World Kabaddi Day to be organized in Panchkula on March 24, Haryana Governor Sh Bandaru Dattatraya will inaugurate the event

HIPSA and World Kabaddi will jointly organize World Kabaddi Day

Chandigarh, March 20 - This year, World Kabaddi Day will be celebrated at Tau Devi Lal Indoor Stadium in Panchkula on March 24. Haryana Governor Sh Bandaru Dattatraya will be chief guest on this occasion. Holistic International Pravasi Sports Association (HIPSA) and World Kabaddi Organization are jointly organizing this year's event. In addition, a recent agreement has been signed between HIPSA and the Government of Haryana to promote Kabaddi globally.

In this regard, HIPSA President Ms. Kanthi D. Suresh stated that the aim of this year's World Kabaddi Day celebration is to organize a unique event and attempt to set a Guinness World Record by involving the maximum number of players in the Kabaddi exhibition match. Guinness has set a record benchmark for 84 players, and the organizers are striving to include even more players than this. This effort will commence on March 24 at 11 am in the presence of the Guinness team judges. If successful, India will establish a world record in Kabaddi on the same day. Currently, 154 participants have been selected for this event. It will be symbolic as two teams of 77 players each will compete, symbolizing the 77th year of our independence. Representatives from various member countries of the World Kabaddi Organization will also be present at the program.

She also mentioned that if a world record is achieved in this Kabaddi event, Kabaddi could potentially be considered for inclusion in the Summer Olympics. Such inclusion would pave the way for the expansion of the game to countries across different continents. India, expressing its enthusiasm, has showcased interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics and the host country can include a sport in the Olympics.

It is noteworthy that World Kabaddi Day has been observed every year on March 24 since 2019. This day holds significance for the founders, players, coaches, administrators, technical officials, and all other important stakeholders associated with the game of Kabaddi. Last year, World Kabaddi Day was celebrated in Egypt.

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Citizens should also cooperate in conducting free transparent and fair elections, Chief Electoral Officer

Through the C-Vigil mobile app, the general public can complain about violations of the Model Code of Conduct, Anurag Agarwal

Chandigarh, March 20 - Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal said that ahead of Lok Sabha general elections 2024, people will now play an important role in adhering to the Model Code of Conduct for the Commission. Citizens need to be vigilant and participate in the elections. For this purpose, the Election Commission has developed the C-Vigil mobile app.

He said that through the C-Vigil mobile app, the general public has been empowered to act as election observers, where they can lodge complaints of violations of the Model Code of Conduct. Citizens can also send photos, videos, and audio through their mobile phones to the C-Vigil app. Action will be taken on the respective complaint within 100 minutes.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that citizens would play a crucial role for the Election Commission and could contribute to making it impartial, clean, and transparent. He said that citizens can download this application from the Google Play Store for Android phones and from the App Store for iPhones.

Sh. Anurag Agarwal further informed that the general public can upload photos or record two-minute videos on this app. The photo and video will be uploaded to the app with GPS location. The complaint will be resolved within 100 minutes of filing. Additionally, the complaints can also be filed on the National Grievance Redressal System portal. He said that the Flying Squads and Surveillance Teams provide live information, and teams near the location where the complaint is received through the C-Vigil app will immediately reach there.

Training given to employees on the election process

Sh. Anurag Agarwal said that in view of the Lok Sabha general elections 2024, state-level master trainers provided training to employees on various topics related to the election process. Additionally, 16 nodal officers have also been appointed.

He said that to ensure compliance with the Model Code of Conduct, the Election Commission has issued directions to all Chief Electoral Officers of states and Union Territories. Media Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMCs) have been formed at the state and district levels, which will monitor advertisements released by candidates and political parties during elections or any kind of paid news.

The Chairman of the MCMC formed at the state level is the Chief Electoral Officer. In addition to the Additional Director/ Director level officer from PIB/BOC, Observers appointed by the Election Commission of India, officer from Indian Information Service, Citizen or Journalists nominated by the Press Council of India are members of this committee, while the Additional/Joint Chief Electoral Officer is the Member Secretary of the committee.

Media should raise awareness among people about voting

The Chief Electoral Officer said that for the convenience of the media, a media center has been set up at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Chandigarh. At the district level, media centers will also be set up in the District Information Public Relations Officer's office. He also appealed to the media to actively participate in the festival of elections, 'Chunav Ka Parv Desh ka Garv', and to raise awareness among the general public to vote enthusiastically.

