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Gurugram administration issues work-from-home advisory for private offices amid GRAP-IV curbs
CHANDIGARH: The Gurugram Administration has issued an advisory recommending that private institutions and corporate offices encourage employees to work from home from December 22 until further orders, following the Commission for Air Quality Managements Stage IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan. The advisory has been issued following a sustained spike in air pollution across Delhi and the National Capital Region, with authorities tightening controls to limit emissions and prevent further deterioration in air quality. As per directions issued on December 13 by the CAQM, offices were allowed to operate at only 50 per cent strength, with the remaining staff working remotely. Following these directions, Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram Ajay Kumar advised private offices to adopt work-from-home arrangements and ordered staggered office timings for all public offices under the state government to reduce vehicular movement and emissions, in compliance with GRAP Stage IV measures. In addition to the advisory for private offices, the district administration has also revised working hours for government offices in Gurugram. According to the new schedule, state government offices in Gurugram will operate from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm during this period. Offices under the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram, Municipal Corporation of Manesar, Sohna Municipal Council, Pataudi Mandi Municipal Council and Farrukhnagar Municipal Committee will operate from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. These timings will remain in force for the duration of GRAP Stage IV. Sources added that coordinated action by government offices, private institutions and employees is crucial for the effective implementation of GRAP measures and for improving air quality across Gurugram and the National Capital Region.
Car owner foils theft bid in Sector 29, 1 accused nabbed
Fire breaks out at Sindhi Sweets
Two men end lives in separate incidents
Firm to pay accident benefit to parents of minor policyholder
Prep in full swing for Shahs visit to Panchkula on Dec 24
Scheme name change an insult to Mahatma Gandhi, says Congress
PGIMER critical care block gets UTs green clearance
PU VC asks UT to process pending CAS promotions
MC cracks down on illegal vendors in mkts
1 more person arrested for illegal amendment to Parivar Pehchan Patra
49 drug samples collected from HP failed quality test: CDSCO report
Bains joins Dashmesh March in Anandpur sahib
Punjab bans sale of meat, tobacco, alcohol in 'holy cities'
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government said that the sale of meat, tobacco, alcohol, and other intoxicants is now prohibited in the 'holy cities' of Amritsar, Talwandi Sabo and Anandpur Sahib in a video message shared by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday. The CM said that there are five takhts that are of significance to Sikhs, three of which are in Punjab: Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar), Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda) and Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib (Sri Anandpur Sahib). These cities are not only religious centres, but also important symbols of our cultural heritage. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Sikh sangat, Mann said. Mann said that strict regulations will now be implemented in the holy cities. Sale of meat, alcohol, tobacco, and any intoxicating substances will be completely prohibited, he said. He assured that the cities will have appropriate development. The Punjab government will make all necessary arrangements and provide facilities, including e-rickshaws, mini-buses, shuttle buses and other public transport services, to ensure that devotees arriving from across the world do not face any inconvenience, he added. Last month, a resolution was passed unanimously during a special session of the Punjab Assembly held in Anandpur Sahib, which was convened to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. On December 15, a notification was issued by the state government granting holy city status to Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and the Galiara area around the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Haryana Private Universities Bill likely to be passed; to impact functioning of Al Falah University
CHANDIGARH: The BJP-led Haryana Government has tabled the Haryana Private Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the state assembly, outlining stringent measures, including dissolution of the management body of the university and taking over its functioning through the appointment of an administrator. Sources said that the bill, which was introduced in the state assembly on Friday by State Higher Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda and is likely to be passed by the assembly on Monday will have a direct impact on the functioning of Al Falah University. Al Falah University has been under the scanner for allegedly facilitating a white-collar terror module. The government will exercise these special powers under certain circumstances. Dhanda asserted that under the current provisions, there was no provision for the dissolution of the university and the appointment of the administrator and thus now a new provision needs to be incorporated to streamline the procedure. As per the proposed bill the inquiry officer or committee shall conduct an inquiry and submit the report to the government within 30 days. After the government receives the report, it can issue a show cause notice giving the university seven days to reply if it is of the opinion that the university had contravened the law. Upon consideration of the reply to the show-cause, if the government is not satisfied, it may appoint an administrator for a period of three years, it added. The university shall not commence the first enrolment of the students without specific authorization of the government. It has been authorized to cancel the permission to continue the course after an inquiry, the bill added. Other penalty is the minimum penalty of Rs 10 lakh. The committee will be vested with the powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. The Higher Education Department, through another provision, has been authorized to conduct an annual academic and administrative audit of the university to ascertain the standards of teaching, examination, and research. The bill reads, The circumstances under which government can act include any grave lapses, including matters relating to national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, public security, law and order, misuse of university premises for unlawful and anti-national activities or any other serious act prejudicial to public interest. If any such act has occurred, the government may order any inquiry into any such act, contraventions, or lapses and appoint an inquiry officer or a committee consisting of not more than five persons for this purpose.
