Awareness and Community Outreach Activities Organised Across Chandigarh
Chandigarh, September 25, 2026:An AYUSH Health Camp was organised in Mani Majra Circle, during which 41 pregnant women underwent health check-ups. A yoga training session was also conducted by Ms. Seema Devi, Yoga Instructor, GMSSS MHC, Mani Majra, focusing on safe yoga practices, relaxation and overall well-being during pregnancy.
Simultaneously, a PMMVY Camp was organised by the Post Office at the same venue. During the camp, 5 accounts were opened and 6 new cases were registered under PMMVY, facilitating beneficiaries in accessing government welfare benefits.
A UHSND (Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Day) was also organised at RC Dhanas-1. The event included a Doctor and ANM-led health check-up camp in the presence of Dr. Parveen Malik, ANM, Supervisors, Anganwadi Workers and beneficiaries. The activities focused on health and nutrition counselling and strengthening awareness regarding preventive healthcare.
As part of the UHSND and community outreach activities, awareness was also spread about anaemia through home visits, counselling was provided to parents of SAM children, and demonstrations on ORS preparation were conducted. Home visits further focused on promoting health, hygiene and appropriate care practices among families.
A Poshan Pledge was organised with community members and beneficiaries. The Supervisors and beneficiaries participated enthusiastically and took the pledge, reaffirming their commitment towards promoting nutrition, health and well-being in the community.
An event on Creative Activities for Children was organised at Anganwadi Centres of Circle Vikas Nagar. Children participated in various creative and learning-based activities and were encouraged to explore new skills through a joyful fun-and-play approach, supporting their cognitive, creative and social development.
The activities conducted during the day reflected the continued efforts under Rashtriya POSHAN Maah 2026 to strengthen community participation and promote healthy practices among pregnant women, children, parents and other beneficiaries.
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Unique and Transparent Method Adopted for Empanelment of Pro-Bono Panel Lawyers by District Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh
CHANDIGARH,25.09.26-For the first time, a unique, participatory and transparent method has been adopted for the empanelment of Pro-Bono Panel Lawyers by the District Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Anoop Chitkara, Executive Chairman, State Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh, had invited members of the District Bar Association, District Courts, Chandigarh, to participate in the empanelment process. Applications were invited from advocates who had completed three years of practice but had not completed 25 years of practice.
Pursuant to the request, a total of 244 applications were received from eligible advocates.
The procedure for the selection of Pro-Bono Panel Lawyers had already been notified vide Notification dated 18.09.2026. The notification was displayed on the notice boards of the District Bar Association, District Courts, Chandigarh, the District Legal Services Authority and the District Courts, Chandigarh. At the time of receiving applications, ballot-cum-consent forms were issued to eligible applicants in accordance with the notified procedure.
Ballot Process
Today, i.e. 25.09.2026, the selection process was conducted in the Bar Room of the District Bar Association, District Courts, Chandigarh, in the presence of:
* Ms. Harinder Sidhu, Ld. District & Sessions Judge (In-charge)-cum-Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh;
* Sh. Puneet Mohan Sharma, Additional District Judge, Chandigarh;
* Sh. Sachin Yadav, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chandigarh;
* Sh. Sunil Kumar, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh;
* Sh. Ashwani Kumar, Special Secretary to Hon’ble Executive Chairman, State Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh;
* members of the Executive Body of the District Bar Association, Chandigarh; and
* other members of the Bar.
A total of 44 empty boxes were placed in the Bar Room. The boxes represented 44 categories, comprising 22 female and 22 male categories, corresponding to each year of practice from 3 years to 24 years.
After verification of the ballot-cum-consent forms, the eligible applicants themselves deposited their forms in the respective boxes according to their gender and years of practice.
After the forms had been deposited, the ballot slots of all the boxes were sealed with tape. The boxes were then properly shaken to ensure that the ballot-cum-consent forms were thoroughly mixed.
The selection process then commenced with one ballot-cum-consent form being drawn from each box, beginning with the 24-year female and male categories and proceeding successively down to the 3-year female and male categories.
The name of each selected advocate was announced immediately after his or her ballot-cum-consent form was withdrawn from the concerned box, in the presence of all the members and representatives of the Bar present on the occasion.
As an additional measure to ensure neutrality and transparency, the ballot-cum-consent forms of the selected applicants were drawn from the respective boxes by female sweepers of the District Bar Association, District Courts, Chandigarh.
