Title: A Statesman and a Seeker: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Dr Karan Singh Author: Harbans Singh Publisher: Speaking Tiger About the Book: The authorized biography of one of Indias most well-known and admired public figures, whose life journey is inextricably linked to that of Jammu and Kashmir, and of India since Independence. Karan Singh was just 18, and had barely recovered from a mysterious illness that left him bedridden for over a year, when he was catapulted into political life in 1949. His father, the last Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir who had recently signed the Instrument of Accession to India, appointed him Regent and left the State, never to return. Over the next two decades, Karan Singh presided over J&Ks difficult transition to a modern but troubled democracyfirst as Regent, then as Head of State (Sadr-e-Riyasat) and finally as Governor. In 1967, he joined Indira Gandhis Congress government at the Centre, becoming Indias youngest cabinet minister, and served as Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Health, and Education. He was also Indias Ambassador to the USA, head of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Member of the Rajya Sabha, Chairman of the Auroville Foundation and member of the UNESCO Executive Board. Throughout, he has remained of independent mind and spirita gentleman and a consensus-builder in the fractious world of Indian politics, and a celebrated scholar of Hinduism, a philosopher and spiritual seeker who has championed interfaith understanding for over half a century. Both intimate and objective, A Statesman and a Seeker tells the story of Karan Singhs life and legacyand his fascinating encounters with, among others, Nehru, Patel, Sheikh Abdullah, Shastri, Indira Gandhi, J.R.D. Tata, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Rajiv Gandhi, Aldous Huxley, and the spiritual gurus Sri Krishnaprem and Sri Madhav Ashish. At 94, Karan Singh remains one of Indias most respected public personalitiesand arguably the best President India never had. This comprehensive biography examines his life and times with the rigour and nuance that has never been brought to any portrait of this remarkable figure. About the Author: Harbans Singh was born in Samba, in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir. He began his career as a college professor before moving on to journalism. Over the years, he has worked for the Observer of Business and Politics, The Tribune, Chandigarh and Dainik Bhaskar. Singh has authored books in both Hindi and English. He is the author of Sufi Satta aur Samaj, written in Hindi. His books in English include a trilogy on the history of Jammu and Kashmir.
Lucknow wake-up call: Panchkula DC orders fire safety scan of coaching centres
Ludhiana, Amritsar & Faridabad see surge in dangerous heat days: Report
SGPC demands Manns resignation
Punjab sarpanches to get Rs 10k per month from Aug 15
Delhi-Amritsar AI flight strays into Pakistan airspace, returns safely
F&CC clears record 82 works in Chandigarh
Lab owners intimidated into saying they accepted money: Mann on Gurugram FIR over viral video
Haryana CM Appeals to Restore Punjabs Glory
Chandigarh, June 25: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini addressed the people from the sacred land of Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab on Wednesday. He urged them to regain their lost pride and work towards making the state number one in the country through development, good governance, and politics driven by national interest. Paying homage ... Read more Haryana CM Appeals to Restore Punjabs Glory
Congress imposed Emergency only to stay in power: Haryana BJP chief
AAP accuses Cong of using AI-generated deepfake to target CM Mann
Cong boycotts Mann, seeks his resignation and FIR under sacrilege law
Punjabs electoral roll revision begins today; CEO assures no eligible voter will be left out
SAD, BJP sharpen attack on AAP govt, CM Mann
Punjab SC Commission Summons Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu for Casteist Remarks
Chandigarh, June 25: Railway Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu appeared before the Punjab State Scheduled Caste Commission on June 24, following allegations of making casteist remarks against police officers. He submitted a written apology during the hearing. Commission Chairman Jasveer Singh Gadhi instructed Bittu to visit four locations associated with the Scheduled Caste community to express ... Read more Punjab SC Commission Summons Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu for Casteist Remarks
Pay obeisance at 4 religious places: SC panel to Bittu
In letter to BJPs Dhillon, Centre says Punjab has ample fertilizers
National canoeist, 15, dies after suffering heart attack mid-swim
Meter readers strike leaves consumers with bills of up to Rs 1.5 lakh
Chandigarhs heritage up for sale again, UT rushes to Centre to stop Paris auction
Two Items Linked To PU, PGI Listed For Auction; UT Police Register FIRs
Cop kidnapped, thrashed after he tried to stop mans assault
Six Named in FIR
Punjab BJP Claims Viral Video of CM Bhagwant Mann Tied to Religious Sentiments
Chandigarh, June 24: Sunil Jakhar, former president of the Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stated on social media that the viral video of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is not a political issue but one related to religious sentiments. In his post on X, Jakhar emphasized that the video does not pertain to politics. Instead, it ... Read more Punjab BJP Claims Viral Video of CM Bhagwant Mann Tied to Religious Sentiments
Pathankot on high alert ahead of Amarnath Yatra, security grid intensified
Pathankot is bolstering security for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, commencing July 3. Intensified flag marches, vehicle checks, and round-the-clock patrols are underway across the district, a sensitive area bordering Jammu and Kashmir and near the international border. Security forces, in coordination with the Army and BSF, are focused on ensuring the safe passage of pilgrims and maintaining law and order, urging public vigilance against suspicious activities.
