Category: Edu / Immi

  • Punjab Government’s Focus on Parents’ Health! Parent-Teacher Meetings to Become the Center of ‘Hypertension and Mental Well-Being’ Drive

    Punjab Government’s Focus on Parents’ Health! Parent-Teacher Meetings to Become the Center of ‘Hypertension and Mental Well-Being’ Drive

    Mental Health Checkup of Parents in Government Schools During PTM! Punjab Education Department’s Unique Initiative**

    Ludhiana News:  The Punjab government is continuously taking new initiatives in the fields of education and health. In this series, connecting education with public health, the government has made Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTM) the center of a public health campaign. A special ‘Hypertension and Mental Health Awareness Drive’ will be organized on October 17 during the PTM in all government schools of Ludhiana district. The purpose of this program is to make parents and guardians attending the PTM aware of blood pressure, hypertension, and mental health risks.

    This people-centered campaign is being run with the cooperation of the Punjab government and Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana. Under Mission Swasth Kavach, schools are being made not just centers of education, but centers of society’s health and well-being. Its purpose is that health awareness should start from children and reach families and the entire community.

    Deputy District Education Officer (Secondary), Amandeep Singh has instructed all schools that blood pressure of at least 100 parents or visitors should be measured in each school. Teachers and students who have received First Aid training under Mission Swasth Kavach will help in this work. Every person’s BP will be measured three times so that the results are scientific and accurate.

    Amandeep Singh said, “We have permanently provided blood pressure measuring machines to all schools. This initiative will bring awareness not only about physical health but also about mental stress and mental health. This step will also create a sense of responsibility and social service among students.”

    The Health Mentor of each school will conduct this program, who will organize the checkup camp with the help of students. Schools are instructed to submit the record and data of this program through Google Forms. The Education Department has warned that in case of negligence, the school heads themselves will be responsible.

    The government says that this initiative realizes the thinking of “education and health – two benefits in one day.” During PTM, parents will be able to get their physical and mental health checked free of charge along with their children’s progress. This shows that if parents are healthy and mentally balanced, then children can also get better education – this is real change.

    This unique initiative of Ludhiana district can become a role model for the entire Punjab. This will not only increase awareness about hypertension and mental health, but will also develop a sense of social responsibility and service among children. This proves that the Punjab government is working on a holistic development model by connecting education and health, where knowledge and health both move forward together.

  • US passport drops out of world’s top 10 most powerful list for the first time in 20 years

    US passport drops out of world’s top 10 most powerful list for the first time in 20 years

    Washington: For the first time in two decades, the American passport has fallen out of the world’s top 10 most powerful passports, according to the Henley Passport Index 2025. The US now ranks 12th, sharing the position with Malaysia, allowing visa-free access to 180 out of 227 countries.

    Singapore continues to hold the top spot, offering visa-free entry to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea with 190 and Japan with 189.

    India’s passport stands at the 77th position, marking an improvement of eight places since the first quarter of 2025. Indian passport holders can now travel to 59 countries visa-free or with visa-on-arrival (VOA) access.

    Experts say several countries tightening visa rules for Americans have contributed to the decline. Brazil reintroduced visa requirements in April, while China excluded the US from its visa-free program. New restrictions in Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, India, Somalia, and Vietnam have further weakened the passport’s global standing.

    Christian Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners, said, “The reduction in the strength of the US passport is not just a matter of ranking. It shows that the power play in the world is changing. Countries that embrace openness are moving forward, and those who stick to old thinking are lagging behind.”

    Annie Forzheimer, an expert, said that America’s increasingly strict policies are being viewed as a key reason behind the decline in the strength of its passport.

  • Four Punjabis arrested in Edmonton for illegal poppy cultivation

    Four Punjabis arrested in Edmonton for illegal poppy cultivation

    EDMONTON: Police in Alberta’s capital have arrested four Punjabi men for cultivating poppy plants on the northern outskirts of Edmonton. During a raid, authorities seized around 60,000 poppy saplings from their fields.

    The accused have been identified as Sukhdeep Dhanoa (42), Sandeep Dandiwal (33), Gurpreet Singh (30) and Kulwinder Singh (40). A case has been registered against them under various provisions of Canada’s anti-narcotics law.

