Latest news with #PardeepKumar
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Camping but make it luxe and comfortable: Glamping is the new travel trend that redefines nature exploration
Wilderness exploration, and nature in general, is not for the faint-hearted. It's easy to romanticise the idea of fishing, walking down forest trails, and sleeping under starlit skies, but the reality can humble you real quick with so many unanticipated situatuons, from unpredictable weather, makeshift shelters, improvising meals out of questionable things in the wild, to bugs that just don't quit bugging; it will be only a few days (or maybe hours) before your patience runs out. But what if it doesn't have to be a battle of endurance? Glamping is one such trend that aims to smooth out the outdoor experience, without any of the gritty Hunger Games-style survival drama. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Pardeep Kumar Siwach, Deputy General Manager, Accommodation, Mayfair Spring Valley Resort, Guwahati, shared about the surge of a new trend called glamping, a new, unique way of exploring the outdoors. He said, 'For a long time, the word 'camping' conjured images of sleeping bags on rocky ground, communal washrooms, and cooking over an open fire. It was an escape for the adventurous, that was raw, rugged, and rewarding in its way, but as travel evolves, so do the expectations of travellers. Enter glamping, a travel trend that infuses outdoor adventure with indoor indulgence. Glamping is not a trend that will fade with time; it speaks to a deeper shift in how we perceive rest, connection, and meaning in travel. In combining thoughtful design with raw beauty, it offers something rare in today's fast-moving world- the chance to experience luxury without walls. This style of travel is particularly well-suited to India's lesser-explored yet spectacular northeastern region, where the natural landscape is dramatic." ALSO READ: Always overpacking your travel itinerary? Here's how to plan according to your family size Pardeep Kumar shared a detailed guide with HT Lifestyle, explaining more about glamping and how it is different: What sets glamping apart is the experience of: ALSO READ: Trip finally out of group chat? 6 smart hacks and 4 mistakes every Gen Z planning gateway with friends should know
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC warns against private citizens representing litigants, cites ethical & legal risks
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court has made it clear that allowing a private citizen to represent a relief-seeker before the court can prove to be unethical at multiple levels. "First and foremost, placing the fate of a person's life into the untrained hands of an individual could yield immutable consequences. In fact, the same would amount to placing a wager, with a human life at stake," the HC has held. The HC has further observed that in such a situation, advocates are trained professionals who can be held accountable for their conduct as they are also liable for disciplinary actions for any professional misconduct. The legal training imparted to them enables them to represent their client in the best possible manner. Furthermore, they are required to abide by a certain code of ethics as they are not just representing their client but are also duty bound to assist the court in arriving at a correct decision, the HC has held. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar has passed the orders while dismissing a petition filed by Manjeet Singh seeking bail in a drug case registered against him in Jalandhar. During the hearing of the case, one Pardeep Kumar appeared in person on behalf of the petitioner and submitted that he, being a public-spirited individual, has been authorised by the mother of the petitioner to represent him. He contended that according to the rules framed by the HC under Section 46-A of the Punjab Courts Act, 1918, he is eligible to file a petition as he falls within the definition of a 'petition writer.' However, rejecting his plea, Justice Brar observed that a bare perusal of the abovementioned provisions indicates that by default, only advocates can appear before the court and practise law. The court further observed that section 32 of the Advocates Act, 1961 does provide for private citizens to appear before the court, however, the same is qualified by a prior permission from the court. "The present petition pertains to grant of regular bail to the petitioner. The decision of the same would have direct implications on the liberty of the petitioner, therefore, he deserves to be represented by a domain expert, who will be held accountable for any laxity on his part. With that in view, this court is not satisfied with the arguments put forth by Pardeep Kumar, to be allowed to represent the petitioner. As a matter of fact, he has not even been engaged by the petitioner himself but has appeared at the request of his mother. Therefore, it cannot be reasonably said that the petitioner has consented to being represented by him, observed the judge while dismissing the plea. The bench, however, has directed the District Legal Services Authority, Jalandhar, to facilitate filing of a fresh petition for the grant of regular bail to the petitioner.
