Punjab

Indian student, 20, shot dead near Toronto University, accused at large

Indian student, 20, shot dead near Toronto University, accused at large

National Times Bureau :- The Indian Consulate in Toronto on Thursday said it was deeply distressed by the killing of Shivank Avasthi, a 20-year-old Indian student, who was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus. Police said Avasthi was found with a gunshot injury in the Highland Creek Trail–Old Kingston Road area on Tuesday and was declared dead on the spot.  The suspects escaped before officers reached the scene, and the campus was briefly locked down during the search. This was Toronto’s 41st homicide this year. “We express deep anguish over the tragic death of a young Indian…
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Mann Government  Turns Paper Dreams into Hope for Millions : Rs 4683.94 Crore Released from Rs 6175 Crore Budget under Social Security Schemes

Mann Government  Turns Paper Dreams into Hope for Millions : Rs 4683.94 Crore Released from Rs 6175 Crore Budget under Social Security Schemes

Chandigarh, December 22, 2025: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government is continuously implementing pro-people policies for the welfare of every section of society. Several historic initiatives have been taken during the year 2025 (financial year 2025-26) to ensure the social and economic security of the elderly, women, children, and persons with disabilities. This information was provided by the Minister of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur.She stated that a budget provision of ₹6175 crore was made under social security schemes during the year 2025, out of which ₹4683.94 crore has been…
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Which Party Will Make Punjab Colorful Again? National Times Media Survey Highlights Public Opinion Ahead of 2027 Elections

Which Party Will Make Punjab Colorful Again? National Times Media Survey Highlights Public Opinion Ahead of 2027 Elections

Chandigarh ( Gurpreet Singh): As Punjab heads toward the 2027 Legislative Assembly elections, citizens are increasingly discussing which political party can bring real progress and stability often referred to as making Punjab “colorful again.” Recent local elections and a comprehensive survey by National Times Media provide insights into public sentiment across the state. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has focused on welfare programs, healthcare, education, and public services. In local body elections held in December 2025, AAP-backed candidates won around 45 percent of contested Gram Panchayat seats and performed strongly in district councils and panchayat samiti polls, signaling continued grassroots…
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CM Mann’s Foreign Trip Yields Brilliant Results – 9 Major Companies Choose Punjab, Mohali to Become Asia’s New IT Hub

CM Mann’s Foreign Trip Yields Brilliant Results – 9 Major Companies Choose Punjab, Mohali to Become Asia’s New IT Hub

Chandigarh, December 20, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Japan-Korea trip has fully prepared to transform the state's industrial landscape. During this historic visit, 9 major international companies have signed agreements to invest in Punjab, which will not only provide employment to thousands of youth but also inject new vitality into the state's economy. Most notably, these investments aren't limited to traditional industries—they emphasize future sectors like AI, IT, and electric vehicles.Japan's Yamaha is gearing up to manufacture electric bikes in Punjab in partnership with Hero, realizing the state's dream of green transportation. Meanwhile, Honda will begin producing car parts,…
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Mann Government takes major step towards strengthening health services, approves recruitment for 1,568 ANM and Staff Nurse posts

Mann Government takes major step towards strengthening health services, approves recruitment for 1,568 ANM and Staff Nurse posts

Chandigarh, 20 December, 2025: In a significant move aimed at strengthening the state's healthcare infrastructure, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday announced that the Finance Department has granted approval to the Health and Family Welfare Department's proposal to fill 1,568 vacant positions of ANMs and Staff Nurses under the National Health Mission (NHM).Giving further details on the recruitment drive, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema revealed that the approval covers the filling of 729 vacant positions of ANMs against a total of 2,000 sanctioned posts, and 839 vacant positions of Staff Nurses against 1,896 sanctioned posts. He emphasized…
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Punjab Becomes Global Investment Destination: CM Mann Invites UK to Invest, UK Shows Strong Interest in Partnership

Punjab Becomes Global Investment Destination: CM Mann Invites UK to Invest, UK Shows Strong Interest in Partnership

Chandigarh, December 19, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann chaired the Punjab-UK Strategic Dialogue session. He stressed the need for strong strategic and business ties with Britain, especially in underused sectors.During a meeting with British Deputy High Commissioner Alba Samariglio and representatives from various UK multinational companies, the Chief Minister said Punjab wants strong business partnerships with the UK in traditional and new emerging sectors. He listed five key areas for cooperation: higher education, textiles, engineering, auto components, and agriculture and food processing. He also highlighted emerging fields like pharmaceuticals and health services, IT, and business services. CM Mann…
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Dense fog engulfs Punjab, Chandigarh; trains delayed, flight operations hit

Dense fog engulfs Punjab, Chandigarh; trains delayed, flight operations hit

National Times Bureau :- Parts of Punjaba and Chandigarh experienced season's first spell of dense fog on Wednesday dropping the visibility to as low as 150 metre.  As per India Meteorological Department (IMD), fog season has officially started in the city and is expected to get worse in the coming days. An orange alert has been issued for Thursday and Friday. According to the IMD observatory in Sector 39, visibility stood at 800 metres at 5.30 am but deteriorated sharply to 150 metres by 8.30 am, before improving to 3,500 metres by 11.30 am. Fog is termed dense when visibility…
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Decades-Long Wait Ends: Construction Begins on Broken Bridge in Mehangowal, Bringing Relief to 50 Villages

Decades-Long Wait Ends: Construction Begins on Broken Bridge in Mehangowal, Bringing Relief to 50 Villages

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): In a historic initiative in Punjab's Mehangowal region, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government has commenced the reconstruction of a dangerous, dilapidated bridge that had been neglected for decades. This bridge will serve as a lifeline for residents of approximately 50 villages who have been facing serious risks due to its broken condition for years. According to the local administration, this project will not only improve connectivity in the area but also make daily travel safer and easier for thousands of villagers. The construction of this bridge is another example of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Punjab government's…
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Punjab Grassroots Poll Results Awaited as Vote Count Progresses Across State

Punjab Grassroots Poll Results Awaited as Vote Count Progresses Across State

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Counting for Punjab’s rural local government elections began on Tuesday, marking a crucial day for political parties vying for influence ahead of the next Assembly contest. Election staff started tallying ballot papers for 347 Zila Parishad positions and 2,838 Panchayat Samiti seats at 154 counting centres located in 141 venues across the state. Officials from the State Election Commission cautioned that results would not be immediate, as the elections were conducted using traditional paper ballots rather than electronic machines. Due to the volume of votes and the manual nature of the process, the final outcome is expected…
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Mann Government’s Jal Jeevan Mission: Bathinda Gets ₹26 Crore Gift from AMRUT 2.0 for Continuous Water Supply

Mann Government’s Jal Jeevan Mission: Bathinda Gets ₹26 Crore Gift from AMRUT 2.0 for Continuous Water Supply

Chandigarh, December 16, 2025: Bathinda's soil has received the touch of a new morning today. These water supply projects, started at a cost of ₹26 crore, are not just numbers; they are a symbol of the strong resolve of the 'Mann Government' working to improve the life of every citizen of Punjab. This investment under AMRUT 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0) shows that fulfilling basic needs is the top priority of the Mann Government.For years, water scarcity or its poor quality has forced people in many parts of the city to struggle. When dirty water comes…
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