12022025-LT-01.qxd 2/12/2025 12:54 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune IMPLEMENT NGT GUIDELINES ON SOLID WASTE MGMT, MC TOLD SHOBHA YATRA TAKEN OUT ON EVE OF GURU RAVIDAS JAYANTI ARATI KADAV'S MRS STRIKES A CHORD WITH AUDIENCE Generation, segregation of waste important, ADC (D) tells Ahmedgarh civic body officials. P2 A vibrant sense of devotion unfolded as thousands gathered to celebrate birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas. P2 With her latest movie, the engineerturned-filmmaker has exposed deeply rooted patriarchal value system. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 26°C | MIN 10°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.08 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 7:05 AM » WEDNESDAY | 12 FEBRUARY 2025 | LUDHIANA Kargil war veteran saves five from drowning in Sirhind canal One person dies as SUV veered off road into muddy waters of canal near Machhiwara Gaurav Kanthwal Tribune News Service Mohali, February 11 Harjinder Singh (49), an exArmyman and Kargil War veteran, and his two teenaged sons saved five persons from drowning whose SUV plunged into the Sirhind canal between Pvaat village and Behlolpur village near Machhiwara in Ludhiana on Monday night around 11:30 pm. One person, Kuldeep Singh, did not survive in the accident after his body was taken out from the freezing cold water. The veteran of 15 Punjab (Patiala), now re-employed in the security of Mukesh Ambani’s Antilia, had come home on vacation. On Monday he, along with his two sons Gurleenpreet Singh (18) and Harkirat Singh (17), were returning after attending a wedding in Bathinda when they saw a vehicle plunging into the Sirhind canal with six victims trapped inside it. “I was sleeping in the rear seat of my car when one of my sons, who was driving the car, stopped to see the vehicle falling into the canal. After realising that six youths around 25 years of age were struggling to get out of the vehicle, me and my two sons were lucky to bail them out by the grace of God,” the former sepoy said. Harjinder, along with his sons, rescued the victims by Ex-Armyman Harjinder Singh at the accident scene near Machhiwara. WAS AWARDED FOR SAVING DROWNING GIRL IN PAST Kargil War veteran Harjinder Singh, who was injured in the artillery fire from across the border had fell in a ditch in the Mala sector of Kargil during the war and had to be medically boarded out soon, was awarded by the state government for showing exemplary bravery in saving the life of a drowning girl. breaking open windowpanes. His sons took the help of a fallen tree to stop the vehicle from sliding further into the muddy water. The trio brought the victims to safety and informed the police. Village residents gathered at the scene and took care of the shivering victims. “Though we all were wet and shivering with cold, we were feeling thirsty as climbing uphill with victims was torturous. The residents arranged some water for us after which we breathed easy,” they said. Three PCRs and an ambulance reached the spot after around one hour. One person was declared brought dead at hospital. “One of the five victims was unconscious and water had to be pumped out of the body with the help of chest presses. One victim was bleeding profusely as thick blood oozed out of his head. We secured his head with two Siropas lying in our car.” He has been referred to the DMCH, Ludhiana, on Tuesday. The local residents lauded the ex-Armyman’s courage and recounted that Harjinder had saved a 25-year-old girl who jumped into the canal way back on August 25, 2008. Then too, he had held the drowning girl by her hair for around 500m in the muddy water and rescued her to the other bank of the canal. What was Harjinder doing there? “I had gone to a liquor vend near the canal to have some quality time,” he chuckled. Harjinder, who was injured in the artillery fire from across the border had fell in a ditch in the Mala sector of Kargil during the war and had to be medically boarded out soon, was awarded by the state government for showing exemplary bravery in saving the life of a drowning girl. Residents said the 6-ft jawan has helped many village children and youths learn swimming. “The canal is a part of our life, we cannot afford to stay away from it. Hence, learning swimming is a step in knowing our surroundings and responding to such situations,” he said. On being asked what made him jump along with his two sons into the canal in the dead of the night to save the trapped victims, Harjinder said: “How can you see people drowning in front of your eyes. God has given me the ability to help someone. I want my teenaged sons to be fearful of God and brave enough to come to the rescue of persons in need.” The police said the victims were gas pipeline workers and they were on the way from Bathinda to Rupnagar when the mishap occurred. JEE (Main): City lad Krishiv scores 99.98 percentile Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 11 The results of the JEE (Main) were declared on Tuesday and city student Krishiv Gupta scored 99.98 percentile in the examination. A student of Baba Isher Singh Public