123-year-old clock gifted by Lord Curzon to Golden Temple restored
CHANDIGARH: The 123-year-old manual clock, which was gifted to the Golden Temple by Lord Curzon, who was the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905, has now been restored after two years and will be put back in the sacred sanctum in January 2026. The clock is now ticking. It was in 2023 that the Birmingham-based Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) took out this brass-made, one-foot-wide and one-and-a-half-feet-tall manual clock, weighing ten kilograms, from the Golden Temple to Birmingham in the United Kingdom. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had handed over the restoration and conservation of frescoes, wall paintings and golden plates of the shrine to GNNSJ, led by Bhai Mohinder Singh. The clock, which was made on order for Lord Curzon in 1900, has now been fully restored and is working again. The clock carries the inscription: This clock was presented to the Golden Temple at Amritsar by Lord Curzon, Viceroy & Governor General of India, on the occasion of his first official visit, April 1900. This clock was concealed on the northeast side entrance of the Golden Temple inside one of the spans in the wall and was hidden behind another modern clock as this clock was not in working condition. When we removed that clock, we found this clock. We took this clock to Elkington & Co Limited at Birmingham, from where this clock was made on order. We do not know when it stopped working. Thus, the original mechanical movement system of this manual clock, hands and dial had been removed and replaced long back with a quartz mechanism and dull aluminium dial, but it supposedly also did not work. The brass housing bore dents, cracks, scratches and missing decorative elements, said Inderjit Singh, representative of GNNSJ, while talking to TNIE . Singh added that after removing the clock, extensive research was carried out and the officials and employees of the company made a brand-new manual system of the watch piece by piece and assembled the clock again. Now gold patras will be put and the clock will be placed at the same spot in January 2026 where it was earlier installed. Around 80,000 (approximately Rs 96 lakh) has been spent on the restoration of this clock, he said, adding that Bhai Mohinder Singh brought it back to India after restoration in November and it is now fully functional. The aluminium face with hand-painted Punjabi numerals has been replaced with a brass face and Roman numerals, just the way it was when Lord Curzon handed it over. Also, special brushes have been given by the company to clean it, he added. It was on April 9, 1900, that Lord Curzon and his wife visited the Golden Temple and saw what he described as an unworthy appearance of the clock which used to hang upon the walls of the Harmandir. Curzon then expressed his desire to replace it with a more fitting timepiece designed specifically to harmonise with the sanctity of the temple. A clock was subsequently ordered from Elkington & Co Limited in Birmingham. It took two years to make and was shipped to India. On October 31, 1902 (Diwali and Bandi Chhor Diwas), the timepiece was presented through the then Lahore commissioner. Restoration of the clock movement, hands and dial design was undertaken by Alastair Chandler, Director of The Clock Clinic. In January 2024, I was contacted by the project, who shared an incredible story about the discovery of a clock at the Golden Temple, Amritsar, that had been gifted by Lord Curzon. However, it soon became evident that the clock, in its current state, was severely damaged, he narrates in Clock Within the Golden Temple: A Restoration Project . Upon examining the cases design, I determined that the new movement needed to be of exceptional quality and British craftsmanship, featuring what is known as a single fusee. A further challenge was the absence of space to accommodate a traditional pendulum mechanism, which required me to search for a fine single fusee movement with a balance wheel escapementtypically used in ships bulkhead clocks. After weeks of searching, I was thrilled to discover a perfect match -- a movement crafted by the esteemed clockmaker James Muirhead. The superb craftsmanship of this movement made it an ideal match for the clock case. After a series of meticulous adjustments by both Kam Lawla and myself, it fit seamlessly into place. With the movement secured, we fully dismantled it for cleaning and a complete overhaul. It was then reassembled, lubricated, and, once the balance was set, began ticking away, ready to be housed in its new case, he added.
