22112025-LT-01.qxd 11/21/2025 10:57 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune 394 STUDENTS AWARDED DEGREES AT PAU CONVOCATION RUDABHA OPEN MIC RETURNS AFTER FIVE YEARS SHARMA’S SONG HITS ALL THE RIGHT CHORDS A total of 394 degrees were conferred upon graduating students (2018-19 to 2023-24) from the COAET and COCS. P2 A city-based NGO dedicated to art, culture & community expression, hosted the 12th edition of RudAbha Poetry Mic. P3 Bathinda boy Jazim Sharma’s song Shehar Tere for the movie Gustaakh Ishq hits all the right chords. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 25°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 26°C | MIN 9°C SUNSET SATURDAY 5.26 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 7.00 AM » SATURDAY | 22 NOVEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Information shared with Pak-based handler; ISI on recruitment spree: CP were arrested by the police. On their disclosures, the police yesterday night arrested Deepak, alias Deepu, and Ram Lal, who are from Rajasthan, after exchange of fire in which the duo suffered bullet injuries. One of the injured is reportedly critical and is undergoing treatment in the ICU. The police officials, who were part of the team that busted the terror module, include DCP (Crime) Harpal Singh, Additional DCP (Crime) Amandeep Singh Brar, ADCP-1 Sameer Verma, ACP (Crime) Harshpreet Singh, Crime Branch incharge Beant Juneja, Special Cell in-charge Inspector Navdeep Singh and CIA Inspector Avtar Singh. Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Smuggler held with heroin Ludhiana, November 21 The Jagraon Sadar police claim to have nabbed a drug smuggler and recovered 264 gram heroin from his possession. The arrested accused was identified as Ambar Nath, alias Amar (39), a resident of the EWS Colony, Ludhiana. Investigating Officer ASI Sukhdev Singh said he along with his colleagues were present at the Ghalib Kalan village bus stand when they received a tip-off that Ambar Nath, a heroin smuggler, was going to Ludhiana city from the Ferozepur side on his motorcycle (bearing registration number PB-07-AR-5838) to deliver consignment to his clients. Acting on the tip-off, the police party laid a naka and signalled the accused to stop. During search of his belongings, heroin was recovered. The ASI said a case under the NDPS Act was registered against the accused. — TNS Man held for raping daughter Ludhiana, November 21 A 13-year-old girl was raped and impregnated by her father. The victim’s mother filed a police complaint, following which the accused was arrested. The victim’s mother stated that her daughter had been experiencing stomach pain for the past few days, and she had her checked from a doctor. The medical examination revealed that complainant’s daughter was pregnant. Upon questioning, the victim told her mother that around four months ago, her father, the accused, had taken her to his factory, where he had sex with her. According to the victim’s mother, her father repeatedly assaulted her. A case was registered against the accused, the police said. — TNS Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma addresses a press conference regarding the arrest of five accused with hand grenades and weapons in Ludhiana on Friday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN ings,” Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma said. Sharma asserted that Ludhiana was not the only target of the accused rather other cities were also on the target of the ISI where grenades were to be blown up. In nutshell, the entire border state was the key target of the ISI, he said. “Every minute detail was being shared with the ISI handler Jasveer (as saved in the mobile phones of the accused possibly the fake name), including the videos of grenades collected by accused Shamsher from Amritsar, then video of place where grenades were hid near Ladhowal and what not. The ISI handler had assured to give drugs and cash to the five accused to carry out the task,” the CP claimed. Top cop believed that the Ludhiana police got vital information that the ISI has been in touch with many youths mostly those who were drug addicts or had criminal background. The ISI usually lure recruits with money, drugs and even weapons, but in this case, the accused had to get money in lieu of completing the tasks. “There is a possibility that more grenades might already have landed in Punjab through the international borders. The police will unearth further layers of the larger network to foil any such terror plot,” the CP maintained. It is pertinent to mention here that a few days ago, three operatives of the ISI — identified as Shamsher Singh from Ferozepur, Ajay from Haryana and Harsh Kumar Ojha from Bihar — Terror module busted on Oct 27, 10 operatives held On October 27, the Ludhiana police had busted a Pakbased ISI backed grenade attack module with the arrest of 10 key operatives and recovered one 86P Chinese hand grenade, one black kit, and a set of gloves from their possession. The module was being run by ISI handler Ajay Malaysia. Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 21 In several pockets of Ludhiana, broken sidewalk covers and exposed drainage channels are becoming a growing concern for residents and commuters. At some places, channels run parallel to sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to step dangerously close to the fast moving traffic. These neglected stretches, some filled with garbage, others left dangerously open are not just eyesores, but also pose a serious safety risk, especially in the high-traffic zones. One of the key roads in the city near Jalandhar bypass has concrete slabs missing from central drainage channels, leaving gaping holes that collect debris and rainwater. In some areas, metal railings offer partial protection, but the absence of proper covers makes the sidewalks hazardous for pedestrians, particularly children and the elderly. “I go through this stretch daily to reach my shop. The open drain is a constant worry,” says Ramesh Kumar, a local vendor near Jalandhar bypass. “Last week, a schoolboy tripped and nearly fell in the drain. Thankfully, someone caught him on time,” he said. The issue is not limited to one locality. Similar problems An exposed drainage channel in which trash has accumulated. have been reported near transport hubs, market areas and residential colonies. Pedestrians are forced to walk on the road, which increases the risk of accidents. Urban planners and civic activists argue that such infrastructure lapses reflect deep gaps in maintenance and accountability. “These are not isolated incidents. They point to a systemic neglect of the basic urban safety,” says Anjali Mehta, a city resident. “Drainage channels are meant to be functional, covered and not left open to col- lect trash and endanger lives,” she said. “We’ve filed complaints, but the missing slabs have not been replaced. It’s been over a month since the authorities concerned were informed,” said Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Aman Nagar. With the onset of winter, fog will reduce visibility. This makes urgent for timely intervention by the authorities concerned. Experts warn that unattended drains could lead to waterlogging, mosquito breeding and further deterioration of road surfaces. Punjab takes a bold bite into goat cheese Nagar Kirtan leaves for Fatehgarh Sahib Vet varsity to introduce chèvre to the state’s cuisine Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 21 Cheese has long been the soul of pizzas, pastas, and gourmet platters, with mozzarella a household name. Yet, despite India’s cheese market growing at 20 per cent annually on the back of changing tastes and rising demand for exotic foods, Punjab has no dedicated cheese-making unit, with production concentrated in Delhi and the South. Against this backdrop, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, is scripting a new chapter — introducing goat cheese, or chèvre, to the state’s culinary and entrepreneurial landscape. At the College of Dairy and Food Science Technology, the art of cheese making is being nurtured with scientific precision and creative flair. The varieties developed here include mozzarella (from cow and buffalo milk), bocconcini (buffalo milk), feta (cow, buffalo, and goat milk), ricotta (from whey), manouri (sweet whey), whey cheese spread, and the star of the moment — chèvre, made from goat milk. Dr Inderpreet Kaur, head of the Department of Dairy Eco- nomics and Business Management, explained the motivation. She said, “We did a survey and found that Punjab had no single unit dedicated to cheese making. Units are concentrated in Delhi or the South. We decided to take the plunge and recently held an open dialogue with dairy farmers, processors, retailers, QSRs and start-ups to explore Punjab’s potential in the $98 billion global cheese market.” For the first time in Punjab, a company has stepped forward to champion goat cheese. GADVASU has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Green Pockets Private Limited for the development and promotion of chèvre. Under this collaboration, the university will provide technical know-how, hands-on training, consultancy and oneyear incubation support. The product will be packed and marketed by Green Pockets, while GADVASU ensures quality and innovation. Vice Chancellor Dr JPS Gill said, “Goat cheese has strong domestic and export potential. This initiative will open new opportunities for farmers and livestock entrepreneurs.” Dr RS Grewal, Director of Extension Education, underlined the larger significance. He said, “The demand for cheese is very high today, with annual growth at 20 per cent. People now prefer exotic food, and cheese has become a common ingredient. In the international market, goat cheese sells at three times the price of the traditional cheese. Here in India, goat farming is neglected. Making valueadded products from goat milk is the only way to uplift goat-rearing communities and improve their