    According to Sgt. Marcon Antonio, spokesperson for the Edmonton Police’s Drug and Gang Enforcement Team, the farmhouse located near 195 Avenue and 34th Street in northeast Edmonton had been under surveillance after authorities received a tip-off about illegal cultivation of prohibited plants.

    Police launched a search operation after obtaining a court warrant and recovered large quantities of poppy husk and seeds from the farmhouse. Investigators believe the poppy was being processed into doda — a narcotic substance made from poppy husk — and intended for sale to drug users.

    “The market value of the seized poppy production is estimated to be between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh,” Antonio said, adding that opium and heroin are derived from the juice of poppy plants and sold illegally.

    This is the second known case of illegal poppy cultivation in Canada. In 2011, a similar case was reported in Chilliwack, British Columbia, where several people were arrested for growing the prohibited crop.

  • A Spectacular Finale Marks the Conclusion of the 62nd Annual Sports Meet at Sainik School Kapurthala

    A Spectacular Finale Marks the Conclusion of the 62nd Annual Sports Meet at Sainik School Kapurthala

    “Sainik School has trained me for life” – Major General C.S. Mann, AVSM, VSM

    Kapurthala News (Pawan Dhupar):  The three-day 62nd Annual Athletic Meet of Sainik School Kapurthala concluded today with a vibrant cultural programme. The Chief Guest for the closing ceremony was Major General C.S. Mann, AVSM, VSM, Additional Director General, Army Design Bureau (ADB), who is also a proud alumnus of the school. Upon his arrival, General Mann paid floral tributes at the school’s Martyrs’ Memorial, honouring the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.

    The final day of the event witnessed an impressive March Past, followed by captivating displays of Aerobics, Gymnastics, Band performance, Bhangra, and thrilling Track and Field events.

    In his inspiring valedictory address, Major General Mann said,

    > “It is a matter of great honour for me to be here today as the Chief Guest of the 62nd Annual Athletic Meet. This moment is deeply emotional for me. Sainik School Kapurthala laid the foundation of my life’s journey. It is not merely a school—it is a place where cadets are moulded into men and women of character, courage, and commitment.

    > When I first joined this institution, the initial days were tough—the rigorous training, early morning PT, long academic hours, and strict discipline seemed overwhelming. But gradually, I adapted. It was here that I learned to push my limits, to rise after every fall, and to find strength in camaraderie. The challenges I faced here became the bedrock of my personality.

    > Standing on this ground today fills me with immense pride and gratitude. This field has witnessed my struggles and triumphs alike. Sainik School trained me not just for sports—but for life itself.”

    Addressing the cadets, he added,

    > “Being a Saikapian is not just about wearing a badge—it is a responsibility. Wherever life takes you, uphold the values of discipline, dedication, and excellence that this school has instilled in you. Go forth to the NDA and serve the motherland with patriotism and pride. Remember—nothing is greater than one’s own country.

     

    > I also wish to assure all parents present here that your children are in safe and capable hands.”

     

    The Best House Trophy in the Holding House category was won by Nalwa House, while Sarojini House bagged the title in the Junior category and Bhagat House in the Senior category.

    In individual performances, Ansh Chaudhary was adjudged the Best Athlete (Senior), Shivam Baghel won in the Junior category, and Mayan Bhaskar in the Holding House category.

    To commemorate the contribution of late Mr. M.S. Bajwa, a dedicated teacher of the school, his family presented cash awards to outstanding performers across various events — Mayan (Nalwa House), Shivam (Lajpat House), Ansh (Patel House), Krishna Saini (Girls – Holding House), Smita (Girls VII–VIII, Sarojini House), and Aarushi (IX–X, Patel House).

    Earlier, the Principal, Group Captain Madhu Sengar, extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest, expressing heartfelt gratitude for sparing valuable time to grace the occasion. The event was also attended by Commander Sandeep Singh Virk, Vice Principal; Lt Col Umesh Mole, Administrative Officer; Captain Gurjeet Singh (Merchant Navy); and several other distinguished guests.

    The ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by the Vice Principal, Commander Sandeep Singh Virk, who expressed appreciation to the Chief Guest, dignitaries, staff, and cadets for their contribution to the successful conduct of the event.