Haryana set to allot residential plots to 7,000 landless families
Ex-Army man held with heroin, grenade near Nepal border
Aviation not just for the wealthy: Mann charts new flight path for Punjab
Court declines bail to former Cong MLA Chhokar
AAP MLA Pathanmajra declared proclaimed offender
Kaithal double murder: 2 accused persons surrender, arrested
Seechewal seeks special package for de-silting of Harike Pattan
Mohali mayor and two others acquitted in 15-year-old murder case
HC slaps Rs 5L fine on officials for delay in implementing tribunal order
Cross-border smuggling attempts on rise amid fog
Cotton prices decrease after import duty exemption
HC flags lapses in Haryana power utilities appointments, orders review of retired engineers claim
BJP for use of EVMs in local body polls
Air hangs thick as AQI slips into very poor category
This winter leaves tricity Cold & Breathless
Rs 116cr crop insurance claims pending in Haryana
Punjab Police arrest 153 drug peddlers in state-wide CASO
Fog lifts but Tricity shivers on coldest day of season
2 held for snatching phone, documents at knifepoint
Bldg lawS & property misuse among 1K cases resolved by UT
Electrical installations up to 650 volts can now be self-certified
Villagers allege chemical leak from factory, officials deny
PU hosts panel from Pb varsities
Bus conductors bag stolen at ISBT-43
UICET hosts & fetes its alumni
Admn delaying, denying UGC benefits
Now first come, first served at estate office
Burglar nabbed; stolen gold & silver jewellery recovered
MC challans 126 unregistered vendors
New district civil hospital to come up on 21 acres near Airport Chowk in Hisar
Vij orders probe into fog-related bus accident in Karnal
Ambala STF arrests four shooters linked to Bishnoi gang
Restoration story of a 125-year-old historic clock presented by Lord Curzon at Sri Darbar Sahib
Tourism dept cracks down on illegal adventure activities in Shimla
Post-matric scholarship scam: ED files 2 more prosecution complaints
HP earned a revenue of Rs 26,683cr in last two and a half years: CM
Drogue parachute deployment tests for Gaganyaan mission successful: ISRO
These tests were completed at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh, on December 18 and 19, says the ISRO
Chandigarh University organised its Annual Convocation for the 2024 and 2025 pass out students of management and commerce programs in which 3301 students received their postgraduate (PG) degrees. Chandigarh University students celebrating their success after receiving degrees during Annual Convocation 2025 at Gharuan Campus Presiding over the Convocation ceremony as the Chief Guests, Satish Chandra Jha, Managing Director, Accenture and Rajesh Dhuddu, Partner and Emerging Tech Leader, PwC awarded PG degrees to students of management and commerce along with Dr Raviraja N Seetharam, Vice-Chancellor, Chandigarh University, Dr Raghuveer VR, Pro Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Chandigarh University and Prof (Dr) SS Sehgal, Pro VC, Chandigarh University. The 3301 students were conferred degrees included 3032 students of MBA in HR, Finance, Marketing, International Business, Entrepreneurship, Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, 251 students of MBA (Business Analytics) in association with IBM and 18 students of Master of Commerce. Three students of Master of Business Administration (MBA) and one Master of Commerce (M Com) were awarded Gold Medals for academic excellence. These students included Varun Kumar (MBA-Finance & Marketing), Aanchal Pawar (MBA-Finance and Human Resources), Deepika (MBA- Business Analytics) and Mattery (M Com). In his keynote address, the Chief Guest, Satish Jha, Managing Director, Accenture Services , said, The tech world is growing at a very fast pace and you will have to keep re-skilling, up-skilling and cross-skilling yourself because the technology will keep on changing. So, given the opportunity we have globally based on the knowledge and experience, let's capitalize on the emerging market that we have." Sharing mantra for success, Jha said, Be digital and technology focused going forward because the revolution is happening in the digital space that is where you know people are talking about AI and