issuing fresh operational guidelines for ships navigating one of the world's most sensitive maritime corridors. The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has directed vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters to adopt enhanced security protocols as regional tensions continue to rise. Under the latest advisory, ship masters have been instructed to maintain constant surveillance, monitor all official navigational and security advisories, and ensure that every safety measure prescribed under the…

17 Jul

Alberta Launches Regional Primary Care Bodies to Improve Healthcare Access Across Communities

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsAlberta, Canada, TrendingAlberta

Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government has announced a major overhaul of its primary healthcare system with the creation of seven regional primary care corridor health corporations aimed at improving access to family doctors and community-based medical services, particularly in rural areas. The newly established organizations will function under Primary Care Alberta and will be responsible for planning, coordinating and overseeing primary healthcare services within their respective regions. The initiative is designed to ensure healthcare planning is tailored to local community needs while reducing the administrative workload on frontline medical professionals. Provincial officials said the move follows recommendations from the…

17 Jul

Canada Freezes Parent Sponsorship Route, Leaving Thousands of Punjabi Families in Limbo

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsCanada, Ontario, TrendingCanada

Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Thousands of Punjabi families hoping to reunite with their parents in Canada have received a significant setback after the Canadian government suspended fresh applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), closing one of the most popular pathways for permanent family reunification. The restriction came into effect on July 15, 2026, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announcing that it will no longer accept new "Interest to Sponsor" applications until further notice. Officials clarified that only applications submitted before the deadline will continue to be processed. The decision is expected to have a major impact on…

17 Jul

Monsoon Intensifies Over Himachal as IMD Forecasts Widespread Rain; Authorities Issue Landslide Advisory

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingHimachal

Shimla (Rajeev Sharma): The southwest monsoon has regained momentum across Himachal Pradesh, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting persistent rainfall over the coming days and cautioning residents about possible weather-related hazards. Several districts have been placed under a Yellow Alert as the state prepares for another spell of heavy showers. According to the IMD, light to moderate rainfall is expected across most parts of the hill state on July 17 and 18, while the intensity is likely to increase between July 19 and July 21, when isolated locations may witness heavy downpours. Among the districts under weather watch are…

17 Jul

NEET-UG 2026 Results Out: Punjab, Haryana Lead Merit List; Women Outperform Men in Qualifying Rate

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsHaryana, India, Punjab, TrendingNEET-UG 2026

New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh/Balwinder Singh): The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the results of NEET (UG) 2026, with candidates from Punjab and Haryana claiming the highest scores in one of India's largest entrance examinations for medical education. The examination witnessed nearly 20 lakh aspirants, of whom over 11.2 lakh have qualified for undergraduate medical and allied courses. Sharing the top position nationwide are Aryan Gupta from Punjab and Panshul Bansal from Haryana, both securing 715 marks out of 720. Their performance placed the two northern states at the forefront of this year's merit list. The NTA said the country's…

17 Jul

Culture Chats BC Unites Community Through Free Health & Mental Wellness Events

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBritish Columbia, Canada, TrendingCulture Chats BC

Surrey (Richa Walia): Demonstrating its commitment to community well being, Culture Chats BC Association organized two successful back-to-back free public events promoting mental health, healthy living, and preventive wellness. The volunteer led initiatives brought together healthcare professionals, community organizations, and residents to encourage meaningful conversations, practical learning, and stronger community partnerships. The first event, a Mental Health Forum, was held on June 28, 2026, at Surrey City Hall. The forum addressed growing mental health concerns, particularly within the South Asian community where cultural stigma often discourages open discussion. Speakers explored important topics including children’s and youth mental health, women’s mental…