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Daikin India Launches Next Gen AI-Powered VRV Alpha Series ACs In Chandigarh Market

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Daikin India Launches Next Gen AI-Powered VRV Alpha Series ACs In Chandigarh Market
Series comes with highest energy efficiency & smart climate control
Daikin India Chairman & MD Kanwaljeet Jawa asserts that the 2026 range has been precision-engineered to exceed the Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s (BEE’s) stringent new ISEER energy efficiency thresholds

Inspired by the success of a voluntary campaign launched by Japan’s Ministry of Environment, encouraging offices, public buildings, and homes to set ACs at 28°C to save energy and fight climate change, the Ministry of Power and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in India a few years ago mandated manufacturers to make 24°C the default setting for all new star-labelled room air conditioners. And yet, most users prefer to set the AC temperature much lower at between 18-21 degrees Celsius, which is considered both energy inefficient and unhealthy.

Sharing this information in an exclusive conversation with your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com after formally launching Daikin’s all new 2026 product line-up, claiming to mark a significant leap in energy efficiency and smart climate control, Daikin India Chairman & MD Kanwaljeet Jawa said the industry body in India RAMA (Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Manufacturers Association) has been aggressively pursuing with the government to take more forceful steps in this direction.

Daikin India CMD Kanwaljeet Bawa (right) and Kuldeepak Virmani, Director & Sr. VP Operations (North & East), Daikin India, pose with Daikin’s new 2026 range of ACs

The new range includes a completely revamped series of room air conditioners, which exceed the latest BEE 2026 Star Rating standards, and the pioneering VRV Alpha series, which integrates advanced AI and IoT capabilities into Daikin’s patented VRV technology.

Observing that despite a marked increase in the last 15 years in the percentage of Indian households which use ACs from 4% to 7%, Jawa said the penetration lags far behind some of the other countries with similar level of development and is incomparable with some of the advanced countries.

But Jawa was quick to add that the projections for the future are encouraging. The industry has targeted to double the penetration from 7% to 15% in the next five years (by 2030) provided the government offers some production related incentives to it, he informed.

Quoting a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), he said by 2050, around 2/3 of the world’s households could have an air conditioner. China, India and Indonesia will together account for half of the total number.

Among the factors fuelling the surging demand for room air conditioners are rising temperatures, more affordability due to energy efficiency and easy financing, rapid urbanization and increasing disposable incomes.

Having made a large investment to set up its third and largest manufacturing plant in the country at Sri City, Andhra Pradesh (after the two existing ones in Neemrana, Rajasthan), Daikin has made India its leading manufacturing hub, which apart from catering to the rapidly growing domestic market is exporting products to 54 countries in Africa. With this facility Daikin India has massively ramped up its production from 1.5 million domestic air conditioning units to 2.3 million units, with a target to further raise it to 3 million.

Daikin India has also invested heavily in skill development in the country with the flagship Daikin Japanese Institute of Manufacturing Excellence (DJIME) in Neemrana, Rajasthan (where a hostel has also recently been added) and 40+ Centres of Excellence opened in leading educational institutions, including ITIs and engineering colleges, having already trained 1.5 lakh students in advanced manufacturing and targeting to reach the 2.2 lakh mark.

Janta Premium Sweets, Bakery, Restro Sec 11 Panchkula: Preserving The Traditional Essence Of Sweets

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Janta Premium Sweets, Bakery, Restro Sec 11 Panchkula: Preserving The Traditional Essence Of Sweets
With beginnings in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, for multi-city brand ‘Janata Premium’ this is its flagship outlet, with a first-time large format restaurant addition to the traditional Sweets & Bakery shop
Unimaginable 22 varieties of gujiyas to mark the festival of colours especially for Chandigarh tricity sweets lovers
Live gujiya-making counter for those keen on witnessing the process of making the sweet savoury
Introductory 49% discount on breakfast from 9 a.m.-12 Noon

Preparations are afoot in every home to usher in the Festival of Colours, and with it the Spring season, and what better way of celebrating than with the mouth-watering sweet savoury gujiya!

A recently opened large format sweets shop, bakery and restaurant in Panchkula’s Sector 11 outer market is geared to make this Holi memorable for sweets lovers of Chandigarh tricity offering an unimaginable 22 varieties of gujiyas – from Paan to Gur Saunf, Shahi Badam, Gulaab Anjeer, Pineapple to Cranberry, you name it and they have it. Prepared in desi ghee with minimal additional sugar, relying more on the natural sweetness of the stuffings. Yet, for those conscious about consuming ghee and oils, baked gujiya, with the same flavour and taste, is an option. Also available is the ‘Fiber24’ sugar free gujiya.

Your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com on Friday (27.02.2026) reviewed the offerings across the sweets, bakery and restaurant sections on an invitation from Janta Premium Founder & Managing Director Sumit Juneja.

Sharing the journey of Janta Premium (Estd. 1982), from Saharanpur to Yamunanagar, Karnal, Panipat, Rohtak and now to Panchkula, Juneja informed that the sweets business had been passed on within the family from generations. “So, we have had a vast experience in the making of sweets and deeply understand the true essence of their traditional making processes, flavours and tastes.

“In all other cities we have a sweets shop and bakery. Why we are calling the Panchkula facility as our flagship is because we have added a full-fledged large format vegetarian restaurant for the first time anywhere. Henceforth we have plans to carry forward this restaurant format as we expand in the tricity to Chandigarh, Mohali and beyond.”

