*Bhagwant Mann Govt to Launch 10-Day Special Cleanliness Drive to Eliminate All Garbage Vulnerable Points Across Punjab: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•‘Mission Clean Punjab’ to get further boost as MLAs, DCs, MC Commissioners, ADCs, EOs and NGOs join statewide campaign*
*•Over next 10 days, from August 29 to September 7, all MLAs and officials will be on ground every morning to eliminate GVPs: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•Citizens can upload photos of Garbage Vulnerable Points on M-Seva app for prompt action and tracking: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•Punjab is sacred land of our Gurus & saint; It is our collective responsibility to keep it clean and beautiful: Harjot Singh Bains*
*•We must support our Safai Sewaks; It is our duty to ensure their efforts are not undone by irresponsible dumping: Harjot Singh Bains*
CHANDIGARH, August 27:In a major push to make Punjab garbage-free, Punjab Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Thursday announced a 10-day special cleanliness drive from August 29 to September 7 to eliminate all Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs) across the state.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Punjab Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the special drive will further intensify the Bhagwant Mann government’s ‘Mission Clean Punjab’ initiative, under which senior officials are already conducting daily field inspections from 7 am to 8 am. “Punjab is the sacred land of our Gurus and saints, a land of immense spiritual power. It is our collective responsibility to keep it clean and beautiful,” said the Minister, adding that all MLAs, Deputy Commissioners, MC Commissioners, Additional Deputy Commissioners, Executive Officers and NGOs will participate in the 10-day drive.
He said citizens will also be able to contribute to the campaign through the Punjab Government’s M-Seva app by uploading photographs of Garbage Vulnerable Points in their respective areas. “A unique ID will be generated for every complaint, enabling residents to track the complaint and ensuring prompt action to clear the identified site,” he added.
Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the campaign will focus on eliminating open garbage dumping sites existing across cities and towns of Punjab. He said up to 600 GVPs have been identified in larger cities like Amritsar, while around 450 GVPs have been identified in Patiala. “Over the next 10 days, all MLAs and officials will be on the ground every morning to eliminate GVPs. I myself will be in the field,” he said.
Calling for active participation from the people, the Local Government Minister said the initiative is not merely a government campaign but a people’s movement. He also laid special emphasis on respecting sanitation workers and ensuring that their efforts are not undone by irresponsible dumping.
Recalling his late-night inspection of a cleanliness drive in Amritsar, the Local Government Minister said Safai Sewaks often clean areas thoroughly, only to find waste being dumped at the same locations again shortly afterwards. “We must support our Safai Sewaks. It is our duty to ensure their efforts are not undone by irresponsible dumping,” he added.
Minister Harjot Singh Bains urged residents to download the M-Seva app, upload photographs of Garbage Vulnerable Points in their areas and use the unique ID generated for each complaint to track the clearance process. He also appealed to citizens to actively participate in cleanliness activities in their neighbourhoods and make the campaign a collective movement. “The entire exercise will be closely monitored through a dedicated framework, with special teams to be constituted at every Municipal Corporation and Municipal Council to ensure effective implementation and timely clearance of the identified Garbage Vulnerable Points,” he concluded.
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*PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA SPEAKER KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN EXTENDS WARM GREETINGS ON RAKSHA BANDHAN*
Chandigarh, 27 August 2026:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan today extended his warmest greetings to Punjabis across the globe on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
In his message, Speaker Sandhwan highlighted that Raksha Bandhan symbolizes the sacred and unbreakable bond of love, trust, and affection between sisters and brothers. He noted that this traditional festival holds a deep-rooted connection with our rich historical and cultural heritage.
Speaker advised all brothers to honor the true spirit of the festival by pledging lifelong protection, care, and support for their sisters. He emphasized that brothers must ensure their sisters never face any hardships or suffering, reinforcing the core values of mutual respect and safety within society.
Sardar Sandhwan prayed for peace, prosperity, and strengthening of mutual harmony among all families celebrating this joyous occasion.
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National Sports Day 2026: Youth and Legendary Sports Personalities of Chandigarh Enthusiastically Participate in “Khelo India Samvad – Khel Ki Baat PM Ke Saath”
* Nationwide youth dialogue organized in premier educational institutions of the city under the aegis of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat).
* International athletes shared experiences of discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship with the youth.
