Latest news with #Manpreet
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Krait caught slithering in snakebike victims' ward
1 2 3 Chandigarh: An uninvited guest — a venomous krait — slithered into the heart of the Govt Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Sector 32. The krait was spotted at the entrance of the intensive care unit (ICU) on Saturday late night — a unit ironically equipped to handle the very victims of snake bites. The dramatic event sent ripples of alarm through the hospital, though things were managed on time. "It was managed on time as the snake was spotted outside the ICU entrance," said Dr Manpreet, ICU in-charge. He said, "It perhaps entered through the drainage pipe and therefore we will soon place a mesh there." An eyewitness recounted the moment: "The guard used a wiper and stick to wrap the snake around to dispose of it." Hospital staff, already accustomed to the quiet hum of life-support machines, suddenly faced a different and unusual threat. In a late-night decision, staff chose to rely on internal security over an external rescue service, fearing that a time delay could allow the reptile to slither into the very ward that treats snakebite victims. "The first reaction was to call the security staff instead of any helpline for such reptiles as there was hardly anyone aware of the number. Also, by the time help would have arrived, the snake would have crept inside the ICU," said a staff member. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Linda Kozlowski, 67, Shows Off Her Perfect Figure In A New Photo The Noodle Box Undo by Taboola by Taboola Sources within GMCH revealed that snake sightings are a common occurrence during the monsoon and after spells of rain, particularly in the GMCH-32 hostel area and doctors' residence zones. These reptiles have also been observed crawling near the Sector 48-GMCH extension hospital. "I called 112 and they came to rescue us," said a GMCH staff member. The daring capture of the krait has brought to light a critical concern for the hospital's frontline security staff. A security guard, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "There is no medical coverage for the security personnel who are on contract. If there had been some mishap during the catching of the snake, who would have helped the guard?" MSID:: 122818917 413 |
Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Success Story: Father a gardener, twin brothers take big IT leap in Mohali
In the heart of Punjab, where startups are still finding their feet in the shadow of India's metro tech giants, Manpreet Singh and his twin brother Gurpreet Singh are quietly shaping a digital-first future from their compact Mohali office. Together, they co-founded QOR, an IT firm offering web development, SEO, digital marketing, and content services under one roof. Manpreet's journey began far from the world of venture capital and elite degrees. Raised in a modest household where his father worked as a gardener, his access to education and resources was limited. 'I did my schooling in a proper government school in Punjab,' he recalls. 'We didn't have financial backing or much guidance. So I did my graduation through distance education while working jobs to support myself.' That drive for financial independence took hold early. Manpreet started his career in 2014, training in SEO at a local agency while completing his degree. In six years, he worked his way up to team leader before joining the US-based Jaw Dropping Marketing, where he handled product promotions. The pandemic brought change—and opportunity. 'I got married in December 2020 and left my job in January 2021,' he says. 'I had always wanted to start something, and I already had some freelance projects. It just felt like the right time.' QOR officially took shape in 2022. With no elaborate business plan—just trust in their skills—Manpreet and Gurpreet rented a small office in Mohali and began building a team. Today, the company has grown to 10 members, serving a predominantly overseas clientele, especially in the US. 'We focus on complete digital solutions,' Manpreet explains. 'From website development and content writing to search engine optimisation and paid ads—Google, Bing, and social media—we help businesses go online and grow online.' The brothers also work to create opportunities for local youth. 