Punjab

Lohri, one of North India’s most cherished winter festivals, marks the end of the cold season and celebrates harvest, prosperity and community spirit. Observed with bonfires, traditional songs and shared sweets, the festival carries deep cultural and economic significance, particularly in agrarian regions. Beyond rituals, Lohri wishes and messages play a vital role in strengthening personal bonds, reinforcing social goodwill and expressing gratitude for abundance and new beginnings.

Lohri is a centuries-old winter harvest festival deeply embedded in the socio-economic fabric of North India, particularly Punjab and Haryana. Celebrated at the peak of winter, it marks the end of the agricultural cycle and the beginning of longer days. Beyond its festive rituals, Lohri reflects agrarian economics, seasonal income patterns, and collective community resilience. Traditionally associated with farmers, traders, and rural households, the festival symbolizes gratitude for crops, financial stability, and future abundance.

Punjab secured a commanding place in the semifinals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy after a clinical all-round performance highlighted by Prabhsimran Singh’s decisive contribution and a disciplined bowling display. The team combined batting stability with sharp execution in the field, underscoring its depth and tactical clarity in the knockout stage. Punjab’s ability to control key phases of the contest proved decisive, reflecting a side peaking at the right moment in India’s premier domestic one-day competition.

The Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB) has extended the application deadline for its Group D recruitment process, offering aspirants additional time to apply for 406 vacancies across various state departments. The revised deadline, now set for Jan. 19, 2026, comes amid sustained interest from job seekers and administrative efforts to ensure wider participation. The move reflects the government’s intent to make public sector recruitment more inclusive and accessible.

Punjab’s Schools of Eminence represent a transformative shift in public education, aimed at narrowing socio-economic gaps and unlocking potential among underprivileged students. Designed as centers of academic excellence, these institutions combine modern infrastructure, advanced pedagogy, and targeted student support to deliver quality education comparable to elite private schools. By focusing on merit-based access, skill development, and holistic growth, the initiative seeks to prepare students for competitive examinations, higher education, and future employment.

Punjab has reaffirmed its commitment to building a vibrant startup ecosystem, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asserting that the state faces no shortage of funds to support innovation-driven enterprises. Emphasizing policy stability, institutional support, and access to capital, the government signaled a long-term vision aimed at positioning Punjab as a competitive hub for entrepreneurship. The assurance comes amid growing interest from young founders, technology-led ventures, and small businesses seeking scale.

Punjab and Telangana have stepped up their demands for increased central funding in the run-up to the FY27 Union Budget, citing rising expenditure pressures and long-term development commitments. Both states have sought higher allocations to support infrastructure creation, social welfare programs, and fiscal stability. The renewed push underscores the growing strain on state finances as borrowing costs rise and revenue growth remains uneven.

In a strategic move to bolster healthcare infrastructure and medical education, the Punjab government has sanctioned ₹69 crore for the comprehensive upgrade of premier medical colleges across the state. The allocation targets the modernization of teaching facilities, advanced laboratories, and essential medical equipment, aligning with national standards in medical education and healthcare delivery. Officials emphasize that the initiative will enhance both academic outcomes and patient care capabilities, ensuring state-of-the-art training for future healthcare professionals.

Punjab has been placed on heightened security alert following intelligence reports suggesting potential terrorist infiltration attempts from Pakistan. Security forces, including state police and paramilitary units, are intensifying surveillance along border regions and sensitive locations. Authorities have ramped up checkpoints, patrolling, and coordination with central agencies to prevent any security breach. Analysts emphasize that proactive monitoring and rapid response capabilities are critical in mitigating cross-border threats.

The Punjab government has amended provisions of the Abadi Deh Act in a move aimed at clarifying and strengthening property rights in rural settlements. The legislative change seeks to resolve long-standing ambiguities surrounding ownership, transfer, and regularization of residential properties within village habitation areas. By providing clearer legal recognition to occupants, the amendment is expected to reduce disputes, facilitate access to credit, and improve the ease of property transactions.