’Hind Di Chadar’ Marathon Flagged Off in Karnal

Draw inspiration from Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s life to serve the nation and society: Union Minister Manohar Lal

Chandigarh, November 9 — Union Minister for Housing, Power and Urban Affairs, Sh. Manohar Lal said the supreme sacrifice of ‘Hind Di Chadar’ Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji inspires us to work selflessly for society, religion, and the nation.

The Union Minister was addressing a gathering at NDRI Chowk in Karnal on Sunday before flagging off the ‘Hind Di Chadar’ Marathon, dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

He said on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru, processions and events are being organized across the country, including in Karnal. Thousands of youth have gathered here today to pay homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The marathon, he said, is not merely a run but a spirited expression of reverence, enthusiasm, and emotion towards the great freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

The Union Minister informed that hundreds of participants took part in the 21 km and 10 km runs, while around 61,000 young men and women participated in the 5 km run.

Recalling the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the Minister said that the Guru was beheaded at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk, Delhi. He also mentioned a remarkable act of sacrifice associated with Haryana’s land during the journey of carrying the Guru’s sacred head from Delhi to Anandpur Sahib. A young man from Badkhalsa village in Sonipat district sacrificed his own head to protect the Guru’s head from the Mughal forces.

The Union Minister flagged off the marathon and showered flower petals on the participants. Before the flag-off, the song “Hind Ki Chadar, Teg Bahadur” was launched in his presence. The event also featured recital of shabad-kirtan. Youth participants also showcased Gatka (traditional Sikh martial art) performances. A large number of young people had gathered at NDRI Chowk as early as 5 a.m. to take part in the marathon. During the programme, the Union Minister was presented with a kirpan and a portrait of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

On this occasion, MLAs Jagmohan Anand, Ram Kumar Kashyap (Indri), Yogender Rana (Assandh), Bhagwan Das Kabirpanthi (Nilokheri), Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh, SP Ganga Ram Poonia, Mayor Renu Bala Gupta, BJP District President Praveen Lather, along with administrative officers and employees, were present.

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18th Urban Mobility India Conference and Exhibition Concludes

Special focus will be laid on last-mile connectivity along with expansion of metro services: Manohar Lal

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal congratulates participants during the valedictory session

Chandigarh, November 9 – Union Minister for Housing, Urban Affairs and Power Sh. Manohar Lal said the expansion of metro services is being undertaken to ease traffic congestion in the country’s crowded cities. He announced that a separate licence for last-mile connectivity will no longer be required, as it will now be integrated within the metro service licence itself. Emphasizing the importance of last-mile connectivity, especially in busy urban areas, he said this will ensure that people can easily reach their destinations.

The Union Minister was addressing representatives from various states during the valedictory session of the 18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition held in Gurugram. He congratulated all participants for the successful completion of the three-day conference and said that the event was not limited to discussions but aimed at implementing practical ideas shared by experts.

Sh. Manohar Lal underlined the need to increase the number of electric vehicles and address challenges such as charging infrastructure. He said that India has surplus electricity, which will ensure sufficient power for charging stations, and stressed adopting new technologies like superchargers that can charge vehicles quickly. He added that with the projected rise in India’s urban population by 2047, it is essential to work in a planned and innovative manner from now on. The Minister also encouraged the use of National Common Mobility Cards and QR codes to simplify payment systems.

He spoke about parking challenges in big cities like Delhi and said there is a need to address them effectively. He suggested that next year’s conference include new topics and focus more on digital accessibility. He assured participants that the ideas and recommendations discussed during the conference will be taken forward at the ministerial level to ensure the event’s objectives are fulfilled. He said the government is working actively to develop better infrastructure and is committed to providing improved services in every sector.

GMRL Managing Director Dr. Chandra Shekhar Khare welcomed Union Minister Sh. Manohar Lal during the valedictory session and said that the three-day conference in Gurugram brought together participants, experts, and city representatives from across the country. They not only deliberated on the future of urban mobility policies but also expressed a shared commitment to giving a new direction to India’s mobility. Dr. Khare said the insights, innovative ideas, and policy suggestions emerging from the conference would help state governments and municipal bodies take concrete steps to strengthen urban mobility in their regions. He urged all participants to implement the learnings from the conference to make Indian cities not only smart but also sustainable and people-centric.

In recognition of excellence in urban transport, states, Union Territories, and city authorities were honoured during the valedictory session. Union Minister Sh. Manohar Lal presented awards to the winners. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation Limited, Chennai, received the award for the City with the Best Public Transport System, while BRTS Company Limited, Hubballi–Dharwad, received a commendation certificate. Udaipur Smart City Limited, Udaipur, was awarded in the City with the Best Non-Motorised Transport category, with Thrissur (State Mission Management) receiving a special mention. The Municipal Corporation Pimpri Chinchwad was honoured as the City with the Most Innovative Financing. Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (TGREDCO), Hyderabad, won the City with the Best Green Transport Initiative award, while Kochi Metro Rail Limited, Kochi, received a commendation certificate. Chennai Metro Rail Limited received the Metro Rail with the Best Multi-Modal Integration award, while the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Delhi, was recognized for Best Passenger Service, with Chennai Metro Rail Corporation also receiving a commendation certificate in this category. The Running Trophy for the State/UT Implementing the Best Urban Transport Project (Last Year) was jointly awarded to West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Limited, Kolkata, and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Mysuru, with a special mention for Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), Bhubaneswar. Aizawl (Town and Country Planning Department, Mizoram) received a special award for Traffic Management.

