12012024-ATR-01.qxd 1/12/2024 12:54 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune PUNJAB HOCKEY TEAMS BECOME CHAMPIONS OF SCHOOL GAMES The hockey teams of Punjab emerged victorious by winning final matches at Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium. P2 » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY LATE ACTOR MATTHEW PERRY WAS ‘ ABUSIVE’ TOWARDS WOMEN CRICKETER CHAHAL TO HELP HIS WIFE ON JHALAK DIKHHLA JAA Hollywood star Matthew Perry was reportedly abusive towards several women before his death. P3 Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal will grace the stage of the show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa to support his wife. P4 » » MAX 15°C | MIN 5°C YESTERDAY MAX 10°C | MIN 6°C SUNSET FRIDAY 5.46 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7.30 AM FRIDAY | 12 JANUARY 2024 | AMRITSAR AUCT writes to Guv for action Now, War Memorial against Doaba College mgmt on Attari GT Road to Says GNDU authorities have ignored conditions of eligibility Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 11 The Association of United College Teachers (AUCT) has written to the Governor of Punjab who is also the Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), requesting him to urge the Vice-Chancellor’s office to take action against the management of Doaba College, Jalandhar, on their complaint. In a letter addressed to the Chancellor, GNDU, Jaspal Singh, general secretary of AUCT and assistant professor, has alleged the “practice of inaction that the VC’s office has adopted recently regarding the case of an ineligible principal and associate professors in one of its affiliated colleges”. It further stated that the Association has written repeatedly to the VC’s office but no corrective measures have been taken. The AUCT has raised the case of Doaba College, Jalandhar, where the ineligi- VC OFFICE ACCUSED OF INACTION In a letter addressed to the Chancellor, GNDU, Jaspal Singh, general secretary of AUCT and assistant professor, has alleged the "practice of inaction that the VC's office has adopted recently regarding the case of an ineligible principal and associate professors in one of its affiliated colleges”. ble principal is under inquiry (for the last 11 months) for not fulfilling the requirements for the post mentioned under the UGC regulations. It also mentioned the reinstatement of three teachers (Dr Manpreet Kaur, Dr Satinder Kaur, Manjinder Sood), who were terminated on July 6, 2021 on illegitimate grounds as alleged by the AUCT, and the Director, Higher Education, Punjab had issued a speaking order to reinstate the teachers. The letter stated that the college was to carry out the DPI order within two days (by January 13, 2022) while warning the management of the college that non-compliance would invite strict action and ‘unpleasant results’. However, the direc- tions have still not been complied with. GNDU authorities claimed that the university had already done whatever was required under procedure in the matter. The Doaba college management, however, has filed a petition in the High Court challenging the orders of reinstatement of the terminated teachers. Meanwhile, Chander Mohan, president, Doaba College, Jalandhar, while speaking over the issue, said all aided college appointments are approved by the DPI, Punjab and GNDU, before being finalised. “The appointing authority is the management of the college, but the approvals are done by the DPI, Punjab and GNDU authorities,” he added. remain open till 9 pm Delicacy being made in unhygienic condition Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 11 As part of efforts to share the legacy of Punjab’s bravery and martial spirit with the country’s new generation, the War Memorial built on Attari GT Road would now remain open till 9 pm. Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori held a special meeting in this regard to make these arrangements for the memorial keeping in mind the needs of tourists returning from Wagah border after watching the retreat ceremony. Thori said that tourists coming from the international border after watching the retreat ceremony had a demand that they were not able to see this unique heritage as the memorial was closed early. Therefore, the memorial will now remain open till 9 pm, he said. The Deputy Commissioner asked the General Manager of the War Memorial to make Tribune News Service The Punjab State War Heroes Memorial-cum-Museum in Amritsar. FILE PHOTO arrangements accordingly. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh from the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) also held a meeting with the Auto Association of Amritsar in this regard and asked them to spread the word among tourists going to Wagah border so that they can visit the memorial as much as possible. Writer Swaran Kaur Bal dead Missing floor tiles at Wrote several books on culture, folk traditions Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 11 Swaran Kaur Bal (87), a prominent folklore activist and Punjabi writer, who wrote several books on culture and folk traditions, passed away late on Wednesday night at her home in village Butala, near Baba Bakala Sahib. Interestingly, her first book itself, published in 2000, a collection of Punjabi folk songs titled ‘Majhe Di Main Jami Jayi’ remained her bestselling work not only in India but also in many other countries which encouraged its publishing house, Punjabi Saath, to reprint it in 2003, 2009 and 2017. Her last book was released in 2005, an autobiography ‘Zindagi Da Pandh’, also published by Punjabi Saath, a global organisation, which aims to promote Punjabi culture and