we all are witnessing how AI is actually shaping our life and can reshape our life in future. Maybe in four or five years, you will witness a different paradigm of life itself. Be part of a solution than a problem. Always own a problem and try to be a guy who can actually fix the problem. And that's how you will be known for solving problems. Embrace changes and competition because that's where innovation happens. Unless we accept the fact that change is inevitable and we have to keep a pace with the change which is happening globally and in the market place. That will bring lot of innovations, lot of prosperity in our life. Be honest to yourself and more importantly help each other. Help others to grow as well. That should be the core values of any individual because we all are human beings. We should be known by our human values that we practice ." Sharing his mantra of success with students, Rajesh Dhuddu, Partner and Emerging Tech Leader, PwC , Its imperative to have purpose and passion in life. When you do your work as a worship, it becomes enjoyable. If you work for a company which pays you one rupee, give at least two rupees worth of work back to the company. And I can assure you when you inculcate this kind of a skill, no AI can replace you. I repeat, no AI can replace you. When I hire people, I don't look for skill but for will because if you have will, the skill will come automatically.Eklavya (legendary figure from the Hindu epic Mahabharata) has a burning will to learn and the skill came automatically to him. If you are able to get that will in a proper place, then skill will come automatically.Be a giver in life. The most important gift that a person can give to others is time. Never ever sacrifice or become subservient when it comes to matters of integrity. Lift everyone who comes in your path. If you can't lift them, at least don't hurt them ." Earlier in his welcome address, Dr Raviraja N Seetharam, Vice-Chancellor, Chandigarh University said, Chandigarh University stands tall in terms of its achievements made in the last 13 years. From 2012 till now in 2025, remarkable progress has been by the University in academics, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, sports and culture. With these achievements, Chandigarh University has become a global hub of education with students from all over India and over 2500 students from foreign countries. For the last three years consecutively, Chandigarh University has been ranked Indias number 1 private university in the most trusted global ranking QS University Asia Rankings.That is really an extraordinary accomplishment. Not only the QS, if you look at India today, the most trusted ranking of the government of India, National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), CU is in the 19th place which is a big achievement for a very young university like Chandigarh University because other Universities have taken like 50 to 100 years to reach to that top 20 position.Chandigarh University has published more than 21,000 publications and filed more than 5,300 patents. CU is the first private university to win MAKA trophy for two years in a row. All these things are possible because of the hard work of our leadership, faculty, and definitely the students.All this is not possible without very consistent constant effort, leadership commitment, and the effort by students and the faculty. " About Chandigarh University Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and QS World Ranked University. This autonomous educational institution is approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honoured with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce, and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC. www.cuchd.in .
ISRO completes drogue parachute qualification tests for human spaceflight mission
ISRO's Gaganyaan mission achieved a significant milestone with successful qualification tests for its drogue parachutes. Conducted at Chandigarh's Rail Track Rocket Sled facility, these tests evaluated the crucial deceleration system's performance under extreme conditions. This advancement brings India closer to its human spaceflight aspirations, ensuring crew safety during re-entry.
