Sidhu advised complete rest for 5 days; 70 back to back public meetings during election campaigning took toll on his health

Chandigarh, December 6, 2018: The Local Government, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister, Punjab, Mr.Navjot Singh Sidhu was on an intensive 17-day election campaign, wherein he addressed more than 70 back to back public meetings, the exhaustive schedule has injured his vocal cords. The doctors tell him that he was on the brink of losing his voice and have suggested a complete 3 to 5 day rest.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson said that the continuous helicopter and plane travel has been detrimental to his health because of him being on embolism treatment, he had suffered a DVT due excess air travel some years ago. He has undergone a series of haematology (blood) tests which require sincere evaluation. He has gone to an undisclosed location for a complete check up and recovery. He is being administered specialised medication, along with breathing exercises and physiotherapy.

CAPT. AMARINDER APPEALS TO PEOPLE TO DONATE MONEY GENEROUSLY FOR WELFARE OF SOLDIERS & THEIR FAMILIES ON FLAG DAY
Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday expressed solidarity with the valiant soldiers and ex-servicemen of the Indian armed forces, while calling upon the people to donate generously for the welfare of their families.
Exhorting people to come out with voluntary donations for the Flag Day Fund to mark the occasion on December 7, the Chief Minister said the money would be utilized for the rehabilitation of war widows, disabled defence personnel and ex-servicemen.
“On this Flag Day, let us strive to help the families of our brave soldiers who attained martyrdom in the defence and honour of the motherland,” he said, in his message on the occasion.
Any contribution to the Fund would be a token of respect towards the outstanding services rendered by the valiant soldiers, who zealously guard the country’s borders round the clock, he added.
The Flag Day is observed every year on December 7 as a mark of honour to the martyrs and brave soldiers of the Indian armed forces.

Local Holiday in Fatehgarh Sahib on December 28
Chandigarh: A local holiday has been declared for the district Fatehgarh Sahib on Friday, December 28, 2018, informed an official spokesman of Government of Punjab.
Giving details he informed that on account of Nagar Kirtan to be taken out in Fatehgarh Sahib on the occasion of Shahidi Sabha, Fatehgarh Sahib-2018, all the government offices, boards/ corporations and educational institutes would remain closed and added that an official notification in connection with the same has been issued by the government

MLF 2018: 'CLARION CALL THEATRE' TO SHOWCASE VICTORY EPISODES OF BATTLE HARDENED UNITS OF INDIAN ARMED FORCES
Chandigarh: To imbibe the spirit of patriotism among people, especially youngsters, the 'Clarion Call Theatre' will show movies, audio visuals and presentations on heroic deeds and naval action during the Second Edition of the Military Literature Festival, beginning here tomorrow.
According to Team Leader of the Clarion Call Theater, Colonel (retired) Avnish Sharma, the mini auditorium, with state-of-the-art sound and HD screens will play exciting films and presentations through the day to enthrall visitors.
He said that this theatre is an innovative addition to the MLF this year. The theatre is situated next to the Food Court at the Lake Club, where people can enjoy and update their knowledge about army warfare.
He said that the movies, audio-visuals and presentations can be seen between 10 am to 5 pm every day.
The name ‘Clarion Call’ signifies trumpet call for battle and its USP is that all events shown here will be Audio Video based. The audience streamers, films, clips, videos, fliers and teasers of battles, adventures, history and books is what people can enjoy in this theatre.
The famous battle of Longewala will also be showcased as a Tribute to late Brigadier Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri (Mahavir Chakra) during the second day of the events in the presence of his son, Hardeep Chandpuri.
Besides reliving the battles of Saragarhi (handful of Sikh soldiers saga of bravery), Khemkaran (largest tank battle of Asal Uttar 1965, Longewal (dogged repulse to Pakistani tank attack), Basantar (graveyard of Pakistani Patton tanks) Dograi (gritty action of the Jats), Bana Top (action by Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry's indomitable fight at Siachen Glacier), Naval battles of 1971, people would get a glimpse of the all-women army Everest expedition of 2012 and many more such events.

