21062026-JTR-01.qxd 6/20/2026 11:10 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune MY SON IS MY LIFE’S GREATEST GIFT: A FATHER’S JOURNEY FROM A MUSEUM EXHIBIT, THE ZB-66 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE STRETCHING THEIR WAY TO SUCCESS Manish Aggarwal, father of 22-year-old Bhavnish Aggarwal, says, “My son keeps the childhood alive in my family.” P2 The steam locomotive that once defined the train journey to Kangra will return to the Pathankot railway station. P3 From Malaika Arora, Shilpa Shetty to Alia, Bollywood actors committed to yoga, setting major fitness goals. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 35°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET SUNDAY 7.35 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5:24 AM SUNDAY | 21 JUNE 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. Grand welcome for BJP chief Nabin Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, June 20 BJP chief Nitin Nabin received a grand welcome in Jalandhar during his maiden visit as part of a three-day Punjab tour ahead of the Assembly elections. Party workers greeted him with flower showers, festoons, crackers, tricolour balloons and the beats of nagadas, creating a celebratory atmosphere. Nabin, accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh and state president Kewal Dhillon, greeted supporters while standing atop his open SUV amid a shower of petals. He later led a roadshow from Shri Ram Chowk to Valmiki Chowk in an open vehicle decorated with marigolds and cutouts of PM Narendra Modi. INBRIEF SATINDER JOINS AS JALANDHAR CP Jalandhar: Satinder Singh, who last served in Jalandhar as SSP (Rural) in 2022, has taken charge as Commissioner of Police (CP), here, after nearly four years. He joined office around noon and was received by Manpreet Dhillon, Deputy Commissioner of Police, and all officials of the ADCP and ACP ranks posted with the city police. A recipient of the President’s Police Medal, Singh was promoted to the IPS in 2010. TNS SIX BOOKED FOR BLOCKING NH Phagwara: The Lohian Khas police have booked six persons for blocking national highway. The accused have been identified as Nirwair Singh, Gurmukh Singh Panch, Sukhwindar Singh of Nawan Pind Donewal village, Balwindar Singh of Mehmuwal village, Harwindar Singh of Phul village and Gurwindar Singh of Turna village. The accused along with 60 persons staged a dharna on the Fattuwal-Mahu stretch on the NH on June 19. OC 5 ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested five members of a family, including three women, on the charge of kidnapping a minor. The accused have been identified as Major Singh of Talwandi Madho village, his wife Sita, son Vishal Kumar, daughters Sharandeep and Rajni. The mother of the victim had complained to the police that the accused conspired and kidnapped her minor daughter on the pretext of marriage. OC THREE BOOKED FOR TRESPASS Phagwara: The police have booked three villagers on the charges of criminal trespass and committing a crime with common intention. The accused have been identified as Sukhjiwan Singh and his brother Ranjit Singh of Bajuha Khurd village and Kalampreet Singh of Dosanjh Khurd village in Goraya. Gurjit Singh of Mudh village had complained to the police that the accused ploughed his 2-acre millet crop. oc WOMAN HELD FOR SELLING LIQUOR Phagwara: The police have arrested a woman on charges of selling and brewing illicit liquor. The accused has been identified as Ranno, alias Ranjit Kaur, of Khurlapur village. Her husband was arrested with 19 bottles of illicit liquor and 70 litre of lahan in April, but his wife Ranno fled. OC BJP national president Nitin Nabin during a roadshow in Jalandhar. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH Trader chases gunmen after firing, nabs one Alleges inaction despite extortion threats, shopkeepers confront police Tribune News Service Jalandhar, June 20 In a daring act, owner of Chawla Mobile Shop at Bhargo Camp here chased two gangsters on his Activa scooter minutes after they fired gunshots at his shop and managed to catch hold of one of them. Ankush, the shop owner, claimed he had been receiving extortion calls for the past two years, making life difficult for him and his family. He said the latest call, demanding Rs 50 lakh, was received on May 19. “I had approached the police repeatedly, but no effective action was taken,” he alleged. “I had even sought security, but to no avail. So when two bike-borne youths came and opened fire outside my showroom around 2.30 pm, I decid- ed not to hide. I chased them on my scooter, caught hold of one by his hair and