27022025-LT-01.qxd 2/27/2025 1:05 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune THIS JAGRAON FARMER IS MINTING MONEY I’VE BROKEN MY OWN BOUNDARIES, SAYS PARMISH I’ve broken my own boundaries and done things differently, says singeractor Parmish Verma. P4 GENERALLY CLOUDY MAX 24°C | MIN 14°C YESTERDAY MAX 24°C | MIN 16°C SIKH ARTS & FILM FESTIVAL MARKS ITS 25TH YEAR Enter his fields, you are greeted by aroma that remind you of mouthwash, toothpaste and chewing gum.P3 FORECAST Against backdrop of performances, Sikhlens: Sikh Arts & Film Festival began celebrations of its 25th year.P4 » » SUNSET THURSDAY 6.20 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:49 AM » THURSDAY | 27 FEBRUARY 2025 | LUDHIANA Youth climbs atop power tower, rescued Ludhiana, February 26 A youth attempted to die by suicide by climbing an electricity tower in the Ladhowal area. Local residents, who witnessed the incident, informed the police following which, a team led by Station House Officer (SHO), Ladhowal, Gurshinder Kaur rushed to the scene. To safely bring the youth down from the tower, the police also called a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team. After a rescue operation, the youth was successfully brought down and taken to the Ladhowal police station. The youth, identified as Manjeet Singh, a resident of Gurdaspur, is reportedly mentally disturbed. The police informed his family about the incident and initiated further action. According to eyewitnesses, the youth had climbed the tower in a state of distress, causing concern among the residents. The timely intervention of the police and the NDRF team prevented a potential tragedy. SHO Gurshinder Kaur said the police were probing circumstances that led to the incident. “We are providing counselling and support to the youth and his family,” she added. — TNS DEO to announce five best primary schools in district Initiative is being taken to encourage, motivate institutes Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 26 To encourage and motivate primary schools in the district, the District Education Officer (Elementary) here has decided to award schools that are doing exceptionally well. The office has given school administrations various parameters that they need to fulfil and make presentations on Saturday. Talking to The Tribune, District Education Officer (DEO) Ravinder Kaur said the step was being taken to encourage schools to perform well and check for shortcomings so that they could improve these. “We have asked the block primary education officers (BPEOs) concerned to send a list of at least two schools from each block. There are 19 blocks in the district. We will be getting the list and school heads/teachers will be asked to give presentations on March 1. After getting all details, the department will choose five best The best five primary schools doing exceptionally well in the district will be selected and awarded. FILE schools in the district, which will then be awarded certificates/appreciation letters,” the DEO said. The parameters, on the basis of which the decision would be made, include improvements done to the school infrastructure, academic achievements, increase in enrolment, number of co-curricular activities, students’ achieve- Renewing faith ments in games, teaching material prepared by teachers, annual functions, quality of mid-day meals and interaction with parents. The schools will prepare reports accordingly and a presentation will be given by representatives of each selected school on March 1 at the SSA Office here, the official said. “Within the next few days, we will declare the best schools,” the DEO said. Meanwhile, the teachers and BPEOs have pulled up their socks with the maximum participation of the schools and a majority of them are appreciating the step taken by the department to motivate others to work hard for uplifting the education system in government schools. Travel agents running office without licence booked Devotees perform rituals on Mahashivratri in Ludhiana on Wednesday. ASHWANI DHIMAN Ludhiana, February 26 Continuing drive against illegal travel agents in the city, the Ludhiana police registered another case against two persons on Tuesday. The suspects were identified as Davinder Singh of Neechi Mangli and Ishika of Basti Jodhewal. The investigating officer, ASI Sulakhan Singh, said the police received a tip-off that the suspects were running a travel firm in the name of Nova Enterprises on RK Road near Cheema Chowk. During checking, it was found that they had opened the office but they had not obtained any valid licence from the department concerned. The ASI said the suspects had been committing fraud with foreign aspirants on the pretext of sending them abroad. After investigation, a case was registered against them under various sections of the BNS and the Immigration Act. Notably, on Monday, the Ludhiana police had conducted checking at several offices of travel and immigration firms and arrested four agents for running offices without any valid licence. — TNS THE TRIBUNE INTERVIEW: SANJEEV ARORA, RAJYA SABHA MP I want to serve state, make Ludhiana model city R AJYA SABHA MP Sanjeev Arora, who was announced the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from Ludhiana West, on Wednesday ruled out speculations of his party supremo Arvind Kejriwal replacing him in Parliament. In an interview with Nitin Jain of The Tribune, the 61-year-old business tycoon-philanthropist-turned-politician said Kejriwal did not have to wait for a bypoll as any MP would step down for him if he is interested to enter the Rajya Sabha. Excerpts: ■ Your first reaction on entering state politics? I am honoured and looking forward to serve my people more closely. ■ Is this your own decision or party’s? It’s mutual. ■ Why are you leaving your Rajya Sabha seat at the halfway mark? I am Punjabi and would like to serve my Punjabi brothers and sisters. I have already done my best for three years in the Rajya Sabha and would now like to do much more by entering the state politics. ■ The Opposition parties are seeing it as a “plot” to enable Arvind Kejriwal enter Rajya Sabha in your place. Your take? It’s completely wrong, he didn’t have to wait for the bypoll. Any MP would step down for him if he is interested. ■ How do you see your prospects in the bypoll? We are going to win hands down. ■ Do you sense any threat to your party’s government in Punjab? We all are together