ISRO completes qualification tests of drogue parachutes critical for Gaganyaan crew module
BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday announced the successful completion of a series of qualification tests for the drogue parachutes, a critical component of the deceleration system for the Gaganyaan Crew Module. The tests were conducted on December 18 and 19, 2025, at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory in Chandigarh. According to ISRO researchers, the test series involved a total of ten parachutes of four different types. The descent sequence began with two apex separation parachutes, which remove the protective cover of the parachute compartments. This was followed by the deployment of two drogue parachutes that stabilise and slow down the Crew Module. Upon the release of the drogue parachutes, three pilot parachutes were deployed to extract the three main parachutes, which further reduce the modules speed to ensure a safe touchdown. They explained that the deployment of the drogue parachutes is a crucial part of the system, as these parachutes play a vital role in stabilising the Crew Module and reducing its velocity to a safe level during re-entry into Earths orbit and during splashdown. The objective of this specific test series was to rigorously evaluate the performance and reliability of the drogue parachutes under extreme conditions. We have achieved all the test objectives and have confirmed their robustness even under the situation of significant variation in flight conditions, the researchers said. Earlier in August, ISRO conducted the first Integrated Air Drop Test to ensure the safety of crew recovery as part of the Gaganyaan mission. Another test on the main parachutes for the Gaganyaan Crew Module was conducted in November at the Babina Field Firing Range in Jhansi. This test was part of the Integrated Main Parachute Drop Test to ascertain the qualification of the parachute system for the mission. In July, the ISRO team also carried out service module propulsion system hot tests to verify and ascertain the performance of engines and thrusters in space, particularly during boosting and de-boosting phases.
Sukhu condemns abolition of MGNREGA; highlights state initiatives
Jakhar demands probe into gangsters charges against AAP govt
Rs 2 cr relief sought for teacher couple killed in accident
Sonipat pharma trader held for GST evasion
SGPCs Kiranjot objects to govt notification on meat sale in Amritsar holy city
Glaring omission: No-confidence motion lacks LoPs signature, Saini questions Congress leadership
Dry spell in Himachal threatens Rabi crops, wheat production
HC halts elevation of Punjab govt officers into IAS under non-civil services quota
Haryana released Rs 116 cr compensation for kharif crop damage due to excessive rainfall: Minister
1050-bed facilities at Rs 2,160cr: UT set to be next healthcare hub
Parliamentary panel flags AMRUT gaps in Punjab
Accused escapes police custody by scaling court wall in Hisar
CM Mann hands over 505 mini bus permits, says transport monopolies being dismantled
Nagpur, Dec 19: All-rounder Harsh Dubey was on Friday named captain of the 17-member Vidarbha side for the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy starting on December 24. Vidarbha are placed in Elite Group B along with Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad, Bengal and Baroda. The last years runner-up Vidarbha will take on Bengal []
Labourers, agri workers burn copies of VB GRAMG, say bill betrays statutory right to employment
Bajwa criticises changes in MGNREGA, says its attack on rural poor, federalism
Punjab govt using schools for political publicity: Teacher body
Heavily decomposed body found near Sukhna Choe
ASI excavates original flooring of Ranjit Singhs summer palace
Winter fog raises concern as schools call students earlier than regulated timing
Robbers gang targeting taxi drivers busted
AQI breaches 300 at many locations
Ludh man booked for bid to get bail using forged papers
Air most foul: Human rights panel takes note
Zero-waste chrysanthemum show begins at Terraced Garden in Sec 33
Pulse Polio drive in Chd on Sunday
Surjewala slams Herald case after court rejects plea
Ph-2 renovation work at Mohali institute starts
Meeting held to identify tourist bus parking sites in Chandigarh
BIS & UT energy cell promote ISO 50001 framework for efficiency & sustainability