School, Krishiv used to study eight-nine hours daily. “I only used WhatsApp for messaging, otherwise there was no social media app in my phone,” he said. Krishiv’s ambition is to get admission in any of the IITs and do engineering in computer science. All thanks to his mentor Narinder Singh Yadav, Krishiv said, adding that it would have been really tough if he was not with him in this journey. “It was my hard work but the guidance I got was from Yadav sir. I am grateful for the path shown by him and helping me pass the exam with Krishiv Gupta in a jubilant mood after declaration of the results. flying colours,” said Krishiv. His teachers and mentors said it was Krishiv’s down to earth behaviour that got him so far. Not only aptitude but he has the right attitude as well,” said his teacher Narinder Yadav. Another student, Raghuvar Gupta from GRD Academy scored 99.2 percentile. “Consistency is the key. One need to be consistent and regular in studies to achieve something big,” he said. Tanvi Sharma from Sarvotam Academy secured 99.14 percentile. “It was a tough call but I made it thorough. It was my hard work, God’s blessings, parent’s support and my teachers’ guidance which helped me achieve my goal,” she said. Both Raghuvar and Tanvi want to pursue computer science from an IIT. HP man nabbed with 2 kg opium Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 11 The Crime Branch 2 team arrested Gaurav Kumar, a resident of Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, with 2.1 kg of opium. The police registered a case against the suspect under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and started further interrogation. ADCP (Crime) Amandeep Singh Brar stated that a The suspect in police custody. police team was present in Rakh Bagh to keep a tab over smugglers when they got a tip-off that the suspect was into opium smuggling. The police also came to know that the suspect was standing in an empty plot near the Green Park Road petrol pump, waiting for his customers to sell opium. Afterwards, the police nabbed him and seized the opium, Brar said, adding that many revelations could be made during his interrogation. K’taka man dupes city resident of ~1.38 cr ‘Drunk’ cop creates ruckus at Civil Hospital Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 11 The Focal Point police on Monday registered a case against a Karnataka-based man who, along with his aides, by posing as government officials of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala duped a city man of Rs 1.38 crore. The suspect had promised to procure orders on the behalf of the three state governments but after taking the money, he did not fulfil their promise. The suspect was identified as SS Shiridharn, a resident of Bengaluru in Karnataka. The complainant, Sachin Lakra, a resident of Focal Point, owner of a cycle manufacturing company, ‘SK Bikes’, told the police that the suspect along with three of his aides contacted him by posing themselves as senior government officials of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They had assured they could easily arrange orders for his company and in lieu, the suspects had taken Rs 1.38 crore from him, he said. After taking the money, the suspects failed to provide any orders. After sometime, he realised that they had committed a fraud with him, the complainant said, adding that later, he lodged a police complaint and after investigation, a case was regis- tered against the man. SHO, Focal Point police station, inspector Amandeep Singh Brar, said a case was registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by the owner of SK Bikes. Now, the police would investigate how the deal was finalised and how the payment was made to the suspects and whether the latter were government officials or they lied to the complainant. Ludhiana, February 11 A ruckus was created late on Monday night at the Civil Hospital where a policeman, Gurdeep, who was allegedly in an inebriated state, drove his car on the divider. Following which, the people gathered at the spot. It was alleged that the policeman was not able to stand properly due to the influence of liquor. The ruckus continued for about 20 minutes. During the incident, two more police personnel were reportedly found drunk at the police post of the hospital. When senior police officials came to know about the matter, the SHO of the Police Division 2 reached the Civil Hospital to get the medical check-up of the police post officials, incharge Resham and Niranjan Singh, along with Gurdeep, conducted. Afterwards, the medical check-up of all three police personnel was done. Sources said Gurdeep was posted at some other place, the reason for which he came to the police post of the hospital was not known so far. After getting information, mediapersons also reached the spot. When the act of vehicle being driven over the divider was captured on mobile cameras, Gurdeep even threatened to break their mobiles. Seeing the cameras, the policeman entered the police post of the Civil Hospital to save himself. Later, he tried to leave the hospital but in front of cameras, he said he got his medical done. Threatening