Social Worker Organises Blood Donation Camp

 150 Units of Blood CollectedBook by Health Influencer & Social Worker Amarinder Singh Also Unveiled

A programme organized by social worker Amarinder Singh  in the Phase-7 market of Mohali showcased a beautiful blend of spirituality, service, and health. On one hand, the congregation was blessed with Gurbani Kirtan, and on the other hand, a blood donation camp was organized to assist thalassemia patients, demonstrating a powerful fulfilment of social responsibility. 150 units of blood were collected. The programme also saw the unveiling of the book - ‘The Hair Science: Back to Black – The Ayurvedic Path to Hair Rejuvenation,’ written by Amarinder Singh who is also a renowned health influencer.

Amarinder Singh, popularly known as ‘DietKing’ in the tricity, made this event a reality with his spirit of service.

On this occasion, Amarinder Singh said that the objective of this event was to combine spirituality, health, and social service. He said that acts like blood donation are true service to humanity and spreading health awareness in society is the need of the hour. 

The programme began with a special Gurbani Kirtan, presented soulfully by Bhai Lakhwinder Singh Ji (Chandigarh Wale). The melodious recitation of Gurbani filled the atmosphere with spirituality, and the congregation bowed their heads in reverence. A continuous langar (community meal) service was also organized for the guests.

Former Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu attended the grand event as the chief guest, while Mohali Municipal Corporation Mayor Amarjeet Singh Jeeti was present as a special guest. The guests first paid their respects and then interacted with the blood donors, encouraging them.

A large number of blood donors voluntarily donated blood at the blood donation camp organized during the programme. At the camp, a team of specialists from Sohana Hospital collected blood after examining the donors. On this occasion, Randeep Batta, known for his Mission Kashmir to Kanyakumari blood donation awareness campaign and also famous as the Biggest Blood Donor of the Country, was honored by the organisers. Rakesh Sangar of Shri Shiv Kaanwarh Mahasangh Charitable Trust, Panchkula, was also felicitated.

The chief guest released a book written by Amarinder Singh, titled “The Hair Science: Back to Black – The Ayurvedic Path to Hair Rejuvenation,” which focuses on hair loss, premature greying, and various hair-related problems and their Ayurvedic solutions.

Prominent people present on the occasion included J.J. Singh (social worker), Major General M.S. Virk (Retired); S.P. Singh Marar, Retired Additional Secretary & former Additional Deputy Commissioner, Government of Punjab; Wing Commander Balbir Singh (Retired), Ajit Singh (Hockey Olympian), M.S. Multani (Retired Senior Audit Officer), Ashok Kumar Singh (Retired officer of Indian Railways), Sarabjit Singh Toor (Farmer and Prominent Industrialist), Colonel S.S. Boparai (Retired), Rajinder Singh Gill (Ex Merchant Navy officer), Vinod Sharma (Retired Senior Manager, CITCO), and N.S. Brar (Retired Superintending Engineer, Irrigation Department).

Mega Dog Show Organised by Royal Kennel Club Concludes in Panchkula

The Royal Kennel Club Panchkula successfully concluded the 7th edition of its much-awaited Mega Dog Show at the Show Ground, opposite Hotel Holiday Inn, Sector 3, Panchkula. The grand event witnessed enthusiastic participation from dog lovers, breeders, and trainers from across the Tricity, various parts of India, and even abroad, giving it a truly international flavour.

Mr. Arishander Singh, IPS, DGP Vigilance, and Ms. Alba Smeriglio, British Deputy High Commissioner (Chandigarh), graced the occasion as Chief Guests and appreciated the efforts of the organisers in promoting responsible dog ownership and awareness about dog breeds.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sikander Singh of the Royal Kennel Club Panchkula said that the Mega Dog Show has grown into one of the biggest canine events in North India. He added that the event aimed to create awareness about indigenous dog breeds and promote responsible pet care, in line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s call to encourage the adoption of Indian-bred dogs.

He further informed that Mr. Ankur Gupta, Senior IAS (Retd.), Haryana, Patron and Founder of the Royal Kennel Club Panchkula, has played a pivotal role in establishing and nurturing the club, and continues to guide its vision and activities.

The event was officiated by renowned judges, including Mr. Mukul Vaid, FCI International Dog Show Judge; Ms. Kristiina, Judge from Finland; and Mrs. Yashodhara, All Breeds FCI Licensed Judge, India. Their presence brought together national and international expertise, adding prestige to the show.

The dog show commenced at 9:30 a.m. and continued till 7:00 p.m., drawing large crowds of visitors, dog enthusiasts, senior bureaucrats, VIPs, and distinguished guests.