Safe Custody of Ballot Papers
After completion of the selection process, the selected ballot-cum-consent forms were duly signed by Ms. Harinder Sidhu, Ld. District & Sessions Judge (In-charge)-cum-Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh, and handed over to Sh. Sunil Kumar, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh.
All 44 boxes, along with the remaining ballot-cum-consent forms, were thereafter securely transported from the Bar Room to the office of the District Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh, for safe custody and further necessary action.
The entire empanelment process was conducted in an open, participatory, fair and transparent manner, in the active presence of judicial officers, office-bearers of the District Bar Association and members of the Bar.
The innovative method adopted for the empanelment is intended to ensure equal opportunity, transparency and confidence among members of the Bar, while facilitating the availability of a panel of advocates committed to providing pro-bono legal services to persons in need of legal assistance
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MY Bharat Chandigarh Organises Poster Making Competition to commemorate Birth Anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay
Chandigarh, September 25: On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay, MY Bharat Chandigarh, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, in association with the NSS Unit of Post Graduate Government College, Sector 11, Chandigarh, organised a poster making competition on the theme “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat.”
Around 50 volunteers participated enthusiastically in the competition and showcased their creativity and perspectives on the importance of a drug-free youth in building a developed and empowered India.
As part of the programme, all participants and guests paid floral tributes to Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay and remembered his contribution to the nation.
The winners of the poster making competition were Aman, who secured the first position, Neeraj, who secured the second position, and Reshmi, who secured the third position.
The entries were evaluated by a panel comprising Dr. Munish Kumar, Dr. Shakha Sharda, Dr. Bhagwant Singh and Ms. Sanju Rani.
Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Vinay Kumar, District Youth Officer, MY Bharat Chandigarh, said that the programme was organised as part of the nationwide observance of important days and the ongoing “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” campaign. He highlighted the importance of engaging youth in constructive activities and encouraging them to contribute towards creating a healthy, productive and drug-free society.
Dr. Monica Dara and Dr. Munish Kumar, NSS Programme Officers, PG Government College, Sector 11, played a key role in coordinating and organising the programme.
The programme concluded with a collective pledge to promote awareness among youth about the harmful effects of substance abuse and encourage them to become active ambassadors of the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat campaign.
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Two-Day National-Level CRE Programme on Cross-Disability Early Intervention Organised in Collaboration with GRIID, Chandigarh
Chandigarh, 25.09.26-A two-day Continuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE) Programme titled “Cross-Disability Early Intervention: Facilitating School Readiness for Children with Disabilities” was held at the Government Rehabilitation Institute for Intellectual Disabilities (GRIID), Chandigarh, on September 24 and 25, 2026.
The programme was organised by the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (Divyangjan) (NIEPVD), in collaboration with GRIID, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, and Pratham. It aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of rehabilitation professionals in cross-disability early intervention, the developmental needs of children with disabilities, and ways to facilitate school readiness.
The programme commenced with Vande Mataram in the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. Ravneet Kaur, Director, GRIID; Dr. Ajeet Sidana, Joint Director, GRIID; Dr. M. Karuppasamy, Head, Department of Special Education, College of Special Education, GRIID; Mr. Anil Kumar, Principal, GRIID; Ms. Ramanjot Kaur, In-charge, Clinic Wing, GRIID; Dr. Pankaj, Assistant Professor in Special Education, and Dr. D. Revathi, Lecturer, from NIEPVD, Dehradun; Ms. Deepali Kapoor and her team from Pratham; faculty members of the College of Special Education; and staff members from the School and Administrative Office of GRIID.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ravneet Kaur highlighted the importance of moving beyond a disability-specific approach and strengthening cross-disability interventions to address the diverse needs of children with disabilities. She thanked NIEPVD, Dehradun, and Pratham for collaborating with GRIID and emphasised the need for more such collaborative programmes to build the capacity of rehabilitation professionals.
Dr. Ajeet Sidana reflected on the journey and growth of GRIID. He spoke about how the institute began as a small initiative and gradually expanded its services, education, rehabilitation and community outreach, emerging as a prominent institution in disability rehabilitation in the northern region.
In his welcome address, Dr. M. Karuppasamy welcomed the dignitaries, resource persons and participants who had travelled from different places to attend the two-day national-level CRE programme. He emphasised the importance of professional development programmes in strengthening evidence-based practices in early intervention and special education.
Dr. D. Revathi, Lecturer in Special Education, NIEPVD, Dehradun, also expressed her appreciation for the collaboration and thanked GRIID for providing a platform to share professional knowledge and practices in cross-disability early intervention.
