Special Stories

In a first, India exports rose-scented litchis from Punjab to Qatar, Dubai

NEW DELHI: In a significant boost to India’s horticultural exports, the Centre’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the flagging off of the first consignment of one metric tonne of rose-scented litchi from Punjab’s Pathankot to Doha in Qatar, according to an official statement issued on Friday.

K'taka tribal board scam: ED's 60 officers raid locations linked to Cong MP, 4 MLAs

BENGALURU: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) was conducting raids at locations linked to four Congress leaders and others in connection with the Maharshi Valmiki Tribal Welfare Board Scam in Ballary district and Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Over Thirty Illegal Pigeon—Kabutarbaazi—Race Events Stopped in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh After PETA India Complaints

CHANDIGARH: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, in coordination with senior police officials in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, has successfully intervened to stop 33 illegal pigeon—kabutarbaazi—race events in 20 districts over the past two months. The most recent three events were halted this week in Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana and Sangrur.

Young Woman Recounts Ordeal After Returning from Oman–Trapped Abroad by Her Own Friend, Freed Through Efforts of Sant Seechewal

PHAGWARA: Cases of exploitation and deceit involving young women in Arab countries are becoming increasingly alarming. A recent case has come to light from Kapurthala in Punjab, where a young woman was lured to Oman by her own friend under the pretext of a job opportunity. Upon her return, the victim shared the harrowing details of her ordeal.

120 years since Kangra quake: A stark reminder of Himalayan vulnerability

DHARAMSHALA: On this day in 1905, the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh was devastated by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, one of the deadliest in the 20th century, claiming over 20,000 lives and destroying 100,000 buildings. This was one of the first in the era of instrumental seismology.

Two shot dead at Anand Sheela ashram near Ranchi; personal enmity suspected

RANCHI: Two persons were shot dead at the Anand Sheela Ashram in the Chanho police station area of Ranchi, police officials said on Thursday.

Vultures provide ecosystem services worth $1.8 billion annually in southern Africa: Report

NAIROBI: The ecosystem services provided by vultures in the southern African region, including sanitation and pest control, are estimated at $1.8 billion annually, according to a report launched in the Kenyan capital on Tuesday.

Honouring martyrdom of Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh, Fateh Singh

NEW DELHI: Every year, December 26 is observed as Veer Bal Diwas, a solemn day to honour the unparalleled courage and supreme sacrifice of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the young sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and final Sikh Guru. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2022 officially designated the day as a tribute to the Sahibzadas.

Understanding Veer Bal Diwas: A commemoration of supreme sacrifice

NEW DELHI: On January 9, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that December 26 would be observed as Veer Bal Diwas to commemorate the martyrdom of the sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, who were martyred in 1704.

Efforts will be made to promote the art of chess of Amritsar worldwide: DC Amritsar

AMRITSAR: Deputy Commissioner Madam Sakshi Sahni held a special meeting with people associated with the chess industry in Amritsar today and informed them about the difficulties facing the chess industry.

Unidentified accused booked for murdering Jalandhar resident

PHAGWARA: The Nakodar Sadar police have booked unidentified accused of murdering a Jalandhar resident. Station House Officer (SHO) Baljindar Singh said the deceased had been identified as Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Tilak Nagar under Bhargo Camp police station, Jalandhar.

Jacqueline Fernandez Is an Angel for Animals in New PETA India Adoption Campaign

MUMBAI: Actor Jacqueline Fernandez stars in a new People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India campaign encouraging her fans to adopt cats and dogs from shelters and never buy them from pet shops or breeders. Wearing a beautiful faux-fur coat, a winged Fernandez appears alongside her own adorable rescue dog, Yolo – the namesake of the actor’s Yolo Foundation – with the message “Be an Angel for Animals: Adopt! Don’t Shop.” The image, which was donated by Fernandez, was shot by ace photographer Suresh Natarajan with styling by Chandini Whabi.

Sikhya Langar spreads to remote village Gurudwaras in Punjab.

AMRITSAR: The movement of Skill Sikhya Langar started by Dr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from Punjab is spearheading to the remote villages in Punjab, one such centre was inaugurated at Village Pahuwind the birthplace of Shaheed Baba Deep Singh on his birth anniversary on Sunday.

Africa's elephant population declines by 70 per cent over past 50 years: study

NAIROBI: The population of both Savannah and forest elephant species has declined sharply in the past half a century across the sub-Saharan African region, according to a research report released in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

Over 25000 trees help Moga to combat the aftereffects of stubble burning

MOGA: Stubble burning continues to pose serious environmental and health hazards, especially in agriculture-centric states like Punjab and Haryana. The severity of the issue was highlighted recently by the Moga Deputy Commissioner when he issued show-cause notices to SDMs, PCS officers, SHOs, block development and panchayat officers, following reports of stubble burning on November 4, 2024. According to news reports, FIRs have been filed against nearly 61 individuals in the district.

Kenyan child Prosper makes lives 'prosperous' for four, but after demise

CHANDIGARH: In a historic first, two-year-old Kenyan boy Prosper became the youngest pancreatic donor in India, granting two terminally ill renal failure patients a renewed opportunity for health and happiness through simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant in one and solo kidney transplant in another.

Bengal doctor rapes patient after tranquillizing her, arrested

KOLKATA: The West Bengal Police, on Tuesday, arrested a doctor in Hasnabad in North 24 Parganas district on charges of raping a female patient after injecting her with a tranquillizing serum.

Another little baby in the cradle, Red Cross crib saved the lives of 193 children

AMRITSAR: The Cradle Scheme started by the district administration in the year 2008 with the help of Red Cross has succeeded in saving the lives of 193 children.