and do not see any threat. There is no truth in split rumours. Our party is too strong to be broken. ■ Whom do you see as your main opponent? I wish all my opponents the best. Will take all of them as serious contenders, irrespective of party affiliation. ■ What are your major poll planks? ❝ I am Punjabi and would like to serve my Punjabi brothers and sisters. I have already done my best for three years in the Rajya Sabha and would now like to do much more by entering the state politics. Development and better living for all residents of the city. ■ Do you see any opposition from within your party as well? Not at all. ■ Opposition leaders also say that you mostly remain in Delhi? Your take? I have been spending time almost equally between Delhi and Ludhiana. I was born and brought up in Ludhiana. Have my business interests here. As MP you need to spend time in Delhi as required for parliamentary work. My extended family is in Ludhiana. My work in the past three years speaks for itself, which I have done for the city and state. For it, the biggest certificate will be given by voters. ■ After becoming the MLA, what would be the first thing you want to do? I would take care of all promises made during campaigning, make Ludhiana a model city to live in. Three nabbed with illegal weapon Ludhiana, February 26 The Police Division 6 claimed to have arrested three miscreants and recovered an illegal .32 bore pistol along with four rounds from their possession. The suspects were identified as Navdeep Singh, alias Navi, a resident of New Janta Nagar, Balwant Singh of Shimlapuri and Nitish Kumar of Preet Nagar. Assistant Commissioner of Police Satwinder Singh Virk in a statement issued stated that on February 23, the suspects had fired shots at the house of Sonia Rani. A CCTV camera had also captured the miscreants. A case was already registered against the unidentified persons and during investigation, the suspects were identified. Virk said the suspects had some enmity with the house owner, Johny, at present lodged in jail, (who is a kin of Sonia Rani) due to which they opened fire at the house. Navdeep is facing five criminal cases while Nitish and Balwant are also facing one case each. — TNS Octogenarian carves out masterpieces from dead trees Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 26 An octogenarian from the Model Town Extension here, Dr RS Nanda, a renowned skin specialist, has been carving out masterpieces from dead trees. He had transformed a oncebarren land into a lush green oasis, now famously known as Dr Nanda Park. Dr Nanda developed 1-km-long serene park that was once a barren land Spanning over 1 km, the only big park in the city, this serene place boasts of an impressive array of flora, including birds, medicinal plants and a unique cactus garden. Dr Nanda, who devotes only one hour to practice, spends hours everyday in the park. He has passion for gardening for the past over 30 years, during which he has personally planted every tree and shrub in the park. His dedication has earned him recognition and the park has become a popular spot for residents to relax and unwind. A notable feature of the park Dr RS Nanda (inset) shows a sculpture of sage Vishwamitra, carved from a dead tree, at Dr Nanda Park; and (right) a unique cactus garden created by him in Model Town Extension. ASHWANI DHIMAN is Dr Nanda’s creative approach to preserve dead trees. He skillfully carves and shapes the trees, giving them a new life. One such example is ‘Menaka’, a celestial nymph tree, crafted from a dying tree while the magnificent 22.5-fttall sculpture of Rishi Vishwamitra has become the crowning jewel of the public park. The extraordinary artwork was crafted from a dead tree, bringing the ancient sage to life. “I worked tirelessly on the sculpture during the Covid-19 pandemic, pouring my heart and soul into what may be my final creative endeavour. I encountered challenges in sourcing materials, including a kamandal (a mythical water pot) that he eventually obtained from Varanasi. To add a touch of realism, I fixed a wig and beard to the sculpture, which I ordered online. I painstakingly spent two years perfecting the sculpture, gathering materials from various sources to give it a lifelike appearance. However, protecting these delicate features from birds proved to be a challenge. I devised a creative solution by installing an iron c m y b umbrella to shield the sculpture’s head,” he said. Interestingly, Dr Nanda has also created a table for birds, complete with water and food. The park’s herbal garden is another highlight, featuring over 50 medicinal plants sourced from various parts of the country, including anantamool, aloe vera, ashwagandha, shatavari, yach, insulin and pipli magh. Dr. Nanda’s goal is to educate children about the importance of such plants. The cactus and succullent garden, boasting over 200 varieties, is a rare gem in the state. Dr Nanda’s objective is to conserve and preserve endangered species while creating an attraction for visitors. The park is also a haven for birds, with over 3,500 trees and plants providing shelter and sustenance. Dr Nanda ensures that food and water are regularly provided for birds and a family of owls has made the park their permanent home. Regular visitors to the park include around 200-250 people. The octogenarian’s message to the younger generation is to plant at least five trees in their lifetime and nurture them like family members. “I am already 82-year-old and as I am growing older, I sometimes worry about who will care for and protect my creations in the future. Despite these concerns, till my last breath, my dedication to art and conservation will continue to inspire and enrich the community,” asserts Dr Nanda. He said his devoted more than 30 years of his life to make this jungle like land into a living space. “Whenever anyone asks my family Dr Nanda lives in the house, members would always reply, he stays in the park but he pays visits often to the house every day,” he asserted. Harjeet Singh, a resident of Daad village and a friend of Dr Nanda, said he daily travels kilometres to spend time in the park, which he calls a heaven.” I also help Dr Nanda in maintaining the park and taking care of plants,” he added. Dr Nanda said he took two years to develop a model of Dal Lake in the park where besides a boat, he carved tortoise designed stones and even painted the floor to create an impression of waves in the lake.