Expressing his happiness, Sikander Singh said, “I am really glad to be a part of the show at Panchkula. Furry friends have always been close to humans, and such events bring us closer to them. Awareness about various dog breeds is essential for harmonious co-existence in society.”

A wide variety of dog breeds were showcased during the concluding day, including Pomeranian, Pug, Maltese, Chihuahua, French Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Toy Poodle, Pekingese, Mastiff, Rottweiler, Gaddi, Saint Bernard, Dogo Argentino, Labrador, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky, Chow Chow, Akita Inu, British Bulldog, Shih Tzu, and Standard Poodle, among others.

Trophies were awarded to winning dogs and their trainers across multiple categories, adding excitement and competitive spirit to the event.

The organisers also acknowledged the support of sponsors Planet Pets, Kinder Pandas Play School, Panchkula, and German Language Institute, whose contributions helped make the event a grand success.

Inaugural Function of SAKSHAM 2026 Organised

A Fortnight Long Fuel Conservation Campaign Will Be Held Under SAKSHAM

 

Chandigarh, February 02, 2026: The inaugural programme of SAKSHAM 2026 was held at Rani Laxmi Bai Bhawan, Sector 38 C in the esteemed presence of Shri Diprava Lakra, IAS, Finance Secretary-cum-Secretary Transport, Chandigarh Administration. Under SAKSHAM 2026, Oil industry will hold activities for a fortnight from the 1^st Feb’26 to 15^th Feb’26, with an aim to raise mass awareness about the importance of conserving petroleum products. The awareness will be held throughout Punjab and Chandigarh (UT). Notably, the inaugural function was jointly organised by State Level Coordinators (SLCs) of Oil Industries of Chandigarh(UT) and Punjab.

 

The event was coordinated by Sh. Ashutosh Gupta, State Level Coordinator, Oil Industry, Punjab and Executive Director & State Head, Punjab State Office, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL); Sh. Sushant Goyal, State Level Coordinator, Oil Industry, Chandigarh U.T. and Chief Regional Manager, Chandigarh Retail, RO Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL); Sh. Akash Bhawan, General Manager and Zonal Head, Chandigarh Zonal Office, Gas Authority of India Ltd(GAIL) and Sh. Ramlal, DGM(Retailing Initiatives), Punjab, J&K, and Chandigarh, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited(BPCL).  The oil industry outlined various initiatives during the fortnight across key sectors—transport, industry, agriculture, and domestic—to promote oil and gas conservation.

 

Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator of U.T. Chandigarh’s message to the public on the importance of conservation of fuel and energy was read during the programme. Hon’ble Governor emphasized that SAKSHAM 2026 plays an important role in creating public awareness on conservation of petroleum and natural gas, which are valuable national resources. He highlighted that responsible and judicious use of energy is essential not only for economic growth but also for environmental sustainability and called upon citizens to actively participate in SAKSHAM 2026 to promote fuel conservation, energy efficiency, and a cleaner, climate-resilient future.

 

In his address, Chief Guest of the event Shri Diprava Lakra, IAS, Finance Secretary-cum-Secretary Transport, Chandigarh Administration emphasized the critical need for conserving petroleum products. He urged students and citizens to adopt fuel-saving practices to reduce the nation's dependence on imports and conserve valuable foreign exchange.

 

Shri Ashutosh Gupta, State Level Coordinator, Oil Industry, Punjab and Executive Director & State Head, Punjab State Office, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) also encouraged school children, media personnel, and the citizens of Chandigarh and Punjab to actively participate in conservation efforts. A pledge to conserve oil & petroleum was also taken at the inaugural function. A ‘nukkad natak’ to create awareness about fuel conservation too was presented. The inaugural function featured the flagging off a mobile van adorned with slogans promoting saving oil and gas to raise public awareness. Mr M K Sinha, GM(Lubes), IOCL delivered a vote of thanks and reiterated the message of conservation and importance of SAKSHAM.

 

The event witnessed significant participation from students and prominent citizens, reflecting a collective commitment to energy conservation. SAKSHAM 2026 serves as a vital initiative to educate the public on the importance of conserving petroleum resources. Through collective efforts, the nation’s dependence on imports can be reduced, India can conserve foreign exchange and also ensure the longevity of oil reserves.

