13022026-JTR-01.qxd 2/12/2026 11:10 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune DAUR-E-MOHABBAT ENTHRALLS STUDENTS WITH MUSIC, POETRY BHAJJI SANCTIONS ~13.48 LAKH GRANT FOR BADMINTON STADIUM ‘BOSS LADY’ JASMINE SANDLAS AND HER GULABI GANG Through the echoes of Sufi melodies and poignant verses, the event left a lasting imprint on the students. P2 In 2023, Harbhajan Singh had sanctioned a grant of Rs 16.50 lakh for the installation of modern gymnasium equipment. P3 At a Delhi concert, pausing her performance, she said, “Appan gawan ge hi nahi jab tak kudiya safe ni feel kardi hoye.” P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 23°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 23°C | MIN 8°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.10 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7:04 AM FRIDAY | 13 FEBRUARY 2026 | JALANDHAR HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. INBRIEF SEECHEWAL VISITS RAIL BRIDGE Phagwara: Rajya Sabha Member and environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal visited the Gidderpindi railway bridge and Mandala Chhanna on Thursday to address farmers' concerns. He directed officials to resolve key issues, including the urgent removal of silt beneath the bridge to prevent flooding. Seechewal has already discussed these matters with Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal and senior officials. He reassured farmers that the Punjab Government is committed to preventing floodlike conditions in the region. He also announced plans to lay stones along 2,200 feet of the Mandala Chhanna embankment, with additional studs and spurs to reinforce the structure and protect it from river damage. OC SCOOTERIST DIES IN MISHAP Nakodar: A tragic road accident claimed the life of a man in his middle ages. A case under sections 106(2), 281 and 324(4) of the BNS read with sections 304-A, 279 and 427 of the IPC has been registered at Sadar police station, Nakodar, in this regard. The complainant, Inderjit Kaur, a resident of village Saidupur, stated that she, her husband and their daughter, were travelling when a tipper truck being driven by an unidentified person, suddenly applied brakes. As a result, their scooter collided with the tipper, leading to serious injuries to Gurjeevan Singh, who later succumbed. Their daughter sustained injuries in the accident. Police have registered a case against the unknown driver and initiated further investigation. The scooter bearing the registration number PB-08-FP2380 was involved in the accident. OC CONTRABAND SEIZED BY COPS Phagwara: Police registered a case against Vishal Kumar alias Shalu, a resident of Kandola Kalan, near Nurmahal. Acting on specific information near the brick-kiln road of village Cheema Kalan, the police recovered intoxicating tablets from the accused. He was arrested and booked under Sections 21, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act. Further probe is underway to identify the source of the recovered contraband. In another NDPS-related action, the police registered a case near the flyover at Hussainabad. During routine checking, the police apprehended Jaskaran alias Mani, a resident of village Thablke near Nakodar. On search, six grams of heroin was recovered from his possession. The accused was arrested and booked under relevant sections of the NDPS Act. DSP Nakodar Onkar Singh Brar stated that investigation in the case is going on. OC Unions hold massive protest after strike call Protesters plan dharna outside houses of AAP, BJP leaders on Feb 22 | Flay strict security to deter bandh Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 12 Responding to the call of the trade unions for a general strike nationwide, hundreds of trade union workers, midday meal workers, ASHA workers, rural and farm workers, employees, pensioners and farmers participated in a protest today at the Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall, Jalandhar, demanding the repeal of the Labour Code and restoration of the earlier labour laws. They demanded granting permanent worker status to unskilled workers including mid-day meal, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, salary of Rs 26,000 per month, repealing of the Electricity Amendment Bill and the Seed Bill 2025, repealing the VB-G Ram G and restoring the MGNREGA law, stopping the privatisation of government institutions and annulling of the India-US trade agreement. After a massive rally, the organisations marched from the Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall to the Press Club. When the protesters were moving towards the Press Club, they were stopped by a heavy police force outside the Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall by placing motor vehicles and heavy barricades on the main road. The protesters staged a dharna in the middle of the road Members of various trade unions stage a protest during a nationwide strike called by a joint forum of central trade unions to demand the repeal of the four labour codes and the withdrawal of several government policies in Jalandhar on Thursday; (right) harrassed passengers at the bus stand as contract