Balbir Singh Sidhu launches a sharp attack on the BJP government over the hike in commercial gas cylinder prices The Congress will strongly oppose every anti-people policy that affects people's kitchens S.A.S.Nagar 2 May ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Senior Congress leader and former Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu has termed the steep increase in commercial gas cylinder prices by the BJP-led central government as a well-planned conspiracy against small traders and common people, who are considered the backbone of the country's economy. Sidhu said that the significant hike in gas cylinder prices in a single day proves that the BJP government neither cares about small businesses nor about the kitchens of ordinary households. People who are already burdened by inflation, unemployment, and taxes are now being further oppressed by rising gas prices. He stated that this decision is a direct economic blow to thousands of families associated with tea vendors, dhaba owners, hotel ope...
Sixteenth Annual Oration-cum-Awards-Giving Function of First Friday Forum: A Celebration of Creative Excellence and Holistic Humanism
Sixteenth Annual Oration-cum-Awards-Giving Function of First Friday Forum: A Celebration of Creative Excellence and Holistic Humanism
Chandigarh 17 October ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The Sixteenth Annual Oration-cum-Awards-Giving Function of the First Friday Forum (FFF)—founded in 1999 by Dr. S.S. Bhatti, Founder-Teacher and Former Principal of Chandigarh College of Architecture (CCA)—was held at Anjuman, the renovated auditorium of CCA, PEC Campus, Sector 12, Chandigarh. The event celebrated interdisciplinary creativity, academic excellence, and the enduring teacher-student bond that defines Dr. Bhatti’s legacy. The programme began with the National Anthem, followed by a welcome address from Prof. Sujay Sengupta, who lauded Dr. Bhatti as India’s most versatile professional—an architect, theologian, artist, and educationist holding three PhDs from Panjab University and a Master’s from the University of Queensland, Australia. He paid tribute to Mrs. Rita Bhatti, calling her “the inspiration behind Dr. Bhatti’s tireless and socially beneficial creativity.” Dr. Niyati Jigyasu, Professor, Chandigarh University, traced the origins of the First Friday Forum as a platform created to transcend academic silos and foster interdisciplinary dialogue. She described it as “a beacon of holistic reflection in an age of narrow expertise,” rooted in Dr. Bhatti’s credo of Holistic Humanism. The highlight of the event was Dr. Bhatti’s Annual Oration on “Van-Urbanisation: From Manifesto to Mandate — Re-Greening India for a Breath of Eternal Life.” His eloquent address urged integration of ecological consciousness into urban planning, affirming that “Architecture, the matrix of civilisation, must rediscover its covenant with Nature.” The Honours-Conferment Ceremony followed, conducted by Dr. and Mrs. Bhatti. The Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Prof. Veena Garella, Ar. Dipika Tuteja, Artist Saswati Chaudhuri, and Artist-Designer Dharam Vir. The FFF Award for Creative Excellence (FFFACE) went to Ar. Inder Gulati for his sustainable architectural work at Panjab University. Ar. Surinder Bahga, the Prime Guest, endorsed Dr. Bhatti’s vision and urged the launch of Haryana’s New Capital Project to showcase creative governance. Dr. Sangeeta Bagga Mehta, Principal, CCA, presided, describing the event as “a homecoming of excellence.” Anchored by Prof. Swati Behl Uppal and concluded with a vote of thanks by Ar. Shilpa Das, the afternoon ended with camaraderie, creativity, and celebration—honouring Dr. Bhatti’s enduring mission to blend spirituality, pedagogy, and design through the First Friday Forum.
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