Chandigarh Citizens Foundation Launched to Promote Sustainable Growth

The initiative led by eminent residents aims to foster collaboration, civic dialogue, and sustainable development across the tricity.

By: Express News Service

Updated: October 12, 2025 03:13 PM IST

3 min read

A group of eminent citizens has launched the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation to foster civic collaboration and sustainable growth in the tricity.

Led by Gen V P Malik (retd), the platform will unite professionals across 12 focus areas to drive community-led change.

Eminent residents of Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula have announced the launch of the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation (CCF), a civic platform aimed at bringing people together to exchange ideas, collaborate on public-interest initiatives, and promote sustainable and inclusive growth in the tricity.

Launching the foundation’s website, CCF president Gen V P Malik (retd), a former chief of the Indian Army, said the initiative fulfils a long-felt need for an institutional platform where citizens and professionals from various fields can connect and contribute to issues of local, national, and global relevance.

“This platform will create opportunities for citizens to collaborate through events, seminars, conferences, and outreach programmes on subjects that promote human well-being and sustainable living,” Malik said.

To steer its activities, the foundation has formed 12 subject-specific focus groups covering areas such as health and well-being; national security and international affairs; music, literature, visual and performing arts; science and technology; conscious leadership and business; economic growth and sustainable development; sustainable urban development; urban planning, design and architecture; tourism; education; sports; and women empowerment and social welfare.

Malik said around 200 professionals have already volunteered to join these focus groups and are planning a series of activities in the coming months.

The CCF will function as an umbrella organisation, co-opting and collaborating with other groups that share its objectives. It also plans to engage in research and policy advocacy aligned with its goals.

The governing council of CCF includes former Punjab chief secretary Vini Mahajan as vice-president; Dr K K Talwar (Padma Bhushan); R I Singh (Padma Shri), former chief secretary of Punjab; industrialist Rajinder Gupta (Padma Shri); theatre director Neelam Mansingh (Padma Shri); retd IPS officer Samant Goel; Keshni Anand Arora, a ormer chief secretary of Haryana; former Panjab University vice-chancellor Prof Arun Grover; senior advocate M L Sarin; and IAS officer Balamurugan as honorary general secretary.

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“This is entirely a citizens’ initiative, driven by volunteers. Anyone willing to contribute time and effort is welcome to join,” Malik said, adding that details are available on the foundation’s website, chandigarhcitizensfoundation.org.

Members of the governing council recently called on Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who extended his best wishes to the foundation for its work in public welfare.

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