New Delhi Declaration gives push to traditional medicine cooperation among BRICS
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) The New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit has given a push to international cooperation in Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM), with member countries welcoming the proposed establishment of a BRICS Expert Working Group on the subject, an official statement on Sunday. The proposed working group under the BRICS Health Track is envisaged as a platform for dialogue, collaboration and exchange among member states on traditional medicine, the Ministry of AYUSH said. The Declaration also calls for greater cooperation in research on medicinal plants and herbal preparations used for therapeutic and preventive purposes. It recognises the shared traditional pharmacopoeias of BRICS countries as a potential foundation for developing safe, effective and affordable therapeutic products, according to the ministry. Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav said the recognition of TCIM in the declaration was an important step towards strengthening global cooperation in traditional medicine. The proposed expert working group would provide a platform for member states to share knowledge, strengthen research and advance evidence-based approaches, he said. India remains committed to taking forward Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine through scientific research, quality assurance and international collaboration, Jadhav said. Meanwhile, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha said the declaration marked an important step towards advancing structured cooperation on TCIM among BRICS countries. He said the proposed working group could provide a focused platform for sharing evidence, strengthening research collaboration and improving quality and regulatory approaches. Moreover, the Declaration reaffirmed the importance of ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of TCIM practices and products through evidence-informed approaches and appropriate regulatory frameworks, in accordance with the national contexts of member states, the ministry said. It further said that the development follows the BRICS Meeting on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine held in Chandigarh on July 21 under India's BRICS Chairship. The focus on medicinal plants and herbal preparations could also open avenues for deeper scientific and technical collaboration among BRICS countries, including in documentation, pharmacopoeial standards, quality assurance and development of therapeutic products, the government said.
WHO Director-General thanks PM Modi for warm welcome, hails BRICS 2026 health commitments
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Sunday, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the warm welcome at the 2026 BRICS summit in New Delhi and lauded the blocs commitments to strengthening global health cooperation and delivering Health For All, as outlined in the New Delhi Declaration. In a post on X, Ghebreyesus said: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, thank you for the warm welcome to the 2026 BRICS Delhi Summit. I very much appreciate the BRICS Leaders strong support for WHO and multilateralism, and the commitment, as reflected in the declaration, to universal health coverage, resilient health systems, the successful conclusion of negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing Annex to the Pandemic Agreement, efforts to end TB, strengthening the health workforce, digital health, the integration of traditional medicine, and delivering Health For All. The New Delhi Declaration 2026, adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit in the national capital on Saturday, welcomed the deepening of cooperation in global health initiatives and reaffirmed the blocs commitment to advancing universal health coverage through resilient, inclusive, and people-centred approaches. We recognise the significance of continued cooperation among the BRICS members and the necessity of sharing valuable experiences, innovations and best practices for improving health outcomes across the BRICS countries. We reiterate our shared conviction that multilateral cooperation in health must be preserved and reinforced, emphasising the vital coordinating role of the World Health Organisation, read the declaration. While welcoming the outcomes of the 16th BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting held in Chandigarh in July, BRICS leaders recognised tuberculosis (TB) as a critical global public health challenge requiring coordinated action, sustained investment in research and effective mechanisms for cross - learning and innovations. We reiterate that individual countries and institutions have a key role to play in the path to end TB, which is possible through mutual collaboration, shared technology, and a unified front to foster TB research, the declaration noted. Director-General of the World Trade Organisation Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also expressed gratitude to PM Modi for his support towards the Multilateral Trading System (MTS) and meaningful WTO Reform. An engaging conversation and catch-up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India on the state of the Multilateral Trading System (MTS) and the WTO, including the opportunities and challenges for the Reform of the organization. Prime Minister Modi stated his support for the MTS and also for meaningful WTO Reform. Thank you for this, Mr. PM, Iweala posted on X. As BRICS Chair 2026, India is hosting the two-day 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, which began on Saturday. India's BRICS Chairship is guided by the theme: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a people-centric approach rooted in the spirit of Humanity First, according to the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
