Tag: #new

  • Retired Executive Engineer Found Dead in Shimla Flat

    Retired Executive Engineer Found Dead in Shimla Flat

     

    Shimla, March 6:

    A 50-year-old man was found dead in his residence in the New Shimla area on Thursday afternoon, police said.

    According to the District Police Shimla, the police station at New Shimla received information that a man living alone in Block-50, Sector-04 had not opened the door of his house for a long time, raising suspicion among neighbours.

    Acting on the information, a police team reached the spot and, in the presence of witnesses, opened the door of the flat. Inside the room, the body of Pravesh Kumar (50), son of Bihari Lal and a resident of Thural in Palampur tehsil of Kangra district, was recovered. He was currently living alone at the New Shimla address.

    Preliminary information revealed that the deceased had taken voluntary retirement from the post of Executive Engineer in the Electricity Department. Police also learned that he had been under mental stress for some time and was taking medication for anxiety. His wife passed away in 2021 and the couple had no children.

    The body has been sent to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, and kept in the mortuary. The post-mortem examination will be conducted on Friday.

    During initial inquiry, family members and neighbours have not expressed any suspicion. Police have initiated proceedings under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and further investigation is underway.

    Senior police officials also inspected the spot and issued necessary directions, police added.

  • Pikazzo Institute Unveils New Creative Campus

    Pikazzo Institute Unveils New Creative Campus

    Rajiv Kumar Highlights Youth Empowerment

    Solan, February 16, 2026:

    Pikazzo Institute inaugurated its new campus in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, in a grand ceremony held on Sunday. The event was graced by  Rajiv Kumar (IAS), Managing Director, HTDC, and  Pardeep Chauhan (Forest Department, DM) as Chief Guests.

    Addressing the gathering, Rajiv Kumar (IAS) congratulated the institute on its expansion and emphasized the growing importance of creative and digital industries in today’s economy. He stated that such initiatives play a crucial role in equipping the youth of Himachal Pradesh with industry-relevant skills and opening doors to new employment opportunities. He appreciated the institute’s focus on practical training and career-oriented education, encouraging students to take full advantage of the emerging opportunities in animation, VFX, gaming, and AI-driven technologies.

    The new campus will offer career-focused Degree Programs in Animation, VFX, Graphic Design, Game Design, Multimedia, and AI-based Creative Technologies, with strong emphasis on hands-on learning, portfolio development, and placement support.

    With this expansion, Pikazzo Institute aims to empower young talent in Himachal Pradesh by providing industry-ready creative education and fostering innovation in the digital era.

  • Mandi Farmer Switches to Super Fruits, Reaps Bumper Income

    Mandi Farmer Switches to Super Fruits, Reaps Bumper Income

    In Himachal Pradesh, new initiatives in the fields of horticulture and agriculture are currently showing promise. By successfully growing dragon fruit and departing from conventional agricultural methods, Prem Chand, a forward-thinking farmer from Thaur village in Jukain Gram Panchayat, under the Sarkaghat subdivision of Mandi district, has set a new standard for the area.

    800 Plants on 2.5 Bighas of Land
    In 2024, farmer Prem Chand planted 800 plants of the Maharashtra-sourced “Jumbo Red” variety of dragon fruit on his 2.5 bighas of land under the expert supervision of the Horticulture Department. In the first season of 2025, his diligence and the department’s assistance produced positive outcomes. Approximately two quintals of dragon fruit have been produced thus far by Prem Chand, who sold them in the market for between Rs. 250 and Rs. 300 per kilogram. From this first harvest, he has made about Rs. 50,000.

    According to Prem Chand, he used to engage in traditional farming, but the earnings were insignificant in comparison to the work required. He started growing dragon fruit after being inspired by the Horticulture Department. To do this, he prepared raised beds, leveled his fields, and supported the plants with trellises. Notably, he uses no artificial pesticides or fertilizers and only engages in natural farming. In his fields, papayas, custard apples, and dragon fruit are all thriving. Arjun Sharma, his son, is actively supporting him in this attempt as well.

    Premchand’s success has been largely attributed to government initiatives. He was approved a total subsidy of ₹62,000 for dragon fruit production under the Horticulture Department’s “Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture” (MIDH) plan, of which the first installment of ₹38,000 has already been received. Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (Prime Minister’s Agricultural Irrigation Scheme), he also received an 80% discount (₹20,000) on the ₹25,000 cost of building a drip irrigation system.

