The Haryana Story

In a shocking incident in Gurugram, a 16-year-old boy murdered his 9-year-old neighbour when she caught him stealing jewellery. He tried to burn her body but was interrupted. Inspired by crime shows, the boy confessed to the crime, leaving the community devastated and raising concerns about media influence on youth.

Haryana CM Nayab Saini empowers sarpanches to approve works up to 21 lakh rupees without e-tendering, a significant increase from the previous 5 lakh limit. The reforms also include elevated status for village leaders, computerization of panchayats, and increased pay for sanitation workers. These changes aim to accelerate rural development and improve governance in Haryana's villages.

Chandrawal was a huge hit in Haryanvi cinema, much like "Sholay" was in Bollywood. If your roots are from Haryana, you must have heard of it at least once in your life. What made this movie first of its kind in Haryanvi cinema was its ability to derive from the reality of those times, depicting the tensions between different castes, conflict between traditions and individual freedom, and the courage to change status quo. The presence of phenomenal folk music in the movie is yet another reason for its success and is something that has its legacy continued in Haryanvi music industry even today.

Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Haryana CM, kicks off Congress campaign for upcoming elections. He promises increased pensions, free electricity, and job creation while criticising BJP's governance. Hooda claims BJP has neglected development and allowed crime to flourish. Congress aims to build on recent Lok Sabha gains to reclaim power in Haryana.

Congress general secretary Deepak Babaria suggests the party may not name a CM candidate for Haryana's upcoming elections, citing tradition. He addresses internal party criticism and promises a people-focused manifesto. Babaria also criticizes the BJP government's performance in Haryana, setting the stage for a heated electoral battle.

A transporter from Haryana's Charkhi Dadri district committed suicide, leaving a note expressing distress over the possibility of Prime Minister Modi's party not winning 400 seats in the elections. The incident has sparked discussions about political fanaticism and mental health.

India clinched the ICC Men's T20 World Cup after a 17-year wait, defeating South Africa in a thrilling final. The victory marks a turning point in Indian cricket, signaling the end of the Rohit-Kohli era and bringing redemption for players and coaches alike. Emotions ran high as the team celebrated their long-awaited triumph.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini embarked on a spiritual journey to Amritsar, visiting key religious sites and meeting spiritual leaders. Amidst his pilgrimage, Saini addressed the contentious SYL canal issue, appealing to Punjab as an "elder brother" to share water resources with Haryana.

Haryana's Shafali Verma, at just 20 years old, has set a new benchmark in women's Test cricket by scoring the fastest double century. Her explosive innings of 205 off 197 balls against South Africa not only broke records but also ended her personal drought of international centuries across formats.

As Haryana's assembly elections approach, Congress faces a surge in ticket seekers, with 10-15 contenders per seat. The party plans to use surveys for candidate selection. While aiming to capitalize on anti-incumbency against BJP, Congress must overcome internal factions and alliance challenges to mount a strong electoral campaign.

Haryana is set to open a campus of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU). This 50-acre facility will be India's first Center of Excellence in forensic sciences. The project aims to speed up criminal investigations and provide advanced training. Home Minister Amit Shah oversaw the signing of the MoU.

A controversy erupted in Parliament when Speaker Om Birla objected to Shashi Tharoor's "Jai Samvidhan" remark during oath-taking. This led to a clash with Deepender Hooda and criticism from Priyanka Gandhi, highlighting tensions over constitutional expressions in the Lok Sabha.

In a significant political development, 30 leaders from various parties in Haryana joined the Congress. This move, welcomed by senior Congress figures, is seen as a boost to the party's strength and its chances in future elections.

The seed idea of ' Being Grateful' has been knocking on the window of my mind for a day or two. The knocking is persistent. It has been pecking on my conscious again and again. What does it mean? Why is it crowding my mind like this? Does it mean I am being ungrateful and need to introspect and make some course corrections? Or does it mean that I must be more expressive of my gratefulness towards the people who have helped me or have done me good?