employees of Roadways went on strike disrupting transport services. PHOTOS: MALKIAT SINGH and shouted slogans. Addressing the gathering, the leaders said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had arranged a public meeting in the city. People were protesting together for their demands, but the Chief Minister did not consider it necessary to meet these people, let alone resolve their issues. On the one hand, the Punjab government and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party announced their support for today's nationwide strike, and on the other, the workers who were protesting in sup- Bandh peaceful in Phagwara Our Correspondent Phagwara, February 12 The city witnessed a moderate response to the nationwide general strike called by various Central Trade Unions, with its impact being felt selectively across key sectors while the law and order situation remained peaceful. In the transport sector, state government buses, including PRTC services, remained off the roads in support of the strike, causing inconvenience to regular commuters. However, the situation was largely managed as private buses, auto-rickshaws, taxis, goods carriers and railway services continued to function normally. Passengers who usually depend on staterun transport were able to reach their destinations using private transport, which was available in sufficient numbers, thereby minimising disruption. The banking sector experienced partial disruption due to the participation of clerical staff from public sector banks, Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks In contrast, private banks functioned as usual, and no hindrance was reported in their services. port of the strike were forcibly stopped by the police force from staging protest on the instructions of the state government. They said it was highly condemnable and exposes the dual policy of the state government. The protesting workers said the Modi government at the Centre has brought four labour codes by abolishing 29 pro-labour laws to snatch away the democratic rights of workers, like forming unions. They said the Centre's moves were aimed at pleasing the corporate houses and domes- tic and foreign capitalists. Workers said the Central Government has announced to implement these four labour codes from April 1. They said with the implementation of these codes, the democratic right of the workers to form unions and struggle to secure and achieve their rights will end. "Fixed-term employment" will be implemented instead of permanent jobs, job security will end. Conditions will be imposed on the workers. Instead of increasing the remuneration, the working hours will be of 8 to 12 hours a day. The safety, facilities, wages and bonuses of workers will be left to the discretion of managers and officials of the Labour Department will be made mere spectators. They called for workers to rely on the struggle to secure their democratic rights, including the repeal of labour codes, and to resolve their remaining demands. They announced that on February 22, dharna and demonstrations would be held in front of the houses of state govern- ment ministers, MLAs and BJP leaders. The protest was called off after two hours, announcing the intensification and expansion of the struggle. State leader of Democratic Employees Federation Harinder Dosanjh; Kulwinder Nusi of Mid-Day Meal Workers Union, Punjab; Balwinder Kumar of Pensioners Association; state press secretary of Pendu Mazdoor Union, Punjab, Kashmir Singh Ghugshore; state leader of Dehati Mazdoor Sabha leader Baldev Singh Nurpuri; Harmesh Malri of Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union; Veer Kumar of Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha, Amritpal Kaur Nusi, Jyoti of Democratic ASHA Workers and Facilitators Union, Punjab; Jasvir Kaur Jassi of Istri Jagriti Manch; Jaswant Singh Singhapur of Bharati Kisan Union, Lakhowal; Harimuni Singh of CTU and Jaswinder Singh Patwari of Tarksheel Society were among those who addressed the protesters. Kohli launches ‘Jalandhar Padhao’ campaign Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 12 Aam Aadmi Party's senior leader and Jalandhar Central halqa in-charge, Nitin Kohli, launched a campaign titled 'Jalandhar Padhao' by presenting the first set of notebooks and stationery items to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on his visit to the city on Thursday, "I have positioned education as the cornerstone of his public service efforts in Jalandhar. I have a strong belief that meaningful AAP halqa in-charge Nitin Kohli presenting a notebook to CM Bhagwant Mann. