Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria Administers Oath to Advocate Harpreet Sandhu & Pooja Gupta as State Information Commissioners
Chandigarh, February 11-The Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Union Territory, Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria, today administered the oath of office to Advocate Harpreet Sandhu and Mrs. Pooja Gupta as the State Information Commissioners of the Punjab State Right to Information Commission at the Punjab Raj Bhavan here.
The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Punjab Chief Secretary Shri KAP Sinha. The event was attended by Punjab Chief Information Commissioner Shri Inderpal Singh Dhanna, State Information Commissioner Dr. Bhupinder Singh, Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, and Virinderjit Singh Billing, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Governance Reforms and Public Grievances Sh. Vikas Pratap, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Transport D K Tiwari, Principal Secretary to Hon'ble Governor Sh. Vivek Partap Singh, MD Markfed and Director Governance Reforms Mr. Girish Dayalan, ADGP Ishwar Singh, Prominent Indian agriculture economist Sardara Singh Johal, Vice Chancellor Punjab Agricultural University Satbir Singh Gosal and other senior officials.
Advocate Harpreet Sandhu , a prominent lawyer, previously served as the Additional Advocate General for Punjab. He is also the former Chairman of Punjab Infotech and has made significant contributions in the field of legal studies.
Mrs. Pooja Gupta is a distinguished social worker and educationist. Her academic excellence and dedication to societal betterment have earned her immense respect across the region.
Notably, the appointment of Advocate Harpreet Sandhu and Mrs. Pooja Gupta was officially notified by the Punjab Government on January 27, 2025. Their appointments will contribute to enhancing transparency and strengthening the functioning of the State Right to Information Commission.
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PUNJAB GOVERNOR EXTENDS GREETINGS ON SRI GURU RAVI DASS JAYANTI
CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 11: The Punjab Governor and Administrator of Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, extended his heartfelt greetings to the people on the eve of Sri Guru Ravidass Jayanti.
In devotion to the revered saint and religious reformer, the Governor said in his message that Guru Ravidass Ji was one of the greatest saints to have graced our land. He dedicated his life to uplifting the downtrodden and worked tirelessly to promote peace, harmony, and brotherhood in society.
"May his teachings of love, compassion, tolerance, and equality continue to inspire us to lead a life devoted to the service of humanity," said the Governor. He added that the true tribute to the revered saint would be to uphold and pass on his legacy to future generations and follow his lofty ideals in letter and spirit.
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CM GREETS PEOPLE ON 648TH PARKASH UTSAV OF SRI GURU RAVI DASS JI
CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 11:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday extended his warm greetings to the people of the State on 648th Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji.
In a message the Chief Minister said that Sri Guru Ravidass ji preached us the ideology of love, compassion, mutual tolerance, universal brotherhood and humanity through his philosophy. He said that Sri Guru Ravidass ji made concerted efforts for bringing social equality thereby eradicating the evil of casteism from the society. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the life and teachings of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji continue to guide humanity towards carving out an egalitarian society.
The Chief Minister said that Sri Guru Ravidass Ji - a great spiritual ambassador and messiah of the poor and unprivileged sections of the society taught us to lead a virtuous and noble life. He further stated that Sri Guru Ravidass ji propagated the values of humanism through his teachings which are still relevant in the present materialistic world. Bhagwant Singh Mann also appealed the people to celebrate the 'Parkash Utsav' of Guru Ravidass Ji in unison by rising above the petty considerations of caste, colour and creed.
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TARUNPREET SINGH SOND GREETS PEOPLE ON PARKASH DIWAS OF GURU RAVIDAS JI
Chandigarh, February 11: Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond today greeted the people of the state on the occasion of Parkash Diwas of Sri Guru Ravidas ji.
Extending his greeting on the eve of Parkash Diwas of Sri Guru Ravidas ji, Sond said that Guru Ravidas ji embodied the spirit of humility and human dignity. He said that the message of Guru Ravidas ji have been a source of knowledge and wisdom for the whole society. His life and teachings would always inspire us to create a humane and just society, where every individual is given due dignity, regardless of caste, creed, religion or gender, he added.
Sond said that Guru Ravidas Ji’s message of love, compassion and equality would continue to inspire us to serve humanity with dedication and devotion in times to come
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Tourism takes center stage in Punjab : Sond
- Punjab to host Patiala Heritage Festival from Feb 13 to 16
Chandigarh, February 11:Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab is undergoing a remarkable transformation in tourism and cultural preservation. Tourism Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond highlighted that in 2024, the state government dedicated appox. Rs. 73 crore to the restoration, modernization, and preservation of historical and cultural monuments. This significant investment has led to the revival of key heritage sites and the launch of various projects aimed at boosting tourism.