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini vows to enact a law granting extra marks to poor candidates in job exams if their Supreme Court appeal fails. The government distributed housing plot allotment letters to over 15,000 beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Shehri Awas Yojana. Saini criticizes the opposition and highlights his government's efforts to support disadvantaged citizens.

Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge met with Haryana Congress leaders in Delhi to prepare for upcoming state elections. They stressed unity, avoiding public disputes, and focusing on winnable candidates. The party criticized BJP's performance in Haryana and expressed optimism based on recent Lok Sabha results. Strengthening party organization was highlighted as crucial.

Haryana's High Power Purchase Committee approved projects worth 1500 crore rupees. Major allocations include 1000 crore for rural water supply, 40 crore for science lab equipment in schools, and 50 crore for village gyms. The initiative aims to boost rural development, education, and fitness across the state.y

After a narrower-than-expected election win, MP Rao Inderjit Singh confronts Gurgaon officials about poor city services. He demands quick solutions to water, power, and sanitation problems, warning that voter dissatisfaction could affect future elections. Singh emphasizes the need to maintain Gurgaon's "Millennium City" status.

The US Trade and Development Agency has approved funding to develop Hisar Airport in Haryana as an integrated aviation hub. This move aims to improve India's aviation infrastructure and supply chain network. The announcement was made at the US-India Aviation Summit, highlighting growing cooperation between the two countries.

Haryana has significantly increased financial support for families of martyred soldiers and police personnel. The ex-gratia payment has been doubled from 50 lakh to 1 crore rupees. This decision applies to armed forces and central armed police personnel from Haryana who lose their lives while on duty.

The Supreme Court upheld a High Court order rejecting Haryana's policy of granting extra marks to residents in government job exams. Chief Minister Saini is considering a review petition or new bill. Opposition criticizes the policy as anti-employment, warning of potential impacts on thousands of recruitments.

A newly married couple was shot dead in a Hisar park, suspected to be an honor killing. The bride's family allegedly disapproved of the marriage. The groom's father has named 11 people in the police complaint. No arrests have been made yet as the accused are on the run.

The Supreme Court upheld a High Court decision striking down Haryana's policy of granting 5% bonus marks to residents in government job exams. The court labeled it a "populist measure" that unfairly favored local candidates. This ruling affects thousands of job seekers and nullifies recent recruitment results. 

Abhay Chautala, INLD national secretary, confirms his candidacy from Ellenabad for the 2024 Assembly elections. He announces candidates for five constituencies and expresses gratitude to Ellenabad voters, dismissing rumors of contesting from elsewhere.

As India marks 50 years since the declaration of Emergency, PM Modi urges citizens to remember the importance of democracy. The article explores the events leading to the Emergency, its impact, and its aftermath in Indian politics. 

Notably, the OBC community in Haryana accounts for around 30 percent of Haryana’s population. To woo the OBC voters, the BJP government had earlier established a sub-quota for municipal bodies for the BC-A category, which is the most backward among the state's Backward Classes. Interestingly, Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar, both who assumed their respective charges as Union ministers in Modi 3.0 recently, come from the OBC community in the state.

Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini announces plans to make Gohana the state's 23rd district once it meets official criteria. A committee has been formed to oversee the process, with population, land area, and infrastructure among key requirements.

Haryana's CM Nayab Singh Saini announces a rise in Backward Classes reservation from 15% to 27% for Group A and B posts. The move includes a special recruitment drive, increased income limits for the creamy layer, and various schemes to support OBC education and skill development. 

Ex-CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda addresses Congress workers in Ambala, calling for preparation for the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections. He criticizes BJP's governance, promises significant reforms if Congress wins, and dismisses concerns about recent party departures. Hooda emphasizes the need for grassroots campaigning.

Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Hooda emerges as the central figure in state politics ahead of Assembly polls. BJP, JJP, INLD, and even Congress rivals target Hooda, highlighting his strengthened position after Lok Sabha success. Political observers note this focus stems from Hooda's influence and opponents' strategies to weaken him.