    Dragon fruit is a cactus-related crop that thrives in areas with temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius, according to Dr. Anil Thakur, a subject matter expert in Sarkaghat. The government is giving farmers a subsidy of up to ₹3,37,500 per hectare in two installments as part of the area expansion program. Additionally, the government offers subsidies for contemporary irrigation systems. According to Horticulture Development Officer Dr. Vipin, farmers like Premchand have demonstrated that even small pieces of land can yield a respectable income when departmental programs and the appropriate technology are combined. For farmers in the area, dragon fruit is now becoming a viable source of income.

  • Himachal looking to partner with New-Zealand in apple and pears cultivation 

    Himachal looking to partner with New-Zealand in apple and pears cultivation 

    • High commissioner Patrick John Rata call on Chief Minister 

    A delegation from New Zealand, led by High Commissioner Patrick John Rata, called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, here today. The Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh and New Zealand share many similarities and collaboration in the horticulture sector, particularly apples and pears could significantly enhance the income of the fruit growers in the state.

    He said that Himachal could benefit from New Zealand’s advanced horticultural practices, technology transfer and farmer capacity building. Such cooperation would help improve productivity, strengthen post-harvest management and meet international quality standards, thereby enhancing the global competitiveness of Himachal’s produce.

    The Chief Minister said that New Zealand’s experts could extend technical guidance in areas such as high-density plantation, orchard management, pest and disease control, storage and marketing strategies. This initiative would not only improve yield and quality but also boost the horticulture-driven economy of Himachal Pradesh.

    “The Government of Himachal Pradesh is committed to enhancing the income of apple growers and has taken several steps in this direction in the last two and half years. The introduction of the universal carton has ensured better prices for horticulturists. With the support of New Zealand’s expertise, the state aims to adopt modern, sustainable and climate-resilient practices, paving the way for a new era in apple and pear cultivation,” the Chief Minister stated.

  • हिमाचल में बम की धमकियों से डरे अभिभावक, सुरक्षा बढ़ाने की मांग करीं

    हिमाचल में बम की धमकियों से डरे अभिभावक, सुरक्षा बढ़ाने की मांग करीं

    शिमला

    हिमाचल के विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में बम से उड़ाने वाली ईमेल की धमकियों से लोगो की बीच डर का मोहोल पैदा हो गया है । पिछले तीन महीने से विभिन विभागों को उड़ाने की धमकियाँ  मिल चुकी है पर इस पर अभी तक कांग्रेस सरकार व् पुलिस द्वारा कोई ठोस कदम नहीं उठाए गए है ।

    बुधवार को भी ऐसी ही ईमेल  शिमला के तीन नामी स्कूलों को भेजी गई जो बाद में फर्जी निकलीं। इस पर अभिभावकों ने अपनी निराशा और चिंता व्यक्त की है और  अधिकारियों से दोषियों की पहचान कर उनके खिलाफ कड़ी कार्रवाई करने का आग्रह भी  किया है ।

    बता दे बम की धमकियों के बाद एहतियातन स्कूलों को खाली करवाए गया और अभिभावकों को फ़ोन किए गए ताकि वह अपने बच्चे को घर लेजा सके । जहा एक तरफ अभिभावकों के लिए चिंता की स्थिति पैदा हो गई थी  वहीँ बच्चो के मन में एक डर बैठ गया है । क्या हमारा स्कूल सुरक्षित नहीं ?

    रचना झीना शर्मा, राजनितिक ने भी अपनी फेसबुक पोस्ट पर लिख कर प्रशासन से अपील की है की ” आज के बच्चे (our new generation) हमारे देश और समाज के लिए कल का हमारा सुनहरा भविष्य है। पुलिस प्रशासन और राज्य सरकार इस मामले को गंभीरता से लेते हुए सभी स्कूलों की तस्सली पूर्वक जाँच करें और यदि आवश्यकता पड़े को स्कूलों की सुरक्षा भी बढ़ाई जाएं ताकि अभिभावक और स्कूल प्रशासन निश्चिंत हो कर बच्चों को पढ़ा सके। पुलिस प्रशासन और राज्य सरकार को ऐसी धमकी देने वालो पर तुरंत सख्त कारवाई करनी चाहिए।”

    सिर्फ एक रचना ने नहीं बल्कि हरेक अभिभावक जिनके बच्चे स्कूल जाते है उनका यही कहना है। बैंक मैनेजर प्रेरणा शर्मा  जिनका बेटा st.edward में पड़ता है उन्होने कहा , “स्कूलों को बम की धमकियाँ मिलना बेहद चिंताजनक है। इससे न सिर्फ़ डर पैदा होता है, बल्कि बच्चों की पढ़ाई भी बाधित होती है। “हो सकता है कि ये सब अफवाह निकले, लेकिन माता-पिता होने के नाते, हम डरे हुए हैं।”