    Results of the Final Events:

    1. Shot Put (Senior):

    1st – Chetan Mishra (Tilak)

    2nd – Ansh Chaudhary (Patel)

    3rd – Navroop Singh (Bhagat)

    2. 200 m (Senior):

    1st – Ansh Chaudhary (Patel)

    2nd – Mayank (Patel)

    3rd – Kunal Chib (Azad)

    3. 4×100 m Relay (Junior):

    1st – Shivam, Smaraniya, Ansh, Shaurya (Lajpat)

    2nd – Siddharth, Beeru, Dilpreet, Abhay (Tagore)

    3rd – Gaurav, Aditya, Avinash, Nitesh (Chittaranjan)

    4. 4×100 m Relay (Senior):

    1st – Ansh, Manan, Harshit (Patel)

    2nd – Vansh, Amit, Aatish, Gajraj (Tilak)

    3rd – Kunal, Jasnapreet, Jashandeep, Abhay (Azad)

    5. 3000 m (Senior):

    1st – Akshit (Bhagat)

    2nd – Divyanshu (Bhagat)

    3rd – Harmanjot (Tilak)

    6. 100 m (Holding House):

    1st – Naman (Nalwa)

    2nd – Dipesh (Nalwa)

    3rd – Rajbir (Nalwa)

  • Education Minister Bains hails teachers as nation builders at Teachers’ Day event

    Education Minister Bains hails teachers as nation builders at Teachers’ Day event

    Ludhiana News (Pawan Dhupar):  Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains praised teachers as the cornerstone of nation-building, underscoring their key role in shaping India’s future during a Teachers’ Day event on Saturday.

    Over 4,000 teachers from government and private schools across the district were honoured at a mega district-level event, presided over by the Cabinet Minister. The event highlighted the invaluable contributions of educators in fostering academic excellence and moral values among students.

    In his address, Bains described teachers as lighthouses, guiding students toward becoming responsible citizens equipped with strong ethical values. “Through quality teaching, our students excel in diverse fields such as medicine, engineering, and law, driving the nation’s progress,” he said. He emphasized the importance of Teachers’ Day, stating, “No society can advance without the unwavering support of its teachers. They are like candles, burning brightly to illuminate the path for others.”

    Reiterating the state government’s commitment to education, Bains called for teachers’ wholehearted support to position Punjab as a frontrunner in education across India. He also announced a new Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and a government school on Tibba Road in the Ludhiana East constituency, reinforcing the government’s dedication to improving educational infrastructure.

    MLAs Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Madan Lal Bagga,  Kulwant Singh Sidhu,  Mayor Principal Inderjit Kaur, Senior Vice Chairman Sharanpal Singh Makkar, Chairman Gurjit Singh Gill and others were present.

  • Educational institutions must play an active role in shaping students into good human beings along with imparting education: Governor Gulab Chand Kataria

    Educational institutions must play an active role in shaping students into good human beings along with imparting education: Governor Gulab Chand Kataria

    Punjab Governor inaugurates Mobile Science Van and newly built Shishu Vatika at Vidya Dham Jalandhar

    Jalandhar News (Pawan Dhupar): Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria called upon educational institutions to play an active role in shaping students into good human beings alongside providing education.

    Emphasizing the importance of moral values, he said that while education imparts knowledge, it must also cultivate ethics, sensitivity, and a sense of social responsibility among students. Education, he said, should aim not just at learning facts but at building character.

    Mr. Kataria was addressing a gathering at Vidya Dham, Guru Gobind Singh Avenue, after inaugurating a Mobile Science Van—an initiative supported by him—and the newly established Shishu Vatika “Sarvhitkari Keshav Vidya Niketan.”

    He was accompanied by his wife Anita Kataria, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur, and several officials of Vidya Bharti Punjab and Sarvhitkari Shiksha Samiti.

    The Governor said that educational institutions can play a crucial role in the state’s fight against drugs and appealed to them to come forward and lead efforts to make Punjab a drug-free and prosperous state.

    Recalling the unparalleled sacrifices of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his family, Mr. Kataria said that youth must stay connected to the country’s glorious heritage and history, and should be taught about the lives and ideals of great saints and leaders.