'We prefer to train interns ourselves. If someone proves their skills, we offer full-time roles. We want to build local talent,' Manpreet says. Asked why he chose to stay in Mohali, Manpreet's answer is simple: 'It's home. And I want to give back. If someone in my neighbourhood asks me for career advice after 10th or 12th, I want to be able to guide them.' Mohali, he adds, offers practical advantages. 'Connectivity, transport, and infrastructure are strong here. Since the establishment of institutions like IISER, the government has actively promoted Mohali as an IT and industrial hub.' He contrasts Mohali's lifestyle with that of traditional tech metros. 'It's less polluted, less hectic, and more affordable than Gurgaon or Bangalore. It's ideal for building something meaningful without sacrificing quality of life.' Manpreet hopes to expand QOR's reach, continue mentoring local youth, and strengthen Mohali's position as an emerging IT powerhouse. 'Ultimately, the client cares about results,' he says. 'And we know how to deliver.' Shivangi Vashisht is an intern with The Indian Express.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rice over spice: Punjab farmers plough back chilli crop for paddy
Chandigarh: Punjab's chilli farmers experienced a poor season this year, stemming from reduced supply to Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, and a labour shortage caused by the state's decision to advance paddy sowing. Faced with low prices and scarce buyers, many farmers in Ferozepur, the leading chilli-cultivating district, opted to prematurely plough back their crops and proceed with paddy sowing last month. Despite remarkable growth in chilli cultivation in Ferozepur, from 736 hectares in 2014-15 to 2,732 hectares in 2024-25, the recently concluded season proved dismal for farmers, with prices of red, dry chilli plummeting to Rs 60-70 per kg from Rs 180 per kg in 2023 and Rs 130 per kg last year. The chilli cluster in Ferozepur was inaugurated in March 2023. Manpreet Singh, a farmer from Basti Dabian Wali in Ferozepur, cultivated chilli across 100 acres but was forced to plough back a substantial portion. He explained that Punjab's chilli did not reach Guntur this season because export samples of its traders failed due to residue traces (in chilli of other states), and Guntur already held significant stocks, including last year's chilli in cold storage. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 기미, 레이저말고 이렇게 해보세요 에스테틱최원장 Undo Despite Ferozepur's chilli being residue-free and valued by Guntur traders for its unique red colour, farmers like Manpreet were compelled to sell their produce to local and Rajasthani grinders at a reduced price of Rs 75-80 per kg. The Guntur mirchi yard is one of Asia's largest chilli markets and exports to countries like China and Vietnam. Need for cold storage Adding to the farmers' woes, the state govt's decision to advance paddy sowing to June 1 created a major labour shortage, as workers preferred the better rates offered in paddy. This resulted in widespread losses to farmers across the entire Ferozepur area, marking the first time they were forced to plough back their chilli crop. Farmers reiterated the long-standing demand for cold storage facilities, which would allow green chillies to ripen into red over time, ensuring better market value. Hardeep Singh, a chilli farmer of Bareke village, said farmers who typically divide their crop to sell both green and red chillies, were forced to sell their entire harvest as green chilli at a meagre Rs 8-10 per kg. This was due to reports of dwindling purchases by Guntur traders for exports, leading to a market glut and an abrupt shortening of the chilli season to just two months, despite its usual duration from Oct to July. "While labour is always an issue with chilli harvesting, this time the clash with paddy sowing gravely aggravated the situation," he said, adding: "We suffered a loss of Rs 50,000 per acre this season." Ferozepur's chilli farmers also questioned the rationale behind Punjab govt's decision to establish a chilli processing plant in Abohar through the Punjab Agri Export Corporation Ltd (PAGREXCO), given the area's limited chilli cultivation. "There is a need to set up a procurement centre in Ferozepur so that small farmers are saved from incurring transportation costs," they said. Apart from cold storage facilities, farmers are demanding the setting up of solar dryers in the grain markets so that chilli and other vegetables can be dried to fetch better prices. Ferozepur chief horticulture officer Simran Singh said to boost crop diversification in the border district, which has emerged as one of the state's largest vegetable