    अनीता मेहरा, हाउस वाइफ  ने कहा कि यह अनिश्चितता बेहद परेशान करने वाली है। “हम सुनते रहते हैं कि ये धमकियाँ झूठी हैं, लेकिन कोई भी माता-पिता कैसे शांत रह सकता है? जैसे ही मुझे फ़ोन आया, मैं सब कुछ छोड़कर यहाँ दौड़ी चली आई। जब मैं अपनी बच्ची को लेने आई, तो वह भी बहुत चिंतित थी।

    अधिवक्ता तरुण शर्मा ने बार-बार मिल रही धमकियों पर गंभीर चिंता व्यक्त की। शर्मा ने कहा, “लगातार मिल रही बम की धमकियों से हम सभी बेहद चिंतित और चिंतित हैं। हमारे बच्चों की सुरक्षा सर्वोपरि है और ऐसी घटनाएँ पूरी तरह अस्वीकार्य हैं।” उन्होंने अधिकारियों से दोषियों की पहचान और उन्हें पकड़ने के लिए तत्काल और कड़े कदम उठाने का आग्रह किया। शर्मा ने यह भी कहा कि अभिभावक और छात्र दोनों ही भय के साये में जी रहे हैं, और शैक्षणिक संस्थानों में सुरक्षा की भावना बहाल करना ज़रूरी है।

     

  • Government to bring new comprehensive sports policy: CM 

    Government to bring new comprehensive sports policy: CM 

    SHIMLA 12th February, 2024

    Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has revealed plans for a new comprehensive sports policy aimed at nurturing talent and providing enhanced support to the athletes in the State. He said that the state government was dedicated to raise the stature of sports in the state. “To provide adequate resources and facilities to the sportspersons of the State is imperative, and our government is determined to enable budding athletes to sharpen their skills and excel in their respective disciplines to achieve this goal, a new Sports Policy is in the pipeline,” said Sh. Sukhu.

    One of the pivotal aspects of the proposed sports policy revolves around substantially increasing the prize money awarded to athletes who bring glory to Himachal on the International stage. This move will not only incentivize excellence but also recognize and reward the relentless efforts of athletes who represent the state on a global platform said Sh. Sukhu.

    Plans to augment infrastructure and enhance facilities across the state underscore the State Government’s steadfast dedication to create an enabling environment for athletes to thrive. Numerous sports personalities from Himachal have showcased their prowess at the International level and the government was committed to further bolster their endeavours, the Chief Minister said.

    The envisaged Sports Policy is a proactive approach towards nurturing talent, fostering sporting excellence, and positioning Himachal as a hub for athletic prowess, said Sh. Sukhu.

  • Prabodh Trividi CSIR-IHBT के नए निदेशक

    Prabodh Trividi CSIR-IHBT के नए निदेशक

    प्रबोध कुमार त्रिवेदी ने आज हिमालयन बायोरसोर्स टेक्नोलॉजीज (IHBT), पालमपुर के सीएसआईआर-इंस्टीट्यूट के निदेशक के रूप में कार्यभार संभाला। वर्तमान में, त्रिवेदी सीएसआईआर-सेंट्रल इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ मेडिसिनल एंड एरोमैटिक प्लांट्स (CIMAP), लखनऊ के निदेशक हैं।

    यह 28 फरवरी को पूर्व निदेशक संजय कुमार के सुपरन्यून किए जाने के बाद, नई दिल्ली के वैज्ञानिक और औद्योगिक अनुसंधान परिषद (CSIR) द्वारा की गई एक अंतरिम व्यवस्था है। संजय कुमार ने विभिन्न पदों पर 33 वर्षों से CSIR-IHBT की सेवा की थी; वह लगभग आठ वर्षों तक संस्थान के निदेशक थे।

    त्रिवेदी ने संजय कुमार के सराहनीय योगदान की सराहना की और उन्हें आश्वासन दिया कि वह पूरी प्रतिबद्धता के साथ उनके द्वारा की गई आगे की पहल करेंगे।

    संस्थान के विभिन्न विभागों और अन्य वरिष्ठ स्टाफ सदस्यों के प्रमुखों ने भी संस्थान में कुमार के योगदान की सराहना की।