Opposition trying to defame me, says Mann; claims his fake videos being released
CHANDIGARH: Amid the video row, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday rejected allegations that the forensic report that gave a clean chit to him was fabricated and lashed out at the opposition parties, alleging that they have joined hands to defame him. Manns remarks came a day after the Haryana Police arrested two men []
Punjab man kills aunt, cousin and friend before shooting self
Chandigarh: A man shot dead his aunt, her son and his friend before taking his own life in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, police said on Wednesday, June 24. The incident took place on Tuesday night, June 23, in Mundi Kalar village in Batala. The accused, Manjot Singh, 35, went to the house of his uncle Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh Law students undergo Internship at the Supreme Court and High Court
Air India flight briefly enters Pakistan airspace after technical snag
Chandigarh, Jun 24: An Air India flight operating on the Delhi-Amritsar sector briefly entered Pakistani airspace on Monday night after experiencing a technical snag in its navigation system, official sources confirmed on Wednesday. The aircraft, an Airbus A321 (Flight AI-463), safely returned to Indian airspace after being alerted by Pakistani Air Traffic Control (ATC) [] The post Air India flight briefly enters Pakistan airspace after technical snag appeared first on Northlines .
Political Turmoil in Punjab Over Alleged Fake Video of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
Chandigarh, June 24: A political storm has erupted in Punjab over an alleged fake video involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The Congress party has demanded his resignation, while the Punjab government has dismissed these claims as a result of cheap politics, asserting that there is a conspiracy to tarnish the Chief Ministers image. Health Minister ... Read more Political Turmoil in Punjab Over Alleged Fake Video of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
In a tragic turn of events in Gurdaspur, Punjab, a 35-year-old man named Manjot Singh is alleged to have shot his aunt, her young son, and a friend before taking his own life. Authorities suspect that the violent act was rooted in a land dispute. Investigations are ongoing to piece together the details surrounding this heart-wrenching incident in Mundi Kalar village.
IAS officer held for siphoning Rs 60 crore from Haryana govt a/cs
Haryana's education and agriculture departments saw another IAS officer, Pankaj Aggarwal, arrested in a Rs 60.5 crore funds swindle. He allegedly approved opening bank accounts and transferred vast sums, violating guidelines. This arrest follows that of former Panchkula municipal commissioner RK Singh, with both cases linked to a larger Rs 593 crore scam across eight state departments. The CBI is investigating the alleged siphoning of funds through shell entities.
Haryana Chief Minister Launches Auto Mutation System and Paperless Listing 2.0
Chandigarh, June 24: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini launched the Auto Mutation System and Paperless Listing 2.0 on Tuesday. This initiative is seen as a significant step towards good governance, transparency, and digital administration in the state. Residents will no longer need to submit separate applications for land record mutations. They can now download ... Read more Haryana Chief Minister Launches Auto Mutation System and Paperless Listing 2.0
Driver claims Rs 1.54L robbery; police flag discrepancies
PGI scam: Chemist inflated Rs 38 item to Rs 410 with bogus labels
SIR awareness drive for PwDs held at Aasha Kiran
SIR-2026 roll revision in Mohali to be held from June 25 to July 24
Mayor, MLA launch ward meetings to plug civic gaps
List Of Pending Works To Be Drawn Up; Officials To Be Held Accountable For Delays
Woman alleges gang rape on promise of husbands release; FIR lodged in Zirakpur
Panchkula MC offers 100% interest waiver on property tax dues till June 30
Civic Body Urges Owners To Clear Pending Liabilities; Camps To Aid Verification, Payments
PU VC race enters interview stage; candidates called on July 3, 6
SGPC to launch campaign to propagate Akal Takht directive against Mann
Petrol bomb thrown at BJP mans clinic ahead of CM Manns visit
Farmers plan 10-day march against US deal from Aug 15
SGPC objects to reported Maharashtra move on Hazur Sahib management law
Bowed before Akal Takht as it is supreme for every Punjabi & Sikh: Mann
Punjab farmers announce statewide protests, Delhi march over proposed US trade deal
Congress body protests rejection of Meenakshi Natrajans nomination for RS poll
At Bathinda Lok Milni, Mann highlights cash aid for women, targets Sukhbir
Mann clip: BJP misused Haryana Police, alleges AAP
Punjab BJP President Writes to World Bank Chief on Rural Economy Concerns