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH change begins at the grassroots level," said Kohli. In a symbolic gesture, he presented a set of notebooks, pencils, erasers, sharpeners and complete stationery sets to CM Mann, while also choosing to replace the traditional bouquet culture with something purposeful and beneficial. "By doing so, I also wanted to send out a clear message that public life should be guided by utility and social value rather than ceremonial formalities," he said, adding that the stationery items presented at the event would not remain symbolic offerings. "Under the framework of 'Jalandhar Padhao', these educational materials will be distributed among children belonging to the marginalised and economically weaker families. The objective is not merely distribution, but empowerment, enabling children to continue their studies with dignity and adequate resources." Interestingly, the notebook has the picture of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, CM Bhagwant Mann, Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia and AAP president Aman Arora along- with Kohli's own picture. The cover of the book is in yellow and blue colours (in sync with the party's flag) and has a slogan, 'Lokan Di Awaz, Lokan Di Sarkar', printed on it. Speaking about the larger vision behind his initiative, Kohli stated that society must consciously move away from the conventional practice of presenting flower bouquets, which often carry little long-term value. According to Kohli, such practices should be replaced with gestures that directly contribute to social uplift. Anaemia, hypertension cases among expectant mothers at Civil Hospital STATE OF HEALTHCARE Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 12 Hypertension and anaemia remain commonly reported among expectant mothers in Jalandhar — at one of the civil hospitals with the highest footfalls in the state. Over 40 mothers with severe anaemia and over 30 with hypertension were reported at the Civil Hospital in Jalandhar in January. With a maternity OPD of an average 2,000 to 2,500 women per month, the Jalandhar Civil Hospital's mother and child care unit reports an average of 450 to 550 deliveries per month. In the year 2025, as many as 5,333 deliveries were reported at the Civil Hospital, Jalandhar (of which 3,123 were normal deliveries and 2,209 were C-sections). In January this year (a relatively leaner month), as many as 451 deliveries took place — of which 259 were normal and 192 were C-sections (of which 74 were emergency night Caesarian section. Of these 451 deliveries, as many as 46 expectant mothers suffered from severe anaemia (45 received blood transfusion), 32 were reported with pregnancyinduced hypertension. Of the total 451 patients, two were HIV positive, 7 HCV positive and two for Hepatitis-B. In January this year, one maternal death was reported at the Civil Hospital. Across last year (2025), only three maternal deaths were reported at the Civil Hospital in Jalandhar. When The Tribune visited the maternity ward at the Civil Hospital today, as many as 70 patients were found admitted currently at the ever crowded maternity wing. The staff scrambled to handle four deliveries at a single time. The the unit's wards, only the position of eight staff nurses are filled for a total of 12 required as per IPHS norms. At the operation theatre too, there are only four nurses while six are required. The unit also requires one extra staff nurse for each shift — currently there is only one. Meanwhile, all five positions of doctors (four medical officers and one Senior Medical Officer are filled) and the labour room also has adequate staff nurses — eight. EQUIPMENT Women at the maternity ward being treated at Civil Hospital in Jalandhar on Thursday. MALKIAT SINGH maternity ward with a total capacity of 120 beds has two labour rooms — with a total of six beds. The staff informed that per day deliveries number 10 to 16 (sometimes more). A total of 10 babies were delivered at the Civil Hospital today— nearly six normal (not counting any deliveries c m y b coming up in the night) and four Caesarian sections. The maternity wing has six wards — including pre-natal, antenatal and high-risk pregnancy cases etc. STAFF The staff at the Civil Hospital informed that most districts with high-risk pregnancies — in the magnitude of those reported in Jalandhar — have medical colleges or other tertiary case centres for back-up to handle very serious cases. However, the Civil Hospital at Jalandhar lacks such a back-up centre. At the maternity wing — in While each of the maternity ward beds has oxygen supply, in case of need, the maternity wing mothers are reliant on ventilators at the trauma ward. The Civil Hospital currently has 16 ventilators — 10 of these at the trauma centre. The maternity wing also has only seven baby photo therapy units. Hospital authorities said more have been applied for. OFFICIALSPEAK Gynaecologist Dr Varinder Kaur, SMO and in-charge of the maternity wing at the Civil Hospital said, "For a Civil Hospital with one of the most footfalls in the state, our team is working diligently. Just days ago, our staff delivered a serious case — where it was a woman' s fourth delivery and it was a placenta accreta (highrisk pregnancy) case. Usually, such cases are handled by medical colleges but our staff has been handling very severe cases." Speaking on the other areas of maternity health needing attention, she said, "There are a significant number of anaemia and hypertension cases being reported. But we are doing our utmost to spread awareness and we also advise expectant mothers on the care they need for their health, including diet, exercise and mental health."