13092026-ATR-01.qxd 9/12/2026 10:01 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MID-DAY MEAL WORKERS BURN STATE GOVT’S EFFIGY A TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY ACTOR UTTAM KUMAR KAREENA RECREATES KARISMA’S ZUBEIDAA SAREE LOOK Mid-day meal workers are seeking higher wages, social security benefits and other facilities. P2 Uttam Kumar gave Bengal the image of a refined gentleman, the bhadralok. P3 Kareena Kapoor steps out for the promotions of her upcoming film Daayra, donning a rainbow-hued chiffon saree. P4 » » » MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 27°C SUNSET SUNDAY 6.44 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:10 AM SUNDAY | 13 SEPTEMBER 2026 | AMRITSAR In Case of An EMERGENCY We are READY FOR YOU! Golden Temple sees sea of devotees as langars, processions mark Gurpurb Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 12 The first Parkash Gurpurab of Guru Granth Sahib saw a sea of devotees paying obeisance at the Golden Temple and Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib on Saturday. The main programme began at Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib, where bhog of Akhand Path Sahib was performed before a Nagar Kirtan was taken out to the Golden Temple. The procession, carrying the sacred saroop of Guru Granth Sahib under a canopy, was led by the Panj Pyare in accordance with Sikh traditions. The Nagar Kirtan drew a large gathering of devotees and members of various Sikh organisations. At its departure, the Golden Temple’s head granthi Giani Amarjit Singh, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib jathedar Giani Tek Singh honoured the Panj Pyare with siropas. Addressing a gathering, Amarjit Singh said the sacred Gurbani of Guru Granth Sahib was the foundation of a Sikh’s life. He urged devotees to follow the teachings of Gurbani and adopt the Sikh way of life. Dhami extended greetings to the devotees, saying Guru Arjan Dev had compiled the Adi Sri Guru Granth Sahib, thereby connecting the Sikh community with Gurbani. He said Gurbani provided guid- 24*7 Emergency Ready Hospital 9915133330 Scan the QR code to download the MyFortis app Police tighten noose, seize 7 kg heroin, 4.5 kg opium Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Devotees queue up to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple; and (below) the sacred display of rare artefacts inside the sanctum sanctorum of the gurdwara; and a youth performs gatka. VISHAL KUMAR ance for making human life meaningful and peaceful and urged devotees to make daily recitation of Gurbani a part of their lives. The Nagar Kirtan featured Gatka performances by Sikh youths and devotional singing by various jatha. Langars were also organised by devotees along the route. The Golden Temple, Akal Takht Sahib and Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai Sahib were decorated with traditional “jalau” displays for the occasion. Elaborate floral decorations at the Golden Temple attracted devotees, while the Golden Temple, Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib and other religious places were illuminated with “deepmala”. A Gurmat Samagam was also held at Gurdwara Manji Sahib Diwan Hall, where Ragi, Dhadi and Kavishri jathas performed Gurbani and Sikh devotional compositions. A large number of SGPC office-bearers, members, religious personalities, representatives of Sikh organisations and devotees attended the programme. Amritsar, September 12 As part of their anti-drug operation, the police seized over 7 kg of heroin and made several arrests on Saturday. Officials also seized around 4.5 kg of opium, intensifying action against the narco-terror network under the state government’s “Yudh Nasheyan Virudh” campaign. Additional Director General of Police MF Farooqui, while leading a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the Maqboolpura area, said the operation was part of the sustained crackdown on drug peddlers and those involved in the distribution network. Maqboolpura locality features on the list of drug hotspots in the city. The ADGP said the police had also intensified efforts to check the flow of heroin into Punjab from Pakistan through narco-terror networks. The intelligence network and police presence in border villages had emerged as an important “second line of defence” against attempts to smuggle drugs into the state, he added. “Those involved in the sale and distribution of drugs are being dealt with sternly,” Farooqui said, claiming that sustained action had pushed back elements involved in the drug trade. Terming the campaign a “war”, he said the fight against drugs would continue until Punjab achieved the goal of Police officials during an anti-drug operation in Maqboolpura, Amritsar; and (below) a search underway in the area on Saturday. SUSTAINED CRACKDOWN ■Additional Director General of Police MF Farooqui said the operation was part of the sustained crackdown on drug peddlers and those involved in the distribution network. ■The official said efforts to check the flow of heroin into Punjab had been stepped up and that the intelligence network and police presence in border villages had emerged as the “second line of defence”. becoming a drug-free state. In the meanwhile, the Amritsar rural police have arrested 95 persons, recovered around 5 kg of heroin, 12 pistols and 950 lt of illicit liquor during a CASO operation held across the district on Friday. According to the police, 41 FIRs were registered under the NDPS Act and 46 persons were arrested in drug-related cases. Of these, 17 were allegedly involved in the peddling, supply or smuggling of narcotics. The police said the operation aimed at disrupting the drug supply chain beyond street-level peddlers by targeting suspected suppliers and members of wider smuggling networks. Besides the narcotics recoveries, 12 pistols were seized and 950 litres of illicit liquor recovered. Another 32 persons wanted or booked in other criminal cases were arrested during the operation, taking the total number of arrests to 95. IG, Border Range, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the searches were conducted at identified drug hotspots, premises linked to suspected criminals and other locations flagged on the basis of information gathered by police sources. continued on page 2 Panesar routs Sayali Bajwa, the man behind the camera, dies at 85 Lawyers flag weak mobile signals in for Bar chief re-run dist courts