Latest news with #VikramjitSinghSahney
India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
All-Party Delegation: India Pushes South-South Trade, Reiterates Counter-Terrorism Cooperation
During the Group 7 all-party delegation visit to South Africa under the government's diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor, Indian MPs across party lines underlined India's commitment to countering terrorism and deepening cooperation under the BRICS framework. The delegation, led by NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule, held a press conference highlighting the common resolve against terrorism. Additionally, AAP MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney highlighted India's focus on "South-South cooperation" and advocated for BRICS trade in local currencies, along with expanded investment through the New Development Bank to support Africa's agri-value chains and food security. Speaking at the press conference on Thursday (local time), Sahney said, "India has historic relations with South Africa and at that point of time, African National Congress (ANC) was the largest party but during this visit, our delegation had very fruitful discussions and interacted with all senior leaders of the ANC." He added, "We fully support the South-South cooperation and, as a member of the BRICS council, it was in Durban that the BRICS forum was launched in 2012. We are also looking at BRICS countries to conduct trade in local currencies. I think it is within our right to promote trade and investment, and promote, through the New Development Bank, of which India was a great supporter, to get the regional office opened in South Africa. We have laid emphasis that the BRICS Development Bank should also focus more on the agri-value chain for food security of Africa." BJP MP Anurag Thakur emphasised the global support India has received in light of repeated terror attacks. "We have been going places conveying the message of 1.4 billion Indians as we have been the victim of cross-border terrorism. The message is very loud and clear. Whatever we have been seeing from the reports that anywhere the other delegations have gone, the majority of the nations have come in favour because it is not only a threat to India but to the world," he said. BJP leader and delegation member V Muraleedharan also reiterated India's consistent and non-partisan foreign policy. He said, "India, whichever country we engage with, be it South Africa or any other country, we don't engage with a particular party in Government. We engage with the government irrespective of the party and with the people of that country." "India's relationship with South Africa is centuries old. We have been partners as people-to-people as well as in trade and economy and government-to-government. India continues to have its foreign policy which considers the interests of the international community, the global good and the rule of law. These two aspects have been kept of prime importance. We feel that the BRICS or the interests of the global south will be of paramount importance of India. We will continue to engage with South Africa as well as other partners in the same way that we have been doing." The members of the delegation comprise of MPs Supriya Sule, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Vikramjeet Singh Sahney, Manish Tewari, Anurag Singh Thakur, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Anand Sharma, former Minister of Commerce & Industry, V Muraleedharan, Former Minister of State for External Affairs, and Syed Akbaruddin, Former Permanent Representative of India to the UN. They visited Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, paid tribute at the Gandhi Statue, and viewed the Mandela-Gandhi Exhibition inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit comes in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, launched by India in response to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, in which 26 people, including a Nepalese national, were killed.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
All-party delegation: India pushes South-South trade, reiterates counter-terrorism cooperation
Johannesburg [South Africa], May 30 (ANI): During the Group 7 all-party delegation visit to South Africa under the government's diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor, Indian MPs across party lines underlined India's commitment to countering terrorism and deepening cooperation under the BRICS framework. The delegation, led by NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule, held a press conference highlighting the common resolve against terrorism. Additionally, AAP MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney highlighted India's focus on 'South-South cooperation' and advocated for BRICS trade in local currencies, along with expanded investment through the New Development Bank to support Africa's agri-value chains and food security. Speaking at the press conference on Thursday (local time), Sahney said, 'India has historic relations with South Africa and at that point of time, African National Congress (ANC) was the largest party but during this visit, our delegation had very fruitful discussions and interacted with all senior leaders of the ANC.' He added, 'We fully support the South-South cooperation and, as a member of the BRICS council, it was in Durban that the BRICS forum was launched in 2012. We are also looking at BRICS countries to conduct trade in local currencies. I think it is within our right to promote trade and investment, and promote, through the New Development Bank, of which India was a great supporter, to get the regional office opened in South Africa. We have laid emphasis that the BRICS Development Bank should also focus more on the agri-value chain for food security of Africa.' BJP MP Anurag Thakur emphasised the global support India has received in light of repeated terror attacks. 'We have been going places conveying the message of 1.4 billion Indians as we have been the victim of cross-border terrorism. The message is very loud and clear. Whatever we have been seeing from the reports that anywhere the other delegations have gone, the majority of the nations have come in favour because it is not only a threat to India but to the world,' he said. BJP leader and delegation member V Muraleedharan also reiterated India's consistent and non-partisan foreign policy. He said, 'India, whichever country we engage with, be it South Africa or any other country, we don't engage with a particular party in Government. We engage with the government irrespective of the party and with the people of that country.' 