To counter vulgar songs, Punjab sets up culture commission
Chandigarh: The Punjab government on Saturday announced the setting up of a state culture commission to highlight the state's rich culture and also to curb the growing tendency of vulgar songs.
Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu announced the setting up the Punjab Sabhyacharak (Culture) Commission here.
Punjab Sahitya Akademi chairman and famous writer Surjit Pattar will finalise the members of the commission, which will be headed by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh while Sidhu will be its Vice Chairman.
Pattar said that the commission has been set up to save the history and culture of Punjab.Though it will highlight the history and culture of Punjab, its focus will also be to check vulgarity in Punjabi songs.
In recent years, there has been a growing trend in Punjabi songs that glorified crime and criminals, gun culture, violence, abusive language and sexuality.
The commission will be empowered to recommend registration of a police complaint in case it finds vulgar content in songs.
Sidhu told media here on Saturday that the commission would give its first report within a fortnight.
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West Asia crisis: MEA establishes control room to assist Indians
New Delhi (PTI): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up a control room to assist those affected by the escalating crisis in West Asia.
The MEA has said almost one crore Indian citizens live in West Asia and their safety and well-being is of "utmost priority" for New Delhi.
As the Iran-US conflict widened, the Indian embassy in Iran moved hundreds of Indian students from the Iranian capital of Tehran to safer locations.
"A Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs in view of the current situation in West Asia and the Gulf region," the MEA said on Wednesday.
"The Control Room can be contacted from 9 am to 9 pm at: 1800118797 (Toll Free) +91 11 2301 2113, +91 11 2301 4104, +91 11 2301 7905," it added.
The US launched military strikes on Iran on February 28, killing Iranian Supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Following the military offensive, Iran has carried out a wave of attacks mainly targeting Israel and American military bases in several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
The MEA on Tuesday noted that almost one crore Indian citizens live and work in the Gulf region, and their "safety and well-being is of utmost priority."
"We cannot be impervious to any development that negatively affects them," it said.
The MEA said New Delhi will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and take relevant decisions in the national interest, adding it is in touch with the governments in the region as well as other key partners.
A Special Control Room has been set up in the Ministry of External Affairs in view of the current situation in West Asia and the Gulf region. Details are as below ⬇️
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) March 4, 2026
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