23122024-JTR-01.qxd 12/22/2024 10:37 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune WORK SHOULD BE PERENNIAL IN NATURE, NOT JUST SEASONAL ADITI GOVITRIKAR PLAYS MOTHER IN MISMATCHED 3 ‘Elected representatives should be sensitive to people's issues and strive to take them up in right earnest’. P2 She believes entertainment industry is witnessing a remarkable diversity in the roles offered to women. P4 » DHILLON SHARES EVIDENCE IN ONGOING FEUD WITH DOSANJH AP Dhillon recently accused Diljit Dosanjh of blocking him on social media. He shared ‘proof’ to back his claim. P4 » » FORECAST CLEAR MAX 20°C | MIN 7°C YESTERDAY MAX 21°C | MIN 6°C SUNSET MONDAY 5.30 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 7:23 AM MONDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2024 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF TWO KILLED, ONE HURT IN MISHAPS Phagwara: A woman Indu Sharma was killed on the spot while her sister Savita sustained serious injuries when they were hit by a speeding vehicle while crossing the road towards their village Kot Kalan here on Saturday night. The injured was admitted to the Civil Hospital. The police have registered a case. The body of the deceased was handed over to her family members after the post-mortem examination. In another accident, a migrant cyclist Varinder Singh, residing in village Mehatan, was killed on the spot when his cycle was hit by speeding vehicle on the national highway here. The speeding vehicle driver fled who was booked by the police. OC VILLAGER HELD FOR MURDER Phagwara: The police arrested a villager on the charge of murdering a youth. The accused has been identified as Salman Khan of Rasulpur village. The accused and his seven accomplices had shot Kulwinder Singh, alias Kindi (30), of Kala Sangha village near Uggi village in August. Charan Dass of the village got a complaint registered with the police. OC TWO OF MOGA BOOKED FOR THEFT Phagwara: The police have booked two Moga villagers on the charge of stealing a petrol pump part. The accused have been identified as Shamsher Singh, alias Shera, and Buta Singh, alias Biti, of Longiwind village. Sukhwindar Singh of Salaichan village complained to the police that the accused stole the air compressor motor from his petrol pump on December 20 early morning. OC AAP in touch with Independents to have own mayor Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service AAP winning candidate Aruna Arora from Ward no 33; and (right) Uma Beri of the Congress from Ward no 25 celebrate with their supporters in Jalandhar on Saturday. PHOTOS: SARABJIT SINGH & MALKIAT SINGH Women power comes to the fore in Jalandhar MC House In 85 wards, 44 emerge victorious Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 22 Women councillors have taken a lead in the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation House, with 44 out of 85 seats being won by women in the elections. While this marks a stronger representation for women, concerns loom over whether all councillors will act independently or remain proxies for their husbands. Experienced leaders like Uma Beri from Ward no 24, Prabhjot Kaur from Ward no 27 and Jasleen Sethi from Ward no 30, all from the Congress, have earned a reputation for raising ward issues in the past. Similarly, Aruna Arora from AAP (Ward 33), Harsharan Kaur Happy (Ward 35) and Sarabjit Kaur (Ward 37), both of the Congress, are known for their vocal participation. Meanwhile, fresh faces like Jyoti and Shobha from the BJP elected from Ward no 53 , and 54, and young leaders such as Neha Mintu of the Congress (Ward 49) and Harsimran Kaur of AAP (Ward 69), bring a promising mix of energy and enthusiasm to the House. Neha Mintu grabbed the attention by defeating a senior AAP leader, demonstrating the potential of young women in local politics. Despite these promising candidates, residents express concerns over many women councillors reportedly acting as stand-ins for their husbands. A local shopkeeper shared his scepticism, “It’s an open secret that some women are just figureheads, with the real decisions being made by their husbands. This isn’t what voters want. They must step up and lead independently.” Residents have high hopes for these women to prioritise local issues over personal agendas. Civic problems, such as poor roads, sanitation and safe spaces for women, remain key demands. “We don’t just need representation, we need accountability,” said Manjit Singh, another resident. Young voters were particularly excited about the presence of more educated and energetic women candidates. Swati, a first-time voter, said, “Jalandhar needs leaders who can inspire trust and action. If these women councillors genuinely take charge, they have the power to make a real difference.” The public’s message is clear: Women councillors must not only raise their voices, but also break free from