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Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Indian Express
Chandigarh education dept launches WhatsApp communication channel for schools
The Department of School Education, UT Chandigarh, has launched an official WhatsApp communication channel, connecting school heads, teachers, cluster coordinators, and administrators across the city on a unified digital platform. This initiative aligns with the department's broader digital transformation agenda, anchored by the implementation of the School Management Information System (SMIS), and marks a significant shift toward agile, transparent, and data-driven administration. As per H Brar, director, School Education, Chandigarh, the channel will facilitate a two-way communication between the department and schools, sharing training resources and technical guidance, cutting down office delays, fostering transparent decision-making, and creating a digitally connected education ecosystem. Education Secretary Prerna Puri said the department is moving toward an integrated, tech-enabled governance framework. 'We are not merely digitising existing systems, we are reimagining the way schools function, and this channel is a step toward an education system that is transparent, connected, and capable of real-time responsiveness,' she said. Upcoming SMIS milestones include completion of mapping modules, 100% digital attendance implementation from August 1 and phased rollout of automated features, including report cards and staff mapping. The department has issued guidelines for the responsible use of the channel, which is an official communication platform. Chandigarh is among the first UTs to adopt such a digitally inclusive, real-time communication framework, enabling schools to respond swiftly to dynamic needs, reduce paperwork, and focus on quality education. 'It will improve administrative efficiency but also empower schools to make informed, student-centric decisions,' said Brar.
Indian Express
22-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
11th International Yoga Day: Chandigarh radiates vibrant energy as over 33,000 perform yoga
Chandigarh came alive with vibrant energy and collective spirit as 33,000 participants performed yoga asanas across 312 locations, including dispensaries, parks, educational institutions, community centres, etc., to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga on Saturday, an UT Administration official said. The main event was held at Tiranga Urban Park in Sector 17, where over 2,000 citizens from all age groups performed yoga, embracing this year's themes — 'Yoga for Self and Society' and 'One Earth, One Health.' Punjab governor and UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria led the celebrations as the chief guest. He highlighted yoga's transformation from an ancient Indian tradition to a global movement, calling it 'a people's movement' that not only strengthens individuals but also unites communities across boundaries. Kataria also administered a pledge for a 'Nasha Mukt Chandigarh' (Addiction-Free Chandigarh). Several dignitaries, including Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla, Home Secretary Mandeep Singh Brar, Finance Secretary Diprava Lakra, Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav, Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar, Health Secretary Ajay Chagti, among other senior officials of the Chandigarh Administration participated in the event at Tiranga Urban Park. More than 2,000 yoga enthusiasts, representing various sectors, participated in the mass session. These included members of the Directorate of AYUSH, Department of Tourism, government colleges, central government departments, and institutions like the Government College of Yoga Education and Health. In parallel, a special yoga session at the iconic Rock Garden saw the participation of over 1,500 people, including Anganwadi workers, children from Child Care Institutions, and officials from the Department of Social Welfare. The session included yoga demonstrations by AYUSH trainers and a symbolic tree plantation drive under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. Judges, judicial officials perform yoga International Day of Yoga was celebrated with great fervour on the Punjab and Haryana High Court premises in Chandigarh under the aegis of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu. High Court judges, members of the HC Bar Association, court officers and officials actively performed various yoga asanas and meditation exercises under the guidance of a yoga trainer. The event, themed 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', was observed in alignment with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Ayush. Inmates perform yoga at Model Jail Nearly 250 inmates participated in the yoga session conducted under the guidance of Dr Anish Garg, a Gold Medalist in Science of Living (FC-SEDE) and an MD in acupressure, at Model Jail in Chandigarh on Saturday. Inmate Pardeep Kumar and other convicted inmates shared their testimonies about how daily yoga practice positively impacted their physical health, mental stability and overall outlook on life. Yoga is synchrony of inner and outer self: PGI director More than 3,350 doctors, healthcare workers, faculty, students, staff and their families performed yoga asanas at an event organised by Collaborative Centre for Mind-Body Intervention through Yoga (CCRYN) at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, on Saturday. Addressing the gathering, PGI Director Prof Vivek Lal emphasised the significance of yoga in maintaining overall wellbeing, stating, 'Yoga is the synchrony of inner and outer self, a profound practice that nurtures physical health, mental clarity, and emotional stability. It is a vital tool for fostering harmony within ourselves and with the environment, especially in these challenging times. I encourage everyone, students, faculty, staff, and families, to make yoga an integral part of their lifelong journey towards health and inner peace.'
