*Dr. Baljit Kaur Leads Punjab Government’s Initiative to Empower Children in Conflict with Law Through Skill Development*

*48 Children of Observation Home and Special Home, Hoshiarpur Successfully Complete Job-Oriented Skill Development Courses*

*Punjab Government Committed to Providing New Direction to Children Under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s Vision of ‘Rangla Punjab’*

Chandigarh, September 17:The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is taking dedicated steps to provide education, skills and opportunities for a better future to children residing in homes registered under the Juvenile Justice Act. In this direction, the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development, under the leadership of Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, is implementing various skill development and vocational training programmes aimed at empowering these children and preparing them for a dignified future.

Sharing details, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under this special initiative of the Punjab Government, 48 children residing at Special Home and Observation Home, Hoshiarpur, have successfully completed job-oriented skill development courses. As many as 25 children of Special Home, Hoshiarpur completed the Hair Dresser & Stylist course, while 23 children of Observation Home completed the Multi Skill Technician course. All 48 children have completed their training with 100 per cent participation, while their assessment and certification process has also been successfully completed. This achievement will help them gain practical skills, build confidence and move towards a self-reliant future.

Dr. Baljit Kaur further informed that, as per her directions, various skill development and vocational training courses have been initiated for a total of 187 children residing in Observation Homes and Special Homes across the state. The courses are being selected keeping in view the interests, capabilities and future employment prospects of the children.

She said that these courses, being conducted by the Department of Social Security, Women and Child Development in collaboration with the Punjab Skill Development Mission (PSDM), are not merely focused on providing certificates but are aimed at equipping children with practical skills and preparing them for successful reintegration into society. The department is also making efforts to facilitate employment and placement opportunities for children who complete these courses, according to their skills and abilities.

Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that children covered under the Juvenile Justice system need not only care and protection but also proper guidance, skills and opportunities to help them realise their potential. She said that skill development plays an important role in building confidence among children and enabling them to make a fresh start in life.

She further stated that the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to providing equal opportunities to every child and strengthening such people-centric initiatives for building a ‘Rangla Punjab’, where every child gets the chance to move forward with dignity and confidence.

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*SWACHHATA HI SEVA–2026 CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN PUNJAB*

*FORTNIGHT CAMPAIGN TO MOBILISE RURAL COMMUNITIES FOR CLEANLINESS AND RESPONSIBLE WASTE MANAGEMENT*

*CAMPAIGN TO FOSTER PEOPLE PARTICIPATION AND SUSTAINED SANITATION PRACTICES ACROSS PUNJAB*

*Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, September 17:*The Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS)–2026 campaign was launched today from the Head Office of the Department of Water Supply & Sanitation (DWSS), SAS Nagar, in the presence of Dr. Syed Sehrish Ali Asgar, Mission Director, SBM (G). The fortnight-long campaign will be observed across Punjab from September 17 to October 2, 2026 with a special focus on strengthening cleanliness and sanitation efforts in rural areas through active participation of rural communities.

Being undertaken under the theme “Swachh Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”, the campaign seeks to translate the spirit of Jan Bhagidari (people participation) into sustained action at the grassroots level. Gram Panchayats, rural households, community groups, youth, women, students, elected representatives and other stakeholders will be encouraged to participate in cleanliness drives and adopt responsible sanitation and waste-management practices.

With its strong rural focus, the campaign aims to deepen community ownership of cleanliness and sanitation. A range of activities will be organised across villages and rural institutions to promote source segregation, proper collection and management of solid and plastic waste, reduction of littering, reuse and recycling, cleanliness of public spaces and regular upkeep of sanitation assets. Communities will also be encouraged to identify local cleanliness challenges and participate in practical solutions to address them.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Syed Sehrish Ali Asgar, Mission Director, SBM (G) asserted to make cleanliness a continuous and community-led effort, saying that the objectives of Swachhata Hi Seva can be strengthened when citizens actively participate in cleanliness activities and take responsibility for maintaining clean surroundings. She encouraged the staff and field functionaries to carry the message of cleanliness to rural communities and promote sustained behavioural change.

