18012025-JTR-01.qxd 1/17/2025 10:32 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune ADMINISTRATION ALL SET TO DISMANTLE TRAFFIC INTERSECTION STARS CELEBRATE REVIVAL OF YEH JAWAANI HAI DEEWANI Gurdaspur admn has adopted aggressive measures over construction of the highly controversial traffic intersection. P2 Many superhit movies from past are being re-released in theatres. Some of these include Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. P4 » SOBHITA IS ECSTATIC… AS MONKEY MAN GETS BAFTA NOD Actress Sobhita Dhulipala shared on social media that her film Monkey Man has entered the race for the BAFTAs. P4 » » FORECAST FOGGY MAX 18°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 17°C | MIN 7°C SUNSET SATURDAY 5.49 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 7:26 AM SATURDAY | 18 JANUARY 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF 3 DEATHS: CANTER DRIVER ARRESTED Hoshiarpur: The police have registered a case against the canter driver and arrested him in a case of the death of three members of a family in a road accident yesterday. Bhupinder Singh, a resident of village Shekhupura in district Patiala, told the police that his relative Gurnam Singh along with his wife Varinder Kaur and daughter Seerat was going to attend a wedding by car in a marriage palace located in Kharoudi. When they reached near village Noorpur Jattan, a canter hit them head-on, due to which all three died. After the incident, the driver fled, leaving the canter behind. The police registered a case against the accused driver Jugnu, a resident of Jeetpal Khurd, district Malerkotla, and arrested him. OC PEDDLER HELD WITH HEROIN Phagwara: During the ongoing campaign against drugs menace, the police have arrested a person and seized 100 gm of heroin from his possession on Thursday night. Phagwara SP Rupinder Kaur Bhatti said the arrested accused Alladin was nabbed at a check-point on the PhagwaraNakodar road when he was coming in a car from the Jandiala side. SP Bhatti said cops stopped the car and searched after which the heroin wrapped in a plastic packet was recovered in the dashboard of the car. The police have registered a case under the NDPS Act against drug peddler and impounded his car. OC BKU (Doaba) to take part in foot march from Shambhu Our Correspondent Phagwara, January 17 Following a call given by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (NonPolitical) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, more than a hundred farmers belonging to the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Doaba) will participate in the “Paidal Delhi Kooch” scheduled for January 21 from the Shambhu border. The decision was taken at a BKU meeting held at Shri Sukhchain Sahib Gurdwara on Thursday. BKU (Doaba) president Manjit Singh Rai presided over the meeting. BKU general secretary Satnam Singh Sahni told media after the meeting that the farmers from various circles of Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr districts would assemble at Ladowall toll plaza and move towards the Shambhu border. The issue of pending arrears of sugarcane farmers for the period 2021-22 amounting to Rs 27-28 crore towards Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill, Phagwara, was also discussed at the meeting, said Sahni. However, it was decided at the meeting to gherao the office of DC, Kapurthala, soon over the pending arrears and put pressure on the administration to take swift action for payment to sugarcane farmers. During the meeting, the leaders discussed the proposed “Tractor march” on January 2. It was decided that activists of the BKU (Doaba) in every circle would observe the proposed call on January 26 in their areas. Sikh couple scales Mt Vinson, places ‘Nishan Sahib’ on Antarctica peak 27 days on, mayoral elections not in sight at Phagwara city Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Ashok Kaura WHERE THEY STAND Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 17 On January 7, when the clock struck 17.32, Sikh couple Harpreet Singh Cheema and Navneet Kaur Cheema from the US made a history by becoming the first to place the Nishan Sahib at the summit of Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, and the sky echoed with the sound of “Bole So Nihal, Sat Shri Akal.” On May 23, 2024, they reached Mount Everest. Both had set a goal to complete seven summits of the world together and since then, with great perseverance, they have been working to accomplish the same. Their journey started when they first climbed 5,895 m high Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain in 2019. After that, they climbed Mt Elbrus in 2022, Mt Aconcagua in 2023, Mt Denali in 2023. Mt Puncak Jaya in Indonesia is the only one left. Harpreet was born in Sangrur, while Navneet’s maternal family belongs to Hoshiarpur. Their marriage was solemnised at Hoshiarpur. Sharing their experiences with The Tribune, they said their passion for mountaineering began as an extension of their love for marathons, cycling and triathlons. “What started as a way to explore new challenges