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Nihal Cheema wins with 4-under 68, Aaradhya shoots 69; Avni logs hole-in-hole at US Kids Golf
Digital Desk | Gurugram, Sep 11 (IANS) Nihal Cheema, who has had phenomenal success at the US Kids Series events and otherwise, once again stood out with an excellent 4-under 68 that won him a second straight title at the US Kids India (North) title in the Boys' 9 section at the Classic Golf and Country Club, Gurugram. The nine-year-old Chandigarh lad, who is coached by Jesse Grewal and mentored at times by Gaganjeet Bhullar among others, had six birdies, two of them on the last two holes, against two bogeys for a 12-shot win over Shivraj Singh and Jamraudh Singh Sidhu, who were tied at 80 each. Another standout winner with an under-par score was Drona Singh Dhull (Boys 12) with a second successive 1-under 71. Dhull had three birdies on the first, 14th, and 17th, and an eagle on the 18th against four bogeys. Cheema, who has been prodigious and has been playing since the age of two, is seen as an excellent talent. He was the runner-up at the 2026 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship at Pinehurst No. 1, where he had three under-par rounds and finished 10-under par. He was also second at the 2026 FCG Callaway World Championship and won the 2024 U.S. Kids Golf European Championship in Scotland, while being in the Boys-7 division. He won the FCG International Championship 2025 in California. Avni Atreya, one of the seven players to win back-to-back titles after having taken the honours in the first leg, also registered the first hole-in-one of 2026. She holed out from the tee on the Par-3 fifth hole from 140 yards. She had another birdie and six bogeys, but still won with 4-over in Girls 15-18. The most keenly fought section was the Girls' 11-12, where the top three shot under-par scores. Aaradhya Bhatnagar (69) with seven birdies, including a four-in-a-row streak from 11th to the 14th, against four bogeys, beat Aadya Kaushal (69) in a play-off, while the first-leg winner, Hissi Besra (70), was just one shot back. Starting from the tenth, Aaradhya was 6-under at one stage after 15 holes, but three closing bogeys saw her finish at 3-under and get into a play-off, which she won. Aadya also had seven birdies against two bogeys and a double bogey. Hissi opened with an eagle two on Par-4 first and had four other birdies against four bogeys for a 2-under 70. The seven players who won back-to-back titles in the first two legs were Arjun Adiya (Boys Under 6), Lakshith A (Boys 7), Nihal Cheema (Boys 9), Drona Singh Dhull (Boys 12), Sidhak Handa (Boys 15-18), Prisca Sachdeva (Girls 13-14) and Avni Atreya (Girls 15-18). Boys and Girls up to the age of eight played nine-hole rounds, while all others played full 18 holes. The US Kids Golf India (North) series will continue with Legs 3 and 4 in October at the Classic Golf and Country Club, Gurugram.
Punjabs power sector ruined: BJP leader Jakhar blames AAP govt
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 12 (IANS) Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Saturday targeted the Bhagwant Mann-led state government over the power situation in the state, saying that its mismanagement and financial handling of the power corporation had contributed to the electricity crisis. Jakhar said the government had financially weakened the power corporation to serve its political interests, and claimed that this had left Punjab facing the threat of blackouts. He said after the so-called advertised revolutions in education and healthcare, the truth behind what he described as the Aam Aadmi Party governments false electricity revolution had also been exposed. Not only are industries facing prolonged power cuts, but domestic consumers are also experiencing long outages. This is evidence of the governments poor management and the financial damage inflicted on the power corporation to serve its political interests, Jakhar said in a statement here. The BJP leader said the electricity shortage was affecting the states economy and claimed that farmers were not receiving adequate power supply even at night, let alone during the day, at a time when irrigation requirements had increased because of the weak monsoon. Jakhar also warned that the coming period could be even more difficult for Punjabs power sector. He further said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, instead of focusing on the problems facing the state, was preoccupied with saving his position. Jakhar said a government could not be run through jokes and blamed the present situation on what he described as the governments failure to focus on its administrative responsibilities. He further said that the government had attempted to reshape the financial structure of the power corporation to suit its political requirements, which, according to him, had contributed to the current situation. Jakhar said the time had come for the people of Punjab to hold the government accountable.
