Category: Cities
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Chandigarh: A City Without a Voice in Its Own Future
Chandigarh and the Absence of Civic Will By CitiTimes Editorial Desk Chandigarh today stands in a curious political and psychological space. Administered directly by the Union government, the city is simultaneously claimed—politically, emotionally, and symbolically—by Punjab. The Chief Minister of Punjab, the Member of Parliament from Chandigarh, and nearly every major political party in Punjab…
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UNESCO’s Watchful Eye on Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex
Why UNESCO Is Watching Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex Closely In 2016, UNESCO added a remarkable set of 17 buildings designed by the legendary architect Le Corbusier to its World Heritage List. These sites, spread across seven countries, represent milestones in modern architecture. Among them is the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh, India, a striking symbol of post-independence…
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India Hosts UNESCO’s 20th ICH Committee: A Cultural Milestone
India Hosts the 20th Session of UNESCO’s ICH Committee: Inaugural Ceremony Sets the Stage in New Delhi India marked a significant cultural milestone today as it hosted the inaugural ceremony of the 20th Session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in New Delhi. The week-long Session brings together global…
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UGC (India) Mandates Timely Exams and Degree Awards
UGC Directs Universities to Conduct Exams and Award Degrees Without Delay New Delhi, India, December 6, 2025 – The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a directive to all universities and higher education institutions across India, urging them to conduct examinations and award degrees on time. The move comes in response to growing concerns that…
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How the VP’s Snub Affects Panjab University’s Reputation
What the Vice President’s Snub Reveals About Panjab University’s Reputation and Governance After the Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, who also serves as the ex officio Chancellor, declined the invitation to attend the Panjab University Convocation, the institution has now invited Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of…
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Punjabi Students Celebrate Victory at Panjab University
“Mithi dhun rabab di, Panjab University Punjab di”: Punjabi Students Celebrate Landmark Victory at Panjab University Chandigarh, India, November 29, 2025 The streets around Panjab University, Chandigarh, came alive with dhol beats, bhangra, and slogans of “Inquilab Zindabad” as student protesters from Punjab celebrated a hard-won victory. After weeks of intense mobilisation, sit-ins and solidarity…
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IFFI 56: “Safe House” Captures ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal
Norwegian Film Safe House Wins the ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal at IFFI 56 The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), held in Goa, has announced its prestigious ICFT–UNESCO Gandhi Medal winner for 2025: the Norwegian feature film Safe House. The award, presented annually in collaboration with UNESCO’s International Council for Film, Television and Audiovisual Communication…
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Chancellor’s Absence: Impact on Panjab University’s Convocation
The Symbolic Significance of Absence: Panjab University’s Convocation Without Its Chancellor By CitiTimes Editorial Desk As Panjab University prepares for its convocation scheduled for December 2025, the anticipated absence of its Chancellor—the Vice President of India—significantly diminishes the occasion’s prominence. Convocations are not solely ceremonial events; they exemplify continuity, tradition, and the collective pursuit of…
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Why Chandigarh Residents Remains Silent Amid Panjab University Turmoil
What Role Do the People of Chandigarh Play in the Panjab University Debate? By CitiTimes Editorial Desk As Panjab University stands at the center of renewed discussions over its governance and identity, the voices from Punjab grow louder — but Chandigarh remains largely quiet. Why? And what does that silence mean? A University With Shared…
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Panjab University Governance Crisis: Protests Persist Despite Rollback
Why Protests Continue at Panjab University — Even After the Government Reversed Its Governance Reforms “The rollback may have calmed the storm, but the clouds of mistrust and unresolved questions still hang over Panjab University.” A Reversal That Didn’t End the Unrest In a surprising move, the Government of India recently withdrew its controversial order…
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New York City Elects Zohran Mamdani: A New Era of Leadership
Zohran Mamdani Elected Mayor of New York City: A Historic Milestone New York City has ushered in a new era of leadership with the election of Zohran Mamdani as its mayor, marking a historic moment in the city’s political landscape. Mamdani’s victory is notable not only for its generational significance but also for the cultural…
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QS Asia University Rankings 2026: Key Insights
QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026 QS Quacquarelli Symonds has released the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026, revealing a region that is expanding in scale, diversifying in quality, and accelerating in research and international engagement. The University of Hong Kong has risen to first place, overtaking Peking University, which now holds second place. Nanyang…
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New Governance Structure at Panjab University: What You Need to Know
Centre Overhauls Panjab University Governance: Senate and Syndicate Reconstituted In a significant policy shift, the Government of India has restructured the governance framework of Panjab University in Chandigarh. This change involves modifying the composition of the Senate and Syndicate, which are the university’s two highest decision-making bodies. A notification issued by the Ministry of Education…
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Lucknow Named UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy
UNESCO Designates 58 New Creative Cities — Lucknow Honoured for Gastronomy UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has announced the designation of 58 new cities as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), expanding the network’s reach to 408 cities across 118 countries. These cities have been recognized for their strong commitment to placing culture, creativity,…
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World Cities Day 2025: Innovations for Sustainable Urban Living
World Cities Day 2025: Building People-Centred Smart Cities Every year on October 31, people around the world celebrate World Cities Day. This observance was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013 (Resolution A/RES/68/239). World Cities Day marks the conclusion of Urban October, a month dedicated to raising awareness about sustainable urban development and…
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Ethical Commitment: Integrity Pledge by the Registrar at Panjab University
Panjab University Launches Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 with Integrity Pledge by the Registrar Chandigarh, India, October 30, 2025 — Panjab University, Chandigarh, has officially commenced Vigilance Awareness Week (VAW) 2025 with a strong message of ethical commitment. The week-long observance began with the Registrar taking the integrity pledge and administering it to the university’s non-teaching…
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India Government Approves 328 More Electric Buses for Chandigarh
The Government of India has approved an additional 328 electric buses for Chandigarh, bringing the total to 428. Significant Progress Towards Achieving a Carbon-Free Chandigarh. Chandigarh, India, October 24, 2025 — The Government of India has approved 328 additional electric buses under the PM-e-Bus Service Scheme, marking a significant milestone in Chandigarh’s initiative to become…
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Chandigarh’s Vision for a World-Class Tourist Destination
The Administrator of Chandigarh participated in the Tourism Ministers’ conference for States and Union Territories held in Udaipur. Udaipur, Rajasthan, October 15, 2025 — A two-day conference for State and Union Territories Tourism Ministers is being held in Udaipur on October 14-15. The focus of the conference is on developing tourist destinations that meet global…
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Chandigarh Cannot Directly Deal with UNESCO
Chandigarh does not have the authority to engage directly with UNESCO. Chandigarh, India, September 28, 2025 — Recently, some local newspapers in Chandigarh incorrectly reported that officials from the Chandigarh Administration had met with representatives from UNESCO in Geneva to submit a proposal for consideration. The information given was not entirely accurate. The Times of…
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Improving Governance: Kataria Meets Modi on Higher Education in Chandigarh
New Delhi, India, September 23, 2025 — Gulab Chand Kataria, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT Chandigarh, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today. During their meeting, he informed the Prime Minister about the current situation in Punjab and Chandigarh, as well as the key developmental priorities for the region.…
