10092025-TTB-01.qxd 9/10/2025 12:12 AM 13 ISRAEL ATTACKS HAMAS LEADERS IN DOHA WORLD /thetribunechd Page 1 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 145 NO. 250 | 16 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  DELHI wednesday | 10 september 2025 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com THE TRIBUNE RELIEF FUND FOR J&K, PUNJAB & HP Modi announces ~1,600 cr for flood-hit Punjab; Oppn, farmers call it ‘cruel joke’ AAP govt, which sought ~20K cr, says aid ‘meagre’ compared to losses suffered An Appeal to our Readers The devastating floods that have ravaged J&K, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in the past weeks have caused unprecedented destruction, sweeping away homes, crippling infrastructure, taking away lives, displacing families and leaving countless people in need for urgent relief and rehabilitation. In the past years, during such calamities, be it the floods in Kerala, the landslides in Uttarakhand, the floods in Jammu and Kashmir, the cloudburst in Ladakh, the Orissa Cyclone, the Kargil War or the Gujarat earthquake, Tribune readers have always come forward to make their valuable donations. The Tribune Trust appeals to its readers to do so once again. Their contributions will provide invaluable support for reducing the anguish of the families of those who have lost lives and their homes. The names of all those who donate ~500 and above will be published in the paper. These donations shall also qualify for deduction under the Income Tax Act, in accordance with the applicable provisions. Donations should be in the form of crossed cheques or demand drafts in favour of the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and sent to The Tribune Trust, Sector 29-C, Chandigarh160030, or to The Tribune offices in various cities. All donations received by us will be duly sent to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. — President and Trustees of The Tribune Trust, Chandigarh ‘ISRO STAFF WORKED 24X7 FOR OP SINDOOR’ BACK PAGE Jupinderjit Singh & Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Chandigarh/Gurdaspur, Sept9 Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore for flood-ravaged Punjab, supplementing the Rs 12,000 crore already allocated to the state as disaster relief. The announcement came following an aerial survey and a review meeting in Gurdaspur — among the worsthit districts — where he also met a number of flood victims. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. “Conducted an aerial review of the floods in Punjab. The authorities are working roundthe-clock, assisting those impacted. Our thoughts are with the people in this challenging time,” Modi said in a post on X. Children orphaned due to the floods will be supported under the PM CARES for Children Scheme. Damaged houses will be rebuilt under the PM Awas Yojana-Gramin while schools will be restored through the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. With Punjab battling one of the worst floods in decades, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had demanded Rs 20,000 crore continued on page 8 The PM conducts an aerial survey of flood-hit areas in Gurdaspur; and (R) embraces one-year-old Nitika, who lost parents to HP cloudburst, in Kangra. PTI 19 FARMERS MEET PM Nineteen farmers of Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts of Punjab got an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to air their grievances. Two women farmers were also present. 2,200 SCHOOLS HIT The Punjab Education Department has found in its preliminary survey that nearly 2,200 primary, elementary and senior secondary schools have been affected by the floods. ~1,500 cr for rain-battered Himachal Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, September 9 Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a financial assistance of Rs 1,500 crore for rain-battered Himachal Pradesh and Rs 2 lakh ex gratia for next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The PM, who conducted an aerial survey of the worst-hit 5 die in Kullu landslide areas, also announced the advance release of the second instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the PM assured that the Centre would make all efforts to address the crisis. He chaired a meeting in Kangra to review the relief and rehabilitation measures. Modi asked for a multi-dimensional view to be taken to get the entire region back on its feet. This is to be done through multiple ways such as rebuilding homes through PM Awas Yojana, restoration of national highways, rebuilding schools, continued on page 8 Radhakrishnan next V-P, Reddy’s count hints at cross-voting Animesh Singh Tribune News Service New Delhi, September 9 Maharashtra Governor and NDA nominee Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan, 68, won the vice-presidential election on Tuesday, defeating joint Opposition candidate and former Supreme Court