*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann launches T-shirt for Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh National Marathon*

*•National-level event in Mahilpur on March 22 as part of 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' to promote sports & combat drug abuse: Jai Krishan Singh Rouri*

Chandigarh, March 13:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today launched the official T-shirt for the Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh National Marathon.

On this occasion, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Singh Rouri said that as part of the ongoing ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign launched by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, this grand marathon is being organized on March 22, 2026 at Mahilpur (Garhshankar), District Hoshiarpur, which is famous as the nursery of football. The event aims to motivate the youth of Punjab against drug abuse, build a brighter future for them and restore the state to its ‘Rangla Punjab’ spirit.

Deputy Speaker said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had also taken his oath of office after paying tribute to the martyrs at Khatkar Kalan, and every year a state-level function is organized there on the martyrdom day of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh. In the same spirit of respect, on the eve of martyrdom anniversary, this marathon is being dedicated to Shaheed-e-Azam.

S. Jai Krishan Singh Rouri said that Bhagat Singh dreamed of a healthy and strong nation where every youth would be devoted to serving the country. To realize this dream, eliminating drugs and encouraging youth toward sports is the need of the hour.

Providing further details about the marathon, S. Rouri said that participants including children, youth, senior citizens, and specially-abled persons will be able to compete in different categories of 5 km, 10 km, 21 km, and 42 km run. Winners will be honored with various prizes.

He added that active participation from schools, colleges, and universities across Punjab will be ensured in this large-scale event. In addition, several prominent personalities who have earned recognition nationally and internationally will also attend the program.

S. Jai Krishan Singh Rouri said that this marathon will play an important role in spreading the message of a drug-free Punjab to every household and motivating youth toward sports and a healthy lifestyle.

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Delegates showed keen interest in Markfed products during the investment summit

Delegates seek most information about honey, masala jaggery, oil, pickles and canned food items

Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, March 13: During the investment summit being organized by the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to boost investment in industry sector at Plaksha University, the delegates participating in summit show great interest in exhibition of Co optative stalls of Punjab.

Markfed displayed rice, honey, canned vegetables, multigrain porridge, mustard oil, ghee, pickles and flour along with high quality other daily use items either at this stall. Although, exhibition stalls set up by Punjab's cooperative institution Markfed saw the most crowd.

Markfed stall nodal in-charge Anil Kumar Puri said that the delegates who have come to participate in this conference are sought maximum information about Markfed's honey, masala jaggery, oil, pickles and canned food items.

He said that Markfed's products are exported to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Arabia and many other countries and their demand is rapidly increasing day by day. He said that today some delegates also contacted Markfed to export Markfed's products to African countries.

Anil Kumar Puri said that the honey produced by Markfed has secured first place in the world's largest quality test N. M. R, which was conducted by a German company.

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*Republic of Korea Country Session highlights growing Punjab–Korea industrial partnerships at PPIS 2026*

Chandigarh, March 13, 2026:The Republic of Korea Country Session at the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit (PPIS) 2026 highlighted the growing economic partnership between Punjab and Korea, with discussions focusing on advanced manufacturing, technology collaboration, MSME linkages and future investment opportunities.

The session brought together representatives from the Government of Punjab, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, industry leaders and trade promotion institutions to explore opportunities for strengthening bilateral industrial cooperation.

Ms. Eui-Jin Chon, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, highlighted that bilateral economic relations between India and Korea have strengthened significantly, with over 670 Korean companies currently operating in India. She noted that the next wave of Korean investments is expected to focus on sectors such as shipbuilding, semiconductors, MSME collaboration and advanced manufacturing. She also highlighted Korea’s strategic interest in strengthening cooperation with India in emerging areas such as defence, space and artificial intelligence, while emphasizing the importance of institutionalizing people-to-people ties to further deepen bilateral relations. She expressed confidence that partnerships between Korea and Punjab will continue to expand given Punjab’s strong industrial base.

Mr. Jaewook (Jake) Lee, Executive Director, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), highlighted the role of KOTRA in promoting trade and investment linkages between Korean companies and global partners and reiterated interest in facilitating Korean investments in Punjab’s priority sectors.

Mr. B.K. Lee, President, Sunjin India, highlighted Punjab’s potential to emerge as a strong engine of industrial growth and emphasized the opportunity to build technology-driven industrial partnerships between Korean companies and Punjab’s manufacturing ecosystem. He noted that collaboration in IT manufacturing, food processing and industrial trade could further strengthen economic momentum between Korea and Punjab.

During the session, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between DCM Group of Schools, Punjab and TAGHIVE, Republic of Korea, aimed at strengthening collaboration in education technology and digital learning solutions. The MoU was exchanged between Mr. Anirudh Gupta, CEO, DCM Group of Schools and Mr. Pankaj Aggarwal, CEO, TAGHIVE, in the presence of dignitaries.

Addressing the session, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Hon’ble Minister, highlighted Punjab’s transformation into a diversified economic hub, noting that while Punjab has a strong agricultural legacy, the State is actively promoting new sectors to engage the next generation in modern industry and business. She emphasized that Punjab is positioning itself as a gateway for industrial growth, innovation and resilient economic development.

The session reaffirmed the commitment of both sides to further strengthen Punjab–Korea partnerships in technology, manufacturing and skill development and to explore new avenues of collaboration through institutional and industry engagement.