    Praising the courage, resilience, and humanitarian spirit of Punjabis during “Operation Sindhur” and the recent floods, he said that their selfless service during adversity has once again set an inspiring example for humanity.

    During the event, the Governor also honoured several eminent personalities and lauded the contributions of Vidya Bharti Punjab and Sarvhitkari Shiksha Samiti in the field of education. He expressed confidence that the Mobile Science Van initiative will inspire scientific curiosity and innovation among students.

  • Indian woman faces racist attack in Dublin, sparks debate on discrimination

    Indian woman faces racist attack in Dublin, sparks debate on discrimination

    Dublin: An incident of racial discrimination against an Indian woman has surfaced in Dublin, Ireland. Swati Verma, an Indian national, faced a disturbing racist attack on the evening of October 8, 2025, while returning home from the gym.

    According to Verma, an unknown woman stopped her on the street and began asking hateful questions about her presence in the country. “Why have you come to Ireland? What are you doing here? Why don’t you go back to India?” the woman allegedly said in an aggressive tone.

    Verma noticed that the woman was wearing a badge of Dublin City University (DCU) and initially thought she needed help. However, she was soon confronted with remarks laced with racial prejudice.

    Shocked and frightened, Verma said she tried to stay calm during the encounter. “I never thought I would have to justify my presence in the place I go to every day,” she said later in a post on Instagram, where she also shared a video describing the incident.

    The episode has triggered a wider discussion in Ireland about racism and the experiences of immigrants, with many expressing concern over the safety and treatment of ethnic minorities in the country.

  • Innocent Hearts College of Education enthralled in Karwachauth festivities

    Innocent Hearts College of Education enthralled in Karwachauth festivities

    Punjab E News (Pawan Dhupar):  The cultural club of Innocent Hearts College of Education organized Mehandi design and Nail art competitions on the theme of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. These competitions aimed at reviving the symbolic traditional designs and showcasing the rich cultural heritage and customs of various states of India, thus enabling the students to appreciate and understand India’s diversity and fostering amongst them a sense of shared identity.

    The power of an Indian woman, her beauty, simplicity, grace were all glorified with the traditional art form of Heena design applications. The students-teachers made symbolic designs of mehandi art form on each other’s palms. They made pairs and enjoyed the creative activity of nail art by painting, decorating, enhancing and embellishing nails. Anmol achieved first position, Nitika achieved second position and Gurpreet bagged third position in Mehandi design competition. Sonam achieved first position in nail art competition. Principal Dr. Arjinder Singh congratulated the winners and encouraged the participants by giving certificates to all.

  • Kejriwal-Mann duo creates history: With this initiative of Punjab government, students will now become Job Givers, not Job Seekers

    Kejriwal-Mann duo creates history: With this initiative of Punjab government, students will now become Job Givers, not Job Seekers

    Punjab E News: A new dawn has arrived on the land of Punjab. AAP’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal is these days touring Punjab with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and introducing the public to a historic achievement. During this tour, the chemistry between Kejriwal and Mann is amazing to watch. Both leaders together are bringing such an education revolution in Punjab that has become an example for the entire country. Where earlier youth had to wander in search of jobs, now the Bhagwant Mann government has taken such a decision that will turn every student from a job seeker into a job giver.

    The Punjab government has launched the country’s first mandatory “Entrepreneurship Mindset Course (EMC)”. From the academic session 2025-26, this course has started in 20 universities, 320 ITIs and 91 polytechnics of the state. The biggest thing – this course is completely mandatory for all students of BBA, B.Tech and B.Voc. Now 1.5 lakh students will not just study, but will learn by doing real business. By 2028-29, this number will increase to 9 lakh. Punjab has become the first state in the entire country where entrepreneurship education has been made mandatory on such a large scale.

    This course does not give just bookish knowledge. Every student will have to start their own real business or service in every semester and achieve fixed revenue targets. In the first semester, the student will have to set up their business and earn ₹10,000. In the second semester, learning marketing and earning ₹40,000, in the third handling operations and earning ₹80,000, in the fourth ₹1,60,000 and by the fifth semester, with AI and finance mastery, the target has been set to earn up to ₹4,00,000. For ITI students, the target is ₹40,000 in the first year and ₹80,000 in the second year. That means big earnings along with studies!