'India's relationship with South Africa is centuries old. We have been partners as people-to-people as well as in trade and economy and government-to-government. India continues to have its foreign policy which considers the interests of the international community, the global good and the rule of law. These two aspects have been kept of prime importance. We feel that the BRICS or the interests of the global south will be of paramount importance of India. We will continue to engage with South Africa as well as other partners in the same way that we have been doing.' The members of the delegation comprise of MPs Supriya Sule, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Vikramjeet Singh Sahney, Manish Tewari, Anurag Singh Thakur, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Anand Sharma, former Minister of Commerce & Industry, V Muraleedharan, Former Minister of State for External Affairs, and Syed Akbaruddin, Former Permanent Representative of India to the UN. They visited Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, paid tribute at the Gandhi Statue, and viewed the Mandela-Gandhi Exhibition inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit comes in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, launched by India in response to the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, in which 26 people, including a Nepalese national, were killed. (ANI)
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Upgraded de-addiction centre inaugurated in Mohali
Mohali: Taking a significant step in its ongoing war against drugs, the state government on Thursday unveiled the newly upgraded and renovated Nasha Mukti Kendra at Sector 66, Mohali. This initiative is part of the anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nasheya Virudh. The centre's capacity has been enhanced from 50 to 100 beds, with plans to expand to 200 beds by adding a floor. Skill training courses have also been introduced with the support of Sun Foundation, aiming to empower recovering youth with employable skills. Punjab's health and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh inaugurated the revamped facility in the presence of Rajya Sabha member and Sun Foundation patron Vikramjit Singh Sahney, and Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh. Speaking to the media, Dr Balbir Singh said, "Under the visionary guidance of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and the dynamic leadership of chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab is fast emerging as a model state in the global fight against drug abuse." He said drug addiction is a global crisis and that Punjab's multi-pronged strategy — targeting both supply and rehabilitation — is yielding results. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The minister highlighted that the government has significantly increased de-addiction centre bed capacity from 1,500 to 5,000. A month into Yudh Nasheya Virudh campaign, the state has intensified enforcement by cracking down on drug traffickers, seizing large quantities of narcotics, and demolishing illegal properties linked to the drug trade. Rehabilitation, he stressed, is now being prioritised. "We are not only treating but also empowering our youth. With the support of NGOs like Sun Foundation, skill training is being integrated into 19 government rehabilitation centres, beginning with Amritsar, Jalandhar, and now Mohali." The skill development programs at the Mohali centre include courses in computer literacy, mobile repair, cooking, electrical work, organic gardening, and recreational activities like gym and sports. These programs aim to reintegrate recovering individuals into society as productive citizens. The minister also announced that OOAT centres — now rebranded as Nasha Mukti Dawai Kendras — have increased to 565 across the state, with all medicine disbursement records digitised for better monitoring. Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney reaffirmed his commitment to the cause, saying, "Sun Foundation will continue supporting the youth of Punjab. We are honoured to play a role in this historic campaign to rebuild lives and restore hope." MLA Kulwant Singh expressed gratitude for the selection of Mohali's centre for this transformative initiative, thanking the health department for its commitment to fighting addiction on all fronts. As Punjab accelerates its fight against drugs, the government has called for a united effort to eliminate narco-terrorism and gangsterism, aiming to build a Rangla Punjab — a vibrant, drug-free state.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
MP Sahney announces Rs 1cr to upgrade drug rehab centres in Punjab
1 2 Chandigarh: Member of Parliament (MP) Vikramjit Singh Sahney has announced Rs 1 crore for the upgradation of all drug rehab centres in Punjab. The Punjab govt has partnered with the Sun Foundation to introduce skill development programmes at the 19 govt-run drug rehabilitation centres across the state. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Punjab Bhawan in the presence of health and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh and Vikramjit Singh Sahney, chairman of the Sun Foundation. Additionally, the foundation will provide manpower and cover the maintenance costs of the skill development facilities. Health minister Dr Balbir Singh hailed the initiative as a vital component of the state's ongoing " Yudh Nasheyan Virudh " (War Against Drugs) campaign and expressed his gratitude to MP Sahney for his commitment to a drug-free Punjab . Dr Singh stressed the need to address the concerning relapse rate of 80–90% by integrating skill development and recreational activities into the rehabilitation process. He commended the govt's progressive approach of decriminalising drug users and recognising them as patients in need of care and support. Outlining the state's strategy, Dr Singh said efforts were underway to shift intravenous drug users to safer alternatives such as tablets and liquid methadone in order to curb the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C. "My vision is to transform drug addicts into entrepreneurs through targeted skill development," he said, expressing hope for a "positive domino effect" where rehabilitated individuals become productive members of society. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo MP Sahney addressed the mischaracterisation of Punjab as uniquely drug-afflicted, pointing out that the crisis extends to several Indian states, including Maharashtra and Gujarat. Reaffirming his "heartfelt desire" to help Punjab overcome this challenge, he announced the Sun Foundation's commitment to operating all 19 rehabilitation centres. The foundation already manages successful centres in Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Mohali. Sahney shared that the foundation would introduce a range of recreational, motivational, and spiritual activities — including games, yoga, music, Gurbani, counselling, and television-equipped recreational rooms. Emphasis will also be placed on skilling individuals in organic farming, plumbing, electrical work, mobile repair, and cookery — equipping them to earn livelihoods post-recovery and reducing the chances of relapse. MSID: 120797313 413 |
