Speaker participates in 68th CPA General Assembly held at Barbados

Chandigarh 11 October 2025:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S Kultar Singh Sandhwan attended the 68th Commonwealth Parlimentary Association(CPA) General Assembly which took place at Barbados where he held pivotal discussions on parliamentary resilience and the Commonwealth's global impact. He said that he will be grateful for the diverse voices shaping our shared future.

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350th Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur ji: Harjot Bains Seeks Special Trains & Doubled Vande Bharat Frequency to Sri Anandpur Sahib

• EM Bains writes to Railways Minister to facilitate seamless travel for Sangat converging to pay homage 9th Guru Sahib

Chandigarh, October 11:As the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji approaches, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains has made an impassioned plea to the Central Railways Ministry to substantially boost in rail services to the holy city of Sri Anandpur Sahib to facilitate seamless travel for millions of devotees converging to pay homage to the 9th Guru and his devoted disciples Bhai Mati Das ji, Bhai Sati Das ji and Bhai Dayala ji’s supreme sacrifice.

In a letter written to Railways Minister Sh. Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State (MoS) Sh. Ravneet Singh Bittu, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains highlighted the anticipated arrival of over 1 crore devotees in Sri Anandpur Sahib for the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. S. Bains has demanded the doubling of Vande Bharat Express services from New Delhi between November 15 and 30, 2025. He also urged the operation of special pilgrim trains from major spiritual centres across country, including Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded (Maharashtra), Sri Amritsar Sahib and other major cities, to facilitate seamless travel for devotees attending the grand events scheduled from November 22 to 25, 2025 at Sri Anandpur Sahib.

Highlighting the religious significance and sacred history of Sri Anandpur Sahib, the Education Minister noted that the city was founded by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, served as the sanctuary where Kashmiri Pandits facing religious persecution, sought refuge and protection. From the very soil of Sri Anandpur Sahib the Guru Sahib embarked on his final journey to martyrdom in Delhi for the cause of humanity and freedom of conscience. Later, His sacred “Sees” was reverently brought back to Sri Anandpur Sahib by Bhai Jaita Ji (Baba Jiwan Singh Ji) and cremated here making this soil a living testimony to one of the most revered chapters in the world history.

“This holy land is a living testament to a sacrifice that defines the conscience of India. It is our sacred duty to ensure that every devotee wishing to pay obeisance during this historic anniversary can do so without any hardship,” stated S. Bains.

S. Harjot Singh Bains hailed the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as a momentous occasion to honour the Guru's unparalleled sacrifice for religious freedom and human dignity, while noting that one Vande Bharat Express currently connects Delhi to Amb Andaura via Sri Anandpur Sahib. He stressed the need to augment rail services for the Sangat on this historic occasion.

This initiative is not just about logistics, S. Bains added while stating,"By facilitating the journey of pilgrims to the feet of the Guru who gave his life for the rights of all faiths, we honour an act of supreme moral courage that continues to be the bedrock of our pluralistic nation."

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PUNJAB SPEEDS UP CONSTRUCTION OF KEY GOVT BUILDINGS WORTH OVER RS.2000-CR

PWD MINISTER HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO REVIEWS PROGRESS, CALLS FOR TIMELY COMPLETION

SAYS, CHIEF MINISTER BHAGWANT SINGH MANN LED GOVT PRIORITISING QUALITY PUBLIC INFRA DEVELOPMENT

Chandigarh, October 11:Punjab Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO today said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is giving top priority to strengthening public infrastructure for providing improved public services and for ensuring that all ongoing projects are completed within stipulated timelines with high-quality standards and complete transparency in fund utilization.

The PWD Minister reviewed the progress of major building projects being undertaken by PWD for various government departments across the state. The projects, amounting to Rs.2097.03 crore, are currently at different stages of construction, with Rs.915.55 crore already released to executing agencies, he added.

Sharing more details, S. Harbhajan Singh ETO informed that a total of 211 buildings are being constructed under the supervision of the Public Works Department. The Higher Education Department leads with 35 projects worth Rs.477.13 crore, followed by Medical Works with 39 buildings amounting to Rs.565.87 crore and the Revenue Department with 32 structures worth Rs.237.76 crore. The Minister was also informed that the planning & designing of these buildings was being done by Architectural Department

Sharing more details he informed that the department was executing 13 School Education projects valued at Rs.119.37 crore, while 11 buildings of the Department of Technical Education costing Rs.52.33 crore are under execution. Further PWD is also developing Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department a project worth Rs.84.13 crore and Sports Department's 16 building projects are being built with an allocation of Rs.110.66 crore.

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*• Two Nagar Kirtans to commence from Malwa, says Bains*

*•EM announces Guard of Honour for Nagar Kirtan, assures seamless arrangements*

*• Harjot Bains, Harbhajan ETO, Tarunpreet Sond, Deepak Bali review development projects, roadworks & logistical arrangements in Faridkot, Ferozepur, Moga, Ldh & Fatehgarh Sahib*

*• Light & Sound Shows from November 1 to 18 in all districts of Punjab, says Bains*

Chandigarh, October 11;In preparation for the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains led a comprehensive review meetings with district administrations of five districts - Faridkot, Ferozepur, Moga, Ludhiana, and Fatehgarh Sahib. The meetings focused on ensuring seamless arrangements for the Nagar Kirtan, set to commence from Faridkot in the Malwa region.

