18012021-JTR-01.qxd 1/17/2021 11:17 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar TRIBUNE INITIATIVE FRAUGHT WITH LOGISTIC PAGE 2 CHALLENGES AND ITS EFFICACY KRITI SANON IS ALL SET TO START SHOOTING FOR BACHCHAN PANDEY Residents feel the govt should make strenuous efforts to boost public confidence and overcome vaccine hesitancy. The actress is all set to start shooting for the upcoming film Bachchan Pandey, starring Akshay Kumar. FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY INBRIEF UPDATE AADHAAR AT POST OFFICES Hoshiarpur: Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Hoshiarpur Division, informed that the Aadhaar updation and enrolment operations have been resumed in all 26 designated post offices of the Hoshiarpur Postal Division. The general public can now visit the nearest available Aadhaar enrolment centre in the post offices in the city and avail the services related to it. He urged to follow all Covid-19 guidelines issued by the Centre/state government while visiting the post offices and getting their work done. Wearing of masks and social distancing norms is mandatory to be observed by the public visiting the post offices. Apart from Mehandpur sub post office and Sahiba sub post office, the list of other designated post offices is given in the box. TNS MAX 19°C | MIN 6°C | YESTERDAY MAX 16°C | MIN 8°C SUNSET MONDAY 5:49 PM PAGE 3 TALENT MANAGER OF BIGG BOSS PISTA DHAKAD PASSES AWAY PAGE 4 The loss of the 23-year-old was mourned by show’s host Salman Khan as well as former contestants. SUNRISE TUESDAY 7:26 AM MONDAY | 18 JANUARY 2021 | JALANDHAR ‘Govt implicating us in false cases’ ...traders to hold Jalandhar-based farmer summoned by NIA says he has no connection with SFJ Tribune News Service SUMMONED BY NIA Jalandhar, January 17 A day before appearing before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in New Delhi, Jasbir Singh, a Jalandhar-based farmer, who was issued a notice by the agency, said the government was only trying to threaten farmers by unnecessarily implicating them in false cases. Jasbir was reportedly among the 30-40 farm leaders who were summoned by the NIA to be examined as significant testimonies in a fresh case registered against Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a USbased secessionist group that supports the secession of Punjab from India as Khalistan. The notices were issued under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). After approaching his lawyer, Jasbir said the notice (a copy of which is with The Tribune) mentioned serious allegations against Gurpatwant Singh ■ Jasbir Singh, a Jalandhar- based farmer, was reportedly among the 30-40 farm leaders who were summoned by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to be examined as significant testimonies in a fresh case registered against Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a USbased secessionist group that supports the secession of Punjab from India as Khalistan. ■ The notices were issued under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). ■ The notice mentioned serious allegations against Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, an SFJ leader. And his attendance was sought to answer certain questions related to the case registered under the UAP Act. ■ Apart from the farm leaders, a journalist, an actor and others have also been summoned at the NIA between January 18 and 21. Pannu, an SFJ leader. And his attendance was sought to answer certain questions related to the case registered under FIR (number 40/2020) under ❝ This is just yet another ‘attempt’ by the government to instill fear in farmers. The motive of such notices is to impede our peaceful agitation against the controversial farm laws. However, we are not at all affected by it. Even if we are arrested, we will continue to intensify our agitation until our demands are met. I have been at the protest sites on the outskirts of the national capital since December 2 and have been organising langar and medical camps for the protesting farmers. I have no connections with the SFJ. I have been called at the National Investigation Agency headquarters on Monday and I’ll definitely cooperate. We will neither disrupt our protest nor the tractor march on January 26 due to such petty politics by the government. Jasbir Singh, A RESIDENT OF NEW HARDAYAL NAGAR ❞ Sections 120-B, 124-A, 153-A and 153-B of the IPC and Sections 13, 17, 18, 18B and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). “This is just yet another ‘attempt’ by the government to instill fear in farmers. The motive of such notices is to impede our peaceful agitation against the controversial farm laws. However, we are not at all affected by it. Even if we are arrested, we will continue to intensify our agitation until our demands are met,” added Jasbir, a resident of New Hardayal Nagar here. Founder of the internationally constituted Kisan Bachao Morcha, Jasbir said he had been at the protest sites on the outskirts of the national capital since December 2 and had been organising langar and medical camps for the protesting farmers. He claimed to have no connections with the SFJ. “I have been called at the NIA headquarters on Monday and I’ll definitely coorporate. We will neither disrupt our protest nor the tractor march on January 26 due to such petty politics by the government,” he said. Apart from the farm leaders, a journalist, an actor and others have also been summoned at the NIA between January 18 and 21. candlelight march Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 17 Traders will be organising a candlelight march in support of protesting farmers on January 18. Industrialists under the banner of the Veopar Sena said farmers were suffering a lot and the Central Government was not listening to them. People from different walks of life have