* Participants took the pledge of “Nasha Mukt Yuva For Viksit Bharat” (Drug-Free Youth for Developed India).
Guru Ravidas Ji Raised His Voice Against Oppression and Caste Discrimination Six Centuries Ago: Tarunpreet Singh Sond
Urges students to follow Sri Guru Ravidas Ji’s teachings by pursuing needs, not greed, to become better human beings
8th State-Level Seminar organised at CGC University, Jhanjeri, Mohali, dedicated to the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji
Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, August 27:Punjab Minister for Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Power, Rural Development and Panchayats, S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond, today urged the younger generation to follow the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji, who raised his voice against oppression and caste-based discrimination nearly six centuries ago.
Addressing the 8th State-Level Seminar at CGC University, Jhanjeri, Mohali, organised as part of the year-long commemoration of the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji by the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Minister said that Sri Guru Ravidas Ji made an immense contribution to the spiritual and social upliftment of humanity and laid great emphasis on the dignity of labour and hard work.
He said that Sri Guru Ravidas Ji courageously raised his voice in favour of the oppressed and weaker sections of society at a time when people were subjected to discrimination and injustice on the basis of caste and other social divisions. Guru Ji preached the universal principles of equality, justice and human dignity and envisioned a society free from discrimination.
Urging students to imbibe these values in their lives, S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond said that they should remain away from greed and pursue only their genuine needs in order to lead a contented and meaningful life. He also urged them to cultivate the habit of reading good books to gain a deeper understanding of spirituality and human values.
The Minister said that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann is fortunate to have the opportunity to commemorate two historic occasions—the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji.
He said that a series of programmes, including Kirtan Darbars, university and state-level seminars, drone shows, school competitions, Shobha Yatras and other awareness activities, have been planned across the State as part of the year-long commemoration of the 650th Parkash Purab.
Highlighting the State Government's efforts to protect the younger generation from drug abuse, S. Sond said that the Punjab Government has launched a decisive campaign against drugs. He added that nearly 1,000 sports stadiums and playgrounds have been completed so far out of the 3,100 being developed across Punjab, with the objective of encouraging youth towards sports and constructive activities and keeping them away from the menace of drugs.
He said that the Punjab Government is also organising seminars and awareness programmes to sensitise young people towards their responsibilities towards society and guide them spiritually.
The Minister further informed that a Centre of Excellence-type Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Bani Adhyayan Kendra is being constructed near Dera Ballan in Jalandhar at a cost of Rs 25 crore, while Rs 11 crore has been spent on the procurement of land for the project. He added that the Punjab Government has earmarked an initial budget of Rs 100 crore for the year-long activities being organised to commemorate the 650th Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji.
Delivering the religious message, Sant Satwinder Heera Ji, National President, All India Adi-Dharam Mission, Charan Chhoh Sachkhand Begumpura, Sri Khuralgarh Sahib, said that Sri Guru Ravidas Ji gave a powerful message of hard work, equality and social justice.
He said that Guru Sahib opposed the oppression of weaker sections and preached equality among all human beings. The concept of Begumpura, envisioned by Sri Guru Ravidas Ji, presents the ideal of an egalitarian society where all people can live with dignity, free from discrimination based on caste or colour.
He urged students to remain focused on their goals and work with dedication to achieve them without getting distracted from their aims. Sant Satwinder Heera Ji also appreciated Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann for organising year-long activities to pay homage to and spread the teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji.
AAP SC Wing State President Gurpreet Singh GP, former MLA, said that the soil of Punjab and India is blessed to have inherited the rich legacy and teachings of the great Gurus and saints. He said that the principles propagated by Sri Guru Ravidas Ji remain equally relevant and adaptable even in the present era.
Vice Chancellor Dr Vinay Goyal said that human values have acquired even greater importance in the present age of Artificial Intelligence and rapid digitalisation. He said that the vision and teachings of Sri Guru Ravidas Ji continue to guide humanity towards spiritual enlightenment and moral values amid technological advancement.
He urged students to explore the spiritual world by reading and learning more about the teachings of great saints and Gurus.
Among others present on the occasion were SDM Kharar Gurmeet Singh; Dean Students Welfare Dr Sachin; Professor and Moderator Dr Krishna; Deputy Director, Higher Education Department, Dr Manish Kumar; and other distinguished guests, faculty members and students.
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