any outside influence and act in the best interest of their wards. “As the new Municipal Corporation House gets to work soon, we have our eyes on all these councillors to prove they are more than just numbers and we hope that they will make the city a better place to live”, said Kanwalpreet, another voter. Jalandhar, December 22 With no single party getting a majority in the Jalandhar MC House and the Congress and BJP unlikely to stitch an alliance, AAP has the advantage. Emerging as the single largest party with 38 councillors, AAP is now trying to rope in five more councillors to be in a position to have its own mayor. Amid the hopping of candidates ahead of the MC elections, AAP which is the , largest party here, is reportedly in touch with many of the winning candidates who were with it earlier. While AAP banked heavily on tuncoats, many of these have proven to be AAP’s biggest losers in the poll. On the other hand, much to the party’s relief, almost all rebels, which were at the forefront to level charges against the party of giving tickets to parachute candidates - have lost the elections. Constituency-wise, AAP won 10 seats in Jalandhar West, which has a total of 24 seats, 11 seats in Jalandhar North (total 24), nine in Jalandhar Central (total 23) and eight in Jalandhar Cantt (total 14). Senior leaders said of the 38 candidates, who have won on the party ticket, a very small count includes loyalists — most of them came from other parties. The turncoats, who proved profitable for the party include Aruna Arora, Amit Dhall, Balbir Singh Bittu and his wife Karamjit Kaur, Vanit Dhir, Rajesh Thakur Money some of them joined the party three or more years ago. Meanwhile, many of the AAP rebels like Raman Kumar Bunty (Ward 58), Kashmir Singh (Ward 58), Baljeet Singh Popi (Ward 17) among others also lost. The only exception is former Congressman Tarsem Lakhotra, who shifted to AAP but denied ticket. He decided to contest as an Independent and won from Ward 46. Although the decision to choose the Mayor will come only after the party is able to get a majority in the House the names of former BJP leader Vanit Dhir, who joined days ahead of the poll, and party Lok Sabha in-charge Ashwani Aggarwal are already doing the rounds. With 44 women councillors in the MC, there are also speculations that the party may go in for a woman mayor and Sunita Tikka’s name is also doing the rounds. AAP’s Aggarwal sets example, With 22 seats in kitty, race in Cong for mayor’s post starts removing hoardings Ashok Kaura PHAGWARA, DECEMBER 22 The Congress, by winning 22 seats and three candidates of its alliance BSP besides one , vote of MLA, will be in a comfortable position to have its own mayor in the Municipal Corporation, Phagwara. Despite roadshow of the Chief Minister, AAP could win only 12 seats. The Congress, headed by Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, could perform well due to complete unity in the Congress, while despite claims of unity, the BJP went on facing deep factionalism between two former union ministers, Som Parkash and Vijay Sampla, Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 22 Ashwini Aggarwal from Ward number 80, who won the elections, took to social media today and shared that he had started removing the party hoardings. “I have asked my party workers to remove the hoardings that have my pictures. I had promised my ward residents of the clean ward, so I will start it myself,” he said. Ashwini Aggarwal (47) , who is running the industrial unit of gun metals, has made his foray into the world of politics. He won from AAP He is . also the Lok Sabha in-charge of the party. An ambitious Aggarwal belongs to the family of businessmen, so his entering the politics was a shocker for everyone, even for his family. Later, everyone accepted the fact. Today he also said he would meet his ward people and ask them the problems they had been facing. “I will form a group with my ward residents and remain in touch with them,” he said. He has a clear vision for his ward. “I want to ensure that our parks are well-maintained, there is a problem of streetlights as well which will be resolved. Also, high tension wires are another threat and it will remain my priority as well. There are problems in Dada Colony as well,” he had earlier said. and on the other hand, the ruling party AAP was seen divided between different groups of halka in-charge Joginder Singh Maan and district president Lalita Saklani, Santosh Kumar Gogi and Improvement Trust Chairman Advocate Kashmir Singh Malhi. Now the race to become next mayor of the Phagwara MC among winner Congress leaders have begun. Former BCC president Sanjeev Buga, BCC president Munish Parbhakar, Sushil Maini, Seeta Devi, Padam Dev Sudhir (Nikka), Jatinder Vermani and Ram Paul Uppal are seen aspirants to get the prestigious post. Both Block Congress Committee presidents