come forward to assist agitating farmers. Ravinder Dhir, chief, Veopar Sena, said it was so unfortunate that the government had turned a blind eye towards the farmers’ issue. “More than a month has passed away and the situation is heartbreaking. How can a leader be so careless towards its own citizens? Farmers are braving harsh winter and adamant attitude of the Centre. We are standing in solidarity with farmers,” he said. On December 6, some industrialists had pasted banners highlighting ‘We Support Farmers’ outside their It is so unfortunate that ❝government has turned the a blind eye towards the farmers’ issue. More than a month has passed and the situation is heart-breaking. How can a leader be so careless towards its own citizens? Farmers are braving harsh winter and adamant attitude of the Centre. We are standing in solidarity with farmers. ❞ Ravinder Dhir, CHIEF, VEOPAR SENA units and had shunned work from 8 am to 3 pm. The industrial organiaations, which supported the Bharat Bandh, included the Jalandhar Industrial Focal Point Extension Association, Udyog Nagar Manufacturers’ Association and Northern Chamber of Small and Medium Industries. Meanwhile, some industrialists said although they were in support of farmers, they could not halt their activity. Amid low turnout & server issues, 3 session sites again today MY COVIDEXPERIENCE ‘Apprehensions of the vaccine have to go’ D R Navneet, a Medical Officer at the Civil Hospital, tested positive for Covid-19 on October 18 last year. Always at the forefront, she was among the health workers treating Covid patients. According to her, the Covid19 phase has been the most challenging part of her career so far. She goes on to I have share her experience... friends here who are “I was among the health workers treating Covid not getting the shot patients. We were always at since they have the frontlines and took all developed antibodies. precautions. Despite wearing PPE kit all the time, I Taking the first vaccine tested positive. Days of body jab is smooth, but after aches and fever were fol- the second phase, lowed by slow and steady fever or mild pains are recovery. Both of us - my husband, who runs a private reported by some. But it hospital, and I - got quaran- can happen with other tined. I stayed at my hus- vaccines too. Vaccine band's hospital for 15 days to shots are required in avoid spreading infection to my children (a 5-year-old the long run. The daughter and a 14-year-old sooner the better. Many son). I recently got myself of my friends are tested for antibodies. Despite the fact that I had apprehensive about developed Covid antibodies, getting vaccinated. But I still went forth to get vacci- I share my vaccination nated on Saturday. I believe experience with the apprehensions regarding the vaccines have to go.” everybody to allay the “I have been convincing fears in the minds of my colleagues to get Cov- people and inspire ishield vaccine shots. On them to come forth. January 16, the first day of Dr Navneet, A MEDICAL OFFICER the inoculation drive, I was among the frontline workers AT THE CIVIL HOSPITAL getting vaccinated.” She adds, “I have friends here who are not getting the shot since they have developed antibodies. Taking the first vaccine jab is smooth, but after the second phase, fever or mild pains are reported by some. But it can happen with other vaccines too. Vaccine shots are required in the long run. The sooner the better.” She said, “Many of my friends are apprehensive about getting vaccinated. But I share my vaccination experience with everybody to allay the fears in the minds of people and inspire them to come forth.” ❝ ❞ (As told to Aparna Banerji) VACCINATION DRIVE Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 17 With the Covid vaccination drive getting a lukewarm response on the first day in the district, the authorities have decided against expanding the drive on the second day tomorrow (January 18). Earlier, the District Health Department had planned to increase the number of session sites where vaccination would be held on Monday, but taking into consideration poor response they would continue to stick with three sites — the local Civil Hospital, the Community Health ❝ We have sent across messages as per protocol to all 164 people who didn't come yesterday. Owing to the server of the vaccine database site being down, and to allow time for turn out to increase, tomorrow also vaccination drives would be held at the three same session sites only. Reputed doctors would also participate in the exercise. As far as those unwilling to get vaccinated are concerned, the vaccine is for the benefit of health workers. Those interested are more than welcome and no one is forcing those choosing to remain abstain. Dr Rakesh Chopra, DISTRICT IMMUNISATION OFFICER Centre, Basti Gujan, and SubDivisional Hospital, Nakodar. Another factor which has spoiled the plan is the problem with the server of the official portal which has the vaccine database. As the server remained mostly down on the first day of the vaccination, the department had to make all entries of those ❞ being vaccinated manually. On the first day, 300 out of the 11,800 health workers were to be vaccinated. However, of them, only 136 turned up and 164 stayed away from the procedure. For the second day of the vaccination drive tomorrow, messages will be sent again to the 164 people who failed to show up on Day 1. At the Basti Gujan CHC where staff expressed reservations about the vaccine, there were other doctors who said they couldn’t make it to the sites due to previous engagements. Reputed doctors to give fillip to drive In a bid to increase the num- ber of health workers for the vaccination drive, the Health Department is also planning to rope in prestigious doctors on the lines of Day 1 so that people could get inspired and get the