05102025-JTR-01.qxd 10/4/2025 10:53 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune SEASON’S FIRST FOG HITS PHAGWARA, TEMP DROPS 4°C NAWANSHAHR’S BLOOD DONORS COUNCIL: 4 DECADES OF SERVICE ROBERT PATTINSON FINDS PLAYING ‘NORMAL’ CHALLENGING Phagwara experienced season’s first fog on Saturday morning, signalling a notable change in weather conditions . P2 Driven by the vision of a few dedicated individuals, the blood centre began its journey nearly 40 years ago. P3 Actor opens up about shifting from ‘freak’ roles to everyday characters in new film. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 31°C | MIN 21°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 28°C SUNSET SUNDAY 6.07 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:24 AM » SUNDAY | 5 OCTOBER 2025 | JALANDHAR TRIBUNE PHOTO 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. Sabha backs Oct 8 stir for requisite aid to flood victims Will start protest from Oct 27 Tribune News Service INBRIEF VILLAGER BOOKED FOR ‘RAPING’ GIRL Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have booked a villager on charges of raping a girl and criminal intimidation. Investigating Officer (IO) Kulwant Kaur said that the accused had been identified as Balveer of Bulanda village. The victim complained to the police that the accused forcibly established physical relation with her and raped her repeatedly, making her pregnant. She further said that when she fell ill, the accused admitted her to a clinic, where she delivered a premature baby girl, who died. Thereafter, the accused threatened her with dire consequences. The IO said a case has been registered against the accused. OC DRUG PEDDLER ARRESTED Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have arrested a drug peddler on the charge of selling intoxicant tablets. Investigating officer (IO) Kashmir Singh said that 125 intoxicating tablets were seized from the possession of the accused, identified as Mohamad Shaka, a resident of Panjdhera village under Phillaur police station. The IO stated that a case has been registered. OC THIEVES STEAL ~7.40 LAKH Phagwara: The Shahkot police have booked unidentified thieves on the charge of stealing Rs 7.40 lakh. Tarsem Singh, a resident of Mullewal Khehra village, complained to the police that the accused barged into his house and stole Rs 7.40 lakh. Investigating officer Sarwann Singh said that a case has been registered against the accused. OC 2 PROCLAIMED OFFENDERS HELD Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have arrested a proclaimed offender (PO) absconding for the last few months. Investigating officer Jai Gopal said that the accused had been identified as Raman Kumar, a resident of Cheema Khurd, and wanted in two cases of theft registered in 2021 and was declared a PO in March. Meanwhile, the Bilga police have arrested PO Satish Kumar, son of Jaspreet Singh, a resident of Rurrka village, wanted in a case of drug peddling. oc TWO ARRESTED AFTER ENCOUNTER Jalandhar: In a police encounter that took place near Haripur village of Adampur here this evening, one accused got injured while the other was arrested. He and his accomplice got arrested by the police. SSP Harvinder Singh Virk said that the Adampur police had set up a naka near Haripur village, where ASI Daya Chand signalled two bike-borne men to stop. However, they tried to flee but slipped, and fell down. The motorcycle driver then fired at the police, prompting the ASI to retaliate, injuring the accused. TNS BJP workers and supporters along with a Hindu organisation hold a dharna at the Shri Ram Chowk in Jalandhar on Saturday; and (right) members of the Muslim organisation hand over a memorandum to DCP Naresh Dogra and ADCP-1 Akarshi Jain over the issue. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Hindu group, BJP leaders hold dharna for three hours at Shri Ram Chowk Muslim leaders seek action against complainant for religious incitement BANNER ROW Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 4 A day after tension flared up between Hindu community members and a Muslim organisation in Jalandhar over the chanting of religious slogans, members of the Sanatan Raksha Manch and BJP leaders held a three-hour protest at Shri Ram Chowk here. On the other hand, members of the Muslim Sangathan, Punjab, too maintained that Hindu activist Yogesh Maini had deliberately tried to provoke them by raising ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans outside the DC office, where they had already been holding a peaceful protest by carrying ‘I love Mohammad’ banners. Naim Khan, president of the sangathan, Mazhar Alam, general secretary, and Ayub Khan called it all a malafide attempt to disturb peace and communal harmony in Punjab and the rest of the country ahead of the Bihar elections. Both sides shared videos supporting their claims. Muslim leaders tried to project that Maini had tried to incite them while they were waiting outside the DC office yesterday for the Commissioner of Police to receive a memorandum from them over ‘I love Mohammad’ row in UP . Those siding with Maini shared videos of the Muslim community leaders gheraoing him, trying to manhandle him and had even taken out their footwear to beat him up. “How