literature. Born in 1937 on June 6 in village Thatha of Tarn Taran district, she kept herself busy Swaran Kaur Bal breathed her last at her home in Butala village near Baba Bakala Sahib in Amritsar. even after her retirement as a government school teacher. Heading the Majha Punjabi Saath, she had been organising ‘Mela Charkhe Da’, an annual event to give a platform to the women of her village to showcase their talent in traditional dances, folk songs and more, even till her early 80s. The cynosure of the event was spinning the traditional wheel (charkha) in which a large number of elderly women even from the neighbouring villages participated. She was also quite active on radio and TV where other than her interviews, she also sang folk songs and took along many women from the village. She had also played a big role in setting up a sports club in the village, players from which reached several international hockey tournaments, including Olympics held in Japan. The villagers had named her ‘Grandmother of Butala’, who always gave credit to her school, Mata Sahib Deva Kaur Ashram Bhujangan in Kairon, Tarn Taran, where she was chosen as the head girl. “Despite the 1930s when girls weren’t encouraged to pursue education, her parents and uncles came out bravely in support which helped her study. This also helped imbibe leadership qualities in her,” said Dr Nirmal Singh, founder of Punjabi Saath and editor of her books. MC office irk visitors Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 11 Six years after the construction of the new building of Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) head office, part of the floor damaged with several tiles uprooted causing trouble to visitors. The new building of the MC head office at Ranjit Avenue was constructed in 2016. The office was shifted to the Ranjit Avenue area from the old Town Hall building in 2017. Owing to various infrastructural issues, the MC building remained the talk of the town. The taps and other sanitary equipment installed in the building got dysfunctional soon after the building was opened to public. Now, floor tiles are missing from several spots on the main hall and the corridor. The area with tiles poses a risk to visitors, especially elderly persons. The condition of the building has become a matter of concern for city residents. “It is the Food safety wing raids gachak-making unit main hall of the MC where floor tiles are missing. The damaged tiles have affected the building’s aesthetics and safety of visitors. If the MC’s new office building is facing such issues, what can expect from them for other civil works in field. A probe should be held into the matter and strength of material should be checked,” said SS Sharma, an activist. Not only floor tiles, tiles from the façade of the building also came off after two years. Multiple instances of tile breakage on the front facade of the main MC building were reported earlier. The affected areas have now been plastered and painted to address the issue. The technical expert of the MC claimed that tiles on the façade of the building had developed cracks and came off due to the expansion and shrinkage caused by temperature variations in summer and winter. The expert claimed that the weather conditions may have led to the removal of floor tiles. Amritsar, January 11 Officials of the Food safety wing of the district Health Department raided a food factory operating in Kot Khalsa area of the city on late Wednesday evening. The officials found that ‘gachak’, a favourite delicacy eaten during the winter season, was being prepared in highly unhygienic condition. The sweet is made by mixing dry fruits, mostly peanuts with jaggery. Assistant Food Commissioner Rajinderpal Singh said, “As per admission by the factory owners, the unit has been functioning since 2013. Recently, we had received information that there was lack of cleanliness and hygiene on the premises of the unit.” The owner of the illegal manufacturing unit has been identified as Daulat, a resident of Rajasthan. The DC praises dist farmers for not burning crop residue Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 11 Deputy Commissioner Ghansham Thori, while visiting the villages of Rampura and Dhodiwind of block Attari here on Thursday, lauded the farmers from the two villages as not even a single incident of crop residue burning was reported from here during the paddy harvesting season. The Deputy Commissioner said like these two villages no incident of crop residue burning was reported from 280 villages of the district. Talking to farmers, the Deputy Commissioner said those who had not burnt crop residue need appreciation. Thori said that while our environment is getting polluted due to various factors, people are also at greater risk of getting lung cancer and skin diseases. He said that by burning the residue of crops, the fertility of soil also decreases. Officials of the Health Department on the premises of a gachakmaking unit in Amritsar on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO inspection team revealed that the utensils used for cooking were so dirty that it seemed as if these were not washed for months. “Though the factory owner claimed that he cleans the utensils and kitchen area daily, judging from things and looking at everything it was obvious that no efforts were ever made to ensure cleanliness,” said continued on page 2 Founder of Lal Qilla rice passes away at 89 Amritsar, January 11 The doyen of Indian basmati industry and founder of world famous Lal Qilla rice Kartar Singh passed away this morning. He was 89. Described as a pioneer in rice trade, Kartar Singh started his mill