Punjab

Once a Google techie, Mantaj Sidhu returned to India to start Gill Organics. Today, his organic farming model serves 145 families across Punjab with chemical-free vegetables.

A winter morning visit to a field in Hansali set a Chandigarh family on a path they had never imagined. The land slowly shaped their choices, their pace and the way they connected with the people around them.

In Punjab’s Dhar block, IFS officer Dharmveer Dairu and the Forest Department are reviving the long-lost practice of sericulture by planting mulberry trees, building rearing houses, and training farmers. The project is not only boosting livelihoods of farmers but also strengthening community ties to forests.

Mantaj Sidhu quit his high-paying Google job in Ireland to start Gill Organics, a venture that lets urban families temporarily own a patch of land where fresh, organic food is grown for them. Here’s how he is bridging the gap in demand and supply of chemical-free produce.

During the devastating floods in Amritsar, Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney led a large-scale rescue operation, saving over 900 people within 24 hours. Coordinating with the army and relief teams, she brought aid to cut-off villages and became a symbol of courage.

When floods devastated Punjab, businessman Pritpal Singh Hanspal transformed his rail coach factory into a boat-making unit. In just a week, he built 100 lifeboats that are rescuing stranded families and carrying relief supplies across villages.

In Punjab’s Manak Khana, women gained recognition through a powerful nameplate initiative that is changing the way villages see gender roles.

In Malleyan, Punjab, heavy rains destroyed the only road linking two villages, stranding 35 schoolchildren. With floodwaters rising and no rescue in sight, two locals stepped in, forming a human bridge to help them cross safely. Their bravery turned a crisis into a story of courage and community.

Several airports across North India are temporarily closed. Here’s a clear, up-to-date guide to what’s changed, what travellers should keep in mind, and how to manage bookings during this time.

Ex-IAS Kahan Singh Pannu developed the SRB technique that enables Punjab farmers to grow paddy using just 25 percent of water traditionally used, saving costs and conserving groundwater.