CHANDIGARH LAKE CLUB GETS READY TO RAISE CURTAIN ON MLF 2018
CHANDIGARH: The stage is all set for the inauguration of the much awaited 3-day Military Literature Festival (MLF) 2018, with the opening ceremony by Punjab Governor VPS Badnore on Friday at the Lake Club of the City Beautiful.
Open to one and all, with free entry to all events, MLF 2018 will offer a great opportunity for the younger generation to get acquainted with India’s glorious military heritage, while also bringing a host of cultural activities, food cuisines, competitions etc to the public.
The Fest, from December 7 to 9, is a joint initiative of distinguished military historian and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore, with full support extended by the Western Command, Indian Army.
Giving the details of the programme, an official spokesperson said that following the inauguration by the Punjab Governor, the first day would witness invigorating sessions by noted military historians, experts, and defence strategists during various panel discussions on topical subjects related to military history and literature.
The first session on ‘Role of Cross Border Operations & Surgical Strikes’, would be moderated by Lt Gen D S Hooda with Lt Gen NS Brar, Lt Gen JS Cheema, and Col Ajai Shukla as participants.
Another session on ‘Punjabi Poetry, Literature & Folk Forms Fostered by the First World War’ would have eminent writers like Bubbu Teer, Surjit Pattar, Swaraj Bir Singh, IPS – Moderator, Prof Jasbir Singh, Dr. Manmohan Singh(IPS), Brig K.S. Khalon on its panel.
On the occasion, noted Hindi litterateur Mrinal Pande would moderate the session on ‘Hindi - The Heroic Tradition (Vir Ras) in Hindi Poetry with Hindi - The Heroic Tradition (Vir Ras) in Hindi Poetry’.
On the second day, Captain Amarinder Singh would share his thoughts on the ‘Contribution of India towards the First World War’ along with Sqn Ldr RTS Chhina as moderator, besides Prof David Omissi, Prof Anju Suri, Santanu Das, Lt Gen NS Brar as participants.
Noted journalist and columnist Vir Sanghvi would have an interactive session with Captain Amarinder Singh on ‘Valour, History, Politics and Media’, which will also see actors Sonu Sood and Gurmeet Chaudhary on board.
The other renowned panelists who would be participating in the live discussion include Former Chief of Army Staff Gen. V P Malik, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) T S Shergill, Lt. Gen. K J Singh, Colonel V K Vasudeva, Lt. Gen. Satish Dua and Vishnu Som.
The afternoon session would see Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore in the session on ‘The Guerrilla Campaign of Maharana Pratab’ with Prof. Rima Hooja moderating the session, followed by another exciting deliberations on the topic ‘Wisdom of Spies’ with A S Dulat, IPS alongwith Lt. Gen. Kamal Davar and Lt. Gen. Sanjeev Langar as the participants. K C Verma would be moderating the session.
The third and the concluding day would have live discussions on sessions ‘Two Battles For Survival – Ferozshah 1848 and Chilianwala 1849’, and ‘Indian Cavalry Charges of the First World War and the Gallipoli Campaign’ with Captain Amarinder Singh, Lt. Gen. T S Shergill, Dr. Indu Banga, Tony McClenaghan and Brig. Sukhjit Singh as prominent panelists.
As many as forty short films on real wars and battles fought by the Indian Army during its eventful journey spanning since independence would be the another star attraction during MLF.
Similarly, decorated armed personnel and distinguished war heroes, including Maj Suveer Rathore, SM Hav Sandeep Kumar SM, Nk Gopal Singh SM, Lt. Cdr Vartika Joshi, Col SK Anand, Col HS Kahlon, VrC, Wg Cdr BD Singh, SC, Gp Capt AS Salaich, SC, Tank Crews, 7th Cavalry, Col Balwan Singh, MVC, Sub Maj Yogindra Singh, PVC, Nk Kapil Dev, SC, Nk Hazari Lal, SM, Col KS Virk, Maj Gen Raj Mehta, Brig TPS Chowdhary, AVSM, would interact daily with the youth to share their tales of valour during their service years.
Besides, marshal dances, weapons display, medallion gallery, artists’ corner, cultural activities and exhibitions, food and cuisine, book fair, children’s Saragarhi Samvadh would be amongst other scintillating activities to reverberate the minds of participants and visitors with heroic tales of our brave soldiers during the three day MLF.