quickly grew into a deep love for the mountains and the tranquility of nature,” shared Harpreet who is working as senior vicepresident of Strategy for Common Spirit Health, the A Sikh couple, now settled in the US, on top of Mt Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica. second largest healthcare system in the US. His wife, Navneet, is a computer Science Engineer working at Expedia Group (the largest online travel company). The couple shared that climbing Mount Vinson was a test of endurance, demanding both physical and mental strength. In many ways, it felt like a mirror of Denali, one of the toughest of the seven summits, they said. “The daily ascent of nearly 3,000 ft, carrying heavy backpacks and sleds weighing over 50 kg, requires extensive training and resilience. Throughout the challenge, the presence of Nishan Sahib was a constant source of strength,” the couple told The Tribune. Reaching the top or achieving something big certainly doesn’t come easy. Climbing at such high altitudes carries significant risks, including the potential for injury, frostbite, and other unforeseen dangers. The couple shared their tough and emotional moments as well. “While we have seen fellow climbers giving up on their summit bids because of severe frostbites, HAPE or HACE, witnessing death and bodies on Mt Everest sent shivers down our spines. Nearing the Hillary Step, we encountered a Kenyan triath- lete and strong climber in distress. Sadly, he succumbed to exhaustion shortly after. Witnessing this loss was devastating,” they said. It takes a lot to prepare to achieve such a feat. Their workouts are specifically designed to enhance rock climbing, core strength and hiking endurance. For the couple, on Mt Everest, the seven weeks spent enduring extreme conditions were a true test of both mental and physical resilience. They faced the harshest environments, dealing with bacterial and viral infections, diarrhoea and pneumonia. “At one point, I was on three different antibiotics and paracetamol tablets. Your mind screams to quit, your weakened body craves the comfort of home, but the key is mental strength — to resist the urge to give up, and outlast the weakness. It was Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings on resilience and strength that continued to inspire and guide them through every step of this extraordinary journey. They have two children a 15-year-old daughter, Chaaniyaa Kaur Cheema and a 7-year-old son Huqmaay Singh Cheema. Both children enjoy hiking trips with their parents. PHAGWARA, JANUARY 17 Resentment prevails among residents of Phagwara, who are eagerly waiting for the election of Mayor in Phagwara city. Even after 27 days of the local bodies’ elections, no efforts could be initiated to form the House. The elections were held on December 21 and results were declared the same evening. Though the lists of the winning councillors have been issued by the Election Commissioner on December 26, the Local Bodies Department could not arrange oath-taking ceremonies and election for Mayor and Deputy Mayors in Phagwara. However, with the retirement of Divisional Commissioner Pradeep Sabharwal on December 31 and no new officer since last week, the process was on a standstill. But now as Arun Sekhri has been appointed as Divisional Commissioner, Jalandhar, the road should be cleared to conduct the mayoral election. According to rules, councillors are required to take oath within one month of their election. Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal has urged the state government to ask the Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, to call a meeting of the elected councillors to elect Mayor and Deputy Mayors for smooth functioning of the Municipal Corporation. As per present scenario, of the total number of 50 seats, the Congress alliance has Number of total seats Congress+ AAP BJP SAD 50 29 14 4 3 won 29 seats, including 23 Congress, three of the Bahujan Samaj Party, two Independent councillors and one local MLA Dhaliwal. On the other hand, AAP has 14 elected councillors, but AAP leaders wanted to get the support of Shiromani Akali Dal (3 councillors) and BJP (4), but even then AAP could not be in the position of electing their own Mayor. The Phagwara MLA said he was ready to present the Congress councillors on one platform. He asked the local AAP leadership to bring their MCs on one platform before public and leave the dirty politics. BJP leaders said it was impossible for the BJP to join hands with AAP but on the , other hand SAD halka incharge Ranjit Singh Khurana said SAD can join hands with any political party to prevent the Congress from forming the MC in Phagwara. AAP state spokesman Harnoor Singh Maan said the meeting of the MC could soon be summoned by the Jalandhar Division Commissioner for the election of Mayor and Deputy Mayors. Maan appealed to all elected councillors to join hands with AAP for the overall development of the city. Mayor talks tough Track repairs on, on encroachments 56 trains cancelled Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 17 Mayor Vaneet