As Delhi's water crisis intensifies, four AAP cabinet ministers have written to PM Modi requesting his intervention to secure the city's allocated water share from Haryana. The ministers highlight the severity of the situation, citing increased demand due to extreme heat and reduced supply from Haryana.

The GST Council made several decisions to lessen taxpayer complaints and the burden of compliance. "Today's GST Council meeting has taken many decisions on trade facilitation, easing taxpayer relief in terms of compliance easing out, and easing the burden of compliance," the finance minister stated.

At a state-level Sant Kabir Das Jayanti event in Gohana, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini promised to clear government job backlogs and advocate for reservation in promotions. He also announced several welfare initiatives for the poor and criticized opposition parties for exploiting revered figures' legacies for political gain. 

Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Leader of Opposition in Haryana, criticized the BJP government's policies and predicted its defeat in upcoming Assembly elections. At workers' meetings in Jind and Kaithal, Hooda announced Congress's promises, including increased pensions, free electricity, and affordable gas cylinders, while urging party workers to expose BJP's failures.

Congress MP Jai Prakash's remarks suggesting women can't inherit political legacies have sparked outrage. Former Congress member Kiran Choudhry and current MP Kumari Selja strongly condemned the statement. BJP has joined the criticism, demanding an apology from Prakash and the Congress party for the alleged anti-women sentiment. 

Archana Makwana, the influencer and fashion designer, however, has apologized for her actions and stated that she never intended to hurt anyone’s religious sentiment. Later, in a story posted on her Instagram handle, Makwana apologized for her conduct and said, “I posted something without intending to harm anyone’s religious sentiments. I was unaware that practicing yoga in the Gurdwara Sahib premises could be offensive to some as I was just paying my respect to him and did not mean any harm to anyone.” I

Some people leave a strong and influential impact on society but get very little credit. One such name is of Jat Mehar Singh Dahiya. Today’s generation may not be quite aware of him. This is the reason why we are here to remind our dearest readers that it is because of people like Mehar Singh that our culture has become rich and whose legacy deserves more recognition. The article brings anecdotes from his life, showcasing his early struggles, his passion for raginis, and his defiance of societal norms. 

India's Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Bajrang Punia has been suspended again by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for allegedly refusing to provide a urine sample. This comes just weeks after his previous suspension was revoked. Punia claims he didn't refuse but questioned NADA about expired testing kits used earlier.

Delhi Water Minister Atishi has accused the Haryana government of closing all gates of the Hathnikund Barrage, cutting off water supply to the capital. As her hunger strike enters its third day, Delhi faces a severe water crisis amidst scorching heat, affecting millions of residents. 

The Haryana government has formed a high-level committee to reorganize administrative units across the state. The move aims to improve citizen services and administrative efficiency. With state elections approaching in October 2024, questions arise about the timing and potential impact of this significant administrative restructuring.

Haryana Civil Service officer Meenakshi Dahiya is accused of sending her peon on her personal scooter to collect a Rs 1 lakh bribe from a District Fisheries Officer. The Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested the peon and a stenographer involved. Dahiya is absconding after her anticipatory bail plea was dismissed.

Congress delegation urges Haryana Governor to dismiss BJP government, claiming it lacks majority. Former CM Hooda dismisses factionalism concerns and criticizes BJP's governance. Recent defections and electoral challenges add complexity to the political landscape. Congress remains open to consultations for Rajya Sabha seat despite lacking numbers.

Two Congress candidates who lost in recent Lok Sabha elections have requested EVM re-verification in select booths. The Election Commission has accepted their applications, following new Standard Operating Procedures. This move highlights ongoing debates about electronic voting integrity and electoral transparency in India's democratic process.

A Panchkula Special Court has stayed proceedings in an industrial plot allotment case against former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and 21 others. The court criticized the CBI for failing to file a final report despite multiple assurances. The case involves alleged irregularities in plot allocations during 2011-12. 