On this occasion, Union Minister Sh. Manohar Lal launched the logo and official website of the PM e-Bus Service. He said this initiative marks a new revolution in India’s urban transport system, making public transport cleaner and more modern, while also contributing significantly to pollution control and environmental protection.

The Union Minister also announced that the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition will be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from October 23 to 25, 2026, under the theme “Urban Accessibility and Livability in the Digital Age.”

The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Sh. Tokhan Sahu, Tamil Nadu Minister for Transport and Power S. S. Shivashankar, Rajasthan Urban Housing Minister Jhavar Singh, Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Shrinivas Katikithala, Principal Advisor to the Urban Development Department, Haryana, Sh. D.S. Dhesi, OSD, MoHUA Sh. Jaydeep, Additional Chief Secretary, Town and Country Planning Department, Haryana, Sh. A.K. Singh, Managing Director, Gurugram Metro Rail Limited, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Khare, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Sh. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, National Capital Region Transport Corporation, Sh. Shalabh Goyal, DC Ajay Kumar, CP Vikas Arora, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Manesar, Ayush Sinha, and HSVP Administrator Vaishali Singh, among other dignitaries.

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District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee Meeting Held in Karnal

Union Minister Manohar Lal reviews 22 key schemes of 11 departments, issues necessary directions to officers

Chandigarh, November 9 — Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs, Sh. Manohar Lal chaired a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee in Karnal on Sunday. During the meeting, he directed officials to ensure transparency and speed in the implementation of central and state government welfare schemes. The Minister reviewed 22 important schemes from 11 departments and instructed officials to ensure that the benefits of these schemes reach the maximum number of people and that developmental projects are executed promptly on the ground.

During the meeting, the Union Minister asked officials to prepare district-specific plans for developmental and welfare projects instead of merely focusing on meeting targets. He also directed them to encourage more people to apply under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban and Rural) so that the benefits of the housing scheme can reach all eligible citizens.

While reviewing the ATMA Scheme of the Agriculture Department, he instructed the Deputy Director of Agriculture to motivate farmers to adopt natural farming practices and ensure that they receive proper training. This, he said, would help farmers earn higher incomes by reducing cultivation costs and improving profitability.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Sh. Manohar Lal said that under the PM Mudra Yojana, loans are provided to individuals for establishing self-employment ventures. He emphasized that efforts are being made to raise awareness so that more people can benefit from this scheme. The Minister stated that under the PM Awas Yojana (Urban & Rural), the national target for the next five years has been set at 3 crore houses — 1 crore in urban areas and 2 crore in rural areas — and applications are being invited through the official portal.

He added that the Vita Booth Scheme is a promising initiative for generating employment and will be simplified further so that more people can apply and benefit from it. Under the PM SVANidhi Scheme, the loan amount for street vendors has been increased — from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 and from ₹20,000 to ₹25,000. Additionally, a credit card facility has been introduced, providing ₹50,000 in loans along with an extra ₹30,000 revolving fund, allowing beneficiaries to reuse the credit multiple times. The Minister remarked that such small-scale schemes bring meaningful change to the lives of economically weaker citizens.

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Massive Public Support for NDA in Bihar: CM Nayab Singh Saini

Chief Minister Holds Roadshow in Bagaha, Says The Era of Good Governance Will Continue in Bihar

Chandigarh, November 9 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini today held a grand election roadshow in support of the NDA alliance candidate in the Bagaha Assembly constituency of Bihar. A huge crowd gathered to welcome him. The Chief Minister said that there is tremendous enthusiasm among the people of Bihar in favour of the NDA, and the people are once again going to elect the NDA government in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that in Haryana, the triple-engine government is setting new benchmarks of public welfare and development. He added that the NDA government in Bihar is fully committed to strengthening law and order, providing more employment opportunities to the youth, and giving a new direction to development. He said that keeping in view the policy of clean governance, transparency, and accountability, the people of Bihar will once again ensure NDA’s victory in the elections.

The Chief Minister stated that Bihar has always prioritized good governance. The NDA government accelerated the pace of development in the state, upheld the rule of law, and made remarkable achievements in the fields of women’s safety, education, and health. He said that the people of Bihar had placed their trust in the NDA and gave it the opportunity to govern, and today the results are evident — development is taking place, and there is an atmosphere of security and stability.

He said with the formation of the NDA government once again, Bihar will gain the strength of a “triple-engine” government, which will further accelerate the pace of development. He appealed to the people to ensure the victory of the NDA alliance and continue this journey of good governance. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that with the blessings of the people, the NDA will once again receive a clear mandate and lead Bihar on a new path of progress.

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