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Haryana Police Establishes Election Cell for Lok Sabha Elections 2024

Chandigarh, March 20 : To ensure free, fair, and peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 in Haryana, the Haryana Police has established an election cell at the Police Headquarters, Sector-6, Panchkula. This cell will work towards maintaining law and order and ensuring adherence to the model code of conduct, allowing citizens to exercise their franchise impartially and without fear.

24/7 Operations and Multi-Level Monitoring

The Director General of Police, Mr. Shatrujeet Kapur explained that the Election Cell, besides maintaining law and order, will monitor various crucial election-related activities.

State Nodal Officer: Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order Shri Sanjay Kumar, will oversee the cell's operations.

Nodal Officers at District Level: DSP, Law and Order, Mamta Sodha, will function as the nodal officer for the cell. Additionally, DSP and ASP-level officers in all districts will act as nodal officers. These officers will submit daily reports on prescribed aspects to the Election Cell ensuring Smooth Elections

Mr. Kapur further elaborated on the cell's functioning:

Model Code of Conduct Adherence: The cell will monitor adherence to the guidelines set forth under the Model Code of Conduct throughout the state.

Police Force Coordination: Collaboration with districts regarding police force deployment and related issues will be established.

Critical Area Identification: The cell will identify critical areas and ensure adequate police deployment.

Daily Reports: Districts will submit daily reports on election-related complaints, and adherence to the model code of conduct.

24-Hour Operations: The Election Cell will remain operational 24/7 with staff present even during gazetted holidays and weekends.

Multi-Layered Monitoring for Peaceful Elections

Mr. Kapur emphasized the multi-layered monitoring system implemented across the state to guarantee peaceful elections. The police will vigilantly monitor adherence to the model code of conduct and maintain law and order throughout Haryana.

He highlighted the use of the Election Commission's C-Vigil app to ensure adherence to election guidelines. Additionally, 12 CAPF companies have arrived in the state and are deployed across various districts.

Appeal for Public Cooperation

Mr Kapur urged citizens to cooperate with the Haryana Police in conducting free, fair, and peaceful elections. He encouraged everyone to exercise their franchise without fear or inducement.

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Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr. Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia inaugurates four IT initiatives

Launch of above IT initiatives mark yet another commitment of this Court to reach to the last citizen of the country and maximize the use of technology in dispensation of justice

Chandigarh, March 20- Acting Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr. Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia today inaugurated four IT initiatives, namely Hybrid Video Conferencing in High Court and in all District Courts in states of Punjab, Haryana and UT, Chandigarh, Free Public Wi-fi in High Court premises, Inventory Management Software (IMS) for District Courts and 'Neutral Citation Phase-Il (QR code).

On this occasion, Mrs. Justice Lisa Gill, Chairperson Computer Committee, Members of Computer Committee, and all other Judges of the High Court were present. The inaugural function was also attended by all the District and Sessions Judges in the States of Punjab, Haryana, and UT, Chandigarh through virtual mode.

Hybrid Video Conferencing eliminates geographical barriers, enabling participants to join court proceedings remotely and proves to be advantageous for individuals with disabilities or those residing in remote areas. Moreover, the use of hybrid video conferencing streamlines the evidence recording process, minimizing delays caused by scheduling conflicts, transportation issues, and courtroom congestion resulting in better management of time of the Judges and legal professionals, focusing on substantive legal matters rather than administrative tasks.

Under this project, 2 HD digitally zoom PTZ cameras with integrated digital sound systems and 4K Codec systems have been installed in each court. Furthermore, two LED screens have been installed in each court so that a party appearing remotely is visible to judges and advocates. Dedicated VC links have been created for each court to provide seamless court proceedings through hybrid mode. This facility has been implemented in all Courts of the High Court as well as in District Courts of Punjab, Haryana, and UT, Chandigarh.

Free public Wi-Fi is also launched within the High Court premises for advocates and litigants, enhances accessibility to legal resources and information, enabling advocates to conduct legal research, access case files, and communicate with clients more efficiently. Litigants can also stay informed about their cases and communicate with their legal representatives seamlessly, hence democratizing access to justice by reducing financial barriers for those seeking legal assistance.

This facility will cover corridors, court rooms, public areas, and Mediation Center and Bar Association. Under this project, the latest secured Wi-fi access points have been installed.

Inventory Management Software (IMS) is an inhouse developed software to facilitate paperless distribution, delivery maintenance, AMC's/warranty of IT Hardware in District Court.

Introducing QR codes on judgment/final order in High Courts enhances accessibility and transparency by providing quick and easy access to detailed case information for legal professionals, researchers, and the general public. With a simple scan, users can access the digital judgment.

Launch of above IT initiatives mark yet another commitment of this Court to reach to the last citizen of the country and maximize the use of technology in dispensation of justice.