Citizens demand increase in allocation to health budget

 Dr. AKM on Thursday 27th November 2025 at 5:13 PM

Privatization of State Health care add to impoverishment-IDPD

Ludhiana: 27th November 2025: (Media Link-K K Singh//Punjab Screen Desk)::

Low priority in the spending on health by the government is forcing the population to shelve money from their pocket to catastrophic level. Most of the families have to either sell their assets or borrow for health services. This was said by speakers at an interactive session on the ‘Present Health Scenario in Punjab - The Way Forward’ organised jointly by the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD), PAU Employees Union and PAU Pensioners and Retirees Welfare Association. Dr  Arun Mitra president IDPD while initiating the discussion said that India is among the lowest spenders on public health in the world. The NITI Aayog has admitted that the Out of Pocket expenditure on health is pushing  7% population into poverty every year. Our poor ranking of 102 out of 123 in the Global Hunger Index is a cause of concern as a poorly nourished person is more vulnerable to fall sick. Government has failed to meet even its own figures to increase public Health spending to 2.5% of the GDP even though the as per the World Health organisation (WHO) norms it should be 6% of the GDP towards health. Our spending hovers around less than 2%. Peace meal approach to health, more stress on insurance based health care and entry of corporate sector in a big way in the health care ‘business’ has not solved the health needs of the people.

Dr. Indervir Singh Gill member of the central council of IDPD cautioned that Punjab is among the top out of pocket spending (OOP) states on health. Over OOP is 57% against the national average of around 40%. Large number of vacancies of doctors and other health staff are lying vacant. There are only 50 percent general medical officers and specialist doctors both against the sanctioned posts in the state sector to serve the population of more than 3 crore people in the state. Allocation to health in the budget is less than 2%. Our health bending per the State's GDP is only 0.7% against the recommended 2.5% by the Niti Aayog. Now lately the government is planning to privatise the civil hospitals through PPP mode and also to open the new medical colleges in the PPP mode. This will further push the low income group people to impoverishment. This plan should be immediately revoked he said.

As per the government plan the upcoming medical colleges in Sangrur and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar will now be opened under the PPP (Public Private Partnership) model through the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB), and tenders for the same have already been floated. This will make the medical education in the state more expensive. Whereas the annual tuition fee in the government  run colleges is about 1.8 lakh per year the private colleges are charging  up to  12 Lakh per year.

It has been observed across the world that countries where the government itself provides healthcare services have far better health indicators compared to those where healthcare is delivered through the private sector or insurance companies. Therefore, instead of moving toward privatization, the Punjab Government should increase the health budget and directly ensure healthcare services for the people. D P Maur, President PAU Pensioners and Retirees Association said that the senior citizens who have no income of their own are the worst sufferers. M S Bhatia, General Secretary AITUC Ludhiana said that the government is diluting the ESI which will have serious implication on workers’ health.  Dr Pragya Sharma, compeered the proceedings. Baldev Singh Walia, President PAU Employees Union thanked the participants.  Several participants who gave their inputs include Dr Param Saini, Dr Gurveer Singh,  Dr Suraj Dhillon, Dr Ankush Kumar.

German Prof Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin's Talk at PAU

Received from PAU on 27th October 2025 at12:26 PM Regarding A Talk  By Professor Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin

“Life in a Nutshell: Biotic and Abiotic Chemistry........!

Ludhiana: 27th October 2025: (Media Link Ravinder//Punjab Screen Desk)::

The Department of Chemistry, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organized a guest lecture on “Life in a Nutshell: Biotic and Abiotic Chemistry of Natural Complex Systems in Food, Health and Environment.” The session began with the welcome of distinguished speaker Professor Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin, Director of Research, Unit Analytical Bio Geo Chemistry, Helmholtz Munich, Germany; and Dr Ashok Kumar Malik, Professor, Former Head of Punjabi University, Patiala, by Dr Kiran Bains, Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities (COBS&H).

Prof Philippe delivered an insightful and thought-provoking lecture. He discussed his studies related to analytical chemistry and metabolomics that are important for nutritional and health related issues.  He combined different spectroscopic studies with theoretical modelling techniques that illustrated chemical complexity and diversity of bioactive metabolites. He also cited examples from interfaces in biomes and abiomes of chemical systems across life, after-life, and pre-life stages.

Dr Bains, in her presidential remarks, appreciated the significance of the lecture and motivated the students and the faculty to excel in their field. She also encouraged future academic collaborations for basic and applied research.

Dr Neena Singla, Coordinator of Research, COBS&H, delivered a formal welcome address and highlighted research activities of the college.

Dr Manpreet Kaur, Head, Department of Chemistry, introduced the distinguished speaker, Dr Phillipe who is a science advisory board member of many prestigious European institutes and holds robust research experience as a team member of NASA and JAXA missions.  