CM Saini reviews progress towards operationalising Haryana Startup Fund of Funds
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 12 (IANS) In a major push to Haryanas rapidly growing startup ecosystem, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday reviewed progress towards operationalising the proposed Haryana Startup Fund of Funds with a corpus of Rs 2,000 crore. The fund is envisaged as a robust financial mechanism to support startups at different stages of growth, attract private capital and give further impetus to innovation and entrepreneurship in the state. Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat here, the Chief Minister said in view of Haryanas consistent progress in innovation and entrepreneurship, it is essential to put in place a strong financial mechanism to provide financial support to startups at various stages of their growth. He said timely access to capital is a key factor in the success of startups and directed that the process for the establishment and operationalisation of the Haryana Startup Fund of Funds be taken forward in a time-bound manner. CM Saini said the fund would play an important role in promoting investment and innovation, attracting private capital and supporting high-potential startups emerging from Haryana. Meanwhile, in a major push to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity across the state, CM Saini has approved the development of ring roads and National Highways outside cities and towns with a population of more than one lakh. The state will also take forward major bypass projects in Hisar, Kurukshetra, Narnaul, Jind and Sohna-Palwal, with an estimated investment of Rs 9,700 crore. The Chief Minister was chairing a meeting at the Secretariat on the adoption of a financial model for state contribution under the master plan aimed at reducing congestion in urban areas along National Highways. The Chief Minister directed that a policy for developing outer ring roads and National Highways under the master plan be formulated in accordance with the Central governments policy framework so that road projects aimed at reducing traffic pressure in cities and towns can be implemented effectively.
Punjab Police secures first-ever extradition from Europe
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 12 (IANS) In a first-ever extradition from Europe and a major breakthrough against transnational organised crime, Punjab Police with the assistance of central agencies secured the extradition of fugitive criminal Amritpal Singh, alias Amrit Dalam, a key operative of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, from the Republic of Moldova, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Saturday. He is wanted in multiple cases of murders, attempt to murder, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act and Narcotic offences, etc, the DGP wrote on X. He said this was the first-ever extradition secured by Punjab Police from a European country, marking a significant milestone in the fight against organised crime. The success of Operation Eastern Reach, a six-month Intelligence-led international manhunt, was made possible through sustained surveillance and close coordination of the AGTF (Anti-Gangster Task Force) Punjab and OFTEC (Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell) Punjab with central agencies and international partners, the DGP said. He commended the AGTF and the OFTEC for their relentless efforts. The DGP also thanked the Moldovan authorities, Azerbaijan authorities, the International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs and all other central agencies as part of the international cooperation. Meanwhile, the Punjab Police's Gangstran Te Vaar campaign entered its 235th day on Saturday. A day earlier, the police conducted 601 raids at identified and mapped locations linked to associates of gangsters across the state. As per the information, after the campaign was launched by the Punjab DGP on January 20, police teams from all the districts in coordination with the AGTF have been conducting special operations across the state. On Friday, police recovered four weapons and arrested 261 individuals, taking the total arrests to 69,703 since the launch of the campaign. Apart from this, preventive action has been taken against 236 people. Police teams have also arrested eight proclaimed offenders during the operation, an official statement said.
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Sukhbir Badal assures all help to family in suicide case
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 11 (IANS) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal on Friday assured all help to the family of Gulzar Singh, who committed suicide after being allegedly intimidated by the panchayat and pressurised to issue an apology to Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema for questioning him on the rampant sale of synthetic drugs (chitta). Gulzars son Lakhwinder met the Akali Dal chief at the latters residence on Friday and narrated the tale of horror which had led to the death of his father. He disclosed in detail how the Punjab Police, on the directions of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, had forcibly carried out Gulzars cremation by using brute force. Lakhwinder said the family was not permitted to see Gulzar in his final moments and even the latters cremation was carried out without its consent. We were even denied the right to perform isnaan and ardas and Gulzars mother, wife and children were not allowed to even bid him a final farewell, he claimed. Expressing shock at the turn of events, Badal said the disclosures had both pained and angered him. The family has suffered an unimaginable ordeal at the hands of a callous and cruel government which has no concern for the people and is only worried about protecting Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, who is responsible for the death of Gulzar. He said since Gulzar had implicated the Finance Minister in his dying declaration, the police would eventually have to register an abetment to suicide case against him. I have assured Lakhwinder that SAD will take this case to its logical conclusion and have also assured him of all legal, financial and social assistance to help this family recover from the trauma and humiliation they have endured at the hands of the AAP government, Badal said. He also made it clear that the officers who inflicted cruelty on the family of the suicide victim would also have to answer for their misdeeds. No one has the right to trample on the rights of a grieving family in this manner. He said action should be taken against each and every person guilty of humiliating Gulzar and forcing him to take his life. This should start from the top and cover all the guilty, Badal added.