can a man be beaten up for saying Jai Shri Ram? What is wrong with these words? Did he commit any sin saying so? How could the Muslims force him to say Allah hu Akbar?” asked BJP leaders, including ex-MLA KD Bhandari and activist Amit Taneja. While Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Sharma reached out to the agitating BJP leaders, Deputy Commissioner of Police Naresh Dogra and ADCP-1 Akarshi Jain tried to pacify the Muslim leaders. Dogra even received a memorandum of their demand. The complainant, Maini, had got added the name of Ayub Khan and Naim Khan in the supplementary copy of the complaint and had demanded that they be named in the FIR. However, both leaders claimed that they were in the office of ADCP Dogra to hand over the memorandum when the incident had happened. On the contrary, the two demanded that Maini and the Hindu activists who blocked the BMC Chowk while trying to flare up communal sentiments should be booked. Bhandari countered the arguments of Muslim leaders, “Maini is an accountant by profession. He is not even our party worker. He is a simple Sanatan Dharam follower. He saw the effigies of PM Narendra Modi and CM Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath burning. He just felt like remembering God and hence said Jai Shri Ram. How could this be provocative?” BJP leaders Amit Bhatia and Rajesh Jain, who reportedly jumped over the wall of the DC office to act as saviours of Maini, have said, “Had we not reached there in time, anything could have happened. We had to rescue him to safety.” On Maini’s complaint, FIR number 177 had been lodged against unknown persons under Sections 115 (2) (voluntary causing hurt), 126 (2) (wrongful restraint), 351 (2) (criminal intimidation) and 299 (act to outrage religious feelings) of the BNS. Jalandhar, October 4 Members of the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Punjab, on Saturday demanded adequate compensation for flood-hit farmers and labourers in the state and also announced solidarity with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha protest in this regardon October 8. They also announced protest from October 27 onwards for demanding compensation for farm labourers and others affected by floods. A state-level meeting of the sabha was held today during which issues of flood victims and farmers in the state were discussed. The state-level meeting on the issue was held at the state office of the sabha — Shaheed Sarwan Singh Cheema Bhawan, Garha, Jalandhar — under the chairmanship of sabha’s state president Satnam Singh Ajnala. In the meeting, a condolence resolution was passed on the untimely demise of 59 flood victims, and tributes were paid to them. Speaking on the occasion, Ajnala said that the state and the Central governments did not provide any help to the farmers and labourers for the losses caused by the floods that occurred in the state. He said that the Samyukt Kisan Morcha would hold protests on October 8 in all district centres of Punjab, demanding compensation for the losses suffered by farmers, labourers and flood victims. He said that the arrival of paddy had started in the markets, but the government was delaying its purchase. He warned that if the arhtiyas/cellar owners try to cut the price of procured paddy, then they would have to face the wrath of the farmers and labourers. He said that basmati, the price of which was over Rs 5,000 in the past, had come down to less than Rs 2,500 this time. He demanded that basmati should be purchased at the MSP . He also said the government should ensure that the moisture content of the paddy is acceptable up to 22 per cent and that the weighing of the paddy in the markets should be done with a computer scale. Addressing the gathering, state general secretary of the sabha Kulwant Singh Sandhu said that the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Punjab, would march through the flood-affected areas on October 27 in Gurdaspur, October 28 in Ajnala and October 29 in Khadoor Sahib to pressure the government to help flood victims. He said that the government should provide compensation of Rs 20,000 per acre for levelling the fields, Rs 1.5 lakh for farmers unable to sow further crops and Rs 10,000 per acre for the labourers. Docs to adopt flood-hit Anticipating fog, 22 trains cancelled from Dec to March 26 families of Baupur Mand Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 4 In a noble humanitarian initiative, leading doctors of Jalandhar have come together to adopt floodaffected families of Baupur Mand villages of Sultanpur Lodhi. The initiative has come under the leadership of Dr Balbir Singh Bhaura, renowned Jalandhar-based eye surgeon. Dr Bhaura is the director of Akal Eye Hospital, Jalandhar, and founder president of Dharat Suhavi (an environmental organisation). His initiative got the support of Dr Balbir Singh, Health Minister, Punjab, who further encouraged medical professionals to extend a helping hand to the people devastated by recent floods. Donors and supporters who have joined the initiative include Dr Bhaura; Dr Raman Chawla of Heart & Care Best Hospital, Jalandhar; Dr Harmeet Pal Singh of Modern Hospital, Jalandhar; Dr CS Pruthi of Capitol Hospital, Jalandhar; Dr VK Mahajan, eye specialist, Jalandhar; Daljit Singh, Wing Commander (retd); and PP Singh of Green Planet. The adoption programme would provide direct support to affected families, including rehabilitation, medical care, food assistance and long-term livelihood help. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bhaura said: “The people of our villages are the backbone of Punjab. As doctors, it is our moral duty to stand with them in their hour of suffering. This adoption initiative is not just relief — it is a promise to help these families rebuild their lives with dignity.” This initiative sets an example of collective responsibility, showcasing how collaboration between healthcare institutions and individuals can make a tangible difference in disasteraffected regions. Health Minister Balbir Singh and eye surgeon Balbir S Bhaura interact with a villager at Baupur Mand in Sultanpur Lodhi. Phagwara, October 4 Passengers in Punjab are staring at travel disruptions this winter as Northern Railways has announced the cancellation of 56 trains in Punjab between December 2025 and March 2026, keeping in mind the chances of dense fog in that period. The cancellations, aimed at ensuring safety during low visibility, will heavily impact Phagwara, where 22 trains services have been suspended, causing inconvenience to daily commuters and long-distance travellers. Phagwara Station Superintendent Davinder Singh confirmed the cancellations, stating they were communicated well in advance to allow passengers to reschedule. “Dense fog during peak winter months reduces visibility to dangerous levels, making safe operations difficult. This proactive measure is necessary to prevent delays, accidents and congestion on busy routes,” he said. The affected trains include Gareeb Rath Express, Janseva Express, Nangal Dam Express, Amritsar–Ajmer Express, Akal Takht Express, Durgiana Express, Yoga Nagri Jammu Tawi Express, Lal Kuan–Amritsar Express and Kolkata–Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Express. Additionally, the Amritsar–Chandigarh Express will not stop at Jalandhar City and the Intercity Express is suspended until early March. Most cancellations will be in effect from the first week of December through late February or early March, covering the peak fog season in Punjab. Authorities have urged passengers to check updated schedules before booking or traveling. — OC ‘Lavanya’ helps budding stylists translate innovative, trail-blazing ideas into reality Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 4 Apeejay College of Fine Arts under the aegis of Rajeshwari Kala Sangam hosted a fashion showcase – ‘Lavanya: Couture Carnival’ on Saturday evening. The show provided a platform for the budding designers of Apeejay to translate their innovative, distinctive and trail-blazing ideas into reality. The event brought together designers, models, makeover artists, anchors and fashion connoisseurs in the evening of elegance and artistry. The evening unveiled collections through fabric, form and design, beginning with ‘Canvas 001’, inspired by the formidable spirit of Maa Durga. This collection was merged with structured western formals brought to life by Sukhmeen Kaur, Gunika Sethi and Harpriya Saini. ‘The Bronze Shift’ translated the cosmic rhythm of the ‘yugas’ into fashion, where golden hues, c m y b Models catwalk on the ramp during the annual fashion show “Lavanya Couture Carnival” held at APJ College of Fine Arts in Jalandhar on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH fluid silhouettes and dramatic layers wove philosophy and artistry into wearable expressions, envisioned by Kashika Anand and Mehr Dhillon. ‘Ibtida’ unfolded the designers’ journey through the poetry of Persian carpets, blending heritage with contemporary fashion in flowing silhouettes and intricate macramé details, masterfully created by Anmol Sharma and Harleen Kaur. ‘Bandhej Black Tie’ reinterpreted Indian textile heritage, transforming ‘Ajrak’ motifs into bold, contemporary tuxedos for the modern man, with deep hues and subtle embellishments reflecting a dialogue between tradition and global menswear, realised by Rohan Kapoor, Simran, and Mohammad Quasim. ‘ Tahyab’ celebrated purity and resilience, drawing inspiration from Yemen’s tribal culture through flowing sarees, pleats, metallic motifs and vibrant tribal hues, elegantly crafted by Pragati and Simranjit Kaur. ‘Blazer Bazaar’ channelled the grandeur of the Ottoman Empire, fusing sharp lines, tweed fabrics and metallic accents to balance heritage with modernity, envisioned by Devanshi Malhotra and Ananya. ‘ Wabi Sabi’ honoured the beauty of imperfection, where flowing gowns, delicate drapes, and goldenseamed embroidery transformed flaws into art, brought to life by Chaitanya Gupta. ‘Sea & She’, a resort wear collection championing sustainable fashion through the use of surplus fabrics. The gala evening was graced by Ila Gupta (managing director, Universal Carbons, Hoshiarpur), Gaggun Bedi (renowned dancer and choreographer) and Sana Gupta as guest of honour. Celebrity actor-singer and college alumnus Yuvraj Hans, acclaimed actor and model Mansi Sharma and renowned singer and alumnus of the college Anadi Mishra also attended the show.