The faculty of the Department of Chemistry later had an interactive session with Dr Phillips and Dr Malik and discussed possibilities of collaborative future research.

Life Time Achievement Award to Padam Shri O S Pahwa

Email From Brij Bhushan Goyal on Monday 13th Oct 2025 at 4:32 PM Regarding Onkar Singh Pahwa 

Pahwa’s entrepreneurial journey instills confidence in every youth

Ludhiana: 13th October2025: (*Brij Bhushan Goyal//Punjab Screen)::

Alumni Association of SCD Govt. College, Ludhiana has hailed honoring of Padam Shri Onkar Singh Pahwa by his alma mater where he graduated in the year 1973 with the Life Time Achievement Award, a rare honor. The college got this prestigious opportunity of honoring him at the Zonal Youth and Heritage Festival being held here where teams with their teachers from 24 colleges of Punjab were present. Principal Dr. Gursharan Jit Singh Sandhu said that this was a proud moment for the college as Pahwa’s entrepreneurial journey instills confidence in every youth.

The other befitting honor for Pahwa is his figuring on the title page of the prestigious literary magazine of the college The Sutlej for the year 2024-2025  which was released on the occasion. Pahwa in his address to students felt gratitude for the college which has groomed him. He invoked students to startup ventures saying every first step is small. He was all praise for illustrious teachers. 

The ceremony was attended by another industry stalwart Surinder Singh Bhogal, a mid-1960s alumni besides many other alumni. O P Verma, K B Singh, Brij Bhushan Goyal, P D Gupta, Navdeep Singh, Gurmit Singh, Geetanjli Pabreja, Dr Sajla Kalra, Harish Kaura, Gurmit Singh, Ashok Dhir,    Dr Vikas Loomba, Dalbir Singh Mouli, Paramjit Chander, Dr Sourabh (All alumni) and former college principals praised college’s alumni bonds. Goyal informed that Pahwa has already given sizeable help in his philanthropic pursuits for the college.

 *Brij Bhushan Goyal is Organizing Secretary, Alumni Association, SCD Govt. College, Ludhiana 

Free Camp by Holistic Homeopathic Clinic

Monday, October 13, 2025, at 10:06 AM, Regarding Medical Camp

Camp in Behrampur (Gurdaspur) Benefited Public

Behrampur: (District Gurdaspur): (Gurdaspur Screen):

To increase health awareness among the public, Holistic Homeopathic Clinic Mukerian, in collaboration with Grazitti Interactive IT Company, Panchkula, organized a free homeopathic medical camp. The camp was held at Radha Krishna Mandir, Behrampur.

During the camp, a team of experienced doctors and health workers, led by Dr. Aman Pathania and Dr. Deepak Thakur, examined over 100 patients and provided them with free homeopathic medicines. Patients were also provided with detailed information on lifestyle, diet, and mental health.

Dr. Aman Pathania stated that homeopathy is a natural and safe method that balances the body from within. Meanwhile, Dr. Deepak Thakur explained that such camps are proving helpful in making healthcare accessible in rural areas and motivating people to seek appropriate treatment.

The camp was organized and managed by Pawan Kumar, Rajesh Kumar, Pandit Ajay Shastri, and Subhash Chandra Ji. They stated that such efforts facilitate access to healthcare in rural areas.

Local residents thanked the team of doctors and expressed their gratitude for such camps. The organizers stated that similar camps will be held in other nearby areas in the coming months.

Surprises Galore In Twenty First Century

Received From B B Goyal Ludhiana on 26th September 2025 at 6:13 PM

Guest Article by *Prof PK Sharma

Ludhiana: 26th September 2025: (Media Link Ravinder//Punjab Screen Desk):: 

Brij Bhushan Goya is very known for his creative works, articles and reports etc. Today he sent an special article by *Prof PK Sharma.

Every era, time and century brims indeed with its own varied hues,innovations and distinctive contours."Change is the law of nature"is a time tested and popular saying,why not it be so with the present century too unfolding many of its queer surprises on the world scene in sharp comparison to the past ones?

Ruminating over the nuances of twenty first century, one stark reality of life haunts off and on that nothing is hard and fast in life.It reminds of William Shakespeare's famous play"Macbeth" in which at the very outset of the drama three witches chant,"Fair is foul and foul is fair" making it very candidly clear that words,concepts and definitions go on changing their connotations with the passage of time.In today's foxy a world, no one knows and is certain when "fair" turns "foul" and "foul" turns"fair"within the twinkling of an eye.

Never ever imagined that things will undergo bizarre an alteration in the present century so swiftly in all the four directions north,east,west and south of the globe.A bird's eye view ironically bears testimony to this fact that there are sharp contrasts and contradictions tangible on the today's world scene studying quite raptly the yore too.