Speaking about the exceptional aspects of the various offerings in the sweets shop, bakery and restaurant, Juneja said “each new product or offering goes through layers of trials and modifications and is released for sale only after we are fully satisfied that we have done the best we could. Rest, the customers are the best judge. We have only one message for the people of Chandigarh tricity, please try us out once and we are confident we’ll meet your expectations. We are always open to suggestions. We’re lifelong learners.”

On the issue of competition from rivals, Juneja, who was accompanied by his wife Rita Juneja and another director in the company Vinay Sood, said “We are not here to compete with anyone. We have faith in God and our work – the variety and quality of our products, their taste, our facilities and our service.”

Janta Premium, spread over 6000 square feet (ground & basement), has on offer 150+ items in its multi-cuisine dining and more than 300 items in its sweets and bakery sections.

The sweets range from North Indian to Bengali and a few even South Indian. Kashmiri burfi is a speciality.

The food menu, though predominantly North Indian, also has full sections devoted to South Indian, Chinese, and Italian & Oriental. The North Indian offerings include special Chana Bhatura and Puri Breakfast, apart from other main course items at competitive prices. A separate counter for ‘Chatpate Flavours’ adds to the rich mix.

Signature Indian offerings include Amritsari Dal Makhani, Double Tadka Dal, and a variety of other dals, including traditional Pahadi Dal, prepared with desi ghee tempering.

For lovers of global flavours, specialties such as Afghani Momos and Jahol Momos add a distinctive touch.

The beverage selection features comforting Hot Chocolate, refreshing Cold Coffee, and a Summer Sweet Lassi designed to complement the rich flavours of the cuisine.

In sweets Kalakand, Kesar milk cake, Kashmiri burfi, Doda burfi, Kaju paan, Kesar Kaju cake, Kaju Dilkhush, Kaju jalebi, Walnut Lounj are highlights.

In due course Janta Premium plans to introduce authentic Avadhi food and give food lovers of Chandigarh tricity a taste of the famed delicacies of Lucknow.

All the gujiya varieties

Gujiya (Plain), Gulaab Anjeer Gujiya, Pan Gujia, Long Latta Gujiya, Cranberry Gujiya, Shahi Badam Gujiya, Strawberry Gujiya, Gud Saunf Gujiya, Kaju Gujiya, Mango Gujiya, Coconut Gujiya, Chocolate Gujiya, Khajur Gujiya, Baked Gujiya, Baked Dark Chocolate Gujiya, Chandrakala, Pineapple Gujiya, Samosa Gujiya, Baked White Chocolate Gujiya, Kesar Gujiya, Dry Fruit Gujiya and ‘Fiber24’ sugar free Gujiya.

Our tastings session

We started our tastings session with a refreshing iced jaljira drink accompanied with delicious starters like chilli cheese, beetroot kebab and hara bhara kebab. From among the mouth-watering gujiya varieties we picked Paan gujiya and Pineapple gujiya. Both were super tasty and nearly melted in the mouth, as was the promise.

The main course, served piping hot, and including dal makhani, mushroom masala, zira rice, and assorted breads like plain tandoori, lachcha parantha, missi roti, and naan, served with onion-tomato curd, also tasted great.

Our lunch outing concluded ideally with a delightful gajar ka halwa full of nuts.

Where: Janta Premium, SCO 61, Ground Floor & Basement, Sector 11 Outer Market, Panchkula

The market block: This is a very happening block with the presence of Blue Tokai Coffee, Naturals Ice Cream, VLCC, Mr D.I.Y. supermarket, Everyday Supermarket, Athelonics Hybrid Gym, Bornin Fitness, Headmasters, McDonald’s, IDFC First Bank, etc.

Direct competition: Anupam’s & Sindhi Sweets in another block of the same market

Café Well-Being In Sector 22 Chandigarh: One-Up On More Famous Mother Brand Back To Source!

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Café Well-Being In Sector 22 Chandigarh: One-Up On More Famous Mother Brand Back To Source!
Located diagonally opposite and across the road from Hotel JW Marriott
Portfolio of fermented foods strengthened to improve gut health of customers, while at the same time remaining steadfast to the avowed commitment towards mindfulness and full-on taste
Good, healthy food complimented by great speciality coffees & bakes and a liquor & wines bar to boot

He is passionate about cooking, and she deep-rooted in baking and fermentation. Both work hard and constantly experiment with food to create magic. Their emphasis is always on digestive health, ethical sourcing and an open kitchen philosophy. Their first commercial culinary venture Back to Source Café in Sector 17 Chandigarh, having been launched in the thick of Covid pandemic, after a slow start, became a rage among food lovers with its mindful-healthy-tasteful cuisines.

Today Munish and Puja Aggarwal are a name to reckon with in the Chandigarh tricity food circles with a committed clientele which will not hang out elsewhere for a café and dine out experience.

Encouraged by the spontaneous response to Back to Source, the couple jumped into their second commercial venture Chhota Banaras, a “guilt-free Indian street food café” in Sector 17, which also proved an instant hit.

The Aggarwals now have five cafes under the brand names Back to Source (Sector 17 Chandigarh & Jubilee Junction, Sector 66 Mohali), Chhota Banaras (Sector 17 & Sector 8 Chandigarh) and Café Well-Being in Sector 22 Chandigarh. Two more Chotta Banaras cafes are planned to be opened – one in Panchkula & the other in New Chandigarh.