complex Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 12 Advocate Gurpreet Singh Panesar has been re-elected president of the Amritsar Bar Association, defeating his nearest rival AS Sayali by a margin of 975 votes in the keenly contested elections. The results were declared after 1.30 am on Saturday. Panesar polled 1,694 votes, while Sayali secured 719 votes. PS Walia finished a distant third with 44 votes. In the race for secretary, Sanpreet Singh Mann emerged victorious with 1,379 votes, comfortably defeating Harsimran Singh and Gurmeet Singh Mann. Amritpal Singh Momi won the vice-president’s post with 915 votes, while Rajdeep Singh Ghuman and Puneet Sharma were among the other contestants. DK Bedi won the post of vice-president (women) with 1,379 votes, defeating Parkashdeep Kaur. Saurabh Sharma was elected joint secretary after securing 1,181 votes, while Kapil Sharma won the treasurer’s post with 1,415 votes. Advocate Gurpreet Singh Panesar was re-elected president of the Bar. Sunaina Soni registered one of the biggest victories of the election, polling 1,773 votes to defeat Narinder Kaur, who secured 622 votes, for the post of librarian. For the post of senior executive, Avtar Singh secured 1,111 votes, followed by Gagan Bhatia with 652 votes. In the women’s category, Geetanjali polled 714 votes and Harpreet Kaur 622 votes. The elected executive members included Amit Arora (242), Sukhchain Singh (315), Nitish Jain (238), Akash Gaind (191), Abhinav Mittal (170), Manpreet Singh (167), Palak Arora (681) and Sukhmandeep Kaur (528). Amritsar, September 12 Leaving behind a rich photography legacy, internationally acclaimed photographer Harbhajan Singh Bajwa died at the age of 85 in Batala on Saturday. A writer and a poet, Bajwa donned many hats. He was a disciple of celebrated painter Sobha Singh. He had travelled all the way to Andretta (HP) to learn painting from him. But ended up pursing photography. He later established his studio in Batala. For Harbhajan Singh Bajwa, a camera was more than a device to capture an image. It was a means of preserving people, places and moments that he perhaps knew would otherwise disappear from collective memory. Bajwa’s photographs carried the imprint of a generation of Punjabi writers, artists, intellectuals and public figures. Working as a photo reporter for several leading newspapers and magazines, he not only recorded events, but also the people who shaped Punjab’s cultural LEAVES RICH PHOTOGRAPHY LEGACY BEHIND A WRITER AND POET WHO LIVES ON Harbhajan Singh Bajwa’s photographs carried the imprint of a generation of Punjabi writers, artists, intellectuals and public figures. He worked as a photo reporter for several leading newspapers and magazines. << Renowned photographer Harbhajan Singh Bajwa. landscape. His archive included photographs and slides carrying importance beyond their original purpose. Understanding their value, Bajwa donated his photographs, slides and other historical images to Punjabi Sath Lambra. He also handed over his personal library to Baba Aya Singh Riarki College, Tugalwala, in Gurdaspur. The college has since created a dedicated Harbhajan Singh Bajwa Wing in its library, a fitting extension of the photographer’s own instinct to preserve rather than possess. Bajwa was not confined to the world behind the camera. He wrote poetry in c m y b Punjabi and published three collections, “Sukke Kakhhan Thalle Agg”, “Maut Ik Aas Di” and “Trel Di Ik Boond”. His literary work reflected the same sensitivity towards ordinary lives and the passage of time that marked his photography. His contribution was formally recognised in 2024 when the Uttam Singh Nijjar Foundation honoured him for his lifetime achievements at Baba Aya Singh Riarki College on April 14. On the occasion, the college also released a photo volume of his work, edited by Dr Naresh Kumar and Gagandeep Singh Virk. The volume brought together rare photographs of some of the most significant names associated with Punjabi literature and culture, including Gurbakhsh Singh Preetlari, Prof Sahib Singh, artist Sobha Singh, Dr Mahinder Singh Randhawa, Sant Singh Sekhon, Prof Mohan Singh, Sujan Singh and Kartar Singh Duggal, among others. Principal Swaran Singh Virk of Baba Aya Singh Riarki College recalled that Bajwa had handed over his library and collection of magazines to the institution. Gurbhajan Singh Gill, chairman of the Punjabi Lok Virasat Akademi, said Bajwa had made an important contribution by documenting personalities and moments from Punjab’s literary and cultural history. The publication of books based on his photographs, he said, had helped safeguard this visual heritage for future generations. Ravinder Singh Ravi, who documented his journey said, “In an age when photographs are made and forgotten in an instant, Bajwa spent a lifetime making sure that Punjab’s faces, stories and cultural memory stayed alive.” Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 12 Weak mobile signals at the district courts complex has become a cause of worry for lawyers and those associated with the judicial system. Lawyers said the poor connectivity hampered their work and other court-related services. The issue has been raised with the authorities concerned through a letter, seeking immediate intervention to improve mobile connectivity in courtrooms. According to the letter, weak and unreliable mobile signals inside the complex make it difficult for lawyers and other stakeholders to make calls and access internet. The most affected are those who need to remain in regular contact with clients, colleagues and other offices during court proceedings. The growing dependence on digital platforms has further compounded the problem. Lawyers are required to access e-court applications and other online services for various Lawyers have sought immediate intervention. court-related tasks. Advocate Kuljeet Singh Malawali said the issue also affected litigants and other visitors who relied on mobile connectivity. “Intermittent calls and poor internet services can cause unnecessary delays and inconvenience, particularly to those who need to coordinate with lawyers or access online information,” he said. The authorities have been urged to take up the matter with mobile service providers and ensure adequate network coverage throughout the district courts complex. The letter has also sought suitable technical measures or infrastructure, if required, to address the connectivity problem.