 

पुरुषोत्तम दास रूंगटा चैरिटेबल ट्रस्ट द्वारा अन्न भंडारे का आयोजन

पंचकूला,  1 फरवरी 2026: सामाजिक एवं जनकल्याणकारी गतिविधियों में अग्रणी गैर-सरकारी संगठन ने शुक्ल पक्ष की त्रयोदशी तिथि, जो कि भगवान शिव को समर्पित है, के दिन पुरुषोत्तम दास रूंगटा चैरिटेबल ट्रस्ट द्वारा  फेज़-1, औद्योगिक क्षेत्र में 201वें अन्न भंडारे का आयोजन किया गया।

अन्न भंडारे में समाज के विभिन्न वर्गों एवं समुदायों के लोगों ने ट्रस्ट द्वारा आयोजित इस सेवा कार्य का लाभ उठाया।

इस अवसर पर ट्रस्ट के संस्थापक एवं समाजसेवी अमिताभ रूंगटा ने इस दिवस के महत्व पर प्रकाश डालते हुए कहा कि शुक्ल पक्ष की त्रयोदशी तिथि भगवान शिव से जुड़ी मानी जाती है। शनिवार का दिन होने के कारण शनि देव की पूजा भी इस दिन विशेष फलदायी मानी जाती है। माघ मास और उत्तरायण काल में अन्न भंडारा, दान जप और ध्यान करने से पुण्य की प्राप्ति होती है और नकारात्मक प्रभावों से मुक्ति मिलती है।

इस सेवा आयोजन में ट्रस्ट के सदस्य पूरे समर्पण भाव के साथ उपस्थित रहे।

Union Budget 2026-27: Entrepreneur KS Bhatia expects FM will consider zero capital gains tax to boost India’s start-up ecosystem

Chandigarh, January 31, 2026:  KS Bhatia, a well-known serial entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Mr.Proptek  which is headquartered in the Chandigarh capital region, expects that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will in the budget, introduce zero capital gains tax for angel investors, venture capitalists and family houses  investing in Indian start-ups. He said that such a bold and progressive reform will significantly transform India’s start-up ecosystem.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday in the Lok Sabha.  

According to Bhatia, eliminating capital gains tax on start-up investments would act as a powerful catalyst for both domestic and global investors, encouraging them to deploy larger pools of capital into Indian start-ups.

“India has built a vibrant start-up landscape, but to unlock its full potential, we must create an investor-friendly policy environment. Zero capital gains tax on start-up investments can be a game-changer,” he said.

He further emphasized that such a reform would motivate Indian corporates and successful entrepreneurs to actively participate as investors, rather than remaining passive observers.

Increased participation from experienced business leaders would not only strengthen the funding ecosystem but also bring valuable mentorship, strategic guidance and governance support to emerging start-ups.

Bhatia noted that enhanced capital flow into start-ups would directly contribute to accelerated innovation, large-scale job creation and faster scaling of high-growth ventures across sectors such as technology, real estate services, financial technology, clean energy, and digital infrastructure.

“Start-ups are engines of economic growth. Supporting them through progressive taxation policies will have a multiplier effect on the broader economy,” he added.

Highlighting India’s ambition to become a global innovation hub, Bhatia said that forward-looking fiscal measures are essential to maintain competitiveness with other start-up-friendly economies.

“By fostering a truly investor-friendly environment, India can attract long-term capital, strengthen entrepreneurship, and reinforce its position as one of the world’s most dynamic start-up destinations,” he concluded.

Kia India Reinforces Sustainability Vision with Project D.R.O.P. Phase 3 Culmination

 

Zirakpur, India | 29 January 2026: Driven by its focus onenvironmental sustainability and responsible community engagement, Kia India Pvt. Ltd., in collaboration with the Indian Pollution Control Association (IPCA), organised a Panel Discussion and Culmination Ceremony under Project D.R.O.P. (Develop Responsible Outlook for Plastic) at Park Plaza Hotel, Zirakpur.

 

The event marked the successful completion of Phase 3 of Project D.R.O.P. in the Tri-city region of Punjab, Kia India’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at promoting responsible plastic consumption, strengthening plastic waste management systems, and encouraging community-led environmental action.

 

The programme brought together key stakeholders from government bodies, municipal corporations, industry, civil society, and local communities to deliberate on sustainable and scalable solutions for plastic waste management, while also recognizing the collective efforts that contributed to the project’s success. The ceremony witnessed participation from over 200 attendees, including representatives from 211 onboarded locations comprising Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), schools, colleges, and institutions across the Tri-city. These entities were felicitated for their sustained efforts in promoting waste segregation, reducing single-use plastics, and ensuring systematic channelization of plastic waste to authorised recyclers.

 

The panel discussion featured eminent speakers including Sh. Krishan Kant Singla, Principal Scientific Officer, Punjab State council for Science & Technology, Sh. Rajvir Walia, General Secretary, Silver City Themes, Zirakpur, Smt. Bhawanpreet Kaur, Assistant Professor, Eco-Club Coordinator, GJIMT, Mohali and Col. Dalbir Singh, GM, Training, Project & Consultancy, MGSIPA, Chandigarh. The session was moderated by Dr. Reena Chaddha, General Manager, IPCA. Discussions focused on collaborative models, policy support, and community participation to strengthen the capacity of urban local bodies in addressing plastic waste management challenges.