Chandigarh, June 23: Punjab BJP President Kaul Singh Dhillon has written to World Bank Chief Ajay Banga, welcoming his recent comments on Punjabs rural economy. Dhillon stated that Bangas remarks have sparked an important discussion on the economic realities of Punjab, which should be addressed seriously rather than through political blame games. In his letter, ... Read more Punjab BJP President Writes to World Bank Chief on Rural Economy Concerns
7 Chandigarh University Students Win Prestigious IndiaAI Fellowship Awarded by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology
UT eyes high-rise development in 17 peripheral pockets via CMP tweaks
Officials Project It As Key Mechanism For Implementing Long-Pending Plans
IDFC First scam: CBI arrests senior IAS officer for embezzling 60 crore
The case is part of a CBI investigation into embezzlement of 657 crore from the accounts of the Haryana government and Chandigarh administration maintained at IDFC First Bank
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Pankaj Aggarwal, IAS on Monday who was the then Principal Secretary in Department of School Education and Agriculture, in connection with the misappropriation of government funds from the account of Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad (HSSPP) and Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board (HSAMB) maintained with the Sector 32, Chandigarh branch of IDFC First Bank.
AAP govt revamps 2015 sacrilege SIT, names Bathinda DIG chief
Punjab's AAP government has reshuffled the special investigation team (SIT) tasked with probing the 2015 sacrilege incidents, appointing Bathinda range DIG Harjeet Singh as its chairman. This development occurs as the same officer joins another SIT investigating the Behbal Kalan police firing cases. The reconstituted SIT is directed to expedite its investigation into the deeply sensitive cases that have seen multiple leadership changes and legal hurdles over the years.
CBI arrests IAS Pankaj Agarwal in Haryana govt funds misappropriation case
A top Haryana IAS officer, Pankaj Agarwal, has been apprehended by the CBI. He is accused of misusing government funds from accounts held by the Haryana School Shiksha Pariyojna Parishad and the Haryana State Agriculture Marketing Board at a Chandigarh bank. The investigation centers on the alleged diversion of these substantial sums. Agarwal is slated to appear in court today.
Petrol bomb hurled at BJP leader's husband Dr Tarsem Garg's clinic in Punjab
Unidentified assailants on a motorbike hurled a petrol bomb at Dr. Tarsem Garg's clinic in Bathinda late Monday night. The fiery projectile landed in the courtyard, causing minor damage to a parked scooter but no injuries. Dr. Garg, whose wife is a BJP nominee and whose clinic is near the RSS district office, expressed bewilderment regarding the motive. Authorities have launched an investigation, forming teams to apprehend the culprits.
Accused in 2025 kidnapping-murder case denied bail
Industrialists flag inflated power bills, discrepancies before CPDL
GoI reconstitutes Chd environmental clearance bodies; panels to vet large realty and civic projects
Monsoon prep: MC asked to finish cleaning road gullies by June 30
Meeting in Mohali sets stage for Rail Roko, global outreach
PUs Meghalaya PhD row: Complaint in 2013, Action in 2026
Scrutiny Shifts From Degrees To PUs Handling of Controversy
Man hacked to death, businessman shot in separate attacks in Amritsar
GNDU research scholar represents India at global symposium in China
Students cycle across Himalayas, pay tribute to Army personnel
Punjab among states with sharpest rise in underweight children under 5: Report
Bailable warrants against BDPO in pending RTI case
Pathankot teen who died in New York accident cremated
3-month instalment to be credited in womens accounts from July 1: AAP
Punjab facing crisis on multiple fronts, claims Randhawa
Double murder convict shot dead in Sonipat encounter
BJP selling jobs of Haryana, alleges Hooda
Pay women Rs 51,000 retrospectively since AAP took over: Warring
Dowry death case filed in Rewari womans hanging; husband arrested
Haryana Cabinet Approves Online Transfer Policy and Expands Womens Commission
Chandigarh, June 23: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the Haryana Cabinet approved the Model Online Transfer Policy (MOTP) and the Teachers Transfer Policy (TTP) on Monday. The aim is to enhance the utilization of human resources, increase employee satisfaction, improve administrative efficiency, and strengthen public service delivery. Under the new policy, ... Read more Haryana Cabinet Approves Online Transfer Policy and Expands Womens Commission
AAP MP Claims BJP Ideology Will Not Succeed in Punjab
Chandigarh, June 22: The political rhetoric between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has intensified ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections in 2027. AAP MP Malwinder Singh Kang asserted that the BJPs influence will not take root in Punjab during BJP National President Nitin Nabins visit to the state. Nitin ... Read more AAP MP Claims BJP Ideology Will Not Succeed in Punjab
Punjab Cabinet Approves Ordinance to Regulate Fee Hikes in Private Schools