judge B Sudershan Reddy by a margin of 152 votes. Radhakrishnan, a longtime RSS member, received 452 of the 752 valid votes, while Reddy secured 300. The results came moments after Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed full Opposition unity, saying all INDIA bloc’s 315 MPs voted for Reddy. The outcome, however, indicated cross-voting, as the Opposition fell short by 15 votes from their anticipated strength of 315 MPs. The NDA, which had expected 427 votes, excluding the 11 YSRCP MPs, ultimately received 25 more. Nonetheless, Radhakrishnan’s vote count was lower than that of his predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar. In 2022, Dhankhar had won by the largest margin in the last six V-P elections, receiving 528 votes against Margaret Alva’s 182. He secured 74.36 per cent of the 710 valid votes, while Radhakrishnan received 60 per cent. Dhankhar had outperformed M Venkaiah Naidu, whose victory margin was 346 votes. The record for the high- PM Oli quits, Parliament torched as Nepal unrest spirals Properties of President, leaders attacked | Flight services at Kathmandu airport partially suspended | Army calls for calm SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE NAMRATA SHARMA IN KATHMANDU T HE streets of Kathmandu are burning. Flames have engulfed Singha Durbar, the historic seat of government, as well as the Parliament building in New Baneshwor, the Supreme Court, and the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar together with business houses and industrial showrooms. Political party leaders who have been accused of massive corruption and amassing of wealth have been attacked openly by mobs. According to reports, Ravi Laxmi Chitrakar, wife of senior CPN (Unified Socialist) leader Jhal Nath Khanal, was burned alive inside her home. Political leaders and their families, including Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba and foreign minister Arzoo Rana Deuba, have been attacked and injured. The personal residences of Prime Minister KP Oli, who quit during the day, and Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” have also been vandalised. These shocking scenes of arson and vandalism are being attributed to Gen Z protesters, who have been on the streets since September 8. However, the movement’s organisers have publicly denied involvement, insisting they remain committed to a peaceful campaign to unseat a government they view as irreparably corrupt. For many Nepalese, the night of September 8 was sleepless. Some mourned the deaths of their children and grandchildren. Others were unable to escape the collective grief. The killing of 19 young protesters — many still wearing school continued on page 8 edit: nepal in turmoil EX-PM KHANAL’s HOUSE ‘SET ON FIRE’, WIFE DIES A mob set the house of former PM Jhala Nath Khanal on fire, trapping his wife Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, who sustained serious burns. She was taken to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries. The house of another former PM, Sher Bahadur Deuba, was also torched. A video showed protesters capturing Deuba and his wife — Foreign Minister Arzu Rana — both of whom sustained minor injuries. MODI CHAIRS CCS MEET, APPEALS FOR PEACE AIR INDIA, INDIGO CANCEL FLIGHTS Smoke rises from Nepal’s Parliament after it was set on fire by demonstrators on the second day of anti-government protests in Kathmandu. PTI PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security to review the Nepal crisis. In a post on X, he said: “The Nepal violence is heart-rending. I am anguished that many young people have lost their lives. The stability, peace and prosperity of Nepal are of utmost importance to us. I humbly appeal to all my brothers and sisters in Nepal to support peace.” Companies asked to revise MRP on unsold stock Pb trader halts ops, makes boats for flood-hit 2 Agniveers, sepoy killed New Delhi, September 9 The government on Tuesday directed manufacturers and importers to declare revised maximum retail prices (MRP) on unsold stock to reflect changes in goods and services tax (GST) rates, with the deadline set for December 31 or until stocks are exhausted, whichever is earlier. The directive comes as the government has reduced GST on various products, which will come into effect from September 22. “As per the new GST rates, manufacturers, packers and importers can revise the MRP on unsold stock until December 31, 2025 (or until stock lasts),” Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on X. — TNS Kapurthala, September 9 Boats prepared by Hanspal Traders of Kapurthala bear the inscription, “Halimiya, hamdardia te mohabbata di kishti” (boat created with compassion and love), a phrase that perfectly embodies the project’s compassionate spirit. Having already manufactured 100 boats for Punjab’s flood victims, the company owner, Pritpal Singh Hanspal, is getting ready for his next