managed to seize his bike. The other managed to escape,” he said. With the help of nearby shopkeepers, the accused was brought back to the showroom. Eyewitnesses said the man was beaten up by locals and restrained with chains. The shopkeepers also questioned him about his accomplice and alleged handlers. He was later confined inside the shop. When police teams, including SHO Rajinder Singh and DSP Aatish Bhatia, reached the spot, angry shopkeepers initially refused to hand over the accused and expressed resentment over alleged inaction. The police later entered the premises and took custody of the suspect. BJP leader Amit Taneja and Congress ex-MLA Rajinder Beri and councillor Paramjot Singh Sherry Chadha also reached the spot. They criticised the police for failing to act on earlier complaints. Inspector Surinder Kumar later took charge of the accused. ACP Bhatia said the accused’s phone and weapon had been recovered. He also praised the shopkeeper for his courage. 4 aides of foreign-based gangsters arrested Jalandhar, June 20 The police have arrested four members of an organised crime syndicate, said to be the key associates of foreign-based gangster Doni Bal and Ekam UK. Three firearms, cartridges and a car were recovered from their possession. A team of the CIA staff, led by Inspector Surinder Kumar, carried out the operation. During naka checking, a police team intercepted a car and apprehended four persons, all local youths. Those arrested included Nitish Chhabra, alias Love, of Model House, Naval Bhardwaj, alias Billa, of Jandiala, Mukul Gori of Bhargo Camp and Prince of Basti Sheikh. The police said a countrymade pistol along with a magazine and two cartridges was recovered from Chhabra, a .30 bore pistol with two cartridges from Naval Bhardwaj, a Glock pistol with two cartridges from Mukul Gori, and a sharpedged weapon was seized from Prince. The car allegedly used in criminal activities was also seized. Chhabra was in constant touch with the gangsters. — TNS HAPPYFATHER’S DAY Keeping Alfa’s dreams alive A father who let his daughter fly Bereaved father keeps daughter’s memory alive through NGO Rishika Kriti Tribune News Service Jalandhar, June 20 For most parents, memories are all that remain after losing a child. But for 67-yearold Ramesh Mahendru, memories became a mission. Nineteen years after losing her daughter Alfa Mahendru in a tragic road accident, he continues to touch lives through an NGO set up after her name, ‘Alfa Mahendru Foundation’, to ensure that her dreams and identity live on through service to society. On Father’s Day, Mahendru recalls his firstborn Alfa with moist eyes. She was just 19 when she lost her life in April 2007. “I named her Alfa because it was unique and distinctive. At home, we called her Shikha,” he said. “She was a bright girl who was very fond of writing, reading and painting. She initially wanted to pursue BCom and later an MBA, but gradually developed a deep interest in journalism,” he said. That interest was sparked when Mahendru was associated with the media wing of Devi Talab shrine, which had launched its own newspaper in 2001. “She was in Class 10th when I used to give her articles to print. Later, she started writing on her own and I would help polish her work. That’s how her love for journalism began. She started working as a professional while still pursuing her graduation,” he recalled. “I miss her self-confidence the most. She was resilient and never gave up easily,” Ramesh Mahendru has set up the Alfa Mahendru Foundation, an NGO, in her memory in Jalandhar. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH IN MEMORY OF HIS DAUGHTER was in when I used to give her ❝Sheto print.Class Xshe started writing on her articles Later, own and I would help polish her work. That’s how her love for journalism began. Ramesh Mahendru, FATHER ❞ says Mahendru. The loss devastated the family. Yet, just 40 days after her death, Mahendru resolved to keep her memory alive through meaningful work. “I wanted people to remember her for something positive. I wanted her identity to continue,” he says. After six years of effort, the Alfa Mahendru Foundation was formally set up in 2013. Today, it runs nearly 20 social initiatives, including campaigns against foeticide, women empowerment initiatives, road safety awareness drives, blood donation camps and support programmes for newborn girls. In April this year, the foundation organised a free eye check-up camp and facilitat- ed surgeries for around 60 patients. Mahendru has also launched Shikha News Network, named after Alfa’s nickname, to focus on social issues and public awareness. Even