Dhir at a meeting with Building branch officials has started taking notice of illegal constructions in the city. He asked the officials to give him the report on notices issued against the illegal structures in the city in the past three years and what action was taken after serving the notice. He asked about the follow-up in the cases in which notices were served. He asked the officials to start approaching those who were served notices and recovery should be made. “If anyone fails to do so, legal action will be taken against them,” he said. The Mayor also sought a report on the One-Time Settlement policy that was introduced in 2013 and 2018. He asked how many unauthorised buildings were regularised under the scheme and if these weren’t regularised, the reason for it. Jalandhar, January 17 Owing to repair of tracks between Jalandhar and Jammu, 56 trains heading to Jammu have been cancelled and 19 have been short-terminated for the next few days by the authorities. Six trains have also been re-scheduled. This has disturbed the plans of several passengers commuting to Jammu or heading towards the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The authorities said the repair work was on near Jammu Tawi railway station. The trains which have been can- celled include Patna-Jammu Tawi, Indore-Martyr Tushar Mahajan, Tirupati-Jammu Tawi, Jammu Tawi-Sialdah, Bandra Terminal Jammu Tawi and Hazoor Sahib Nanded-Jammu Tawi. Dhanbad-Jammu Tawi special train had been rescheduled for January 18, 21, 25 and 28. Owing to fog, some trains have been running 3-10 hours behind schedule. These include Amritsar-Katihar Express, Hirakud Express, Howrah Amritsar Mail, Golden Temple Mail, Amritsar Swaran Shatabdi Express, Sambalpur Express and Pathankot Delhi Express. Passengers at railway station in Jalandhar wait for the train. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH. Docs to resume protest on Jan Ensure amenities in colonies, JDA told 20 over unfulfilled promises Tribune News Service Our Correspondent PHAGWARA, JANUARY 17 Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) doctors are set to resume their protest on January 20, citing the state government’s failure to issue notification addressing their demands despite multiple rounds of talks. Dr Baljinder Singh, executive member of the PCMS Association’s state body, announced the decision, highlighting key unresolved issues such as inadequate security measures, stalled career progression and acute staff shortages. Speaking to the media here today, Dr Singh noted that nearly 2,500 PCMS doctors across Punjab were prepared to participate in the protest, triggered by what he described as the government’s inaction despite prior assurances. He stated, “While the Health Department had readied proposals addressing critical concerns such as security, career advancement and staff shortages, no official notification has been issued so far, leaving us with no choice but to escalate our efforts.” The association commended the government’s steps, including the recruitment of 304 medical officers and efforts to introduce a new higher education policy for the cadre. However, Dr Singh emphasized the urgent need for written confirmation of these measures, especially concerning security provisions and the reinstatement of the Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) scheme. Last September, PCMS doctors staged a week-long protest, garnering public support for their demands. c m y b Jalandhar, January 17 Horticulture, Freedom Fighters and Defence Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat today directed the Jalandhar Development Authority (JDA) to ensure that residents of JDAapproved colonies receive all promised amenities. Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal, the minister emphasised the need for proper sewerage, streetlights, roads, drinking water and power supply in these colonies. Addressing officials, Bhagat instructed strict action against developers who failed to fulfil their commitments. He called Minister Mohinder Bhagat durig a meeting with JDA. for notices to be issued to developers who have not obtained completion certificates from the JDA, which has delayed the transfer of these colonies to the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar. Aggarwal directed the JDA to prioritise resolving grievances regarding inadequate services in the approved colonies. He also asked the JDA to introduce a helpline for residents to report and address their issues efficiently. The DC asked JDA officials to take strict action against promoters for not providing facilities to people and adhering to norms fixed by the government. In a related directive, the minister urged PSPCL officials to address the safety hazards posed by dangling and uncovered electricity wires across the city, particularly on road dividers. He ordered an extensive campaign to secure these wires and ensure public safety. This move aimed at underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring residents of the approved colonies receive the facilities they deserve.