Having already had a great experience of visiting Back to Source in Sector 17 over the years, your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com, on an invitation from the Aggarwals, recently visited their Café Well-Being in Sector 22-C Chandigarh, which is located diagonally opposite and across the road from Hotel JW Marriott.

It was a deep dive into their offerings and philosophy behind Café Well-Being, their unique food concepts, developed over the years to achieve a near perfect blend of mindfulness and health, without at the same time compromising full-on taste.

Puja & Munish Aggarwal pose with their fermented delights at Cafe Well-Being in Sector 22-C Chandigarh
Some of the other prominent items from the wide-ranging menu at Cafe Well-Being-22

Remaining consistent with their commitment to honest sourcing, the husband-wife duo has continually strengthened their supply chain, ensuring that more than 70% of ingredients used at the café, including grains, pulses, vegetables, sweeteners and oils, are sourced directly from farmers who are zealously following chemicals-free practices. All spices and masalas are ground fresh daily to preserve aroma, potency, and therapeutic value.

In stark contrast to the era of ultra-processed foods, artificial enhancers and fleeting wellness trends, their kitchen focuses on traditional techniques such as soaking, fermentation, slow cooking and balanced seasoning.

“Refined oils and over-processing have distorted our understanding of food. We use cold-pressed oils, ‘desi khaand’ instead of refined sugar and single-source cow and buffalo milk across our kitchens,” shared Munish, who has a knack for thinking up something new each time he enters the kitchen, as Puja put it.

In Café Well-Being, Sector 22 the portfolio of fermented foods has been strengthened. Explaining the significance of fermentation in curation of healthy food, Puja, who has perfected the art of fermentation with years of learnings and experimentation, shared: “Fermentation in particular plays a central role in Café Well-Being. Batters, doughs and select beverages are fermented naturally, without chemical accelerators or shortcuts. Fermentation is clinically proven to improve gut health.”

She showcased some fermented recipes using cabbage, cucumber, cauliflower among other vegetables, crafted by her using lactic acid fermentation, alongside naturally fermented and probiotic-rich beverages like

Kanji: A traditional North Indian fermented drink made with either black/red carrot, beetroot, cucumber or amla, seasoned with mustard powder, salt and pepper. It ferments in sunlight, developing a deep, tangy, probiotic-rich flavour. It’s best enjoyed topped with boondi.

Fruit Soda: Is a fizzy probiotic beverage made with wild yeast naturally occurring on fruit surfaces. It’s delicious and one of the best ways to put excess seasonal fruits to use.

Tepache: Mexican-style pineapple ferment. A sweet, tangy, mildly spicy fermented drink made with pineapple peels, brown sugar and spices.

Kombucha: A naturally fermented, lightly fizzy drink made with either sweetened black tea, green tea, or flavoured tea, along with a SCOBY, which is called the mother (symbiotic culture of bacteria & yeast). It develops a tangy, refreshing flavour and is rich in probiotics and enzymes.

Water Kefir: It’s a sweet, fizzy, probiotic-rich drink made using water, sugar and kefir grains – fermented naturally away from sunlight.

Fresh salad with a mix of fermented cabbage and carrot, and Nachos with fermented salsas are another attraction.

“We reimagine even traditionally misunderstood foods like pizzas through proper fermentation, making them easier to digest and nutritionally balanced,” she added.

Everything in the Café Well-Being kitchen, including mayonnaise and sauces, are made fresh from scratch daily, eliminating the need for adding potentially harmful preservatives.

Another defining feature of Café Well-Being is its open-kitchen policy, allowing guests to tour the kitchen, view ingredient storage and witness spices being ground fresh in-house.

Café Well-Being’s menu draws from Indian comfort food, global café classics, and slow-food traditions, all filtered through a clean-process philosophy. Signature dishes include Dal Makhani, Malai Kofta, Desi Chicken, Roghani Naan, Mutton Seekh, Mutton Keema Dosa, Chicken Pepper Fry Dosa, Crisp Jacket Potato, Kathi Rolls, Burgers and Gulab Jamun.

As in all their cafes, the décor and furniture at Café Well-Being, Sector 22 are minimalistic and sustainable. Here even the walls are painted with natural lime.

The ground floor houses the café with well spaced-out tables and guests can enjoy reading from well-stocked bookshelves. The basement hall, dedicated to parties, can accommodate 50 PAX.

Apart from serving the best Indian and global speciality coffees, the café also serves a variety of hard drinks and wines from top brands.

Well-stocked merchandise shelves vend a wide range of cookies, biscuits, biscotti, dry snacks, breads, pickles, fermented drinks, cakes, gir & desi cow ghee and cold-pressed oils.

Guests can also buy small designer clay jewellery pieces.

Affordability is relative to the quality of ingredients and processes used.