producers, a chilli development centre is being established under NITI Aayog's aspirational district programme at a cost of Rs 59 lakh. He added chilli cultivation proved to be a viable option for over 4,000 farmers in the district, many of whom are small and marginal. Developed by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Chilli Hybrid-27 (CH-27) has emerged as a predominant choice, steadily progressing from small-scale production to massive commercial-level farming in and around a cluster of villages in the Malwa and Doaba regions of Punjab. Area Under Chilli in Punjab & Top 3 Districts Year | Punjab | Ferozepur | Jalandhar | Tarn Taran 2014-15 | 7359 | 736 | 1,115 | 974 2015-16 | 7,501 | 738 | 1,124 | 1,004 2016-17 | 7,687 | 754 | 1,134 | 1,010 2017-18 | 8,211 | 805 | 1,165 | 1,075 2018-19 | 8,770 | 1,716 | 1,166 | 545 2019-20 | 8,776 | 1,616 | 1,270 | 503 2020-21 | 8,778 | 1,540 | 1,272 | 506 2021-22 | 9,920 | 1918 | 851 | 559 2022-23 | 10,614 | 2,052 | 911 | 598 2023-24 | 11,397 | 2,732 | 1,002 | 641
India Today
21-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Manpreet Singh hits 400: A testament to unyielding grit
For long, Manpreet Singh, that ball of zest and fiery energy in the Indian midfield, has confounded opponents across the globe; pivot in the middle, the side tackling, stick outstretched, terrier in the defence and when in that mood, he's a blur, zipping past the opposition defences, slipping to the right before slamming the ball past the startled, rather astonished the Pro League game against Australia in Antwerp, which India lost 2-3, match No. 400 was up for Manpreet. A win would have been ideal. Yet, Manpreet, the Mithapur Kid, at 400 games and counting, has outlasted many of his contemporaries. Irrespective of the talent, the grind through junior levels, and the yo-yo nature of Indian hockey, this longevity stems from consistency and resolve. Four hundred international matches suggest he may well touch five hundred, a milestone in modern hockey.I've known Manpreet since his early days in junior hockey — back then, he wasn't someone who immediately stood out. Some players are groomed and moulded; Manpreet shaped his own career, becoming central to Indian hockey. The fire within a player — whether it's about performing in matches or sustaining a long career — must be stoked by the player himself. Plenty of talent has fallen by the wayside or faded away for all kinds of reasons. But the one thing most of them lacked was that old, reliable trait: Last June, at the Dartmouth College commencement ceremony, Roger Federer said: 'It's not about having a gift. It's about having grit.'Players often chase numbers, yet when Manpreet says, 'It's just a number,' you believe him. In a conversation three years back, at The Kalinga Stadium, while the team prepared for the World Cup, I had asked him, if he became captain at Paris 2024, he would be the only one after Pargat Singh to captain India at two consecutive Olympics, both come from the same village Mithapur, near Jalandhar and Paris would put him in a rare group of Indian players to have played four consecutive Olympic Games. His response was brief: 'It doesn't matter.' Then, he added, 'It's important that I play well. I enjoy the sport. It's not about how much you play, but how much you win. Look at the Aussies — fewer games, more medals.'Manpreet's approach reflects that of top athletes. Bill Bertka, a former Lakers assistant coach, once said of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James: 'They're both intelligent and dedicated.' Abdul-Jabbar played till 42. LeBron, this year, at age 40, could set a 23-season record. If Manpreet makes it to the 2028 LA Olympics, it would be a fifth appearance — a record for Indian hockey once struggled with motivation, especially when results at the Olympics and World Cup fell short. Careers often ended due to selectors' fixation with age. The Tokyo 2020 bronze ended a 41-year Olympic medal drought. It re-energised Manpreet. He lost the captaincy but redefined his role. The Tokyo success freed him. Fitness and mindset evolved. The only Indian with more caps than him is current Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey (412). Among internationals, Belgium's World and Olympic Champion midfielder, John-John Dohmen leads with India not medalled in Tokyo; selectors may have phased out seniors, also called 'ageing legs.' Manpreet acknowledges that 400 is a significant milestone: 'It's a moment to be proud of, but this is a team's achievement. Each player has contributed.'He has slipped into the robes of a sage smoothly. From finishing last at the London 2012 Olympics to leading the junior team in 2013 and winning gold at Incheon 2014, the arc has been gradual. The Champions Trophy final appearance in 2016 and again in 2018, followed by a podium at Tokyo, showed the team's evolution. Working with coaches like Oltmans, Walsh, Reid, and now Fulton, Manpreet learned how to close the gap between performance and 32, Manpreet says his reading of the game is sharper, and he's more self-critical. 