CBI court sends Agra railway official to 4-year jail for taking Rs 35,000 bribe
Digital Desk | Ghaziabad, Sep 11 (IANS) A Special CBI Court in Ghaziabad sentenced the then railway official posted in Agra to four years imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 in a case related to taking a Rs 35,000 bribe in 2016, an official said on Friday. The Special CBI Court sentenced Sukh Deo Sharma, the then senior section engineer (electrical), traction distribution (TRD), headquarters, Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer Office, Agra Cantonment, UP, to four years' imprisonment with a fine on Thursday. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the instant case on January 1, 2016 against the accused Sharma, said the official in a statement. It was alleged that Sharma demanded an illegal gratification of Rs 70,000 from the complainant for providing approval in respect of five trailers/vehicles of a Mumbai-based private firm to cross the railway track from Rail Gate Patholl, Agra. The CBI laid a trap on January 1, 2016 and caught Sharma red-handed while demanding and accepting an illegal gratification of Rs 35,000, other than legal remuneration, as the first instalment of the demanded illegal gratification, said the statement. After completion of investigation, the CBI filed a charge sheet against the accused on February 23, 2016 and charges were framed on March 21, 2016. In a separate case, the CBI filed a charge sheet against an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, the then CEO of Chandigarhs green energy society CREST, his wife and a company in which she worked as director in a case linked to misappropriation of Rs 75 crore official funds from IDFC First Bank accounts. A CBI official said the charge sheet was filed against the then chief of Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) and forest service officer Navneet Srivastava, who is already in judicial custody, Vipam Consultancy and its director. The accused have been charged with offences of criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, using forged documents as genuine under BNS and offences of bribery, criminal misconduct and abetment under the Prevention of Corruption Act 2018, the CBI said.
Pacer Darcie Brown targets Australia comeback through upcoming 'A' tour of India
Digital Desk | New Chandigarh, Sep 11 (IANS) Stung by her surprise omission from Australia's 2026 T20 World Cup-winning squad, fast bowler Darcie Brown is banking on the upcoming 'A' tour of India to regain her consistency and push her case for a recall to the national team. Darcie was a notable omission from Australia's successful campaign in England earlier this year, with youngster Lucy Hamilton taking her place in the squad. Darcie then spent the off-season fine-tuning her mechanics in Adelaide, and focusing on technical tweaks to address the control issues that cost her a spot in the side. Now part of the Australia A squad in India for a multi-format series starting with the first T20I in New Chandigarh on Saturday, Darcie sees the tour as a timely opportunity to get back into the main team ahead of the inaugural Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in India next February. It was disappointing for sure, you always want to be part of a World Cup squad, but the girls did such a great job, and everyone that was there fully deserved to be there. They said it was a tough call, but it was just that (lack of) consistency that squeezed me out. Hopefully the work I've done over the last little bit has helped me with that and I can take a few more wickets. The last few tours hadn't been as successful so hopefully with that consistency, I can get batters to make more mistakes and hopefully push my name for selection in upcoming tours. It's a really hard team to break into, so I'll work my butt off, but at the end of the day, as long as I'm putting in 100 per cent effort, that's what I can control, Darcie was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Friday. Having toured India on three previous occasions with the senior team, Darice had limited game time in subcontinental conditions. She believes this 'A' series will allow her to adapt her high pace to subcontinental pitches while stepping into a senior role. I was here last year for the one-day World Cup but didn't get to play a whole lot, so hopefully I can get a bit more experience and learn off the other girls as well, and also help (other bowlers) in a leadership way. It's a really great challenge for me as a pace bowler to learn different things to help me become effective (in these conditions). Detailed technical adjustments formed a major part of Darcies pre-tour preparations back home. I've worked on a few technique things just to help with some consistency, and even hopefully to get a bit more bounce and pace behind the ball. I'm trying to be a bit stronger on my back foot to propel myself towards the batters, which will hopefully help my consistency out a lot, so we'll wait and see. I haven't played for a long time, so I'm really keen to see everything that I've worked on for the last few months put into action, she added. Darcie forms part of a potent Australian pace unit alongside Tayla Vlaeminck, who continues her comeback from a shoulder injury, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, and Hayley Silver-Holmes. Meanwhile, fast bowler Maitlan Brown was ruled out of the tour with a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Milly Illingworth. The Australia A womens tour of India features distinct captains across formats, with Nicole Faltum leading the T20 side, followed by Tahlia Wilson for the 50-over matches and Rachel Trenaman for the four-day fixture.