A glimpse of specials on Café Well-Being-Sector 22 Menu

Morning Classics

Masala Omlette Back To Source-Style
Avocado Toast
Papaya Parantha
Egg Parantha Tawa

Starters

Mushroom Tikka
Chicken Tikka
Fish Tikka
Mutton Seekh Kebab

Breads & Buns

Cheese Chilli Toast
Veg Sourdough Sandwich
Cottage Cheese Bao/Chicken Bao
Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Soups & Salads

Afghani Chicken Shorba
Barley Salad
Chickpea Avocado Salad
Citrus & Beetroot Salad

Small Plates

Channa Tawa Bhatura
Hummus Falafel Platter

Signature Pastas

Marinara Sauce Pasta
Mushroom Cheese Pasta

Dosas

Chicken Pepperfry Dosa
Mutton Keema Dosa

Pizzas

Margherita Pizza
Vegan Pizza
Chicken Ham & Mushroom Pizza
Chicken Tikka Pizza

Main Course

Special Naturally Creamy Yellow Dal
Malai Kofta
Veg/Chicken Biryani
Palak, With Options Of Kofta, Paneer, Mushroom
Mutton Curry
Cottage Cheese Steak
Grilled Lemon Fish

Breads & Accompaniments

Bansi Wheat Tandoori Roti
Tandoori Khamiri Roti
Roghani Naan
Black Wheat Lachha Parantha

Specials From the Merchandise Shelf

Dry Snacks

Garlic Bhujia
Aloo Bhujia
Chana Crisp
South Spice Boondi

Breads

White Bread
Milk Bread
Wheat Bread
Sourdough

Biscuits & Cookies

Almond Cookies
Coconut Cookies
Oats & Nuts Biscuits
Pista Biscuits
Almond Shakkar Biscuits
Nut & Berry Biscotti
Chocolate Biscotti

Pure Ghees & Oils

Gir Cow Ghee
Desi Cow Ghee
Cold-pressed Sunflower Oil

Pickles

Mixed Veg
Heeng Mango
Ginger Lemon
Methi Dana
Jamun Honey
Mango Laungi

Medanta OPD Centre Opens in Mohali’s Phase 11: Brand’s Quality Expert Care Comes Closer Home

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Medanta OPD Centre Opens in Mohali’s Phase 11: Brand’s Quality Expert Care Comes Closer Home
Highly experienced consultants in several super-specialities from Medanta – The Medicity Gurugram and its other hospitals will travel regularly to the OPD Centre to provide consultation with appointment
The centre will also provide high standard lab services, telemedicine, physiotherapy, homecare, facilitation services and road/air ambulance support

The leading chain of hospitals and mediclinics, Medanta, with its massive flagship 1300+ bedded hospital Medanta – The Medicity in Gurugram, is keen on expanding its footprint north of the Delhi National Capital Region with hospitals planned in Chandigarh tricity and Ludhiana. Its teams are learnt to be scouting for opportunities to either acquire existing hospitals in these two cities which should be strategically located and meet its high standards or identify suitable land parcels to establish new hospitals.

Till such time that these hospitals materialise, Medanta, founded by world renowned cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Naresh Trehan (Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardee), has opened a new independent OPD centre of its own in Chandigarh Tricity (in Mohali) to provide super-speciality consultations by visiting senior doctors. This is Medanta’s first medical facility north of Delhi NCR.

The Medanta Mediconsult Centre, located in Sector 65 (Phase 11) Mohali, was inaugurated on Saturday (14.02.2026) by Dr. Rajneesh Kapoor, chairman of interventional cardiology at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram.

The centre will provide OPD services by appointment with highly experienced visiting doctors from Medanta hospitals in Gurugram and elsewhere in a wide range of super-specialties, including cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, gastro sciences, orthopaedics, renal care, liver transplant, bone marrow transplant, lung transplant, chest surgery, plastic surgery, gynaecology, and many more.

Apart from OPD services, the centre will also provide high standard lab services, telemedicine, physiotherapy, homecare, facilitation services and road/air ambulance support.

Dr. Rajneesh Kapoor, chairman of interventional cardiology at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, announcing the opening of the new OPD Centre in Chandigarh tricity at Mohali on Saturday (14.02.2026)

Later interacting with media persons in Chandigarh Dr Kapoor said senior consultants from various super-specialities will be regularly travelling to the Mohali OPD centre once a week or fortnight to provide consultations to patients or their attendants by appointment.

For the time being there is no provision in the OPD centre for emergency admissions or first-aid.

Following consultation, patients requiring admission or surgery/procedure will be given an option of travelling to Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram. For serious patients services of road and air ambulance will be at hand, Dr Kapoor added.

He asserted that Medanta Hospital Gurugram is recognised as an ecosystem of clinical excellence and is among the most preferred hospitals for getting treatment for the most complicated medical cases. The sheer volume of surgeries being done, on an average 100 a day, has resulted in our consultants gaining greater expertise in their respective super-specialities and hence achieving better outcomes, with the success rate being 95%, he said.

Dr. Rajneesh Kapoor inaugurating Medanta Hospital Gurugram’s new OPD Centre in Mohali

VR Punjab mall takeover talk ‘unfounded’

He dismissed the talk on social media of Medanta taking over VR Punjab mall property and converting it into a hospital as unfounded. “There is no such move,” he said emphatically.

Helplines

For OPD appointments: M: 76961-33688

Medanta Labs

Open Monday-Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For home collection of samples: M: 80548-88899

Alchemist-Ojas Hospitals Achieve 50 Minimally Invasive TAVR Procedures For Aortic Heart Valve Replacement

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Alchemist-Ojas Hospitals Achieve 50 Minimally Invasive TAVR Procedures For Aortic Heart Valve Replacement

The heart pumps blood through the aortic valve to our entire body. If this valve narrows, typically due to age related wear and tear (above 70 years) or stops working properly due to other factors, the heart is forced to work harder to push blood through. This extra workload can damage the heart over time, increasing risk of heart failure.

The damaged valve cannot be treated and needs to be replaced. Earlier surgeons used to cut open the patient’s chest to replace the valve, which however was not possible particular in case of elderly and high-risk patients, who were left to their fate.