socio-economic status.” Beyond economics, goat cheese carries nutritional promise. Dr Nitika Goyal, associate professor, dairy technology noted its digestibility and health benefits. She said, “Rich in protein, calcium, and probiotics, chèvre is lighter on the stomach compared to cow or buffalo milk cheeses, making it attractive for health-conscious consumers.” Already, local restaurants, cafés and stores in Ludhiana are experimenting with GADVASU’s cheeses, and the products are also available at the university’s own outlet. With chèvre on the horizon, Punjab’s farmers may soon find themselves part of a global gourmet story. (Clockwise from top) The Panj Piaras lead the Nagar Kirtan; devotees walk along with the Palki Sahib; and vehicles stuck in a traffic jam in Ludhiana on Friday. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Tribune News Service TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Ludhiana, November 21 The arrest of five accused, who were part of the larger conspiracy to spread terror in Punjab, with recovery of two Chinese 86P hand grenades, five sophisticated .30 bore pistols, and approximately 40 plus live rounds have revealed that they were regularly in touch with Pakistanbased handler Jasveer, alias Choudhary, through WhatsApp to carry out grenade attacks in the border state. Mobile phones recovered from the accused established the direct link of nabbed accused as the police have recovered WhatsApp chats through which videos of places to be bombed in Punjab were shared and tonnes of calls with the ISI handler Jasveer, the key man behind the terror module. “We have recovered videos of targets locked by the ISI where grenades were to be dropped. We have recovered chats and even record of calls between the arrested accused and the ISI handler. Due to security reasons the police cannot share the targeted locations that include police build- Exposed drains, broken sidewalks raise safety concerns across city PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA Terror conspiracy: Arrest of 5 accused reveals virtual calls, videos of targets The cheese prepared at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in Ludhiana. c m y b Ludhiana, November 21 On occasion of the 350th Martyrdom Day of the ninth Sikh master, Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib, the Nagar Kirtan, which reached Ludhiana last night from the Jagraon side, left for Fatehgarh Sahib today from Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib. Before leaving, the Nagar Kirtan passed through several areas of the city. Hundreds of devotees gathered near the gurdwara to have a glimpse of the Nagar Kirtan, which will go to Sri Anandpur Sahib as the state government is holding an event to commemorate 350th martyrdom day. The Palki Sahib was beautifully decorated with flowers. Religious fervour prevailed, while devotees recited shabads in the presence of Panj Piaras. The devotees walked alongside the Palki Sahib with utmost respect. The continuous kirtan left the devotees spellbound. Prasad was distributed among devotees on the entire route through which the Nagar Kirtan passed. The sewadars also offered snacks and water to devotees. The roads were properly cleaned before the kirtan passed through several areas of the city. The devotees included men, women, children and senior citizens who prayed and walked along with the Nagar Kirtan. The Ludhiana rural police accorded a ceremonial guard of honour to the Palki Sahib carrying Sri Guru Granth Sahib, while devotees showered flower petals in reverence. The Nagar Kirtan halted at the Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib for a few hours. Tdoay, around 10 am, the Nagar Kirtan resumed its journey from the gurdwara. Before leaving the city, the Nagar Kirtan went from Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib—JMD Mall—Clock Tower Chowk—Chand Cinema Bridge—Jalandhar bypass chowk—Karabara Chowk—Shivpuri Chowk— Basti Jodhewal Chowk— Samrala Chowk—Oswal Chowk—Sherpur Chowk— Giaspura Chowk—Dhandari Kalan—Jugiana Chowk— Sahnewal—Doraha—Khanna and entered Fatehgarh Sahib district. Massive traffic jams witnessed in city Though the authorities claimed that vehicles were diverted on other routes for the convenience of public, while the Nagar Kirtan passed through Ludhiana, most roads connecting interior parts of the city, witnessed huge traffic jams for at least three hours. The traffic jams were witnessed on Mall Road, at Fountain Chowk, Kailash Chowk, on Domoria bridge and on roads going towards Mata Rani Chowk and the railway station. Serpentine queues of vehicles stuck in jams were seen on roads. The residents rued that while commuting on the road heading from Deepak Cinema to Fountain Chowk, it took one hour to pass through the stretch, whereas on routine days, it did not take more than 10 to 15 minutes. The residents said as no police personnel was deployed to regulate traffic, vehicles coming from all directions converged at one spot leading to massive traffic jams.