Taranjit Singh Walia and Munish Parb- Jalandhar engineer tops PCS exam Newly elected AAP councillor Ashwini Aggarwal removes his posters and hoardings from his ward in Jalandhar on Sunday. When asked about the initiative that he has taken, Aggarwal said, “Elections are done. My ward residents have elected me and now it’s time to work. We have to start cleanliness now. Apne ward di safai main hi krni hai, hor kaun krega (Who else will clean my ward. I will have to do that),” Aggarwal said. Ashwini got 1,423 votes. He defeated Congress’s Ravi Saini who got 1,052 votes and BJP’s Vipan Sharma got 477 votes. Father of three, Aggarwal is also a contender for the post of deputy mayor or mayor. “I have worked really hard for the party and am a contender for the post of mayor/deputy mayor. No one in my family has ever contested for any elections. But I have always had a wish to help people. I joined AAP and, for the last three years, was working for the people of my ward,” a confident Aggarwal said. Jalandhar, December 22 Engineer Navdeep Singh, an officer from Jalandhar’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, has achieved the first rank in Punjab in the PPSC Register-C exam. With over 22 years of dedicated service, Navdeep Singh has been instrumental in advancing agricultural initiatives and addressing key challenges in Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts. As part of the department’s engineering wing, his responsibilities span critical areas such as agricultural c m y b mechanisation, crop residue management and tubewell operations. Navdeep said this Navdeep Singh year, he served as the nodal officer for stubble management, working closely with the administration. “My efforts contributed to a remarkable 70 per cent cut in stubble burning incidents,” he added. — TNS hakar won for the second time. Two couples Davinder Sapra-Rupali Sapra (Independent) and Sanjeev Bugga and his wife Neeraj Bugga (Cong) remained the winner. Former Municipal Committee Phagwara president Malkiat Singh Ragbotra, former BCC president Pawan Sharma (Pappi) and MLA Dhaliwal’s right hand Vinod Vermani lost the election. Congress won from ward numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8,15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 28, 29, 32, 33, 35, 36, 39, 46, 47and 50. AAP won Ward number 11, 16, 19, 23, 27, 30, 38, 41, 42, 43, 45 and 49 and BJP 3, 6, 22 and 48. SAD won Ward numbers 9, 37, 40; BSP won 14, 25, 34 and Independents 10, 12, 13, 26, 31 and 44. List of Winners Ward 1 Sita Devi (INC); 2 Padamdev Sudhir Nikka (INC); 3 Mamta Khosla (BJP) 4 Jatinder Vermani (INC); 5 Deepmala (INC); 6 Biram Ram Baljot (BJP); 7 Pinki Bhatia (INC); 8 Sanjeev Bugga (INC); 9 Kamaljit Kaur (SAD) 10; Harpreet Singh Bhogal (Ind); 11 Daljit Kaur (AAP); 12 Davinder Sapra (Ind); 13 Rupali Sapra(Ind); 14 Tej Pal Basra (BSP); 15 Paramjit Kaur Walia (INC); 16 Vikki Sood(AAP); 17 Neeraj Sharma (INC); 18 Ram Pal Uppal(INC); 19 Sayara (AAP); 20 Munish Parbhakar(INC); 21 Parwinder Kaur (INC); 22 Anurag Mankhand (BJP); 23 Sunita Handa (AAP); 24 Darshan Ram Kataria (INC); 25 Amandeep Kaur (BSP); 26 Inderjit (Ind); 27 Parveen Thakur (AAP); 28 Gurpreet Kaur (INC); 29 Anita Rani (INC); 30 Ravi Kumar (AAP); 31 Anita Kumari(Ind); 32 Sushil Maini (INC); 33 Veena Rani (INC); 34 Chiranji Lal (BSP) 35 Sonia Joshi (INC); 36 Taranjit Walia (INC); 37 Jaswinder Kaur (Ind); 38 Ravinder Singh (AAP); 39 Reena Rani (INC); 40 Pritpal Singh Manga (SAD); 41 Pritpal Kaur Tuli (AAP); 42 Jasdev Singh (AAP); 43 Reeta Rani Monika (AAP); 44 Balwant Rai (Ind); 45 Anita Rani (AAP); 46 Saurav Josh i(INC); 47 Monika; Chadha (INC); 48 Paramjit Khurana (BJP); 49 Neha Ohri (AAP); and 50 Vikram Singh (INC). Jalandhar girl shines at UCMAS India World Cup Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 22 Ashlyn Kaur, a second-class student at Cambridge Co-Ed School, has achieved a runners-up position in the UCMAS India World Cup Competition 2024. The event, held in Delhi, saw the participation from over 6,000 students across 31 countries, challenging competitors through 13 intense rounds. Ashlyn’s performance stood out, earning her accolades and a trophy pre- sented by organisers. The achievement was hailed as a collective effort. Ashlyn expressed Ashlyn Kaur gratitude to her teachers, parents and the dedicated team at UCMAS, New Jawahar Nagar, Jalandhar, particularly Satveer Singh Dhaka, the master franchisee for Pun- jab and centre heads Tamana Nanda and Riya Kapoor, for their support and guidance. Ashlyn’s parents also expressed their joy in her achievement, calling it a reflection of her hard work and the supportive environment at both home and school. “Watching her compete on such a grand stage and excel was a moment of immense pride for our family. We are truly grateful to her mentors and teachers for honing her skills,” said her father.