mediapersons, he said if nothing comes out in his medical report, they would be harmed. SHO, Police Division 2, inspector Gurjit Singh, said medical examination of the three police personnel was conducted and if they were found drunk while on duty, departmental action would be taken against them. Exam stress? Call 24x7 helpline for counselling, support Hit by speeding Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 11 If you are feeling anxiety, mental stress or any other problem ahead of annual exams, call the 24x7 helpline at 9646470777 for free counselling, support, and guidance. Brainchild of Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, the annual student mental health support helpline, ASMAAH, has been launched with the support of the District Red Cross Society and District Bureau of Employment and Enterprises for Class X and XII students ahead of the Board examinations beginning February 13. Jorwal told The Tribune that six counsellors had been roped in for running the helpline round-the-clock. “Their time has been divided in such a manner to ensure DC launches ASMAAH for students ahead of board exams DC Jitendra Jorwal (extreme right) launches the helpline in Ludhiana. that at least two counsellors remain available all the time,” he said while disclosing that there was a provision for increasing the number of counsellors manning the helpline, based on the need and demand. He divulged that in case, the first level of counsellor assesses that the student/ caller was facing higher level of anxiety and stress, the caller will be referred to two experienced psychologists from the team of Global Child Wellness Centre, who will further counsel and guide the students as per their expertise. “All this will be monitored by a senior psychiatrist, Dr Priyanka Kalra,” he said. The DC said: “During the first day of the launch, the helpline has received four calls and more calls were expected as the word spreads.” According to preliminary details, the students, who have called the helpline so far, have raised issues related to anxiety and inability to sleep due to exam stress. “Counsellors have given them positive affirmations that the students need to believe in themselves. They counselled them to follow and practise box-breathing technique,” he said. Jorwal said the helpline was planned to be functional for at least three months and further operation would be decided as per the requirement in future. In case of any serious/ acute case of mental stress/ anxiety coming to fore, the DC said the first-level c m y b counsellors have been trained by the senior psychiatrist on assessing the level of stress the students were facing. “Already, the ASMAAH helpline has protocol in place to escalate the call to two higher level experienced counsellors/ psychologists, if there is an acute case of stress/ anxiety,” he stated while adding that these level-2 psychologists have ample experience in handling the high stress/ anxiety cases. Exams not end of world: DC “Today, students are under immense pressure to perform well and achieve high marks. Hence, it is important for parents, teachers and the community to convey to students that exams are not the end of the world and there is no need to fear them. The best approach to handle exami- nations is to stay calm and tackle each paper one at a time without worrying about the results. The ASMAAH helpline is to help and guide the students in overcoming their fear of exams, providing them with trained listeners, who can support them through tough times of stress and anxiety,” said Jitendra Jorwal, DC Free, confidential counselling If you are feeling stressed about exams or under pressure, you are not alone, call this 24x7 mental health support helpline at 9646470777. Expert and trained psychologists and psychiatrists will offer free and confidential counselling, guidance to manage exam stress, emotional support for anxiety and pressure, practical tips to stay focused and motivated. school bus, biker dies in Khanna Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 11 A speeding and rashly driven school bus rammed into a motorcyclist in Khanna on Monday. The victim, who suffered serious injuries, was taken to the PGI, Chandigarh, where he succumbed to his injuries. The complainant, Randhir Singh, a resident of Fatehgarh Sahib, told the police that he and his nephew Harjot Singh were going towards Khanna from the Amloh side on their motorcycles. When his nephew was going ahead of him, a rashly driven school bus (bearing registration no PB10JM3622) came from the Khanna side and collided head-on with the former’s motorcycle. “My nephew fell on the road and suffered critical head injuries. Bus driver Judge Kumar, a resident of Kartar Nagar, Khanna, fled the scene in the vehicle. With the help of the people, I rushed the victim to the Civil Hospital, Khanna, from where he was shifted to the PGI, Chandigarh, due to his serious injuries. When we reached the PGI, doctors declared him dead,” the complainant said. Investigating officer ASI Sukhwinder Singh said after registering a case against the bus driver, further investigation was launched in the matter.