In 2019, when Congress, once again failed to form government in the state, leaders like Randeep Singh Surjewala, Kiran Chaudhary, and Kumari Selja took charge and attacked Hooda for his ambitions of making his son Deependra Hooda Chief Minister of Haryana.  In the next 5 years, the quarrel over the CM post kept recurring, and those who considered themselves old loyalists of Congress and close to the Gandhi family staked a claim over the Chief minister’s post in Haryana.

The departure of Kiran Choudhry, a Congress MLA, and her daughter Shruti, a former MP, from the party to join the BJP has dealt a blow to the 'SRK' group comprising Hooda's rivals. This move is expected to strengthen Hooda's grip on the Haryana Congress, particularly in the critical Sonepat-Jhajjar-Rohtak-Bhiwani-Hisar belt.

The political landscape in Haryana has taken a dramatic turn with the defection of five-term MLA Kiran Choudhry and her daughter Shruti, a former MP, from the Congress to the BJP. This move has sparked a bitter war of words between the two parties, with the Haryana Congress leveling accusations of betrayal and initiating legal proceedings against Choudhry. 

In the aftermath of Kiran Choudhry's defection to the BJP, Kumari Selja, a senior Congress leader, has voiced concerns about the "injustice" done with Choudhry, indicating potential rifts within the party's Haryana unit over handling of loyal workers.

The Haryana government has decided to reserve 3% of Group C posts advertised by the HSSC in any given year for outstanding sportspersons (OSPs) and eligible sportspersons (ESPs), providing a significant opportunity for athletes to secure government jobs across seven key departments.

In a major setback for the Congress in Haryana, senior party leader Kiran Choudhry and her daughter Shruti have resigned, citing being "stifled and humiliated" within the party unit, which they claim is run as a "personal fiefdom." They are set to join the BJP today. 

Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the former Chief Minister and opposition leader, criticizes the BJP government's failure to help underprivileged communities and vows to reinstate a scheme providing free land plots to the poor, Scheduled Caste (SC), and Other Backward Class (OBC) families if elected. 

Congress MP Kumari Selja raises concerns over alleged malpractices in the NEET exam, calling for its re-conduct to uphold the dreams of aspiring medical students across the country.

In a startling turn of events, Kiran Choudhry, a prominent Congress MLA from Tosham, has openly criticized the party's ticket distribution process and leadership in Haryana, claiming that the Congress has no future in the state. Her remarks have sent shockwaves through the party ranks.

In a significant move to ease the burden on electricity consumers, the Haryana government has announced that households consuming between 10-100 units will pay a maximum of Rs 200 per month. Additionally, the state will implement the PM's free solar panel scheme to provide renewable energy to the poor.

Kiran joined Congress on persuasion of Rajiv Gandhi and became the General Secretary of the All Indian Mahila Congress in 1986. Known for her closeness to the Gandhi family in her early years, Kiran was elected to the Delhi assembly as the deputy speaker in 1998. In 2005, she contested the by-election of the Haryana Legislative Assembly from the Tosham constituency which was earlier held by her husband but was left vacant due to his demise.

During the event, PM Modi will also distribute certificates to more than 30,000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) as Krishi Sakhis and will present certificates to five Krishi Sakhis as a token gesture. Notably, PM-KISAN is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) initiative, launched in 2019, under which beneficiary farmers receive an annual sum of Rs 6,000 in three equal installments to supplement their financial needs.

Gopi had won Thrissur by a margin of around 75,000 votes over Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate VS Sunilkumar. K Muraleedharan, the son of Karunakaran, finished third in the poll. Gopi claimed he went to the memorial to pay his respects to his "guru," but he asked the media not to interpret the comments politically.

Refuting all the news reports and concerns of EVM being operated with the OTP, returning officer Vandana Suryavanshi, in a press conference in Mumbai, clarified that voting machines do not require any OTP to function. She said, “It is a technically foolproof standalone device. There is no provision for wireless or wired communication with it. For EVMs, there is no need for an OTP. The results are generated by pressing a button”. Suryavanshi further accused the news of being false and unverified and said, “This is a complete lie being spread by a newspaper, which some leaders are using to create a false narrative”

Kumari Selja's thanksgiving visit to Tohana turned dramatic when a stuck door and sloganeering by supporters of local Congress leader Paramvir Singh disrupted her press conference. The incident exposed factionalism within the local party ranks, even as Selja attempted to maintain unity and focus on expressing gratitude to workers for her recent electoral victory.

