PUNJAB TO SEND 2nd BATCH OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS TO FINLAND FOR TRAINING IN MARCH, ANNOUNCES HARJOT SINGH BAINS

•School Education Minister, along with experts from Finland University, visits School of Eminence in SAS Nagar

Chandigarh, January 22:Punjab Government is all set to send a second batch of 72 primary school teachers to Finland for training in March, announced Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains, during his visit to the School of Eminence in Phase 11, SAS Nagar (Mohali), on Wednesday. The latter was accompanied by a group of experts from the University of Turku, Finland.

The School Education Minister informed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed with the University of Turku to facilitate the training of the second batch of 72 primary school teachers. The three week training program will consist of one week in Punjab, followed by two weeks in Finland.

S. Harjot Singh Bains warmly welcomed the group of experts includes Mr. Ari Kioski, Mr Joel, Ms. Mirjami Einola and Ms. Sari Isokytö-Sinjoi. During their visit, the Education Minister expressed appreciation for their collaboration and expertise, highlighting the importance of their role in elevating the standards of school education in the state.

The presence of these experts from Finland signifies a commitment to improving educational standards and sharing best practices between the Punjab and Finland, he said, while adding that their insights and guidance will be valuable in shaping the training curriculum and ensuring a successful exchange of knowledge.

The aim of this training program is to equip the teachers with effective primary school teaching techniques, S. Harjot Singh Bains said while adding that this initiative will help the teachers to gain valuable skills and methodologies that can enhance their teaching practices and improve student outcomes in the classroom. The program focuses on innovative teaching strategies that align with modern educational standards, ensuring that teachers are well-prepared to meet the diverse needs of their students.

During the visit, National Awardee Art & Craft Teacher Gurpreet Singh Namdhari took his artistic skills to the next level by making guests perform a live painting of the Finland flag outlined by the map of the European country. The group of experts were mesmerised by the art & craft skills of the school students.

The Education Minister also felicitated the experts group with the paintings made by the school students. Director School Education Ms. Amaninder Kaur Brar, DEO Ginni Duggal, Principal of School of Eminence, phase 11 Lovish Chawla and other officials of the school department and staff of the School was present on the occasion.

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Vigilance Bureau apprehends SHO’s gunman accepting Rs 30000 bribe

Co-accused SHO escapes arrest during trap

Chandigarh, January 22, 2025 - The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, has arrested a police Constable Kindar Singh, a gunman of SHO of police station Garhshankar, in Hoshiarpur district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 30000. In this case co-accused SHO Baljinder Singh Malhi escaped from the scene evading his arrest.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said this case has been registered against the aforementioned police official on a complaint lodged by Hardeep Kaur, a resident of Nangal sub-division in Rupnagar district.

He further informed that the said complaint has approached the VB complaining that the said accused has demanded Rs one lakh on behalf of SHO Inspector Baljinder Singh Malhi for not involving her brother in the narcotics case who along with others had been arrested in a quarrel by the police. She further informed that after her plea the police personnel has agreed to take Rs 50000 for this motive.

The spokesperson further added that after a preliminary enquiry into this complaint a VB team from Hoshiarpur unit laid a trap during which the said police personnel was caught red handed while he was receiving a bribe of Rs 30000 from the complainant on behalf of SHO in the presence of two official witnesses. During this trap SHO Baljinder Singh Malhi escaped from the scene evading his arrest. In this regard a case under Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against both the accused at VB police station Jalandhar range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

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Chairman of Punjab State Child Rights Commission Issues Orders for Strict Action Against the Accused in Taliban-Style Punishment Case to Police Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana

Chandigarh, January 22:The Chairman of the Punjab State Child Rights Protection Commission, Kanwardeep Singh, has taken suo-motu notice of the Taliban-style punishment incident in Ludhiana.

As per the news received through electronic media, a clothing factory owner in Ludhiana subjected a mother and her three daughters to public humiliation by parading them with their faces blackened and a sign reading "I am a thief" as a punishment for the alleged theft. This act is a serious violation of children's rights.

In light of the gravity of the matter, the Chairman has directed the Police Commissioner of Ludhiana to immediately register a case under Sections 75 and 79 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, along with relevant sections of the Child Labour (Prevention and Regulation) Act, 1986, and the Indian Penal Code, 2023. The Chairman has ordered strict action against the accused and has instructed the Police Commissioner to submit a report on the actions taken by January 23, 2025.

The Chairman also issued instructions to the Police Commissioner to take stringent action against individuals circulating photographs of the children, in accordance with Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015.

Moreover, the Chairman has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana to take the necessary actions under the Child Labour (Prevention and Regulation) Act, 1986, against the factory owner and others involved. The Deputy Commissioner is also instructed to inform the Commission about the actions taken within seven days.

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Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan Attends 85th All India Presiding Officer’s Conference in Patna; Pays Obeisance at Vaishali Stupa

Chandigarh, 22 January 2025:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, participated in the 85th All India Presiding Officer’s Conference held in Patna, Bihar on January 21-22, 2025. During his visit, he also paid homage at the Stupa in Vaishali, a sacred site associated with Lord Buddha, which is also known as the birthplace of the world’s first Republic.