But since the last 10 years of so with the introduction of TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) procedure, also called TAVI (Transcatheter aortic valve implantation), in India it has become possible to replace the valve in such high-risk cases as well since, being minimally invasive, it is much safer.

As part of the procedure, after a patient receives sedation and/or anaesthesia, and medicine to prevent clots, an interventional cardiologist inserts a thin flexible tube (catheter) into an artery, typically through a small incision/s in the patient’s upper thigh (groin). The catheter is guided to the heart. It delivers the new valve, placing it inside the old aortic valve. On being expanded, the new valve pushes the old one behind it, taking over the function of regulating blood flow from the heart to the body. The catheter is then removed from the body and the incision/s stitched closed and bandaged.

TAVR typically takes about an hour or two from start to finish. Apart from much smaller incision/s in the body, the procedure allows for lesser pain, quicker recovery, shorter hospital stays (most patients go home in a day or two), and significantly improved quality of life.

Interventional cardiologists from the Alchemist & Ojas Hospitals Panchkula on Thursday (12.02.2026) announced that the twin hospitals between themselves had achieved the milestone of successfully conducting 50 such complex procedures over a period of just around 18 months. Through the accomplishment the doctors sought to highlight the hospitals’ growing expertise in advanced structural heart interventions.

Briefing media persons Dr. Rajat Datta, director-department of interventional cardiology at Ojas Hospital, Panchkula, a unit of Alchemist Hospitals, Panchkula, informed that the oldest of his patients to undergo the TAVR/TAVI procedure was 91 years old. After undergoing the procedure patients, depending on their age and other health conditions, can hope to live 10 years or more.

Dr. Rohit Parti, director-department of interventional cardiology at Alchemist Hospital, Panchkula, Joined the team of cardiologists in the media briefing

Dr. Rohit Parti, director-department of interventional cardiology at Alchemist Hospital, Panchkula, added: “With advanced cath lab infrastructure and clinical expertise, we continue to expand access to complex cardiac interventions in the region.”

Dr. Devendra Singh Bisht, senior consultant- interventional cardiologist & electro-physiologist; and Dr. Manish Vinayak, senior consultant-interventional cardiology, emphasised that the focus of the twin hospitals has always been on patient safety, precision, and long-term outcomes. “Every TAVR case is carefully evaluated by our heart team to ensure personalized treatment planning,” they added.

How do the doctors decide whether a patient is a fit case for TAVR/TAVI?

The decision to go for TAVR is made by a team of doctors and surgeons after examining the ECHO report.

Cost of the procedure

The cost comes to between Rs 15-17 lakh

Lack of will/awareness in India

According to Dr Rajat Datta, last year one lakh TAVR/TAVI procedures were conducted in the USA, which has a population nearly one-fourth that of India. In sharp contrast, despite a nearly four-fold population, surprisingly only about 3,000-4,000 procedures were conducted in India, which points to possible lack of will among elderly candidates to undergo the procedure, coupled with lack of awareness about it.

A ‘Rafi Nite’ Not To Be Missed, For Nothing!

Sanjeev Kochhar
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A ‘Rafi Nite’ Not To Be Missed, For Nothing!
12 solo songs from the albums of the legend rendered by internationally acclaimed young sensation Dr Saurav Kishan from Kerala, deservedly branded ‘Chhota Rafi; and 12 duets with another well-known singer Ms Sampada Goswami from Mumbai
Three-hour programme at Tagore Theatre on Saturday, organised by Rafi Memorial Cultural Society, from 5 p.m. onwards
Free entry till all seats are filled

Just the fleeing hint – a couple of lines from two of the evergreen songs of the legendry Mohd Rafi – rendered in that exceptionally melodious voice by the internationally acclaimed young sensation Dr Saurav Kishan from Kerala, deservedly branded ‘Chhota Rafi’, was enough to convince everyone present that the ‘Rafi Nite’ to be organised at the Tagore Theatre on Saturday (14.02.2026) is a ‘don’t-miss-for-nothing’ event.

Entry is free for all till all seats in the hall expectedly are filled. The three-hour-long nite, the seventh Rafi-themed programme to be organised by the Rafi Memorial Cultural Society in Patiala and Chandigarh since 2019, when the society was formed, is expected to start sharp at 5 p.m.

The organisers have specifically requested those desirous of attending to be seated by 4:30 p.m. to enable timely start of the event.

Announcing the programme, society president GS Grewal shared that Saurav Kishan will sing 12 solos and will be accompanied by another well known singer Ms. Sampada Goswami from Mumbai for 12 duets.

The event is being supported by promising and fast emerging real estate company GB Realty, which recently announced ‘Opus One’, its first luxury project in New Chandigarh, with promise of unique features and the tallest towers in the area. This is the first event in the art & culture space to be supported by the company, which is already supporting sports, starting with golf, as part of its corporate social responsibility.

On being goaded, Saurav Kishan sang a few lines from one of Rafi sahab’s most popular songs “Badi duur se aie hein pyaar ka tohfa lein hein….”

‘Chhota Rafi’ Dr Saurav Kishan poses for a photograph at the Chandigarh Press Club on Friday (13.02.2026). PHOTOS Credit: Rafi Memorial Cultural Society

On being asked which one of Rafi sahab’s songs was his personal favourite, he responded saying that though all of the legend’s songs were exceptional, he went on to sing a few lines from this one: “Teri aankhon ke siwa duniya mein rakha kya hai ….. ye uthen subah chale, ye jhuken shaam dhale, mera jeena mera marna inhi palkon ke talle….”.

