Chandigarh an emerging education hub

Chandigarh is often dubbed as “The City Beautiful.” This is among the best planned city in the country. Chandigarh is unique in several ways. It is the capital of two states – Punjab and Haryana. But not a part of either of the state. Being a Union Territory it is governed directly by the central government.

Chandigarh occupies the number one position in terms of the performance on Human Development Index. Chandigarh is emerging as an education hub in north India. Chandigarh Union Territory Administrator V P Singh Badnore announced a plan of setting up an international-level Chandigarh Innovation Circle.

“Chandigarh has emerged as an education hub of north India. With the name of Chandigarh Innovation Circle, we plan to bring world-level institute in the city, which would help bring the young entrepreneurs and provide facilities to the start-ups,” said Badnore at the Northern Zonal Council meeting recently.

With four shortlisted projects Chandigarh is categorised as Catching Up in the SKOCH State of Governance 2019 report. All the shortlisted projects from Chandigarh belong to health sector.

Drug De-addiction Rehabilitation Services 

Drug addiction has become a major area of concern in Chandigarh in the recent years. Department of Psychiatry under health department of UT Chandigarh is responsible for providing round the clock detoxification & rehabilitation services.

International Day of Yoga celebrated every year on 21 June has ignited the spark of Yoga in Chandigarh. AYUSH Department, Chandigarh in collaboration with the Education Department, UT Chandigarh has started Yoga in almost all the Government schools of Chandigarh. Besides, morning Yoga sessions are being held in various government dispensaries in UT Chandigarh to teach right method of practising Yoga. A number of Yoga centres have been setup in various locations in Chandigarh.

Management of Malnourished children

Chandigarh administration has taken initiatives for management and care of malnourished children keeping in view the primary prevention through IEC and counselling. Special methods have been devised to reduce malnutrition which has decreased morbidity and mortality in children. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of UT Chandigarh has decreased by 7 points to 14 down from 21.

Vector Borne Disease Control Programme

The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) is an umbrella programme for prevention and control of Vector borne diseases. Earlier the Vector borne diseases were managed under separate National Health Programmes, but now NVBDCP covers all 7 Vector borne diseases namely – Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis, Kala-Azar and Filaria.