Heavy rain lashes parts of Delhi-NCR, red alert issued ahead of BRICS Summit
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 11 (IANS) Several parts of the national capital received rain on Friday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting more spells of showers, thunderstorms, and lightning in Delhi over the coming hours and also issuing a red alert for the city. The IMD had predicted light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in northern Delhi, with moderate to heavy showers expected in several other parts of the capital. The latest spell of rain comes just a day before the BRICS Leaders Summit is scheduled to begin in New Delhi. The Met Department has forecast further rainfall during the two-day summit, which will be held on September 12 and 13. For Saturday, September 12, the IMD has forecast one or two spells of very light to light rain at several places from early morning to the forenoon, along with thunderstorms and lightning. Another spell of light to moderate rain is likely from evening through the night. The rainfall is also expected to bring some relief from the prevailing heat. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 36.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday, while the maximum temperature is likely to remain below 33 degrees Celsius from Saturday. According to meteorologists, the prevailing weather conditions are linked to the movement of the monsoon axis over the region. The axis is expected to shift southward, while easterly winds are likely to become dominant from Friday. These conditions may result in intermittent spells of moderate rain across parts of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, and Rajasthan over the weekend. However, the rainfall is expected to remain largely localised, with only around 30-40 per cent coverage, indicating that several areas across the plains may remain dry. The weather conditions are particularly significant as Delhi prepares to host the BRICS Leaders Summit on September 12 and 13. The summit will bring several world leaders and delegations to the capital, with events scheduled at Bharat Mandapam. Saturdays programme includes a closed-door leaders session, the Bharat Innovates Exhibition, a family photograph, a tree-planting ceremony and a gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The main open session will be held on Sunday, followed by the release of the New Delhi Declaration.
Chandigarh University's Computer Science Engineering Students Develop AI-Powered Platform to Detect Fraudulent Apps
Haryana govt announces higher monthly honorarium, enhanced benefits for rural sanitation workers
Digital Desk | Chandigarh, Sep 11 (IANS) The Haryana government has announced a series of financial and welfare benefits for Gramin Safai Karmis, including an increase in their honorarium, higher uniform and washing allowances, compensation for duties outside their villages and compassionate appointments for a family member in the event of death while on duty. The benefits were conveyed by the Director, Development and Panchayat Department, Haryana, in an official memorandum dated September 10, issued to Deputy Commissioners, Chief Executive Officers of Zila Parishads and district- and block-level development and panchayat officials across the state. Under the decision, Gramin Safai Karmis will receive arrears arising from an increase of Rs 2,100 in their monthly honorarium from January 2026. The honorarium was increased from Rs 16,000 to Rs 18,100, with arrears payable for the period up to June 30, 2026. The government has also approved the release of outstanding honorarium for October 2023, covering eligible sanitation workers who were not paid for that month during the strike period. The order lists 48 workers in Dhand, 54 in Farukhnagar, 25 in Sihma and 15 in Nizampur, taking the total to 139 workers, subject to verification of official records. In another major decision, sanitation workers assigned duties outside their villages will be entitled to an allowance of Rs 200 per day. The amount will be paid by the concerned Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) office from petty expenses for such deployments. The government has also increased the annual uniform allowance by Rs 2,000, raising it from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000. The annual washing allowance has been increased by Rs 500, from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500. The order further provides that if a Gramin Safai Karmi dies while on duty, one family member will be offered an appointment on compassionate grounds. To protect families from being exploited by private agencies, BDPO offices have also been directed to assist the families of deceased sanitation workers in completing EPF and ESI death-claim paperwork. The government has additionally directed that the monthly honorarium of Gramin Safai Karmis must be disbursed by the seventh day of every month. In case of delay, a penalty of Rs 2,500 will be payable. The decisions were issued with the concurrence of the Finance Department, Haryana, according to the memorandum signed by Sushil Sarwan.