Rafi Memorial Cultural Society president GS Grewal (middle) addresses the media in Chandigarh to announce the “Rafi Nite’ 2026. He is flanked on his left by ‘Chhota Rafi’ Dr Saurav Kishan and society vice president Dr SK Batish, and to his right by society general secretary Bal Mukand Sharma and GB Realty vice president Jatinder Bajwa

GS Grewal, who was accompanied at the media meet by the society’s general secretary Bal Mukand Sharma and vice president Dr SK Batish, along with GB Realty vice president Jatinder Bajwa, said Saurav Kishan had previously performed at the event organised by the society three years ago, and he was again requested to participate this year on popular demand.

Regarding the scope and format of the ‘Rafi Nite’ organised by Rafi Memorial Cultural Society, he said there are hundreds of societies across the country and the world, which are doing a wonderful job of perpetuating the memory of the legend. There are varying concepts and formats of their programmes. Our scope is limited to providing an opportunity to lovers of music and Rafi fans to enjoy the legend’s evergreen songs rendered by the best of singers.”

He went on to add that from next year the scope and format of the programme will be expanded to also honour the memory of other singing legends like Mukesh and Hemant Kumar.

Punjab Minister of Finance, Excise & Taxation, and Planning Harpal Singh Cheema will be the chief guest and GD Realty chairman Gurinder Bhatti will be the guest of honour.

An enchanting evening awaits! Don’t miss it, for nothing!

City Golfer Karandeep Kochhar Scorches Philippines Course, Yet Misses Maiden Asian Tour Title

Sanjeev Kochhar
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City Golfer Karandeep Kochhar Scorches Philippines Course, Yet Misses Maiden Asian Tour Title
Celebrating his return to the Asian Main Tour with a vengeance, the Chandigarh professional set a course record on the famous East Course at Wack Wack Golf & Country Club, shooting an astounding bogey-free seven under par 65 to take the third-round lead in the Philippine Golf Championship, the maiden tournament of the 2026 tour.
But after playing a scorching round he faltered in the final round with a forgettable five over par 77 to finish fourth on the final order of merit with a tournament total of three under par 285 (74, 69, 65, 77), behind Wooyoung Cho of Korea 11 under par 277 (69, 70, 71, 67), Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand seven under par 281 (72, 71, 68, 70) and Travis Smyth of Australia five under par 283 (70, 69, 71, 73)
The US $ 500,000 prize money tournament was staged from Feb 5-8

According to information available on the official website of the Asian Tour (https://www.asiantour.com/), breaking par on the East Course – respected for being one of the most challenging courses in the region – is in itself an outstanding achievement. And in that context, Karandeep Kochhar’s (course record breaking third round of seven under par 65, therefore, may well remain as the performance of the year on the Asian Tour, even though the Philippine Golf Championship was the season-opening event on the tour.

The professional golfer from Chandigarh, who finished in the top-10 on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit last year to regain his Asian Tour card for 2026 season, sunk seven birdies (one under pars): four in the first six holes, back-to-back ones on 11 and 12 and the final one on the legendary par-three 17th hole that allowed him to break the previous course record by one.

His round could not have come at a more opportune time since the player shooting the lowest score each day of the tournament won a cheque for US$10,000, sponsored by the host club.

Karandeep Kochhar exults after sinking a birdie on 17th hole in the third round of the Philippine Golf Championship that allowed him to break the previous course record at the Wack Wack Golf & Country Club by one.

Karandeep, currently ranked 788 on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), is back to the Asian Tour full time this year after finishing fifth on the ADT Merit list at the conclusion of the 2025 season, during which he won the Egypt Golf Series – Red Sea Open and had a runner-up result in Morocco.

He had impressed on the Asian Tour in 2022 and 2023 but surprisingly lost his card in 2024.

Philippine Golf Championship 2026 title winner Wooyoung Cho of Korea.

According to the Asian Tour website, for Wooyoung Cho of Korea (OWGR Ranking 387) Philippine Golf Championship title was his maiden triumph on the tour, two years after being part of the Korean team that famously claimed the gold medal at the Asian Games.

Championship runner up Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand.

Second placed in the Philippine Golf Championship 2026, Pavit Tangkamolprasert (OWGR Ranking 469) is one of Thailand’s most successful players on the Asian Tour, having triumphed on two occasions: in the 2016 Macau Open and the Sabah Masters, three years later. Both times he won in sudden-death play-offs.

Third placed in the Order of Merit, Travis Smyth of Australia.

Aussie Travis Smyth (OWGR Ranking 335), who finished third in the order of merit in the Philippine Golf Championship 2026, has had quite a few strong performances, including a second-place finish in the International Series England in June 2022. He recorded his breakthrough victory on the Asian Tour at the Yeangder TPC in September 2022.

The next tournament of the 15-event Asian Tour 2026 is the NZ $ 2,000,000 prize money 105th New Zealand Open to be played at the Millbrook Golf Resort in New Zealand from Feb 26 – Mar 1.

Chandigarh Mayor Saurabh Joshi Launches ‘Har Ghar, Har Dwar Swachtha Ki Dastak’ Campaign

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Chandigarh Mayor Saurabh Joshi Launches ‘Har Ghar, Har Dwar Swachtha Ki Dastak’ Campaign
Aimed at massively improving the city’s dismal segregation of waste at source record. In the latest Swachh Survekshan 2024–2025 report it was estimated at just 14%

Despite earning the second spot countrywide in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–2025 in the ‘Super Swachh League’ (SSL) cities category (cities with between three to ten lakh population), Chandigarh’s achievement in segregation of waste at source remained a dismal 14%.