endeavour. He now plans to construct prefabricated homes for those who lost their houses. This will involve consultations with experts and architects to bring the plan to fruition. Putting his regular business Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Rail parts maker now plans to build prefab houses SARABJIT SINGH Tribune News Service Pritpal Singh Hanspal shows boats at his workshop in Kapurthala. of making rail parts on hold for a week, he and his team of 70 labourers worked tirelessly, over 16 hours a day, to build and deliver 100 boats in just seven days. “I saw people dev- astated by the floods, crying out for help, even asking for boats. It broke my heart and I knew I had to step in. Punjab has given us so much. Now, it is our turn to rise up for Punjab.” He said he was grateful to his labourers, who worked with dedication. Like him, the workers felt fortunate to be part of a mission that supported those in need. Foremen Jassa Singh, Malkit Singh and others shared that when Pritpal Singh explained the purpose — to help flood victims — they felt proud to have been chosen for the task. Pritpal Singh did not share much about the losses he suffered after putting his own work on hold. “We work all year round. If we can give a few days to those in need and if it helps save lives, then that’s what truly matters,” he said. On his plan to build prefabricated homes, he said he intended to pursue the idea after consulting with his team. Today’s issue is of 16 pages, including four-page Delhi Tribune. c m y b in avalanche at Siachen Arjun Sharma Jammu, September 9 Three soldiers of the Mahar Regiment of the Army, including two Agniveers, were killed when an avalanche struck the base camp of Siachen — the highest battlefield of the world — in Ladakh. The incident took place on Monday morning after which efforts were made to evacuate those injured and stuck in the snow. However, inclement weather delayed the smooth landing of the chopper that was sent for evacuation. The Ladakh-based Fire and Fury Corps, in a post on X, stated, “The GOC, Fire and Fury Corps, and all ranks Stuck in snow for 5 hours, Capt rescued salute Sepoy Mohit Kumar, Agniveer Niraj Kumar Choudhary and Agniveer Dabhi Rakesh Devabhai, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Siachen on September 9, and offer deep condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief.” While a Captain was evacuated from the site after strenuous efforts by rescuers, the three soldiers died because of extreme cold. Their bodies were recovered on Tuesday. Sources said the Captain, a resident of Noida, was stuck continued on page 8 CP Radhakrishnan FIVE-DECADE JOURNEY ■ Born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, CP Radhakrishnan brings five decades of public service experience to his new role ■ His extensive career includes two terms as a Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore, a tenure as the Tamil Nadu BJP president, and governorships in Jharkhand and Maharashtra EX-V-P GREETS SUCCESSOR ■ Former V-P Jagdeep Dhankhar broke his 50-day silence to greet successor Radhakrishnan on his victory in the poll ■ Dhankhar, who had quit office on July 21 citing health reasons, said the ‘august office would attain veneration and glory’ under the new appointee est margin remains with KR Narayanan, who won 700 of the 701 valid votes against rival independent Kaka Joginder continued on page 8 Gold surges ~5K in a day, hits record high of ~1.12 lakh NEW DELHI: Gold prices skyrocketed by Rs 5,080 to hit an all-time high of Rs 1,12,750 per 10 gm in the national capital on Tuesday in line with strong global trends. The precious metal prices have added Rs 33,800 per 10 gm or nearly 43 per cent in the current calendar year, climbing from Rs 78,950 per 10 gm on December 31, 2024. Silver prices also surged by Rs 2,800 to hit a record high of Rs 1,28,800 per kg (inclusive of all taxes) on Tuesday. INSIDE Malegaon victims’ kin move HC over acquittalofseven MUMBAI: Six family members of people who died in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast have moved the Bombay High Court, challenging a special court judgment acquitting the seven accused in the case, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit. The appeal claimed faulty investigation couldn’t be the ground for acquitting the accused. The appeal is likely to come up for hearing on September 15. PTI Focus on tech ties, UK PM Starmer to visit India in Oct LONDON: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit India in early October with a sharp focus on strengthening the India-UK tech partnership, officials indicated on Tuesday. Starmer is scheduled to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the “Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025” in Mumbai, billed as the world’s largest fintech conference. The three-day event will be held at the Jio World Centre from October 7 to 9. PTI