Chandigarh, June 22: The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, approved an ordinance on Monday aimed at regulating fee increases in private schools that do not receive government aid. This move also involves changes to industrial incentive regulations and aims to strengthen digital governance. According to the Chief Ministers office, the Cabinet has ... Read more Punjab Cabinet Approves Ordinance to Regulate Fee Hikes in Private Schools
Punjab Government Caps Private School Fees at 5% Annual Increase
Chandigarh, June 22: The Punjab government has announced that private schools in the state will not be allowed to raise their fees by more than 5% annually. This decision was revealed by the Bhagwant Mann administration. Punjab Cabinet Ministers Harjot Singh Bains and Harpal Singh Cheema discussed the new fee structure for schools. During a ... Read more Punjab Government Caps Private School Fees at 5% Annual Increase
A Polish traveler, Dominika Patalas-Kalra, urges foreign visitors to look beyond viral images of overcrowded Indian trains. She highlights her positive experience on the Vande Bharat Express between Delhi and Chandigarh, emphasizing its speed, comfort, and affordability. Patalas-Kalra advocates for choosing cleaner, faster options like Vande Bharat to showcase a different, more modern side of Indian railways, rather than focusing solely on congested general compartments.
Security agencies have expressed concern that the emergence of Supari killers from rural Jammu could strengthen organised crime networks and potentially make vulnerable youths susceptible to exploitation by anti-national elements.
Over 20 lakh appear for NEET re-exam across 5,440 centres
Srinagar, Jun 21: The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Sunday successfully conducted the NEET UG 2026 re-examination for more than 20 lakh candidates across 5,440 centres in India and 14 centres abroad, describing the exercise as a major Team Bharat effort involving multiple government agencies and stakeholders. The examination was held in 13 languages under strict security arrangements, including Aadhaar-based biometric verification, face authentication, CCTV surveillance, jammers and two-layer frisking at all centres. Command and control centres were established at national, state and district levels to monitor the examination process in real time. In Jammu and Kashmir, elaborate security arrangements wereputin place to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the examination. Police personnel were deployed at examination centres, while surveillance and security checks were intensified to preventanyirregularities and maintain transparency in the process. According to the NTA, special attention was given to candidates requiring assistance. More than 10,000 Persons with Disabilitieswere providedsupport, while special arrangements were made for 81 candidates suffering from serious medical conditions, including those undergoing treatment and recovering from injuries. The successful conduct of the examination involved coordination among central ministries, security agencies, state governments, educational institutions and banking partners. Around seven lakh officials, including police personnel, observers and examination staff, were deployed across the country. Several state governments also arranged free transportation, drinking water, food, ambulances and medical support for candidates and their families. Meanwhile, student feedback from different parts of the country suggested mixed reactions to the question paper. Many candidates who appeared for the re-test described the Physics section as tougher and lengthier compared to previous examinations. Biology was largely considered easy and based on NCERT textbooks, while Chemistry was viewed as moderate in difficulty. Students from Delhi, Chandigarh, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Bhopal and Srinagar reported similar experiences regarding the overall paper pattern. Calling the exercise a symbol of national cooperation, the NTA said the country's administrative machinery worked together to ensurethatcandidates could focus solely on their examination. The agency thanked all stakeholders and candidates for contributing to the smooth conduct of the re-examination.
Haryana Government Takes Steps to Modernize Healthcare Infrastructure
Chandigarh, June 22: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on Sunday that the government is taking significant steps to modernize the healthcare infrastructure. The aim is to provide advanced facilities and services in government hospitals that are comparable to those in private hospitals. He emphasized that substantial improvements are being made in medical infrastructure, ... Read more Haryana Government Takes Steps to Modernize Healthcare Infrastructure
261 LEDs to rescue Panchkula villages from permanent nights
11.7 Lakh Tender Floated
Yoga a year-round habit, not a one-day event
2 held with 400 gms cannabis in Zirakpur
Four minor girls reported missing within 24 hours
Man arrested for mobile theft, 40k UPI fraud
Sector 26 firing report turns out to be a hoax
Self-finance Rs 2,154cr med hub, Centre tells Chandigarh administration
1,000Bed Project Faces Uncertain Future