 

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Atul Sood, Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Kia India, said, “Sustainability is a core pillar of Kia India’s long-term vision. Project D.R.O.P. is designed to drive measurable behavioral change by strengthening waste management ecosystems and encouraging responsible plastic consumption at the community level. Our partnership with IPCA and local stakeholders reinforces our vision to collaborative, outcome-driven environmental action.”

 

He further added, “The culmination of Phase 3 of Project D.R.O.P marks not just a project milestone, but a celebration of collective efforts involving communities, municipal bodies, and implementation partners. It also sets the foundation for the next phase of the initiative.”

 

Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Sh. Ajay Garg, Secretary, IPCA, said,
“Project D.R.O.P. demonstrates how industry-led CSR initiatives, when implemented in partnership with civil society and local authorities, can create scalable and sustainable environmental impact. The culmination event provides an important opportunity to reflect on progress, share learnings, and chart the way forward.”

 

Sharing the progress and scale of the initiative, Dr. Reena Chaddha, General Manager IPCA, said,
“Project D.R.O.P., a CSR initiative of Kia India implemented by IPCA, was launched on January 1, 2023 across five cities—Gurugram, Bengaluru, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Mumbai. The initiative has since expanded to eight cities, including Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Zirakpur, enrolling over 1100 establishments and achieving a cumulative collection of 14,284 metric tons of plastic waste till December 2025.” Further adding to this, she informed to the audience that the active participation of 211 enrolled locations in the Tri-city region has resulted in measurable on-ground outcomes, including cleaner neighborhoods, strengthened collection mechanisms, and increased public awareness around responsible plastic consumption.

 

Looking ahead, Kia India and IPCA reiterated their commitment to scaling the impact of Project D.R.O.P. by consolidating learnings from the Tri-city region, building new partnerships, and advancing subsequent phases of the initiative across existing and new geographies. The culmination event in Zirakpur thus marked both a celebration of progress achieved and a renewed call for collective action in addressing the challenge of plastic waste.

Maven Ms Plus Size India Held, Celebrates Confidence, Skill, & Inclusion

Chandigarh, Jan 29, 2026: The grand finale of Maven Ms Plus Size India 2025–26 (Season 8) was held in the Chandigarh capital region, marking another significant milestone in India’s inclusive pageantry landscape. The event was directed by the founder and visionary behind the platform, Mr. Hardeep Arora, whose continued leadership has shaped Maven into a powerful national movement.

Mysuru’s Anjali B Gupta was crowned the winner of Maven Ms Plus Size India Season 8 (2025-26) while Raveena Karjodhkar from Mumbai was adjudged First Runner-Up. Maven Ms Plus Size India also saw the declaration of winners from different regions of India. Chandigarh’s Roshaali Kapoor won the title of Maven Ms Plus Size North India; Siliguri’s Shashwati Karmakar took the Maven Ms Plus Size East India crown; Ananya Paresh from Bengaluru clinched the Maven Ms Plus Size South India title; & Nargis from Mumbai earned the coveted title of Maven Ms Plus Size West India.

Hardeep Arora, Founder of The Maven Productions said, “Created with a clear vision, Maven Ms Plus Size India provides a mainstream platform for plus-size women, challenging long-standing stereotypes and redefining conventional beauty standards. The pageant strongly conveyed that women are not defined by inches, but by their impact; not by sizes, but by their skills; and not by numbers on a weighing scale, but by the weight of their achievements.”

Having successfully completed seven previous seasons, Season 8 continued the legacy with participation from women across diverse states, cities, and backgrounds. After nationwide auditions, top 50 finalists were shortlisted and underwent rigorous grooming under experienced and celebrity mentors. The contestants received professional training in stage presence, styling, makeup, nutrition, ramp walk, photoshoots, presentation skills, and overall personality development. The 50 finalists then took part in an elimination  round  , after which 15 finalists advanced to the final round, held in the Chandigarh tricity region. In the final round an intensive question-and-answer session judged by a panel of renowned celebrity and industry jurors. Based on cumulative evaluation and marking, six winners were crowned, representing excellence across regions.

The jury boasted of a distinguished panel and included Aman Grewal, Mrs.India Worldwide 2014; Simrat Kathuria a celebrity dietician & wellness coach, actress Mehreen Kaleka and author Soni Sangwan. The finale stood as a celebration of confidence, resilience, and talent, reinforcing Maven Ms Plus Size India’s core belief that true beauty lies in individuality, capability, and self-belief—beyond all labels.