Indian Express
21-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Chandigarh achieves 100% wastewater treatment capacity
With the treatment capacity exceeding its wastewater generation, Chandigarh has achieved a significant milestone in environmental management. The city currently generates approximately 232 million litres per day (MLD) of wastewater, against a treatment capacity of about 255 MLD — marking over 100 per cent treatment capability. This development was highlighted during a review meeting chaired by Rajeev Verma, chief secretary, UT Chandigarh, to assess compliance with the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in a matter of 2018 regarding the compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2016 and other environmental issues. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Mandip Singh Brar, secretary (environment and local government), Chandigarh Administration; Diprava Lakra, Finance Secretary, Chandigarh Administration; Saurabh Kumar, director (environment), Chandigarh Administration; Amit Kumar, commissioner, Municipal Corporation Chandigarh; C B Ojha, Chief Engineer, Engineering Department, Chandigarh Administration; and Sanjay Arora, chief engineer, MC. Kumar, who also serves as member secretary of CPCC, briefed the gathering on the city's waste management performance. All Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) are under close monitoring, and expert consultations are underway to ensure full compliance with prescribed norms. Weekly reviews are being held to ensure that no untreated sewage is discharged into natural drains. The laying of a tertiary treated water distribution network is progressing steadily, with connections being extended to parks, roundabouts, road berms, kanal houses, institutions, and industrial units, the official said. Regarding solid waste, the city generates about 500 tonnes per day (TPD), which is collected door-to-door by the MC using specially designed compartmentalised vehicles. This waste is entirely processed, and the bioremediation of legacy waste is currently in progress, targeted for completion by July 2025. Leachate from the landfill is being managed via two operational leachate treatment plants (LTPs). The Chief Secretary directed that all remaining works be expedited and completed within the set de Strict instructions were issued to ensure that no untreated wastewater enters the choes or drains, and no solid waste is dumped across the city. Departments were asked to implement detailed plans to prevent illegal dumping, especially at vulnerable sites, and begin phased installation of CCTV cameras for enforcement under MC's Bye-Laws 2018. He also instructed the civic body to intensify efforts in waste segregation through surprise inspections and impose fines on violators, along with maintaining strict vigilance against solid waste burning.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Centralised BEd admissions begin for UT colleges, entrance tests on July 13
1 2 3 Chandigarh: Panjab University has begun the centralised admission process for the two-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) programme in UT Chandigarh for the academic session 2025–27. A total of 270 seats across PU-affiliated Colleges of Education will be filled through this process. Admissions will be based on the Common Entrance Test (CET which is scheduled to be held on July 13. The application process is entirely online, and the last date for submission of forms is July 4. The entrance test result will be declared on July 24. According to the official notification, the minimum eligibility for the programme is a graduation degree with at least 50% marks. The university has made it clear that no separate advertisement will be issued in newspapers, and all information, including the prospectus, detailed schedule, and updates, will be available only on the official website: Admissions will be conducted through centralised physical counselling based strictly on the CET merit. The first round of counselling is tentatively scheduled for the second week of August. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
NEET PG counselling: HC upholds UT's move on 18 seats
The Punjab and Haryana high court has upheld the UT administration's decision converting 18 domicile seats under state quota to institutional preference for the third counselling of postgraduate courses (MD/MS) at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32. These admissions for the session 2024-25 are being carried out on the basis of rank obtained in NEET (PG) 2024. No domicile quota will be there for these admissions, the bench of chief justice Sheel Nagu and justice Sumeet Goel held. The court was dealing with a clutch of petitions challenging UT's move. The state quota seats are further divided into two categories, i.e institutional preference and UT Chandigarh pool. For third counselling, around 35 state quota seats were left with 18 under UT Chandigarh pool (residence/domicile based) and remaining of institutional preference. On April 9, the administration issued a public notice to convert the seats under domicile category to institutional preference, which was under challenge. GMCH-32 director Ashok Atri said 'We held a committee meeting today and we are yet to get the hard copy of the decision. Things are in pipeline. We will conduct the third counselling accordingly.'