'I admit my mistakes,' he the still somewhat chaotic battle that Indian hockey gets entangled during particular quarters where space dries up and whatever you did on the board doesn't translate onto the pitch, Manpreet, is straining at the leash, breaking forth, slapping the ball ahead, switching the team into an offensive transition and popping up on the top of the circle to receive and take a shot. In seconds, he has broken a high-pressure moment with his speed and India President Dilip Tirkey calls Manpreet's 400th game a testament to 'dedication and commitment.' Tirkey believes the team's composure today comes from players like Manpreet — players who understand and manage situations 2026 World Cup will mark 50 years since India's last world title. That podium finish is still elusive. Manpreet doesn't dwell on it but knows its importance. 'It's not enough to just play well at the World Cup,' he says. 'Only a podium finish can ease the pain, end the wait.'advertisementBefore that, the Asia Cup in September looms. 'We need to qualify for the World Cup. That's the target. I just must keep fit, and we'll do it.'Motivation isn't measured by appearances. For Manpreet, it's his family — wife Illi Saddique and mother — who provide grounding and honest feedback. 'My wife especially is my sounding board. She doesn't hesitate to point out what could be better.'Anything is possible in modern sport. From teams that propel themselves into winning positions after being locked down to players who change a team's complexion. In a sport where teams are made up of various inter-locking parts, Manpreet, as an individual, one of the parts, makes it fun, the range of possibilities expanding when he is on the a sport built around teamwork, Manpreet remains one of those parts that enhances the whole. Four hundred-plus may just be another number — but the contribution behind it, isn' Watch
News18
18-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
Kookaburras Mark Manpreet Singh's Landmark 400th Cap With Guard Of Honour
Last Updated: Manpreet was celebrated ahead of the game as the Australians gave the Indian a guard of honour before presenting him with an honorary jersey. Star Indian hockey player Manpreet Singh made history on Sunday with his 400th cap for the Indian national side in their FIH Pro League fixture against Australia at Antwerp, Belgium, in the European leg of the event. Manpreet was celebrated ahead of the game as the Australians gave the Indian a guard of honour before presenting him with an honorary jersey. — Kookaburras (@Kookaburras) June 15, 2025 The jersey handed to Manpreet by Australian player Eddie Ockenden, who also has over 400 international appearances for the Kookaburras, read, 'Congratulations, Manpreet. 400 Games, Incredible- From the Kookaburras." Manpreet, who was visibly moved by the gesture reflected on his illustrious career that began in Punjab. 'I still remember the goosebumps I felt in my debut game. To be standing here, 400 games later, is beyond anything I imagined," the 32-year-old said. 'This milestone is shared with every coach who pushed me, every teammate who backed me, and every fan who believed in me when I needed it most," he continued. 'I'm still learning, still growing – and I play with the same hunger today as I did at 19," the star player added. Team India ended up suffering a 2-3 defeat to the Australians who completed the double over India in Antwerp in consecutive days, condemning India to their sixth straight defeat in the European leg of the FIH Pro League. Indian had to endure a testing time in the European leg of the tournament as they went down 1-2 to the Netherlands on the 7th of June at Amstelveen before succumbing to yet another 2-3 defeat at the hands of the hosts a couple of days later. Argentina compounded India's woes with a 4-3 victory, before repeating the feat with another 2-1 win over the Men In Blue at the Wagener Hockey Stadium. First Published: June 18, 2025, 09:31 IST