    The Bhagwant Mann government has left no stone unturned in implementing this course. Master Union has been made the government’s official partner. An AI-powered multilingual platform (Punjabi, Hindi, English) has been prepared which will give students the facility of planning, dashboard, mentorship and peer interaction. Students can choose from many tracks like E-commerce, Content Creation, Freelancing, Professional Services, Retail. This is not just a course, but a complete ecosystem that has been prepared to make every student a successful entrepreneur.

    During Kejriwal and Mann’s Punjab tour, tremendous enthusiasm is being seen in universities and colleges. So far more than 40 orientation sessions have been held and the response from students has been excellent. The academic councils of 20 universities have already approved this course. Along with government universities, Lovely Professional University, Chitkara University, GNA University and DAV Universities have also praised this initiative tremendously and have actively implemented it.

    For this ambitious scheme, a working group was formed in May 2025 which included Vice Chancellors of Punjabi University Patiala, Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar, IK Gujral Punjab Technical University Kapurthala, Sardar Beant Singh State University Gurdaspur, Guru Kashi University Bathinda and Sant Baba Bhag Singh University Jalandhar. Experts like Start Up Mission CEO, Innovation Punjab CEO and Master Union founder Pratham Mittal together designed this course.

    In June 2025, the government issued an official advisory instructing all universities that from 2025-26, this 2 credit course should be started mandatorily in every semester. This is just the beginning – in the coming years it will be further expanded in a phased manner. Punjab’s model is now becoming an inspiration for the entire country. Many other states are also preparing to adopt this model.

    The economic impact of this initiative will also be very big. It is estimated that by 2028-29, that is in the next four years, student ventures will generate “revenue of ₹78,600 crores” which is about 9% of Punjab’s GDP and 50% of the state’s annual budget. This is not just numbers, but a guarantee of the bright future of Punjab’s youth. Kejriwal said that this is a big change from degree-focused education to entrepreneurship-driven education in line with the vision of NEP 2020.

    This initiative of the Bhagwant Mann government proves that when intentions are good and there is honesty in work, then revolution does come. This pair of Kejriwal and Mann is proving to be a blessing for Punjab. After Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party is now waving the flag of education revolution in Punjab too. In the coming time, every youth of Punjab will not be just a job seeker, but will become a job creator. This is the dream of real self-reliant India that the Bhagwant Mann government has proved at the ground level.

  • Indian national reportedly captured in Ukraine while fighting for Russian army

    Indian national reportedly captured in Ukraine while fighting for Russian army

    New Delhi: A 22-year-old Indian national from Morbi, Gujarat, identified as Majoti Sahil Mohammed Hussain, has reportedly been captured by Ukrainian forces while allegedly serving in the Russian Army. Indian authorities are yet to confirm the detention and are verifying the reports.

    According to Ukrainian media outlet The Kyiv Independent, Hussain initially went to Russia for university studies but was later drafted into the Russian army.

    In a video released by Ukraine’s 63rd Mechanized Brigade, he said he was serving a seven-year prison sentence in Russia for drug-related crimes when he was offered a contract to join the Russian army as part of a special military operation. He accepted the offer to avoid completing his sentence.

    Hussain said he received only 16 days of military training before being sent to the front line on October 1. After three days of fighting and disagreements with his commander, he voluntarily surrendered to Ukrainian forces. “I saw a Ukrainian trench about 2–3 km away. I dropped my weapon and told them I didn’t want to fight and needed help,” he said.

    He added that, despite promises of financial compensation, he never received any payment. “I don’t want to go back to Russia. There’s no truth, there’s nothing. I would rather be in jail here [in Ukraine],” Hussain said.

    India’s Ministry of External Affairs said, “We are ascertaining the veracity of the report. We have not yet received any formal communication from the Ukrainian side in this regard.”

    Earlier this year, the Indian government revealed that at least 12 Indian nationals had died fighting for the Russian army, while 16 others were reported missing. India has since raised the issue with Moscow, urging the early release of Indian nationals involved in the conflict.