World’s largest Yoga congregation in Kota

The fourth International Yoga Day was celebrated at RAC grounds, Kota, under the collaboration of Patanjali Yogpeeth and the Rajasthan Government. More than two lakh people gathered to perform yoga. Earlier, the world record for the maximum number of people participating at one place was 35,000, created by the Ayush Ministry when PM Narendra Modi performed yoga at Rajpath in 2015. The other record was made in Ahmedabad on June 21, 2017, under the collaboration of Patanjali Yogpeeth and Gujarat government with 54,000 people taking part. Just after three months, the district administration of Mysore set a new record with 55,000 people. Now, a record of over two lakh people has been set under the guidance of Swami Ramdev. The team from the Guinness Book of World Records handed over the certification.

Markfed, Hindustan Petroleum ink pact 

Hindustan Petroleum has inked an MoU with Markfed in the presence of Punjab’s Cooperation Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. It was agreed to provide various types of oil, grease and other lubricants to the farmers of Punjab under a joint logo of Hindustan Petroleum and Markfed for their machinery. The lubricants would be made available to the farmers through cooperative societies. Randhawa said the Cooperation Department is connected with more than 10 lakh farmers. Additional Chief Secretary (Cooperation) DP Reddy said Markfed should also go in for sale and marketing of its edible products through the outlets of Hindustan Petroleum, which was agreed to by the GM of Hindustan Petroleum, Sanjay S Adsul.

GNA University celebrates International Yoga Day 

The NSS Wing and Sports Division of GNA University, Phagwara, organised yoga activities at its campus. Around 100 NSS Volunteers and faculty members participated in the Yoga Day. Dr VK Rattan, Vice-Chancellor, expressed happiness at employees participating enthusiastically to mark the International Yoga Day. Gurdeep Singh Sihra, Pro-Chancellor, congratulated NSS Division and Sports Division for organising such an event.

‘Rise for Green’ drive at Tech Mahindra 

Tech Mahindra Smart Academy for Healthcare, Mohali, has initiated a campaign ‘Rise for Green’. Hundreds of students, teachers and staff participated in the campaign by planting over 100 saplings. ‘Rise for Green’ drive will continue till August-end, said Loveleen Kacker, CEO, Tech Mahindra Foundation. Under Mahindra Hariyali Project, over the years, 14,963,152 trees have been planted.

Thapar University gets architectural award 

Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, has been announced as the winner of Student Accommodation designed by McCullough Mulvin at 29th International RIAI architectural award at a ceremony in Dublin. Amongst 15 categories, RIAI architectural award shortlisted 32 projects. Dr Prakash Gopalan, Director, TIET, said this recognition of providing the best accommodation infrastructure to students “motivates us to give the best to the young talent”.

IBM lab opens at SRM University 

Christine Raetzsch, Vice President, CTO, IBM Asia-Pacific, inaugurated the IBM Software Lab and launched the BTech-Computer Science Engineering with specialisation in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at SRM University Haryana, Sonepat, on June 15. Senthil Kumar, Director, Admission & Administration, emphasised the purpose of opening the IBM Lab in the university. Dr P Prakash, Vice Chancellor, enlightened the participants about the technology-driven society.

Onitsuka Tiger opens 2nd store 

Iconic Japanese fashion footwear and accessories brand  Onitsuka Tiger launched its second exclusive brand outlet at Elante Mall, Chandigarh. Established in 1949, the company was started by Kihachiro Onitsuka in Kobe. The new store stocks the brand’s signature collection of shoes and apparel for both men and women. Rajat Khurana, MD, ASICS India Pvt. Ltd, said Onitsuka Tiger represents the entrepreneurial spirit and craftsmanship of Japan. 

Treatment for drug dependency 

Nilam Sawhney, Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Surendra Singh, Joint Secretary, and other officers visited the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) on June 21. The secretary was briefed by Rakesh Kumar Chadda, Professor and Chief (NDDTC). The secretary also met the patients of drug (substance) abuse and alcoholism.

LR Group to offer engg courses too 

One of the leading educational institutes of Himachal Pradesh, LR Group of Institutions, is now affiliated to commence engineering courses also. Director Dr Rambabu Sharma said the institute is well equipped for the new courses. He said the ultimate motto is 360-degree growth of every single student. Chairperson Dr Lokesh Bharti said that LR is focusing on quality education with research on top priority.

BHEL wins Rs 1,000-cr orders

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has bagged two major orders for emission control equipment from Telangana State Power Generation Corporation Ltd (TSGENCO). Valued at Rs 1,000 crore, the orders involve supply and installation of Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems for control of SOx emissions at TSGENCO’s 1x800 MW Kothagudem Thermal Power Station (TPS) and 4x270 MW Bhadradri TPS in Telangana.

CGC Landran wins Employability Award 

Winning yet another accolade, Chandigarh Group of Colleges (CGC), Landran, has made it to the list of top 10 per cent technical education institutions from Punjab in terms of employability quotient of its students. Leading global job skills credentialing agency Aspiring Minds has awarded CGC Landran with National Employability Award on the basis of scores of CGC’s final year (2019 batch) students on AMCAT, India’s largest employability test. Satnam Singh Sandhu, chairman, and Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, president, CGC, congratulated the students and faculty for this achievement.

KMV, Jalandhar gets ‘Star College Status’ 

Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, an autonomous and heritage institution, has been conferred with ‘Star Status’ by DBT, Ministry of Science and Technology. Principal Prof Atima Sharma Dwivedi said this coveted status has been awarded to KMV due to excellent performance under the Star College scheme like student projects, interdisciplinary projects, inter-college competitions, faculty development programmes, student-student mentoring and other extension activities. KMV was covered under Star College Scheme three years back.

Foundation stone laid for Vanjiya Bhawan 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Vanjiya Bhawan in the heart of New Delhi. The Vanijya Bhawan will come up on Akbar Road and house the Commerce Ministry. NBCC (India) Ltd, a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has been appointed as the implementing agency to construct this building. The total cost is Rs 226.83 crore.

SCOPE-ILO study on women leaders in PSEs 

Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE), in collaboration with International Labour Organisation (ILO), conducted a first of its kind study on ‘Women in Leadership and Management in Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs)’. The findings and recommendations were presented with a number of top management and senior executives of PSEs at SCOPE Convention Centre. DG, SCOPE, Dr UD Choubey, said that women constitute about 10% of the total workforce in public sector but there was a low participation at the top level.