HP CM condoles demise of Padma Shri Musafir Ram Bhardwaj

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday expressed deep condolences on the demise of Padma Shri recipient Musafir Ram Bhardwaj, a renowned musician, who passed away late on Friday. The recipient of India’s fourth highest civilian honour hailed from Sanchui village in Bharmaur sub-division of Chamba district. “Musafir Ram Bhardwaj was known for his mastery of Paun Mata, a copper drum akin to a damru, and would be remembered by generations for his contribution to the arts, especially folk music and culture of Himachal Pradesh,” he said, praying to the Almighty for the peace of the departed soul and strength to the family members to bear this irreparable loss.

Dengue cases are on rise in Hry: Kumari Selja

Chandigarh: Senior Congress leader and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja on Sunday alleged that with the changing seasons, dengue cases are on the rise in the State. Notably, Haryana is witnessing an increase in dengue patients every day with Panchkula currently being a hotspot, with cases also increasing in Faridabad, Karnal, and Hisar, she added. Selja alleged that despite all this, the administration is still considering fogging, and many districts have not yet carried out fogging. Although health department meetings are held regarding dengue prevention, actions on paper are completed while nothing happens on the ground, she alleged.

Punjab VB books PCS officer on corruption charges

Chandigarh: Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) filed a corruption case against PCS officer Harpreet Singh, posted as Hoshiarpur’s Assistant Labour Commissioner, along with his office’s computer operator Alka Sharma, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000. Alka Sharma was caught red-handed and has been remanded to jail for 14 days, while Harpreet remains absconding. The complaint came from a Hoshiarpur shop owner who provided evidence of the bribe demand. The VB has registered the case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and continues efforts to locate Singh.

3 killed as tractor, pick-up vehicle collide in Jhajjar

Jhajjar: Three persons were killed and six others were seriously injured in a collision between a tractor and a pick-up vehicle on the Sampla road in Jhajjar district on Sunday morning. The police said that the deceased have been identified as Kranti Devi (50), Mukhtiyari Devi (40), and Phanak (13) of Uttar Pradesh (UP). The injured are undergoing treatment at PGIMS, Rohtak, where the condition of some of them is stated to be critical. The mishap took place when the pick-up vehicle was on its way to Jahajgarh village from Uttar Pradesh. The vehicle overturned after the collision leaving the three persons dead.

Revoke airport kirpan ban for Sikh employees: GSC Urges PM Modi, Minister Naidu

Chandigarh: The Global Sikh Council (GSC) on Sunday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Civil Aviation Minister Naidu to revoke the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) directive banning Sikh airport employees from wearing kirpans on duty. Citing discrimination, GSC president Kanwaljit Kaur noted that while passengers may carry kirpans on domestic flights, Sikh employees are barred from doing so in restricted airport areas. The GSC emphasized India’s constitutional commitment to religious freedom, urging a balance similar to that upheld in the UK and Canada for Sikh rights at airport security.