In his address at the conference, Speaker Sandhwan extended his congratulations to Shri Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and Shri Nand Kishore Yadav, Speaker of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, along with all the presiding officers from various states. He commended their collective efforts in enhancing the dignity of Indian democracy. Sandhwan emphasized that the Indian Constitution is not just a historical event but represents a continuous and interconnected guiding framework for modern democracy. He highlighted that it is not only the responsibility of the legislature, executive, and judiciary to uphold the Constitution but also the duty of every Indian citizen, given the long struggle for freedom behind it.

Further, Speaker Sandhwan expressed concern over the limited scope of current educational material in children’s syllabi, which, while essential, fails to provide an accurate representation of the functioning of Parliament and legislatures. He suggested that schoolchildren be encouraged to observe the actual proceedings of legislative bodies, thereby fostering greater understanding and curiosity about the democratic process. To this end, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha has started inviting students to observe House sessions, a move he described as highly positive for the future of young minds.

During his stay in Bihar, Speaker Sandhwan was warmly welcomed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Bihar Spokesperson Dr. Hem Narayan Vishwakarma and AAP leader Bablu Prakash, who presented him with a statue of Lord Buddha. In his remarks, Sandhwan expressed his pride in visiting Vaishali, a land of historical significance, being the site of the first Republic in the world. He called for the global promotion and preservation of this heritage.

Speaker Sandhwan also thanked Shri Nand Kishore Yadav, Speaker of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha, for the excellent arrangements made during his visit. He stressed the need for collective efforts to revive the importance of Vaishali and to promote India’s rich cultural heritage on the world stage.

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PUNJAB HEALTH DEPT JOINS HAND WITH NGO TO FIGHT DRUG ABUSE: DR BALBIR SINGH

Chandigarh, January 22:Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said that the Health Department has come up with a novel initiative by collaborating with the NGO Narcotics Anonymous (NA) to fight the menace of drug abuse in the state.

The minister shared this information while presiding over a meeting with the state level members of the NA and department officials. He further said that the significant step will also help to dispel myths and misconceptions, besides encouraging open and honest discussions about drug addiction to foster empathy and understanding.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Balbir Singh said that drug abuse is a growing concern in Punjab, drug abuse not only leads to societal problems but the injectable drug users are also prone to more dangerous diseases such as HIV, HCV and other communicable diseases such as TB.

The Minister said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government is at the forefront in providing free de-addiction services in Punjab as 529 OOAT clinics, 36 treatment centers and 19 Rehabilitation centres have made operational. He stressed on rehabilitation to decrease the relapse rate of the drug abuse patients and NA can play a leading role in achieving this goal. The Minister added that this collaboration will help in overcoming the problem of drug abuse in the state.

Underlining the role of NA, Assistant Director (Mental Health) Dr Sandeep Bhola said the drug abuse patient has a tendency to share his thoughts openly with his peers than with the treating doctor. “This is where the peer educators of NA can immensely help in solving the obstacles of Drug abusers on path to drug de-addiction,” he added.

Assistant Director Dr Manju Bansal and Medical Officer Dr Harpal Singh also participated in the meeting.

The representatives of the NA assured the Health Minister of their cooperation in eradicating drug abuse from Punjab.

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ACTION AGAINST CHINA DOR: PUNJAB POLICE RECOVERS 80879 CHINESE DOR BUNDLES, REGISTERS 90 FIRs IN 20 DAYS

— REPUBLIC DAY-2025: SPECIAL DGP ARPIT SHUKLA SUPERVISES SECURITY OPERATIONS IN JALANDHAR AND LUDHIANA

— PUNJAB POLICE COMMITTED TO ENSURE PEACEFUL AND SECURE CELEBRATIONS OF FORTHCOMING R-DAY

— SPECIAL DGP ORDERS CPs/SSPs INCREASE NUMBER OF POLICE CHECKPOINTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS

CHANDIGARH/JALANDHAR/LUDHIANA, January 22:Amidst the ongoing campaign to make Punjab a Safe and secure state as desired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla on Wednesday launched a campaign against the deadly Chinese Kite String, also known as 'manjha'.

The initiative aims to curb the sale and use of these fatal kite flying strings as per directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.

Special DGP Arpit Shukla accompanied by Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma in Jalandhar and CP Kuldeep Singh Chahal in Ludhiana visited local market areas in both the cities and interacted with kite seller vendors, and encouraged them to refrain from selling Chinese plastic kite strings.

He also urged shopkeepers to report any illegal sale or use of manjha, warning of strict action against those involved.

The Special DGP said that the police have taken swift action against sellers trading in the Chinese Kite string. In the last 20 days, police teams have recovered 80,879 Chinese dor bundles and registered 90 First Information Reports (FIRs) against individuals involved in selling these fatal kite flying strings across the state.

Apart from launching a campaign against the Chinese string, he also supervised the security arrangements and ongoing special operations in Jalandhar and Ludhiana in the run up to Republic Day-2025. He also conducted well-planned, and strategic raids at key locations across both the cities.

Special DGP Arpit Shukla issued directions to bolster police presence at public venues and intensify surveillance and patrolling across critical areas in the jurisdictions of Jalandhar and Ludhiana Commissionerates.

He also launched a series of extensive security operations, with a special focus on the heightened surveillance of crowded market areas, malls, and other public spaces.

The Special DGP has directed all the CPs/SSPs to increase the number of police checkpoints in their respective jurisdictions. Police personnel will conduct thorough inspections of vehicles passing through these checkpoints, ensuring that a maximum number of vehicles are checked, he added.