Haryana's Hisar is gearing up for a major milestone as Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announces the commencement of domestic flights from Maharaja Agrasen airport in August. With routes planned to key cities and an MoU signed with Alliance Air, the initiative aims to enhance accessibility and stimulate the state's economy. 

After a dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections, the JJP has dissolved its entire party structure. This drastic move signals an attempt to rebuild and reposition itself as a viable alternative to the BJP and Congress in Haryana's upcoming Assembly elections, hoping to tap into anti-incumbency sentiments and regain its political relevance. 

With Deepender Hooda's election to the Lok Sabha, his Rajya Sabha seat is up for grabs. The Congress faces an uphill battle to retain the seat as uncertain loyalties among JJP MLAs and Independents could lead to cross-voting, potentially favoring the BJP.

Haryana's first airport in Hisar faces political controversy as CM Nayab Saini prepares for another inauguration on June 20. The Hisar Sangharsh Samiti protests, questioning multiple inaugurations without operational flights and demanding accountability for the 37.81 crore rupees spent on passenger facilities. 

Following losses in Lok Sabha elections, BJP plans to nominate an SC candidate for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat in Haryana. The move aims to regain support from Dalit voters who, along with Jats, shifted away from the party, causing concerns for upcoming assembly elections.

In a strong attack, former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda accused the BJP of spreading hate and negativity during its 10-year rule in the state. He predicted the saffron party's downfall in the upcoming Assembly elections, citing its reduced Lok Sabha tally and rising public resentment.

After a poor showing in the Lok Sabha elections, Haryana's ministers and MLAs have kicked into high gear to accelerate development projects, address public grievances, and woo voters ahead of the impending Assembly polls. 

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has issued a directions to various departments, emphasizing the timely disbursal of post-matric scholarships, increasing pension amounts, and prioritizing the welfare of construction workers and the elderly.

Manohar Lal Khattar’s appointment as the new power minister of India has also raised hope for new developments in the power sector, given that Manohar Lal’s transforming work in the power sector in Haryana made him the popular face of development especially in the backward regions of Haryana. The electricity problem which continuously plagued the villages of Haryana for decades was solved by Khattar during his ten years of rule in the state.  Importantly, Khattar assumes the power ministry at a juncture when the power sector in India is booming.

Tensions are brewing between the Delhi and Haryana governments over the critical issue of water supply to the national capital. Delhi Water Minister Atishi has levelled serious allegations against the neighbouring state, accusing the Haryana government of deliberately and illegally halting water supplies to Delhi. This accusation comes at a time when Delhi recently went to polls, raising questions about potential political motives behind the alleged disruption. 

During his two stints as the Chief Minister of Haryana, Khattar took several important decisions and initiatives that transformed the lives of “Desi” Haryanvis. Khattar government introduced the 'Parivar Pehchan Patra' scheme, under which the Haryana government issues every family a unique family identity. It led to transparent and fast delivery of services which made lives easier for lakhs of Haryanvis living in villages. Khattar is also credited with introducing pre-qualification conditions for the candidates contesting panchayat elections and ensuring transparent recruitment. Khattar’s corruption-free rule in Haryana is also hailed for the improvement in the sex ratio, an issue which particularly earned a bad name to Haryana.

Captain Abhimanyu's journey from an army veteran to a successful industrialist and, eventually, a dedicated political leader is genuinely inspiring. His commitment to public service, his diverse experiences, and his ability to navigate through challenging circumstances make him a valuable asset to the BJP. As the party looks to regain its foothold in Haryana, Captain Abhimanyu's leadership and vision could play a pivotal role in shaping the state's political landscape. One could argue that it's already too late with the assembly elections in the coming months. But, if there is someone who can lift the party from here on, it would be Captain Abhimanyu. But that necessarily has to happen with all required mandates and freedom. Even more, it requires the existing power centres to give him the freedom to build up from here. 