As part of the launch programme, Ms. Hritika Ahuja, Project Assistant, SWM/SBMU, PMIDC, organised a technical awareness session for officers and staff. The resource person from PMIDC delivered the lecture on sanitation and waste management with emphasis on systematic waste handling, source segregation and community participation.

Dr. Reena Chadha, General Manager, IPCA addressed the participants and highlighted the importance of four-way segregation with special focus on Plastic Waste Management and recycling of plastic into products. She sensitised the gathering about the environmental concerns associated with improper disposal of plastic waste and stressed the need for reduction, segregation, collection, recycling and responsible disposal. The session also underlined the role of rural communities in preventing plastic litter in villages, public places and water bodies.

Giving a practical dimension to the launch programme, a cleanliness drive was conducted within the office premises. Dr. Syed Sehrish Ali Asgar, Mission Director, SBM (G) actively participated in the cleanliness activity along with the staff, reinforcing the message that cleanliness begins with individual responsibility and collective action.

The programme concluded with the administration of the Swachhata Pledge. Officers and staff collectively reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining cleanliness, preventing littering, adopting responsible waste-management practices and encouraging others to contribute towards a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

*THEMATIC ACTIVITIES TO DRIVE JAN BHAGIDARI ACROSS RURAL PUNJAB*

Dr. Syed Sehrish Ali Asgar informed that as per the State Implementation Plan for Punjab, the campaign will be implemented through a series of thematic activities aimed at building awareness, participation and sustained cleanliness practices in rural and other public spaces. The major components include transformation of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs)/Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs), Swachh Paathshala–Yuva for Swachhta, Clean Public Places, Jan Bhagidari Advocacy Drives, SafaiMitra Suraksha Seva Evam Samman Shivir and Swachhata Se Samriddhi, she added.

She said that the key focus of SHS–2026 in Punjab will be active participation of rural communities in cleanliness and sanitation activities. Gram Panchayats and village-level institutions will be encouraged to mobilise residents for Shramdaan, cleanliness of streets and public places, cleaning and upkeep of community sanitation facilities, removal of litter from common areas, protection of water bodies and responsible management of household and plastic waste.

The campaign will also encourage rural youth, women, Self-Help Groups, school students, community volunteers, elected representatives and other local stakeholders to become active participants in village cleanliness activities. Particular attention will be given to sustaining cleanliness after each drive so that the campaign translates into regular practices and lasting behavioural change rather than remaining limited to one-time interventions, she further added.

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*Mental Health Is Healthcare: Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Covers Neurotic And Stress-Related Disorders*

*Mental Health Treatment Should Not Wait Until Families Reach Breaking Point: Dr Balbir Singh*

*Stress-Related Disorders Can Affect Daily Life, Work And Relationships: Dr Gagandeep Sekhon, MD Psychiatry, Consultant Psychiatrist, Civil Hospital Barnala*

CHANDIGARH, September 17:We have a strange habit of treating stress as a personality trait. She worries too much. He overthinks. They are going through a difficult phase. But stress can become a health problem. The challenge is recognising when ordinary worry has crossed that line.

Neurotic and stress-related disorders are not simply everyday stress. They involve clinically significant patterns of anxiety, fear, distress or physical symptoms that can interfere with everyday life. They include anxiety disorders, phobic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, reactions to severe stress and adjustment disorders.

Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is recognised as one of the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide, affecting around 5% of people who meet the diagnostic criteria. Yet this may be only the tip of the iceberg, as many people do not seek treatment because of stigma and barriers to access.

Punjab's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) recognises mental health within its Mental Disorders category. For neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders, the package is classified as a Regular Procedure.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said, “Mental-health treatment should not have to wait until a family reaches a financial or emotional breaking point.”

Dr Balbir Singh has stressed that mental health deserves the same priority as physical health and that financial barriers should not stop people from seeking care. "Including mental-health treatment under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is intended to make care more accessible and encourage people to seek help earlier," he added.