In an effort to erase that blot on the fair name of the ‘City Beautiful’, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh (MCC) on Monday officially launched its ‘Har Ghar, Har Dwar Swachtha Ki Dastak’ campaign from newly elected Mayor Saurabh Joshi’s own ward in Sector 15 aimed at achieving “behavioural change” in people’s mindsets.

After a formal launch ceremony in the Community Centre in Sector 15, where people from all walks participated, Mayor Saurabh Joshi, accompanied by Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar and other officials, undertook a token house-to-house awareness drive in the vicinity to sensitise residents about the importance of segregating four different categories of waste in their homes, work places and commercial establishments and to prevent littering of waste.

In the coming days and weeks, councillors, municipal officials and workers will undertake this door-to-door exercise in every street and locality to sensitise people about the necessity of segregating waste at source.

Earlier sharing a few examples of exemplary work done in the ward to transform an open area being used as an illegal dumping ground into a jogging park, and a couple of working ladies turning their homes zero waste by recycling all household waste, Saurabh Joshi made an impassioned appeal to the people of the Union territory to commit themselves to ‘Zero Waste’ so that there is no need to have dumping sites like Daddumajra.

He also hinted at a ‘Zero Waste Food Street’ being dedicated to the people in Sector 15 soon.

Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar while admitting that Chandigarh had lagged behind in segregation of waste in the last Swachh Survekshan 2024–2025, pledged the municipal corporation’s firm resolve to achieve the target of 100% processing of segregated waste, which is now possible with the advancements in technology.

He committed to achieving 100% harvesting of legacy waste from the Daddumajra dumping site in another two months and completing processing facilities for all categories of waste within a month.

Officials and members of the general public taking oath committing themselves to the ‘Har Ghar, Har Dwar Swachtha Ki Dastak’ Campaign.

While promising that the municipal corporation will make substantial capital expenditure on upkeep of roads, parks, railings, etc in the coming months to further beautify the city, the municipal commissioner appealed to vehicle owners to make the most of the MC One Parking Pass initiative. He informed that the corporation had already sold 3,000-plus parking passes. Another 7,000 parking passes will ensure that the parking operations are profitable and the targeted 20,000 parking passes will go a long way in meeting the municipal corporation’s overall expenditure, he added.

Currently there are 74 active paid parking sites and efforts are being made to add more.

Municipal Corporation Chandigarh Helplines

Swachh Sawari

Under this initiative as part of the “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (RRR)” Mission, residents can dial any of the following two mobile Nos.: 9041998099, 9815903050 to dispose of their old but reusable items like electrical appliances, electronic gadgets, clothing, footwear, toys, books, glass etc. The MC vehicle will pick up the stuff from your home free of cost.  These will then be transported to the municipal corporation’s RRR store, where these will be refurbished and redistributed through its ‘One Rupee stores’. Each item is made available to the needy at a token cost of Re 1.

‘Maryada’ of idols, portraits of Gods & Goddesses

Residents desirous of disposing of idols, portraits, and other related items associated with gods and goddesses with proper ‘maryada’ can dial a dedicated municipal corporation No. 8146754867 and a vehicle will come and pick up the items, again free of cost.

General complaints WhatsApp No.

9915762917 (for time-bound disposal of complaints related to civic amenities)

 

Blue Tokai Origins Café Opens In HLP Gallerria Mall Mohali; Largest Speciality Coffee Chain Gets Ever Bigger

Sanjeev Kochhar
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Blue Tokai Origins Café Opens In HLP Gallerria Mall Mohali; Largest Speciality Coffee Chain Gets Ever Bigger
Massive expansion planned – from the current 200-plus company owned company operated stores to 800 by the end of the decade
Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters sources its coffee from the best growers in the country
Elaborate menu of coffees complimented by equally elaborate menu of food and bakery, all made fresh inhouse

Having won the hearts of an ever-increasing community of coffee-lovers across the country in the 13 years it has been in existence (since 2013), India’s largest speciality coffee brand Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters with 200-plus cafes, has opened a third store in Mohali, Blue Tokai Origins, their flagship café experience, at the HLP Gallerria Mall, Sector 62, as part of its massive expansion plan to reach 800 cafes by the end of the decade.

Speaking to your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com, on the sidelines of the media launch event on Saturday (Jan 9, 2026) Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters co-founder and COO Shivam Shahi, who hails from Padrauna, a small town in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, claimed that the secret of their success has been their commitment to work closely with the best coffee growers in the country – from 80-plus coffee estates across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and the North Eastern states – to bring the customers that amazing coffee.

“We freshly roast coffee in our own roasteries in Gurugram, Mumbai and Bengaluru, using state-of-the-art Probat Machines, bringing out a range of unique flavours. Our mission is rooted in making high-quality Indian specialty coffee accessible to more people through our cafes and products. With a commitment to quality and constant innovation, the brand has built a loyal community of coffee lovers and continues to redefine the growing coffee culture in India.”

Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters co-founder and COO Shivam Shahi makes a point at the media launch in Mohali

Talking about the newly opened large format Blue Tokai Origins café at GLP Gallerria Mall, he said: “It is designed as a community-driven space. Cupping, workshops, collaborations, and cultural events position it as a hub for learning and exchange. The space encourages dialogue between baristas and guests, between farmers’ stories and everyday drinkers.”