today, some of Alfa’s belongings remain carefully preserved. Her unfinished paintings, completed years later with the help of a local art teacher, adorn the family’s memories. “When someone passes away, their belongings are usually donated as part of the rituals,” he says, pausing, “But I still keep her purse and ID cards safely tucked away in my cupboard.” For Mahendru, a bereaved father, every life touched through the foundation is another way of keeping his daughter alive. c m y b Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi Hoshiarpur, June 20 There are fathers who provide for their children and then there are those who become the wings that help their children fly. The heartwarming story of Hoshiarpur advocate VK Menon and his daughter Ankita Menon moved viewers across the country when they appeared on Sony TV’s Tum Ho Naa (Ghar Ki Superstar). The special episode, aired recently, celebrated the beautiful and often unspoken bond between fathers and daughters. Amid tears, smiles and cherished memories, Ankita shared how her father’s unwavering faith shaped every chapter of her life. Ankita, who won the Mrs World International 2025 (Charming) title, said the world now knows that behind her crown stands a father who believed in her long before the world recognised her achievements. At a time when society expected young women to settle down early, Menon chose a different path for his daughter. He stood firm against conventional thinking and made a promise that would change her life forever. “The day your PhD is finished, that is when I will talk about your marriage,” he told her. Ankita holds a doctorate degree in water governance from the JNU and works as a water policy expert. Those words were more than a promise. They were a declaration that his daugh- Hoshiarpur duo moves viewers on TV show celebrating father-daughter bond ter’s dreams mattered. While many questioned the decision, he became her strongest shield, protecting her aspirations from societal pressure and giving her the freedom to become the person she wanted to be. As Ankita narrated the story on the show, emotions filled the studio. But perhaps the most touching moment came when she recalled a memory from her wedding preparations. Like every daughter, she dreamt of looking special on her wedding day. Instead of making own decisions for her, Every milestone I have reached is because he has been the right person at the right time. ANKITA MENON her father placed money in her hands and lovingly said, “Go and buy a lehenga of your choice.” It was a simple gesture, yet it carried a lifetime of trust. In that moment, he was not just a father arranging a wedding, he was a father telling his daughter that her choices mattered. Fighting back tears, Ankita described her father as her greatest blessing. “I can say that my father has mastered the art of knowing and doing things at the right time. He knows exactly when to offer a shoulder, when to be a coach, when to be stern, and when to just listen. His timing has always been my greatest blessing. Every milestone I have reached, it is because he has been the right person at the right time. And I guess every daughter becomes lucky if she has a father like him,” she said. The audience was deeply moved as she spoke about how her father always stood between her and the world whenever challenges came her way. Whether it was pursuing higher education, building a career, or stepping onto international pageant stages, she never felt alone because she knew her father was standing behind her. For Menon, his daughter’s success has never been about titles, crowns or recognition. “Daughters are not meant to be limited by society’s expectations. They deserve the freedom to dream and the courage to chase those dreams. If a father stands beside his daughter with trust and faith, there is no height she cannot reach. Ankita’s achievements are not my success, they are the result of her own hard work and determination. I am simply proud that I could stand by her when she needed me,” he said. The father-daughter duo believes that their appearance on Tum Ho Naa (Ghar Ki Superstar) was not merely a television moment. “It was a celebration of a relationship built on trust, respect and unconditional love. It reminded viewers that a father’s greatest gift to his daughter is not wealth or status, but the confidence to believe in herself”, they said. As the episode ended, many viewers were left with moist eyes and warm hearts, inspired by a simple yet powerful truth when a father believes in his daughter, she learns to believe in herself and that belief can take her anywhere in the world.