Infusing fresh energy and hope into Punjab's youth, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Youth Wing State President Manjinder Singh Lalpura has announced a historic initiative to establish youth clubs across the state. These clubs aim to inspire young individuals toward social service, dynamic leadership, and the creation of a strong and progressive nation.

These youth clubs will serve as a robust platform to unite young individuals and channel their immense potential in the right direction. These clubs, to be established in every village, city, and ward, will provide opportunities for youth to play active roles in various areas.

Setting the wheels in motion for construction of high quality link roads, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday launched first of its kind initiative for construction of quality roads to facilitate the people of the state.

Addressing the gathering during an interactive session Sadak Dhaancha Vikas Milni here at local Tagore Theatre, the Chief Minister said that such function is being organized for the first time in the history of the state and is aimed at ensuring quality construction of roads. He said that there is a stretch of 64878 kilometers link roads in the state and the Punjab government is starting a project of repair and upgradation of 18944 kilometers long link roads on which Rs 3459.95 crore is being spent. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the main motive of the campaign is to facilitate the people as these Link Roads act as a catalyst in commuting and smooth transportation of the goods and services to people.

The Department of Computer Science at Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, organized a one-day seminar on “Smart Tech, Safer Lives: Cancer Awareness and Care.” The event focused on the transformative role of information technology in enhancing cancer awareness, facilitating early detection, and advancing treatment—ultimately contributing to safer and healthier lives. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Jaspinder Kaur, Consultant – Radiation Oncology, Cancer Centers of America, Ludhiana.

The Akal Takht's officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, on Wednesday condemned the attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.

Expressing grief over the incident, he offered prayers before the Akal Purakh, seeking eternal peace for the departed souls and strength for the bereaved families to accept His will.

He also prayed that such inhumane acts should never occur anywhere in the world and that peace and harmony should prevail across the nation and the world.

Jathedar Gargaj said the Pahalgam tragedy deeply pained him and reminded him of the March 2000 massacre in Chittisinghpura in Kashmir in which 35 Sikhs were killed, but the truth was "yet to come to light".

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to take stock of security arrangements in the state in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and asked to ensure strong security arrangements at all religious and public places in the state.

The meeting here saw the presence of top officers of the police and civil administration.

"We will not allow any compromise with national security. Strong security arrangements have been made at all religious places and public places in the state", Mann wrote in a post in Punjabi on X after the meeting.

"The number of security forces has also been increased in educational institutions. It is our responsibility to ensure the safe return of Punjabis stranded in Jammu and Kashmir, and for this, we are constantly in touch with the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The safety of the people of Punjab is our top priority", he added.

Acting on a specific tip-off, Punjab Police’s Counter-Intelligence Amritsar on Tuesday claimed to have uncovered an illegal weapon smuggling module with links extending to the US and apprehended Gurwinder Singh, alias Guri, from Ludhiana.

The police recovered five illegal pistols from his possession.

Gurwinder Singh was acting under the directions of Gurlal Singh and Vipul Sharma, both currently residing in the US, who are key handlers in this network, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav wrote on X.

Preliminary investigation revealed Gurwinder Singh is the brother-in-law of Hardeep Singh, a known drug smuggler who fled to the US in 2022 after being arrested in a 2020 case.

Gurlal and Hardeep appear to have formed an alliance abroad and are operating a transnational weapon smuggling ring using local associates in Punjab, said DGP Yadav.

Further investigation is being carried out to identify all backward and forward linkages, he added.

Desh Bhagat Global School, Mandi Gobindgarh, celebrated World Heritage Day with great enthusiasm to raise awareness among students about the importance of preserving our heritage sites. The event aimed to educate students on the value of cultural heritage and the efforts needed to conserve it. Under the theme "Our Heritage, Our Pride", students participated in various activities including poster making, colouring, showcasing historical buildings, and group discussions. An Inter-House English Quiz Competition was also held for senior students, who took part with great zeal. Students from Classes VI to VIII highlighted their concern for heritage through creative posters, while Grades III to V shared informative speeches about the day’s significance. School Principal Indu Sharma encouraged students to cherish and preserve monuments, calling them vital links to our past. Chairman Dr. Zora Singh and General Secretary Dr. Tajinder Kaur also addressed the students, emphasizing the importance of rich monuments and cultural preservation. The celebration successfully inspired students to value and protect the world’s heritage.

On the demise of Pope Francis Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Singh Sahib Jathedar Baba Balbir Singh Akali 96 Crori, the chief of the Nihang Singhs' apex body, Shiromani Panth Akali Budda Dal Chalda Wahir, has expressed deep sorrow. He said that the Pope's humility and international vision, which emphasized that the poor are also a part of this world and have the right to live with dignity, will be remembered for generations to come. The demise of such a revered spiritual leader, who spread the message of peace and equality worldwide, is a loss for the entire world. Baba Balbir Singh 96 Crori said that Pope Francis, despite suffering from lung disease, left an indelible mark on the world through his teachings, which promoted peace and equality. He was a fighter and a man without prejudice, and his legacy will continue to inspire people globally. He will always be remembered in the world of the Church.