Drug trafficking accused escaped from NCB Jammu custody arrested in Punjab
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in close coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police and Punjab Police, on Thursday traced and apprehended Aqib Bashir, a notorious drug trafficker who had fled from NCB custody in Jammu. The operation is a strong example of three-day sustained search and tracking operation across J&K and Punjab and prompt coordination and intelligence sharing between J&K Police, Punjab Police and NCB besides the valuable support of the media fraternity in disseminating the alert, said an NCB Jammu spokesperson. It also reflected strong coordination between Central and state and UT agencies, spokesperson said. After fleeing from Jammu, the accused, according to the spokesperson, reached Jalandhar via the Pathankot route. He initially attempted to evade detection by taking shelter under the cover of darkness and hiding in a forest area near Narwal Fruit Mandi, Jammu. To conceal his identity, he clean-shaved, changed his clothes and altered his appearance. He subsequently used his contacts in Jalandhar to seek shelter and evade the search teams. Continuous intelligence inputs and coordinated field efforts enabled the agencies to track and narrow down his location. The NCB (Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh)Punjab Police team apprehended him when he was reportedly preparing to move towards Delhi or another state, spokesperson said, adding that the successful operation reflected the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination, real-time information sharing, sustained efforts and public cooperation.
Aryans Group of Colleges organises blood donation camp
Srinagar, Sep 10:The Aryans Group of Colleges, Rajpura, near Chandigarh, successfully organised a Blood Donation Camp at its campus, witnessing enthusiastic participation from students, faculty and staff members. Dr Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges, presided over the camp, while Ajay Jain, Samvedna Trust (R), Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, was also present on the occasion. Students from Engineering, Law, Pharmacy, Nursing, Allied Healthcare, Physiotherapy, Management, Business Studies, Computer Applications and Education came forward for the noble cause. A total of 88 units of blood were collected during the camp. A medical team from Guru Nanak Charitable Hospital, Ludhiana, comprising Harish Kumar, Medical Officer; Sandeep Kaur, Staff Nurse; Ritik Sharma, Lab Technician; and Arshdeep Singh, Lab Technician, conducted health screening and eligibility assessments of the prospective donors. Dr Anshu Kataria, as per a statement, said that blood donation is one of the most meaningful forms of service to humanity, and educational institutions have a responsibility to develop socially conscious and compassionate citizens. He said, A single act of blood donation can bring hope to patients and their families during critical situations. We are proud to see our students and staff voluntarily participating in this humanitarian initiative. Among those who donated blood were Aditya Kaur (B.Tech), Abdullah Ansari (RIT), Shashi Gupta (RIT), Awqat Ahmad (B.Tech), Swati (Staff), Balbir Singh (E), Rohan Gupta (OT), Amandeep Singh (Student), Tarun Singh (B.Pharm), Adnan Hazari (B.Tech), Rammek Singh (B.Pharm), Krishna Madhdesiya (B.Tech), Zahid Abdullah (B.Pharm), Wajheed Ahmad (B.Pharm), Abhney Guleria (B.Tech), Vikas Shukla (B.Tech), Vishal Kumar Panday (B.Tech), Shoukat Bashir (Staff), Akhtar Ansari (B.Pharma), Ayaz Ahmad (B.Pharma), Mohd. Mohsin Dar (B.Pharma), Sushil Kumar (RIT), Suhel Ali (B.Pharm), Neeraj Kumar (B.Pharm), Jagdeep Singh (B.Pharm), Fayeez Singh (B.Pharm), Jugal Dumolia (Student), Lutman Nabi Lone (RIT), Tauseef (RIT), Manish Kumar (B.Tech), Lovdeep Singh (B.Tech), Abdishak (RIT), Faizaan (RIT), Ali Shoaib (Staff), Amit (RIT), Taranpreet Kaur (Nursing), Kunika (Nursing), Javed (Staff), Dr. Vallari (Staff), Imran Khan (Nursing), Barun Sharma (Nursing), Gursharanpreet Singh (GNM Nursing), Mohammed Vami (CSE), Irfan Ansari (OT), Aamir Anir Choudhary (RIT), Dr. Vinay Thakur (Staff), Abhijeet Kumar (RIT) and Danish Majeed Mir (RIT). Their participation reflected the collective commitment of the Aryans community towards social responsibility and humanitarian service.
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