During the two-day programme, resource persons conducted interactive sessions on early childhood development, cross-disability early intervention, developmental milestones, play-based intervention, family engagement, school readiness and inclusive educational practices. The sessions gave participants the opportunity to interact with experts, seek answers to their queries and strengthen their understanding of practical approaches to supporting the overall development and school readiness of children with disabilities.
On the second day, the CRE programme began with visits to the GRIID campus and the Centre of Excellence for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Mohali. The visits were coordinated by Dr. Yashvinder Kapil, Ms. Deepali and Ms. Prachi Tiwary. Participants received practical exposure to the services offered at both centres and had the opportunity to interact with persons with disabilities and professionals working in the field. Resource persons also conducted interactive and informative sessions throughout the day, encouraging active participation, discussion and practical learning.
The programme served as a platform for knowledge sharing, professional capacity building and inter-institutional collaboration in early intervention and rehabilitation for children with disabilities.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks to all participants and to NIEPVD and Pratham for their valuable collaboration with GRIID, Chandigarh, in organising the programme. Certificates were then distributed to all participants, who appreciated the informative, interactive and practical sessions conducted during the two-day CRE programme.
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Rotary Club of Mohali Midtown, in association with the District Legal Services Authority and District Bar Association, U.T., Chandigarh, organised a blood donation camp
Chandigarh, September 25, 2026:Rotary Club of Mohali Midtown, in association with the District Legal Services Authority and District Bar Association, U.T., Chandigarh, organised a blood donation camp at the District Courts, Sector 43, Chandigarh, under the leadership of its President, Rtn. Manjit Kaur. The camp was part of Rakatdaan Mahakumbh, an initiative hosted by Rotary District 3080 to set a world record for the maximum number of blood units donated in a single day by its 141 Rotary clubs.
The camp was inaugurated by Chief Guest Ms. Harinder Sidhu, Acting District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairperson, District Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh. Those present included Sh. Arun Kumar Aggarwal, Additional District & Sessions Judge-cum-Member Secretary, State Legal Services Authority, U.T., Chandigarh and others were also present. Sh. Terjinder Singh Gill was the first donor.
Addressing the gathering, Ms. Harinder Sidhu appreciated the club’s initiative and said that blood donation was the greatest donation. She noted that one unit of blood can save three lives and encouraged every healthy person to donate blood voluntarily. She also urged advocates and staff members to take part in such humanitarian causes.
Sh. Arun Kumar Aggarwal said that blood donation is both a social service and beneficial to health. He commended Rotary District 3080 for organising Rakatdaan Mahakumbh on such a large scale to create a world record, and said that such camps strengthen the spirit of humanity and brotherhood.
The camp received a strong response from advocates, staff members and litigants. A total of 39 units of blood were donated.
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PSHRC Holds Open Hearing and Interactive Meeting with Core Group Members and Residents of Chandigarh
Chandigarh, September 25, 2026:The Punjab State & Chandigarh (U.T.) Human Rights Commission today organized an Open Hearing and Interactive Meeting with the Core Group Members and residents of Chandigarh at the Community Centre, Sector 40-A, Chandigarh.
The meeting was presided over by the Member of the Commission, Padma Shri S. Jitender Singh Shunty, and was attended by officers of the Punjab State & U.T. Chandigarh Human Rights Commission as well as officers representing the Chandigarh Administration.
The Open Hearing provided an important platform for direct interaction between the Commission, Core Group Members and residents of Chandigarh. During the meeting, participants raised various issues relating to human rights, civic amenities, public services, social welfare, healthcare, sanitation and other matters affecting the daily lives and dignity of citizens. The participants also shared suggestions and concerns aimed at improving public service delivery and strengthening the protection of human rights.
Member Padma Shri S. Jitender Singh Shunty listened to the issues raised by the residents and Core Group Members and emphasized that the Commission is committed to ensuring that the rights, dignity and concerns of every citizen are given due consideration. He encouraged residents and Core Group Members to remain actively engaged in identifying issues affecting vulnerable and marginalized sections of society and to bring genuine human rights concerns to the notice of the Commission.
The presence of officers from the Chandigarh Administration enabled direct interaction between the public and the concerned authorities, facilitating discussion on issues falling within the respective departments and exploring appropriate remedial measures.
The Commission appreciated the active participation of the Core Group Members and residents and reiterated its commitment to taking its human rights mandate closer to the people through open hearings, outreach programmes and direct public interaction.
The Commission stated that such community-level engagements will continue to be organized to strengthen citizen participation, accessibility of the Commission and awareness about human rights, while promoting a responsive and accountable system of public administration.