First of all, the word DEMOCRACY comes to my mind.The famous quote of Abraham Lincoln erstwhile US President in his1863 Gettysburg address claimed it as"government of the people,by the people,for the people,shall not perish." Democracy in India drummed as the"mother of democracy" virtually is now "government of the few,by the few, for the few." The word people evaporates because of a yawning gap between the rich and the poor and inequalities unabated at various levels in "We the people of India...." pointing out evidently towards the same where A1 and A2 in terms of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in addition to the Supremo reign supreme,not at all the people of India. 

Democracy is treated these days so whimsically and instinctively in India as a fiefdom as the Lok Sabha has been pulling on sans the post of Deputy Speaker for the past over six years.Mr.Jagdeep Dhankhar Vice-President  of India-cum- Chairman Rajya Sabha on July,21 conducts too cheerfully the proceedings of the House of Elders on the opening day of Parliament's Monsoon session but by the evening either he quits his office mysteriously on health grounds in reality or made to do so  unceremoniously after completing half of his term deemed to be the blue eyed boy of "the powers that be".What a new norm of democracy did take everybody by surprise in June,2024 when the BJP's parliamentary party did not dare to convene a meeting to elect its leader in Lok Sabha but instead it was the National Democratic Alliance which completed this ritual of electing NDA leader to offer the Supremo a hassle free and safe passage to be sworn in for the third time as the Executive Head of the nation.Israel too is having democracy only in the name as PM Benjamin Netanyahu is calling the shots ruling the roost turning out to be a symbol of the devilish dance of destruction, devastation,displacement and death- only and ultimately the people and mankind the casualty.

An active journalist of more than four decades, journalism for me then in past century and now in the present one deserves deep peep into as well as a sharp analytical look.Journalism as I have comprehended so far, implies digging out truth but is it so in the letter and the spirit in India now?The spot reporting, human interest stories,first page editorials and exclusive symbolic photojournalism by and large seem to be the casualties, bidden a go bye these days also from the style sheet of journals and electronic media.The print and electronic press barring few exceptions have a penchant for concentrating and focussing unduly on the duo of ruling party "supremos" more, overlooking the opposition party bigwigs off and on.

The September 17 editions of various TV channels, English and Hindi dailies did abound with many birthday stories, ads and snaps of the supremo very unusually almost on most of the pages, making no photojournalism sense when nation on the whole had been passing through very odd, trying and tough times in wake of the fierce fury of floods in the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Bihar,Jammu Kashmir and Haryana.On  keen observation,it was found that a reputed 150 year old English daily carried eleven photographs of the "supremo" in its 12 page edition on this particular day making a mockery of photo journalism. Quite often in routine too,some dailies display at least half a dozen snaps of the "supremo" offering too much space in one edition on a given single day whereas the enough space if so saved can be utilised optimally for either disseminating some other important information or more exclusive stories.

The "Number One"and "Number Two" of the nation still do not entertain any difference between the ruling party and opposition suffering from paradoxes in abundance though in the driving seat for more than eleven years. Both do not feel shy of blaming Congress for all the ills and blemishes in the nation to sustain in power for long.Recently in a poll rally in Purnia of Bihar, the Supremo made Congress Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal scapegoat for protecting the infiltrators in Bihar posing a grave threat to India on many accounts forgetting that it is PM and Home Minister's duty to arrest this problem staring the nation in the face as both are holding the reigns of power for more than eleven years .Come polls anywhere in the nation,far flung-futile issues never ever bothered or cared,are in the forefront and vogue  pressed as the poll campaign stuff to befool the masses !

The word "peace" too has assumed very startling semiotics in the present day world.Some of the five Veto Powers too have been resorting to amusing antics. The Russian President Vladimir Putin whose country is involved in long drawn a war with Ukraine strangely proposed himself for mediation of ceasefire between Israel and Palestine forces.US President Donald Trump has been yearning for Nobel Peace Prize on account of claiming time and again mediation in seven peace missions including the cease fire between Pakistan and India claimed almost forty five times but not dittoed by India, who at one time did not refrain from attacking Iran on one or the other pretext,then Russia and Ukraine stance too did not please Trump who did strive in vain to put a full stop to their war despite his repeated efforts in this regard.The big powers of the world wish to sell modern dreadful weapons of war just to the developing nations but at the same time yearn for Nobel Peace Prize decoration too,how paradoxical a wish !

All in all,the nineteenth and twentieth centuries did leave their remarkable as well dismal footprints on the sands of time but the twenty first century has so far been replete with its dreadful,awe-inspiring and traumatic times be it Gujarat Riots, Corona Catastrophe,Coup In Afghanistan,Change Of Guard In Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, Russia Ukraine War,Indo-Pakistan Conflicts on borders,Sino-Indian Skirmishes,Israel-Palestine  Tug of War Still In Progress, Manipur Mayhem With Climatic Dangers looming large playing havoc over the world scene.The world in the 20th Century becoming a global village owing to technological advances and revolution is standing on the brink of grave impending dangers and disasters swayed by hollow,petty egos and arrogant mindsets at the international level hence peace,amity and harmony alluding the world badly.

