Editorial

Punjab, known for its rich heritage and agricultural strength, is now under the shadow of a distressing trend—illegal human smuggling. Locally referred to as "kabootarbaazi", this underground activity has become a flourishing business across the state. Thousands of people, especially young men, are falling into the trap laid by unscrupulous agents who promise them jobs, education, or permanent settlement in foreign lands. Fueled by desperation and the dream of a better life abroad, many Punjabis risk everything—money, safety, and even their lives—only to face fraud, exploitation, or deportation.

Amid the controversy over the casting of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3, Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh is facing criticism from some public groups and film industry associations. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) have objected to the collaboration, especially in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. While the grief over such incidents is valid and deeply felt, it is important not to let emotion override fairness and artistic freedom.

It is most striking to note that while catching the bull by the horns, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the gross misuse in the application of Gangsters Act in a most learned, laudable, landmark, logical and latest judgment titled Lal Mohd & Anr. vs State of U.P. & Ors. in Criminal Appeal of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (Crl.) No (s). 6607 of 2023) and cited in Neutral Citation No.: 2025 INSC 811 that was pronounced recently on May 14, 2025.

CHANDIGARH: Punjab, once hailed as India’s agricultural powerhouse, is now grappling with a full-blown debt trap, with total liabilities projected to cross ₹3.74 lakh crore in 2024–25, constituting over 45.4% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). This is well beyond the FRBM limit of 35%, making Punjab one of the most indebted states in the country.

Trains have long been regarded as the lifelines of nations. With unmatched reliability, they operate regardless of weather conditions — whether it's torrential rains, dense fog, or extreme heat. Offering comfortable overnight journeys, spacious seating, and the luxury of affordable air-conditioned travel, trains are the true democratic mode of transport, connecting people, cargo, and cultures.

The full/half-page advertisements in newspapers, if not anything else, at least help publications stay afloat. The survival of newspapers depends significantly on government advertisements, which also keep them in line - a delicate balance that requires careful navigation. This dynamic is inherent to modern governance and the business of journalism, where the thin line between editorial independence and sponsored content must be treaded carefully to avoid earning labels that are hard to shed.

Brigadier Pritam Singh’s life reads like an epic of fortitude and fallibility—a saga etched not only in the annals of India’s military history but also in the ever-conflicted conscience of a postcolonial nation still learning to remember its heroes with nuance. Hailed as the savior of Poonch during the fraught and fiery days of the 1947–1948 Indo-Pakistani War, Singh embodied the best and the burdens of a soldier’s calling. His battlefield brilliance, however, was shadowed by personal controversy, rendering his legacy both luminous and labyrinthine.

AMRITSAR: In an official statement issued by the Secretariat of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, it has been said that during a meeting held yesterday at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Five Singh Sahiban discussed and acted upon the long-pending matter related to Takht Sri Harmandar Ji, Patna Sahib. The decision taken is not a new matter, but rather action has been taken based on issues that have been pending for a long time, as per the records of the Secretariat.

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is under fire for allegedly adopting a selective and superficial approach, to protect black sheep in the police department in its ongoing campaign against drugs and corruption. The government has also failed to act decisively in cases of moral turpitude and indiscipline by police officers. The Mann government has been accused of prioritizing propaganda over substantive action.

CHANDIGARH: The anti-drug campaign initiated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has faced severe criticism and is perceived as a mere eyewash in light of recent allegations against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal. The campaign, launched under the banner of 'Nasha Mukti Yatra,' was intended to curb the rampant drug menace in Punjab. However, the very foundation of the initiative has been questioned due to Kejriwal's alleged involvement in a drug-related case in Delhi.

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann though has claimed a moral victory in its war against Bhakra Beas Management Board(BBMB) over supply of additional water to neighbouring Haryana in the light of Punjab and Haryana High Court recent orders, the protest by AAP leaders at Nangal Dam lacked popular support, particularly the farming community, the main stake holders in river water's issue.

Imagine a world where the news was carved in stone and read aloud in marketplaces. Fast forward to today, and we consume headlines crafted by algorithms within seconds. This journey reflects not just technological progress, but a profound shift in how we understand truth and freedom.

After decades of hiatus, Bangladesh and Pakistan have made a major step toward a new era of regional cooperation in South Asia, riddled with suspicion, distrust, disrespect, and lack of neighbourliness among the eight countries.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is currently facing a significant crisis in Punjab, marked by internal conflicts, leadership challenges, and a loss of political influence.

As collected and compiled at one place by Professor [Dr] Ram Chandra Pradhan, a renowned scholar himself, according to him ‘Philosophia De Anand’ is a profound compendium that unites the most incisive philosophical works of Dr Jernail Singh Anand, a towering figure in contemporary thought whose writings traverse the vast terrains of human existence, spirituality, ethics, and the profound discontents of modernity.

BRAMPTON, Canada: Politics has finally takes over the 'unfortunate' incident of clash outside a Hindu temple here between Khalistani extremists and Hindu nationalists, as they are called here. Neither common Sikhs of Hindus were involved in the violent incident of November 3. While Khalistanis were carrying so called Khalistan flags, the Hindu nationalists (political activists) arrived at temple with the Indian flags. There was nothing religious and no Hindu devotees were targeted in the whole incident as a section of media and vested political interests in India has projected it.

CHANDIGARH: Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in a hard-hitting statement on Monday slammed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over the current India-Canada diplomatic row, while accusing him of turning a blind eye towards the issue of Sikh extremism and also patronising individuals having extremist tendencies.

AMRITSAR: Restoration of independent, autonomous and sectarian status of Shiromani Gurdwara Managing Committee on the war representative of the Sikh world. History is a witness to the fact that after Shiromani Gurdwara Managing Committee Shiromani Akali Dal came into existence as its volunteer core to liberate the Gurdwara Sahiban from the clutches of Mahants. For almost half a century, the Shiromani Committee has been leading the Sikh Panth in the religious, political and social spheres. But over the past few decades, the opposite has happened that the Shiromani Committee has suffered a tremendous loss of its independent, autonomous and sectarian entity.

CHANDIGARH: Sukhbir Singh Badal president of Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) who is facing wrath of Sikh community and the five high priests understood to have committed another political blunder by putting his aide Virsa Singh Vatoha to confront Sikh clergy and questioning the authority of Akal Takht.