dose. As Kashmiri Lal, former Civil Surgeon, and IMA state chapter president Navjot Dahiya were vaccinated on Saturday, Dr Chanjeev Singh (who retired recently), the only working plastic surgeon in the state, is expected to get vaccinated tomorrow. On skipping the process on Saturday, Dr Paramjit Singh (anaesthetist) said, “I had gone out of station for some work due to which I didn’t get vaccinated on Saturday. I also received the message as late as 12.45 last night, by then it was too late to cancel my plans. All other staff and fellow anaesthetists have received the vaccine. I would be getting the dose on Monday.” Dr Paramjit has been incharge of the ventilator support provided to all serious Covid patients in the course of the pandemic. Dr Paramjit added, “I think all doctors are more than willing to get themselves vaccinated. Those who didn’t turn up would do so on Monday. I do not believe that there is any reason to skip the vaccination process which is happening after such a long wait.” Struggle to get cash awards from state still on 1 death, 27 new Years on, para players of the region awaiting their prize money Ajay Joshi Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 17 Despite winning several national and international medals, para players in the region haven’t received their prize money for the last many years. Owing to the government’s apathy, players are even forced to take early retirement. Varinder Singh (30), a para powerlifter who started playing the sport when he was just a teenager, holds around a dozen medals in his kitty. He has won six gold medals and one national para powerlifting championship, two world championships and the remaining medals in other international championships. However, not even once has he received any cash award from the state government. While cash rewards in the form of financial assistance are offered to players in the state to further encourage them to excel in their game, but the negligence of sports authorities in releasing these rewards has demotivated them. GOVT ORDER According to the notification released on June 4, 2007, by the Department of Sports and Youth Services, cash incentives are provided to sportspersons who excel in international and national events. For handicapped games’ category in international event, ~5 lakh are awarded to those who win a gold medal, ~3 lakh for silver medal winners and ~2 lakh for bronze medal winners. been winning since ❝I havenot once havemedalsoffered 2007, but I been any prize money by the state government. When our government remains silent in disbursing cash awards, it demotivates us. In our neighbouring states, medal winners are conferred with cash rewards in lakhs, which eventually encourage them to improve their game in future championships. Whereas here, we are just given false promises and every year after submitting our documents for the award, we are only given assurances that never see the light of day Varinder Singh (30), A PARA POWERLIFTER Playing presently in the 88-weight category, Varinder said: “I have been winning medals since 2007, but not once have I been offered any prize money by the state government. When our government remains silent in disbursing cash awards, it demotivates us. In our neighbouring states, medal winners are conferred with cash rewards in lakhs, which eventually encourage them to improve their game in future championships. Whereas here, we are just given false promises c m y b ❞ and every year after submitting our documents for the award, we are only given assurances that never see the light of day.” A senior para player (identity withheld), who not only made his district and the state proud of his achievements, but also trained many other physically disabled players, said: “The sports policy was announced in 2007 for medal winners of the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and other national championships, but a large number of para pow- er-lifters were deprived of it. Apart from motivation, cash rewards help supplement diet and training expenses, of players, which is always tough to manage. The game has become costly and players need the money to fulfil their daily need.” As per these players, the government has kept ~40,000, ~25,000 and ~15,000 cash awards for gold, silver and bronze medal winners, respectively, in different national events. Similarly Manpreet Kaur continued on page 2 cases in district Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 17 The health authorities reported 27 new Covid-19 cases in the district on Sunday. With this, total number of cases reached 20,358. The authorities reported one death related to the virus and the toll increased to 659 today. At present, the district has 242 active cases. A total of 19,457 persons have been discharged while as many as 140 people were under home isolation in the district. In Kapurthala, nine persons tested positive today. The health authorities reported to more deaths in the district. No death, only 1 positive case in Hoshiarpur The Covid-19 tally reached 7,932 as one person tested positive out of 1,127 samples reported today. The number of deaths remained 327 with no death reported today. With 685 new samples taken from people with suspected flulike symptoms today, the total number of samples taken in the district till date has JAL ROUND-UP Samples collected 5,25,623 Negative 4,84,167 Positive 20,358 Active 242 Deceased 659 Discharged 19,457 Sample inappropriate 5,255 Results awaited 2,154 Home isolated 140 reached 2,62,320. According to the reports received from the lab 2,54,131 are negative, while 1,904 are waiting for the reports and 184 samples are invalid. The number of active cases is 50, while the number of patients who have recovered is 7,555. Dr Ranjit Singh, Civil Surgeon, said a positive case was reported from the Hoshiarpur city. — OC