As Punjab steps into 2025, its fairs and festivals are set to be celebrated on a grander scale, drawing tourists from across the globe. The year began with vibrant events such as the Basant Mela in Ferozepur and the iconic Rural Olympics in Kila Raipur. Up next, the Patiala Heritage Festival scheduled from February 13 to February 16, will add to the festive fervor. The Patiala district administration, in collaboration with the Tourism Department, has curated an exciting lineup of events, including heritage walks, a food festival, music evenings, an aero show, a nature walk, a flower show, and even a fashion walk. These celebrations not only honor Punjab’s rich traditions but also position the state as a top tourist destination.
Minister Sond emphasized that under CM Mann’s dynamic leadership, Punjab is reclaiming its stature as a premier travel hotspot. The government’s commitment to heritage restoration and tourism expansion has brought forth a series of transformative initiatives that showcase Punjab’s deep-rooted history, vibrant culture, and spiritual legacy.
The Rs. 73 crore appox. investment in 2024 has already yielded remarkable results, breathing new life into historical landmarks such as the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Museum at Khatkar Kalan and the Saragarhi Museum in Ferozepur. The Sarai Lashkari Khan in Khanna has also undergone extensive renovation. Adding to Punjab’s cultural splendor, the Bhagwan Valmiki Ji Panorama was inaugurated with grandeur, while the permanent light and sound show at Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Summer Palace in Amritsar became a breathtaking highlight of the Rangla Punjab Festival.
The state government has also taken a crucial step in preserving Sikh heritage by initiating the restoration of Jahaz Haveli, the historic residence of Dewan Todar Mall in Fatehgarh Sahib. “Dewan Todar Mall holds immense significance in Sikh history, and it is our collective duty to safeguard his legacy,” Sond remarked.
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PUNJAB BREAKS GROUND WITH MEGA SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
•Mega SMC Meeting at over 19K Government Schools paves way for improved school infrastructure & student well-being, says Harjot Bains
•Meeting focused on cleanliness & hygiene in schools: Education Minister
•CM Mann led Punjab Govt committed to making Punjab’s education system the best in the country
Chandigarh, February 11:To promote democratic school governance system in the state, Punjab School Education Department on Tuesday held a Mega School Management Committee (SMC) meeting in all the 19,110 government schools across the state, allowing parents of the pupils and community representatives to play a direct role in school decision-making.
Disclosing this here today, Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains said that this time, the Mega SMC meeting was focused on cleanliness and hygiene in school campuses. SMC members and parents conducted rounds of their respective schools to evaluate sanitation conditions, identify areas needing improvement, and suggest local solutions. Additionally, they also discussed beautification efforts and long-term maintenance plans aimed at creating a healthier and more conducive learning environment for students in schools.
The School Education Minister said that the idea of “School da Badlaav, SMC de Naal” was at the heart of today’s discussions, emphasising that school transformation is only possible through collective effort. Parents and SMC members actively engaged in discussions and brainstormed on improving school infrastructure, student well-being, and academic progress.
S. Harjot Singh Bains commended the school heads and staff for successfully conducting the Mega SMC meeting, while reaffirming Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to making Punjab’s education system the best in the country.
He stated that today’s Mega SMC meeting will play a crucial role in further transforming school governance, leading to improvements in various aspects of the educational environment. This initiative aims to enhance collaboration between parents, community members, and school staff, ultimately helping to achieve the overarching goals of a more effective and inclusive education system in Punjab. By fostering a culture of collective responsibility and active participation, the meeting will bring positive changes that benefit students.
The School Education Minister emphasised that the department will continue in its efforts to strengthen community engagement and participatory school governance, which ensures that every child in Punjab receives a quality education in a well-maintained and supportive environment, fostering an atmosphere where students can thrive academically and socially.
Meanwhile, Panchayat members, district officials, and department representatives across Punjab visited schools to observe the meetings and assess on-ground participation. After the meeting, a SMC Member from School of Eminence, Banur shared, “after attending today’s discussion made me realise that we, as parents, have the power to bring positive change to our children’s schools. It is encouraging to see such initiatives that involve us directly.”
Punjab’s dedication to cultural and rural tourism has not gone unnoticed on the national stage. In a testament to its efforts, Nawanpind Sardaran in Gurdaspur was crowned India’s Best Tourism Village (2023), while Hansali Farmstay in Fatehgarh Sahib secured top honors in the Agri-Tourism category in 2024.
With a perfect blend of heritage revival, cultural celebrations, and modern tourism strategies, Punjab is on a path to reclaim its glory as the land of legends, festivals, and timeless traditions.