*Prof PK Sharma Freelance Journalist & Associate Professor of English(Retired) has been an alumnus of SCD Govt. College, Ludhiana

CPI Demands Chandigarh Be Handed Over to Punjab

Received from CPI 25th National Congress on 24th September at 5:25 pm

This resolution was moved by the Punjab leader Baldev Singh Nihalgarh

At the 25th Congress of the CPI, a resolution was passed declaring that Chandigarh is the capital of Punjab and should be given to Punjab. This resolution was moved by the Punjab leader Baldev Singh Nihalgarh.

The leaders pointed out that Chandigarh was built by displacing Punjabi villages to serve as the capital of Punjab, and therefore the Punjabi people’s demand that Chandigarh be handed over to Punjab is both rightful and just.

Alongside this, the demand was also raised that Punjabi be granted the status of the official language in the capital of Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The Punjabi Bachao Manch is already running a campaign in favour of Punjabi, in which senior Party leader Comrade Devi Dayal Sharma and other leaders are participating.

CPI pays homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

Received from CPI 25th National Congress on 24th September at 5:20 pm

Also demands that Chandigarh be given to Punjab

CPI passes political and economic resolutions

Chandigarh: 24th September 2025: (Punjab Screen Desk Team)::

While holding its 25th Congress at Chandigarh, the Communist Party of India remembers and pays homage to the ninth (9th) Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, in the 350th year of his martyrdom. The great Guru Sahib taught us and humanity how to fight against injustice and tyranny. He taught us that we should neither be afraid of anyone, nor should we make anyone afraid of us. Guru Sahib was an epitome of courage and bravery, as well as a great scholar. He stands out as one of the greatest champions of human rights. His humanism embraced the whole of mankind. His teachings teach us the lessons of universal brotherhood, equality and justice. His supreme sacrifice is unmatched in the annals of human history, and learning from his teachings, the Communist Party of India reaffirms its commitment to fight against injustice and for the rights of the oppressed and the toiling masses of the country. We remember the great Guru Sahib and bow our heads in his memory.

On the third day of the 25th Congress of the Communist Party of India (CPI), important resolutions were passed concerning current Indian politics, the industrial sector, MGNREGA, Dalit issues, and Punjab, Punjabi language and Punjabi identity.

In the context of Punjab, senior Communist leader of Punjab, Hardev Arshi, moved a resolution of homage on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Party leaders described Guru Ji’s martyrdom as unparalleled. The Party stated that the great Guru Sahib taught us, and indeed the whole of humanity, to fight against injustice and tyranny. He taught us that we must neither succumb to fear nor instill fear in others.

The Party hailed Guru Sahib as an embodiment of faith, courage, and bravery, while also highlighting his profound wisdom. The Party declared him a great champion of human rights and said that he taught us the values of harmony and social equality. The Party further described Guru Sahib’s martyrdom as one of the greatest events in the history of humanity and resolved to walk upon his teachings, learn from them, and fight for the rights of the oppressed.

In another resolution, the Party said that the federal structure of the country is under threat and that the economy of the states is suffering heavy damage. The 16th Finance Commission has further reduced the states’ share of revenue, while the cesses imposed by the Central Government have risen to 23.4 per cent, of which the states receive no share. The Party called for public mobilisation in defence of federalism, together with Left and democratic forces.

Through two other resolutions, the Party opposed the privatisation of the defence production industry and the increasing privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. Similarly, the Party opposed the expansion of the power sector, terming it anti-people and anti-worker. Expressing support for the employees of the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Department, who have been on strike for 295 days, the Party strongly opposed privatisation policies.

The Party described the MGNREGA scheme as a major measure of social security and demanded the provision of 200 days of employment per year with a daily wage of ₹800.

Condemning the atrocities against Dalits, the Party noted that such crimes have risen sharply over the last ten years. With the support of statistics, the Party held BJP policies responsible for this increase. Reference was made to many such crimes, including Hathras. Subsequently, the Party presented its political report, which was unanimously adopted.

Today’s debates saw participation from the Party’s leading figures including D. Raja, Amarjeet Kaur, Palab Sen Gupta, Hardev Arshi, K. Srinivas Reddy and others.

In the evening’s cultural programme, artists from IPTA Punjab, IPTA Chandigarh, and the Punjabi Folk Dance Academy presented Punjabi folk dances—Luddi and Bhangra. Through their performances, the artists depicted various aspects of Punjab’s cultural life. Alongside the performances, the poetry of Gurnam Kanwar lent a in revolutionary spirit to the evening.