Dr Gagandeep Sekhon, MD Psychiatry, Consultant Psychiatrist, Civil Hospital Barnala, said, “Mental health concerns are often ignored until they begin to interfere with daily functioning, by which time they are harder to manage.” He said the 18–45 age group is particularly important because people in this phase are building careers, managing relationships and handling financial responsibilities.

*When the mind refuses to switch off*

Think of stress as an alarm system. It should ring when there is danger and quieten when the danger passes. Dr Gagandeep Sekhon added, “With a stress-related disorder, the alarm becomes the problem. A person may experience persistent worry, fear, irritability, difficulty concentrating, disturbed sleep or a constant sense of being on edge. Anxiety can also become physical, causing palpitations, sweating, trembling, nausea and muscle tension.” The WHO also notes that anxiety disorders can interfere with family life, education and work.

Then there is another, less understood phenomenon: the body can become the language of psychological distress. “Somatoform disorders involve physical symptoms that persist even when investigations do not fully explain their severity. Symptoms may include pain, heaviness or bloating,” informed Dr Gagandeep Sekhon.

This is why telling someone “it's all in your head” misses the point. The symptoms are real. The connection between mind and body is real.

Sometimes, it is one major event—it could be bereavement, separation, illness, financial upheaval or another profound life change. At other times, it is cumulative: months of workplace pressure, family responsibilities, uncertainty and poor sleep can gradually push someone beyond their ability to cope.

Making timely healthcare accessible can matter in such situations, and the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana (MMSY) can help eligible families access covered treatment without letting the cost of care become another layer of worry.

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*Bhagwant Mann Govt Nominates 11 Non-Official Members To State Mental Health Authority, Strengthens Mental Healthcare System*

*Strengthened SMHA To Ensure Greater Accountability, Quality And Rights-Based Mental Healthcare In Punjab*

*Patients, Caregivers, Mental Health Professionals And NGOs Get Representation In Punjab’s Strengthened Mental Health Authority*

*SMHA Must Put Quality, Accountability, Dignity And Continuity Of Treatment At The Core: Dr. Satyen Sharma, a Senior Psychiatrist*

*Punjab Needs Mental Health Solutions Responsive To Its People And Communities: Dr. Satish K. Thapar; Senior Mental Health Professional*

CHANDIGARH, September 17:The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has nominated 11 non-official members to the State Mental Health Authority (SMHA), giving fresh impetus to mental healthcare services in the state. This is a significant step towards protecting the rights of persons with mental illness in Punjab and a more accountable mental healthcare system in Punjab.

The strengthened SMHA will oversee the implementation of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and monitor, regulate, and improve mental health services in accordance with the Act. The move also assumes importance as the state expands its mental health and de-addiction services under its flagship, Yudh Nasehan Virudh.

The SMHA serves as the state’s apex statutory body for regulating mental health setup, prescribing quality and service standards, registering specified mental health professionals and advising the government on mental health policy.

The official members for the Authority comprise senior officers from the health, medical education and social welfare departments, while the 11 non-official nominated members represent psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric social workers, nurses, persons with mental illness, caregivers, and NGOs. This representation is intended to ensure that mental healthcare policy is informed not only by administration and medical expertise but also by the experiences of patients, their families, and those working closely with them.

Mental Health Review Boards, chaired by a District Judge or an eligible judicial officer, are also functioning at the district level. These Boards provide an independent mechanism for reviewing admissions and treatment decisions, addressing complaints and alleged rights violations, examining advance directives and nominated representatives, and inspecting mental health establishments wherever required.

The list of nominated SMHA members includes veteran professionals and highly reputable organizations who have done commendable work in the field of mental health in the state and making mental health services accessible to the people.

As a nominated member, Dr. Satyen Sharma, a Senior Psychiatrist said, “The constitution of the State Mental Health Authority is an important step towards ensuring that mental healthcare in Punjab develops with both quality and accountability at its core. The Government is giving us a clear rights-based framework, and the Authority has to translate that into services that people can actually access, trust and benefit from. This requires ensuring attention to dignity, continuity of treatment, rehabilitation and the needs of families and caregivers.”

