09092025-JTR-01.qxd 9/8/2025 11:38 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune ANGELINA JOLIE ATTENDS TORONTO INT’L FILM FESTIVAL PUNJABIS ARE KNOWN FOR SOCIAL SERVICE: SALMAN KHAN Bollywood actor Salman Khan expressed his solidarity and concern for the people in North India. P4 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 31°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 26°C FORMER US PREZ BARACK OBAMA WINS THIRD EMMY Angelina Jolie on Sunday attended the Toronto TIFF 2025 for a special screening of her latest film Couture. P4 FORECAST He earned the award for his narration in Netflix's Our Oceans, a series that explores the wonders of oceans. P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 06.41 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 06:08 AM » TUESDAY | 9 SEPTEMBER 2025 | JALANDHAR Vegetable prices skyrocket, vanish from kitchen shelves HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. Peas available for ~280/kg, beans ~160/kg Tribune News Service INBRIEF 4 BOOKED FOR MURDER BID Phagwara: The Nakodar police have booked four villagers, including a woman, on charges of attempted murder. The accused have been identified as Resham Singh of Lehanna Dhadda village, his son, Amarjit Singh and his daughter Manpreet Kaur as well as Gurwindar Singh, alias Goldi, also a resident of the same village. Hardeep Kaur, a resident of the same village, complained to the police that the accused barged into her house and attacked her, her kids with weapons with the intention to kill. and threatened her with dire consequences. OC TWO HELD UNDER NDPS ACT Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have arrested two 'drug peddlers' on the charge of selling intoxicating tablets. Forty tablets were recovered from the possession of the accused Sandeep Kumar, alias Jhandi, of Cheema Bazar, Nurmahal, and Bhupindar Singh, alias Pinda, of Shadipur village. A case has been registered under Sections 22/ 61/ 85 of the NDPS Act against the accused. OC Markets wear a deserted look in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO:MALKIAT SINGH Traders bear the brunt of floods, see 60% sales dip Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, September 8 The recent floods and heavy rainfall have had a negative impact on the businesses in the city, not just of sports goods manufacturers but also traders and shopkeepers in almost all local markets. The business community has been experiencing a slowdown for the past nearly a month. People in general have been making purchases of only the necessary items, including groceries. Clothing, jewellery, accessories and electronics goods have so far been on their last priority, since the parties and gettogethers have been cancelled. Even the socialites have been focusing to reserve some part of the income for providing relief to the floodaffected victims. Those engaged in food and hotel business have said there has been a huge drop in sales. “People preferred eating simple food at home. Seeing the destruction around, the overall mood has been sombre. No one wanted to dine out. Even if there were occasions, people confined it to home. There have hardly been any kitty parties this month,” said Sahib Singh, a manager at a local restaurant. Even hotel owners have felt the pinch. Says Rajan Chopra, a prominent hotelier, “People have cut down on travel. Seeing reports on the media, they have been thinking that highways are not safe for travel. So, the number of bookings at our hotels in the past few weeks have dropped significantly”. Shopkeepers in all markets, including Rainak Bazaar, Model Town and Adarsh Nagar, have said the footfall of buyers has dropped significantly. “For the past three weeks, many shopkeepers have seen 60-70 per cent loss in business. There were rains. The market areas remained flooded. Going to the market even in car was not conducive, unless very necessary. Now that shraddhs have started and will continue for the next two weeks, the sales are not going to pick till the Navratris commence. We expect some turnaround next month ahead of Diwali”, said Rajiv Duggal, president of Model Town Market Association. Jalandhar, September 8 The recent heavy spell of rain has led to a sudden spurt in the prices of vegetables in the city market. Most vegetables, including peas, cauliflower, beans and capsicum, have disappeared from the menu of the middle class families as their prices have almost doubled in the past three weeks. The per kg price of peas has shot up to Rs 280 a kg. Beans are available for Rs 160 a kg and cauliflower for Rs 120 a kg. Capsicum, lemons and bitter gourd are now priced at Rs 100 a kg, and ladyfinger and bottle gourd for Rs 80 a kg. The only reprieve is that the prices of basic vegetables is comparatively under control. Onions are available for Rs 30 a kg and potatoes for Rs 25 a kg. The price of tomatoes has dropped to Rs 60 a kg from a recent spurt of Rs 90 a kg. The per kg price of ginger stands at Rs 100. While this is the retail rate list of vegetables in the main vegetable markets of the city at Sudama market and near Charanjitpura, the veggies brought to the doorsteps by hawkers are costlier by Rs 2030 a kg. Prince, a shopkeeper at the old sabzi mandi, rued that the price hike has affected his business too. “The price of vegetables is usually higher in monsoons but this time it is unusually more. UNUSUALLY HIGH THIS TIME vegetables ❝The price ofthis time it isis usually higher in is monsoons but unusually more. There a sharp decline in the number of buyers coming to the market. Even those coming have limited their quantity of purchase to keep their grocery budget under control. Prince, SHOPKEEPER ❞ There is a sharp decline in the number of buyers coming to the market. Even those coming have limited their quantity of purchase to keep their grocery budget under control,” he said. Shopkeepers said the availability of veggies like peas, cauliflower and capsicum was also an issue these days. “Owing to recent spell of heavy rainfall in hilly areas, the production has gone down. The suppliers are facing the problem of transportation too”, said Balram, another shopkeeper. Rekha, a buyer, said maintaining the household budget has been challenging in the ongoing season. “I had come to mandi with a huge bag but I am going back having been able to buy just 250 gm of twothree veggies. There is no point in purchasing even the humble gourds when they are so expensive”, she said. A relief for the buyers is that fruits are available at a relatively more affordable amount. A dozen bananas are priced at Rs 80-90 and a kg of apples can be brought for Rs 100-120. Woman relives trauma BKU-Doaba to send 100 tractors from amid flooding again Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Raj Kaur lost her