at Amritsar in the early ‘60s and emerged as a leading basmati brand the world over. Kartar Singh belonged to a family of rice traders and later established a modern rice mill on the outskirts of the city. Through his hard work and dedication, he created a niche market for basmati in India and abroad. Rajya Sabha Member Vikramjit Singh Sahney, a leading businessman, mourned the demise of Kartar Singh and said he was an honest icon of the industry and his death has created a void in the world of business. A large number of industrial and trading associations, including Punjab Rice Millers and Exporters Association, expressed their condolences on the passing away of the rice S Kartar Singh export stalwart who contributed tremendously to enriching the rice trade through his vision. He would encourage youngsters to set up modern rice plants with the latest technology. Leading figures from the field of trade and industry attended his last rites at Shaheed Sahib cremation ground this afternoon. He leaves behind his wife, brother Pritam Singh, son Arvinderpal Singh, two daughters and grandchildren. His Antim Ardas will be held on Sunday (January 14) at Sri Guru Harkrishan International School, Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar from 1-2 pm. — TNS BSF recovers drone, City’s humble ‘Khajoor’ makes Lohri special Search op to check sale of synthetic string held 470-gmheroinfromIB Neha Walia Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 11 The BSF recovered a drone and 470 grams of heroin from Dhanoe Khurd village on the Indo-Pakistan border here on Thursday. BSF officials said in the afternoon, following an intelligence input, BSF troops conducted a search operation beyond the border fencing at Dhanoe Khurd village. “During the search operation around 12.45 pm, the BSF troops recovered one drone along with a packet suspected to be containing the heroin. The gross weight of the recovered narcotic was approximately 470 grams. The narcotics were wrapped with yellow adhesive tape and a metal ring was attached to the BSF personnel with the drone and heroin recovered in Amritsar. packet. The recovery took place in the farming field adjacent to Dhanoe Khurd village. The recovered drone is a Quadcopter, model- DJI Mavic 3 Classic, made in China. Once again, vigilant BSF troops thwarted the move of smugglers,” said BSF officials of Punjab Frontier. Amritsar, January 11 The quintessential Punjabi festival of Lohri is around the corner and it is all about dhol beats, bonfire and sweet delicacies of which ‘Khajoor’ stands out. A day spent in roof-top kite-flying competition and savouring the deep fried, sweet flavoured khajoor, are two favourite things to do on the day of Lohri. Made only for the festival and available in the city, Khajoor, a humble pastry that has little to do with dates, is made with flour, ghee, sugar and deep frying in oil and is something to look forward to during Lohri. These come at the rate of Rs 300 to Rs 700 per kg, depending on the oil used in their preparation, with the ghee-fried ones costing more. They are a part of traditional delicacies for the festival. The The sweet Lohri delicacy — Khajoor — is only prepared in the winter season in the holy city. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR sweet is available in the local markets from the last week of December onward till the time of Lohri, making it a novelty for the local residents. c m y b With winter at its peak, it is surely catching the eyes of a lot of visitors. Moist on the inside and crisp on the outside, Khajoor’s exclusivity to the holy city over the years has made it popular among tourists, who visit Amritsar during the winter. It is also a favourite among NRI visitors. Other counterparts like ‘til bhugga’ (white sesame seed sweet), ‘rewaris’, peanuts and stacks of dry fruit-filled jaggery too are worth drooling over. Keeping up with the festive spirit and tradition, most citizens stick to community Lohri bonfires around the city. Since Lohri is followed by another winter festival Maghi or Makar Sankranti, every household prepares kheer made from sugarcane, jaggery, rice and nuts and dalkhichdi, which is consumed on Maghi. Other festive food items on Lohri include sarson ka saag and makki ki roti. Maghi or Makar Sankranti is celebrated with people visiting shrines and taking a holy dip to pray for new beginnings. Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 11 A three-hour search operation was conducted in the markets of Baba Bakala to seize the banned plastic string here today. The campaign, initiated ahead of the festival of Lohri and Makar Sankranti, was led by SubDivisional Magistrate (SDM) Amanpreet Singh and DSP Sukhwinderpal Singh. However, despite their efforts, no significant recovery was made. SDM Amanpreet Singh emphasised the need for awareness campaigns about the adverse effects of Chinese string, along with imposing restrictions on its use. He mentioned that a campaign against Chinese string is going on at the local level, involving the head of market associations and others. He appealed to the public not to turn the celebrations into an event for mourning by using the deadly Chinese string during the kite-flying festivities. The use of plastic string has already resulted in several instances of damage to life and property and harms have been observed due to its use, he pointed out. “During festivals like Lohri and Basant, kite enthusiasts, especially youth and children, use the dangerous plastic string to fly kites. The sharp and lethal string has resulted in serious injuries to numerous individuals, including fatalities and harm to birds,” the SDM added.