As a mental health professional hailing from Patiala, he added, “Mental health services have now started to reach people where they are. For a state like Punjab, strengthening services at the district and community level is particularly important so that people have access to treatment for not only physical but also mental ailments. The Authority has the opportunity to realize this objective.”

Dr. Satish K. Thapar, a senior mental health professional and one of the nominated members, said that “Punjab has its own mental health challenges, and we need solutions that are responsive to the realities of our people and communities. The government’s recent efforts to strengthen mental health and de-addiction services, and now the strengthening of the State Mental Health Authority, are positive steps in that direction. The Authority can help bring greater consistency and accountability to services across the state while ensuring that the rights and dignity of patients remain at the centre. There is considerable work ahead, and this is a good foundation on which Punjab can build a stronger mental healthcare system.”

The Authority will convene its first meeting with the nominated members in the coming week. The SMHA will provide a common regulatory framework for Punjab’s expanding mental healthcare ecosystem while ensuring that services remain patient-centric and rights-based. The initiative reinforces the Punjab government’s broader approach under Yudh Nasehan Virudh, which seeks to address substance abuse not merely through enforcement but through prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and community participation.

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*Bhagwant Mann Govt Has Facilitated Pilgrimage Of 5.10 Lakh People Under Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme: Tarunpreet Singh Sond*

*95 AC Buses Have Completed 12,485 Trips Under Scheme: Tarunpreet Singh Sond*

*Scheme Expanded To Shri Khatu Shyam-Salasar Balaji Dham, Haridwar-Rishikesh And Mathura-Vrindavan: Tarunpreet Singh Sond*

*People Aged 50 Years & Above Eligible For Free AC Sleeper Bus Travel, Accommodation And Food: Tarunpreet Singh Sond*

CHANDIGARH; 17th September 17:Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond today said that the Bhagwant Mann Government's Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme has facilitated 5,10,807 pilgrims to undertake pilgrimages to various religious destinations in and outside Punjab. He said the scheme is aimed at facilitating elderly residents who wish to visit religious places by providing them travel and other essential facilities free of cost.

In a press conference, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said, “The Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme has facilitated 5,10,807 pilgrims to undertake pilgrimages to various religious destinations in and outside Punjab. At present, 95 AC buses are being operated under the scheme and have so far completed 12,485 trips.”

The Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister said, “The scheme was launched on November 9, 2025, and in its first phase, around four lakh pilgrims undertook journeys to Sri Amritsar Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib and Mata Naina Devi.”

He said, “The scheme was expanded on August 12, 2026, to include additional religious destinations such as Shri Khatu Shyam-Salasar Balaji Dham, Haridwar-Rishikesh and Mathura-Vrindavan.”

Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said, “Under the expanded scheme, people aged 50 years and above are eligible to undertake the pilgrimage. The Punjab Government is providing AC sleeper bus travel, accommodation and food free of cost to eligible pilgrims.”

The Tourism Minister said, “Special arrangements have been made to ensure the safety, security and convenience of pilgrims during the journey. A team of general and medical attendants is deployed on every bus, while dedicated teams are stationed at the destinations to facilitate the pilgrims.”

He said, “Arrangements for pilgrims include air-conditioned accommodation with adequate washroom facilities, along with food and other necessary amenities during the pilgrimage.”

“The devotees are very happy and satisfied during the journey and often sing bhajans along the way. I pray that every journey is safe and auspicious and that the pilgrims return happily after paying obeisance at the religious places,” said the Tourism Minister.

He further said, “On completion of the pilgrimage, devotees would also be provided prasad and a souvenir brass glass.”

The Tourism Minister said, “The scheme is open to eligible people irrespective of their area, caste or religion. The initiative seeks to facilitate elderly residents who wish to visit religious places and pay obeisance.”

Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said, “Clear directions have been issued by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann to ensure that every pilgrim is provided proper facilities and assistance throughout the journey. The concerned teams have been instructed to remain available for the convenience of pilgrims and to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.”