The political punditry says the future looks bleak for both the “Chautala” parties in Haryana. The political pundits even blame Dushyant for the Lok sabha debacle of both JJP and INLD, claiming that Dushyant’s “apostasy” and his love for power ruined people’s trust in the Chautala clan.

Rao Inderjit changed his loyalties from Congress to BJP before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and worked as the key force of BJP in the Ahirwal belt. The five-time parliamentarian and four-time MLA, Rao won a record fifth term from Gurugram and overall his sixth term as MP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.  Rao earlier too openly wished for the CM post and sees it with the pride of South Haryana.

As it is famously said about Haryana, people here claim to own politicians with pride, and if they rally behind someone wholeheartedly, no one can stop that politician from reaching new milestones! The opposite is also true that if someone shows them an attitude of power, the Haryanvi people don’t think twice before showing that person his/her real place.

It is only because Modi has altered and redefined the idea of political and electoral successes, therefore something that ten years ago would have been viewed as a great success is now viewed as a setback!  That Modi is coming back straight for the third time and will be at the helm of affairs for the next 5 years is itself extraordinary in Indian politics.

Bhajan Lal’s journey in politics started in 1960 with the post of “Panch” in Panchayat. He never looked back since then, and after serving in various posts in the Hisar district council, fought for the post of MLA in 1968 for the first time. He defeated the independent candidate Capt Balraj with over 10044 votes in the Midterm assembly polls in Adampur and this heralded a new chapter in the politics of Haryana. 

Punjab preserves the memories of its ideals and icons by building statues, museums, and institutions whereas museums, and institutions for Haryanvi icons and personalities such as Raja Nahar Singh, Pt Lakhmi Chand, Professor Sher Singh, Balmukund Gupta, Rao Tula Ram, Ch Matu Ram, Seth Chhaju Ram, Dr Ramdhan Singh, Sir Chhotu Ram still looks towards the administration with hope.

Defectors from Congress, Fear of Losing Seats, and Personal Agendas Marred BJP's Performance in Lok Sabha Polls, Setting Stage for Showdown Post Vote Counting.

Many YouTubers claim that the entire state apparatus of India, whether its Judiciary, Election Commission, CBI, ED, or Universities, is under serious threat because of the BJP. These YouTubers also claim that the Indian constitution is under serious threat and if Modi comes to power again, he will abolish the constitution.

The process of exit polls started long back in the Indian democracy and is not a new one! The first exit poll in India was conducted in 1957 when the Indian Institute of Public Opinion carried out a post-poll survey during the second Lok Sabha elections. Since then, different pollsters have carried out this exercise, and over time it has become a money-spinning industry for many.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has scrapped the socio-economic reservation introduced by the Haryana government, jeopardizing the jobs of thousands of youths and requiring the re-conduct of Group C-D recruitment exams.

Over time the capital Chandigarh became a controversial issue and the political parties of Punjab repeatedly urged the central government to merge Chandigarh with Punjab. But since 1966, Chandigarh as capital city of Haryana also became an emotional issue for the Haryanvi people and their identity.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana is preparing a list of rebel leaders, employees, and officials who allegedly worked against the party during the Lok Sabha elections. So far, the lists for the Sirsa and Sonipat constituencies have been finalized.

Tensions escalate as government employees in Haryana express outrage over former CM Manohar Lal Khattar's allegations of biased conduct and bogus voting, leading to a tussle between employees and the ruling party over the fairness of the electoral process.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha election results in Haryana, the Congress party has prepared an internal report estimating it will win 8 seats and lose 2 seats.

Is this the woke culture or the selective posting by the Indian celebs on All Eyes on Rafah an attempt to appear cool while taking sides! The social media campaign exposes the hollowness and agenda of the Indian celebs!

By Dr. Satish Arya