France 24
13-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
'We can't go back': India's border residents fear returning home
Tens of thousands of people living near India's contested frontier with Pakistan were forced to flee as both countries launched deadly attacks and counter-attacks over four days, starting May 7. The two nuclear-armed neighbours agreed to a ceasefire on Saturday but have since traded accusations of breaching the truce. "I am desperate to go to my village because each day I don't open my shop I lose money," said Lal, a 50-year-old tailor. His home lies in Kashmir, a mountainous Muslim-majority region divided between the two countries that is claimed in full by both. "But the word on the street is that the war is not over," said Lal. Many people who returned home, believing the worst was over, were forced to flee again following fresh drone sightings and, in some cases, renewed artillery fire. "People had come back thinking it was safe now," said 31-year-old Pardeep Kumar from the Kashmir village of Kotmaira, which came under artillery fire just hours after the ceasefire was announced. "But now we know better," he said. 'We are being cautious' Indian authorities said they were discouraging people from returning to "sensitive" areas. "We are being cautious about places within one to two kilometres (0.6 to 1.2 miles) of the border," said a senior official in Jammu, who asked to remain anonymous as they were not authorised to speak to the media. Many displaced residents cited the lack of nearby bunkers as a key reason for not returning. "We request the government to construct more bunkers because we don't feel safe otherwise," said Akshay Kumar from the border town of Naushera. The 30-year-old, who has been sheltering in a Sikh temple 108 kilometres (67 miles) from his home, said he found it difficult to "trust Pakistan". "Areas that were never targeted in the past have seen heavy shelling this time," he said. "We cannot go back until there's absolute certainty that we'll be safe." The fighting -- the deadliest between the two South Asian rivals since 1999 -- followed an April 22 attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. India accused Pakistan of backing the "terrorists" it said were responsible for the Pahalgam attack -- a charge Islamabad denied -- and last week launched missiles at sites in Pakistan it said were hosting the militants. The surprise ceasefire, which came on the brink of all-out war, offered some relief. But several reported violations have left many residents sceptical. "We really want to go back, but it seems it is not the right time yet," said Usha Kumari, who is staying in a classroom at a government school. "Pakistani drones are still out there." For others, there is little left to return to. Nirta Kaur fled her home in the village of Mankote after a shell flattened three of its four rooms. "Who knows what is left of it now?" said the 52-year-old from her dormitory room in a Sikh temple in Jammu. "But I will have to, one day or another."
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Bihar resident held in drug case, 1kg heroin seized
The crime branch of Police Commissionerate Ludhiana arrested a man for drug peddling and recovered 1.05 kg heroin. The police also seized his bike. The accused has been identified as Pardeep Kumar of Bihar, who is currently living in Moti Nagar in rented accommodation. Following the information provided by the accused the police booked his aide Raju Kumar alias Raju of Deep Nagar of Sherpur. Inspector Beant Juneja, Incharge at Crime Branch, stated that the police arrested the accused from GLADA Ground at Chandigarh Road following a tip-off when he was going to supply the consignment. When frisked, the police recovered 1.05 kg heroin from his possession. During questioning, the accused told police that he used to procure heroin from Raju Kumar alias Raju following which the police booked the latter too. A case under sections 21, 29, 61 and 85 of NDPS act has been lodged against the accused at Moti Nagar Police station. The Inspector added that Raju Singh is already facing trial in five cases of drug peddling and liquor smuggling, while Pardeep Kumar has no past criminal record. Further he added that a hunt is on for the arrest of Raju Singh.
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: New skill-based courses draw Class 11 admission seekers
The new skill-based streams being offered to students seeking admissions in Class 11 are receiving good response, principals of government schools have said. Four government schools in the district have been selected under the state's initiative, School of Applied Learning, for which the admissions have already begun. The move is aimed at reshaping the future of senior secondary education, say teachers. Among the selected institutions is Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS), PAU. The school has introduced two specialised skill-based streams — Banking Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), and Digital Design and Development. These streams include three trade-specific subjects along with four foundational subjects. Principal Pardeep Kumar said two new laboratories are currently under construction to support the new streams. These will be operational soon, he said. 'The admissions in these subjects began on April 28. The response is overwhelming. Till now, nearly 33 students have got themselves enrolled. The final selection will be based on merit,' he said, adding that students are being encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. An orientation programme and parent-teacher meeting were held on April 28 to familiarise parents with the subjects and their benefits, Kumar said. The other institutions brought under the scheme, also referred to locally as Hunar Sikhya Schools, include the schools in Dhandari Khurd, Hambran and Sahnewal. While the new initiative has drawn praise for its forward-thinking approach, it has also reopened long-standing concerns about the state of existing vocational education in government schools. Teachers have pointed out that vocational streams, which have been running for several years, continue to suffer due to the absence of a dedicated budget and the lack of regular teaching staff since 2011. 'From arranging raw materials to organising industrial visits, everything falls on vocational teachers, without any funding support,' said a vocational teacher, requesting anonymity. District vocational coordinator Pankaj Kaushal acknowledged the concerns, saying, 'We wholeheartedly support schemes like Hunar Sikhya, but existing vocational education also deserves proper attention and funding.' At GSSS-Dhandari Khurd, principal Ujalveer Singh said that while the government would provide teachers for the new subjects, clarity is still awaited on whether they would be existing vocational educators under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) or fresh recruits. He also confirmed that 30 students have already enrolled in the new streams at his school. Efforts to reach district education officer (secondary) Dimple Madan for comments were unsuccessful.