house and husband during the floods that hit Dhakka Basti in 2023 at Lohian block in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Dhakka Basti, September 8 Raj Kaur sits silently on the bundh, clutching a hand fan, her eyes heavy with the weight of yet another tragedy. The scorching heat is unrelenting, but it’s the emotional toll that truly bears down on her. Just two years ago, Raj lost both her husband and home to the devastating 2023 floods. Now, barely beginning to rebuild her life, she faces the same nightmare again. When The Tribune visited the site, the despair was palpable. Raj’s husband Harmesh Singh had made headlines last year when he drowned in floodwaters while collecting bricks from the remains of their collapsed house. The grief deepened shortly after with the passing of her mother-in-law, compounding the family’s loss. “This time again, waters have flooded our Dhakka Basti,” Raj said quietly. “It’s tough to live in such an environment. Hopefully, things become normal and we will return home soon.” The renewed flooding has displaced several families in Dhakka Basti, forcing them to take shelter on the nearby embankment under harsh weather conditions. For residents like Raj, the trauma of 2023 is still fresh — now made worse by the return of floodwaters. Delhi CM flags off Jalandhar stars shine bright in 52 trucks with relief India’s Asia Cup hockey victory material, gives ~5 cr Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Phagwara, September 8 In a significant show of solidarity, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has extended aid to Punjab’s flood victims by contributing Rs 5 crore along with dispatching 52 truckloads of relief materials. Former MP Avinash Rai Khanna expressed gratitude on behalf of Punjab’s residents, lauding the BJP leadership for prioritising humanitarian assistance over politics. He noted that earlier, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had also contributed Rs 5 crore from his relief fund, underscoring the spirit of neighbourly support in times of crisis. Relief measures for floodaffected families are continuing under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal, with district administration teams working around the clock to provide essential supplies, medical assistance and livestock care. Panchal said although water levels have receded, with 1.64 lakh cusecs flowing through the Beas, the administration remains vigilant. Dry ration kits containing grains, pulses, oil, salt, and other necessities are being distributed among families. Alongside, medical teams are conducting health check-ups, while four veterinary teams have been deployed to vaccinate livestock and provide special feed supplements and medicines. The Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department is also distributing silage and fodder on a large scale. — OC Jalandhar, September 8 India won the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 title in a thrilling final, with players from Jalandhar playing a pivotal role in the nation’s victory. The district’s continued legacy in hockey was on full display. Former captain Manpreet Singh, along with Mandeep Singh, Hardik Singh and Sukhjeet Singh — all hailing from Jalandhar — were part of the winning squad. Sukhjeet Singh stood out by scoring a crucial opening goal in the final against Korea. Sukhjeet’s journey has been especially inspirational. Having suffered partial paralysis a few years ago, he made a remarkable comeback, debuting in the Olympics last year and securing a medal for India. In the Asia Cup final, (From L) Hardik Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh after their win. FILE he again proved his mettle. Sukhjeet was merely five or six-year-old when he was given his first hockey stick. It was taller than him, so Sukhjeet’s father cut it short according to his (Sukhjeet) height so that he could play it with ease. This c m y b is how his journey started. Speaking to The Tribune, Sukhjeet’s father, Ajit Singh, shared his pride: “I only realised he had scored when I saw the replay. I felt so happy — he has made us proud. The team played exception- ally well.” Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, both from Mithapur village in Jalandhar, also brought pride to their hometown with strong performances throughout the tournament. every dist to remove mud from fields Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, September 8 The Bharti Kisan Union will send 100 tractors each from every district of the state to the flood-hit areas to help farmers in removing tonnes of accumulated mud on their fields. The declaration was made today during a meeting of the Bharti Kisan Union-Doaba at Gurdwara Sukhchainana Sahib in Phagwara. The BKU-Doaba also condemned both state and Central Goverment, stating that they have failed to perform their duties for the flood-hit farmers. Union members said they will hold protests at the DC offices at every district headquarters on September 12. Memoranda will also be handed over to DCs, for the state government, asking it to extend aid to the farmers. The declarations were made by BKU-Doaba state president Manjit Singh Rai during the meeting of the BKU. It expressed thanks to youngsters, NGOs, artistes and celebrities, who had extended overwhelming help to farmers. Manjit said, “The plight of farmers was the main agenda of our meeting. Crops on over 3 lakh acres have been damaged and thousands of houses have been submerged. As many as 1,200 to 1,300 villages have been impacted. The role of the state and Centre in extending help to farmers is negligible. In case of floods in other states, the Centre releases fund Protests at DC offices on Sept 12 against state govt immediately, but no aid has come so far. The Punjab Government hasn’t even released its disaster management fund for the floods. Both governments have failed to heed the plight of the farmers. Protests will be held across DC offices on September 12. During this, demand letters will also be handed over to the DCs.” Rai specially lauded the artiste community. He said, “Youngsters, NGOs, artiste brotherhood, be it singers, actors of Punjabi and Hindi films, and NRI brothers have extended a huge help to farmers. People from Haryana, UP and the Muslim community too have come forward. We thank them and ask governments to emulate their example.” Manjit Rai said the BKUDoaba has pledged help in the form of seeds and fertilisers to farmers. They also asked the state government to address the shortage of DAP fertiliser. Meanwhile, Rai also sought that sugarcane dues of all farmers across the state from co-operative as well as private mills - be released so that farmers may receive reprieve in such a difficult times - when they already face financial crunch due to floods.