While addressing the media following the meeting with Faridkot district authorities, S. Harjot Singh Bains, along with PWD Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO, Cultural & Tourism Affairs Minister S. Tarunpreet Singh Sond and Advisor to Cultural & Tourism Affairs department Mr. Deepak Bali, informed that two Nagar Kirtans will commence from the Malwa region to commemorate the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. A Nagar Kirtan will start from Faridkot, covering Ferozepur, Moga, Ludhiana and Fatehgarh Sahib, while the other will commence from Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, covering key districts en route. The Nagar Kirtans will converge at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22 evening.

S. Harjot Singh Bains announced that a guard of honour will be extended to the Nagar Kirtan in all districts. Light and Sound Shows will be hosted in all the 23 districts across the state from November 1 to 18, highlighting 9th Guru Sahib's life and his devoted disciples Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji and Bhai Dayala Ji. Kirtan Darbars will be held at 130 'Charan Chhoeh' holy sites closely associated with the Guru Sahib.

S. Bains informed that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government will observe the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji at grand level, honouring his supreme sacrifice as the 'Hind Di Chadar'. He stated, "We are meticulously reviewing all arrangements, including development projects, roadworks and logistics, to ensure seamless execution. We're engaging with Deputy Commissioners, Local MLAs and prominent religious leaders to make sure smooth coordination for this historic occasion."

S. Bains said that the primary religious functions commemorating the 350th Martyrdom Day of Guru Sahib will take place in Sri Anandpur Sahib from November 23-25, expecting over 1 crore devotees globally. A Tent City, "Chakk Nanki," will accommodate over 11,000 devotees daily from November 19-30.

Urging the people to participate in the historic events, S. Bains emphasised that the 350th Martyrdom Day of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji will inspire the people to uphold the values of secularism, compassion and humanism. The Guru's ultimate sacrifice for protecting religious freedom serves as a timeless message to stand firm in faith while respecting the sacred beliefs of all.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet Ministers directed the Moga district administration to upgrade the service lane of the National Highway and ensure proper functioning of traffic lights by October 31.

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OVER 700 STROKE PATIENTS SCREENED, PUNJAB’S AI-DRIVEN STROKE PROJECT EMERGES AS NATIONAL HEALTHCARE MODEL

*— SIX LIFE-SAVING MECHANICAL THROMBECTOMY PROCEDURES SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMED FREE OF COST IN FEW MONTHS, SAY HEALTH MINISTER DR BALBIR SINGH*

*— PUNJAB HEALTH MINISTER DR BALBIR SINGH HAILS SUCCESS OF GROUNDBREAKING PROJECT STROKE INITIATIVE*

*— PROJECT A VISIONARY COLLABORATION BETWEEN PUNJAB GOVT, CMC LUDHIANA, QURE.AI AND MEDTRONIC*

CHANDIGARH, October 11:In a significant leap forward for public healthcare as per the commitment of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab’s AI-Driven Stroke Project has solidified its success, establishing Punjab as India’s undisputed leader in deploying artificial intelligence for life-saving medical care. This groundbreaking hub-and-spoke model, a visionary collaboration between the Government of Punjab, CMC Ludhiana, Qure.ai, and Medtronic, is delivering proven, life-altering results and setting a new national benchmark for emergency treatment.

Hailing the project's achievements, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh revealed that within few months of its operation, the innovative network has screened over 700 suspected stroke patients. Crucially, the system has enabled six patients suffering from severe strokes to undergo a complex, life-saving brain clot removal procedure known as Mechanical Thrombectomy, completely free of cost, he said.

"Through this project, we are not just saving lives but also preventing devastating disabilities. The Punjab Government is providing the Mechanical Thrombectomy procedure, which can cost between ₹5 to ₹6 lakh in private hospitals, entirely free of cost to patients. This ensures that financial constraints do not stand in the way of a patient's recovery and a second chance at life," said the Health Minister.

Pertinently, under the project, suspected stroke patients arriving at the spoke centres—district hospitals in Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Sangrur, and Government Medical College Patiala—immediately undergo a CT scan. This scan is then analysed in minutes by sophisticated AI technology from Qure.ai, with the results instantly shared with a team of specialist neurologists at the central hub, Christian Medical College (CMC) Ludhiana.

These experts, led by Dr Jeyaraj Pandian, Dr Ivy Sebastian, and Dr Rajeshwar Sahonta, provide real-time, long-distance guidance to the doctors at the spoke centres. For patients identified as requiring advanced intervention, a swift and coordinated transfer to CMC Ludhiana is initiated for life-saving procedures.

Dr Balbir Singh emphasised that the project's initial results are profoundly encouraging. "This is a transformative model that delivers swift, expert care directly to citizens in their moment of greatest need. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is fully committed to expanding this proven initiative across Punjab to ensure equitable access to world-class stroke care for all," he added.