Isn’t the brand growing too fast, risking its focus on quality and consistency?

Assures Shivam: “With years of putting systems in place we have been able to ensure steady, honest and transparent supply chains. The chain of direct and indirect quality coffee producers we are engaging with is growing. We have adequate capacities in our roasteries. We have a track record of being able to retain the loyalty of our growing workforce and the constant upgradation of our IoT networked systems ensures that every machine and barista is tracked real time for maintaining highest standards of quality and consistency.”

Continuing, he says: “While focusing on increasing footprint in a rapidly growing industry, Origins stands as Blue Tokai’s proof that scale and craft can co-exist. This flagship experience store highlights Indian estates, regional terroirs, and a wide range of brewing methods, reinforcing the brand’s farmer-first philosophy.”

Sections

At The play bar, some of the rarest coffee lots roasted by Blue Tokai, frozen at peak flavour, are preserved in a temperature-controlled space. Guests can taste their way through seven distinct brewing methods, including Chemex, Syphon, Slow Drip, and more.

Adding to this experience is the Nitro cold brew tap, serving chilled, nitrogen-infused single-origin cold brew crafted using patented technology that extracts a wider range of flavour
compounds.

A Comfort-First, Craft-Led Menu

Apart from an extensive menu of high-quality coffees with a rich taste and aroma, the café offers an equally elaborate menu of complimentary food and bakery products, all made fresh inhouse.

The menu is designed in collaboration with Chef Auroni Mukherjee, one of India’s most celebrated young chefs, known for his flavour-first approach to modern Indian cuisine.

Highlights include:

  • Handmade pastas with twists such as Chilli Crunch Carbonara
  • Gourmet club sandwiches and open-faced toasts built on signature sourdough

breads by Suchali’s Artisan Bakehouse

  • A selection of desserts featuring familiar comforts and sweet surprises such as classic tiramisu
    and a light-yet-decadent Coconut Berry Lamington

For more information, visit bluetokaicoffee.com

OnePlus First Exclusive Premium Mobile Store In Mohali At HLP Gallerria Mall 

Sanjeev Kochhar
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OnePlus First Exclusive Premium Mobile Store In Mohali At HLP Gallerria Mall 
Special inaugural deals on OnePlus flagship series mobiles and other devices
Additional festive gifts on spinning the wheel

It may currently not be among the top 5 bestselling smartphone brands in India, but OnePlus is fast reinventing itself to regain its robust share of the market and the tag of ‘flagship killer’ it enjoyed not so long ago, when it was challenging the dominance of Apple and Samsung and emerging as an alternative.

Confident of recapturing the imagination of its tech-savvy youth customer fan base, with its newer offerings, especially the latest launch – the OnePlus 15R – the company has embarked on an expansion of its offline presence from the existing countrywide chain of 87 exclusive retail stores.

As part of this offline expansion, OnePlus launched its exclusive premium retail store in HLP Gallerria mall, Sector 62, Mohali on Monday (Dec 22), increasing the number of stores in Chandigarh and Punjab to four, the earlier ones being in Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jalandhar.

Interacting exclusively with your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com at the launch, R. Dominic Nandesh Kumar, Operations Head (Retail), OnePlus India, informed that 2-3 more stores are expected to be opened in Punjab soon for which the company is scouting for prime locations.

Among others present were Gagan Marwaha, Regional Sales Manager (Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana), OnePlus; Parminder, City Manager, OnePlus; and Harman Preet Kaur, Store Manager.

Spread across 800 sq ft, the new store brings the entire OnePlus product ecosystem under one roof, from mobiles, to tablets, to IoT devices, offering customers an immersive hands-on experience.

The Mohali store comes in the middle of the all-pervading festive spirt in anticipation of Christmas and the New Year and coincides with the commencement of sale of the newest flagship series smartphone from the OnePlus stable – the OnePlus 15R.

The company claims that OnePlus 15R is the first smartphone across all brands to launch with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, co-developed with Qualcomm, the chip maker.

The phone pairs the new chip with a 165 Hz display, massive 7400 mAh battery, three-layered cooling system and IP 68, 69 and 69K certification, offering enhanced dust and water resistance for added durability.

According to Qualcomm, Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 mobile platform is a masterpiece of performance, delivering state-of-the-art experiences and personalized Agentic AI.

Fueled by the 3rd gen Qualcomm® Oryon™ CPU, the fastest mobile CPU in the world, this powerhouse ushers in record-breaking speeds and unmatched efficiency. Users can enjoy seamless performance from lightning-fast app launches and instantaneous multi-tasking to fast-paced gameplay and responsive mobile content creation, as per Qualcomm’s assertion.

Special inaugural deals

To celebrate the store launch, customers can avail several exciting inaugural deals, which include free Nord Buds 3 Pro (worth ₹3,699) with the purchase of the OnePlus 15; and free Nord Buds 3 (worth ₹2,699) with the purchase of OnePlus 13 and 13S series phones and the newly launched 15R.

OnePlus Nord Wireless Bullets (worth ₹2,299) on select purchases are also on offer besides additional discounts and cashback offers across the product range.

A highlight of the launch phase of the new outlet is the ‘Spin the Wheel’ installation inside the store. Every visitor can spin the wheel and win a complimentary gift based on where the arrow lands, making the visit both rewarding and memorable.

For more on OnePlus: https://www.oneplus.in/

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