20032025-ATR-01.qxd 3/19/2025 11:34 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune PABLA ASSUMES CHARGE AS HIT CHAIRMAN CELEBS SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON INT'L DAY OF HAPPINESS For me, happiness is all about embracing life with a positive mindset, says Shivangi Verma. P4 MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 29°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 28°C | MIN 15°C ACTOR SANJANA SANGHI VISITS GOLDEN TEMPLE Local Bodies Minister says expect results, announces plans for sewerage treatment. P2 FORECAST She reminisced about her childhood trips from Delhi to Amritsar by train with her mother and brother. P4 » » SUNSET THURSDAY 6.32 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6.23 AM » THURSDAY | 20 MARCH 2025 | AMRITSAR Nurse saves cardiac patient’s life on bus Tribune News Service WORKS AT FORTIS Amritsar, March 19 In a remarkable display of composure and dedication to patient care, Sunita Rani, a nurse, saved a 50-year-old man’s life while commuting to work. Her timely intervention and immediate CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) ensured the revival of the cardiac patient, who had suddenly become unresponsive during the bus journey. Sunita, who has been working at Fortis Escorts hospital since 2021, was travelling from Batala to Amritsar when she noticed a male passenger lose consciousness. Without hesitation, she checked the passenger’s pulse and initiated CPR after making him lie down on the seat. After a few minutes, the Sunita, who has been working at Fortis Escorts hospital since 2021, was travelling from Batala to Amritsar when she noticed a male passenger lose consciousness. Without hesitation, she checked the passenger’s pulse and initiated CPR after making him lie down on the seat. patient regained consciousness and vomited, reporting a sense of relief and improvement in his condition. The relative accompanying him informed Sunita that the passenger had recently undergone cardiac stenting and was going to a government hospital for a check-up. Sunita’s act has been hailed as a testament to her professionalism and commitment to patient care. “As a nurse, my responsibility extends beyond the hospital walls. Every second counts in an emergency, and I am grateful that I could apply my training to save a life,” she said. Sunita’s heroic act has earned her praise from her colleagues and the patient’s family. Her bravery and quick thinking have reinforced the dignity of her profession and serves as an inspiration to others. 16 challaned for COTPA violations Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 19 Cracking the whip on tobacco violators, the Health Department has issued challans to 16 persons under the COTPA Act. During the drive, health officials also seized 12 e-cigarettes from various shops. The special drive is part of a larger campaign to make the district tobacco-free and strictly enforce the COTPA Act, stated Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur. A team, led by Dr Jaganjot Kaur, has been formed to inspect tobacco sellers in different areas of the city, said the official. Dr Jaganjot said during the drive, seven shopkeepers in Ranjit Avenue area were required to have a prescribed label on both sides of its packet. She said selling tobacco without following these criteria is a criminal offence and selling loose cigarettes and smoking tobacco in public places are also punishable. Amritsar, March 19 With the government providing free of cost boarding and lodging to stall operators who come from across the country to participate in Saras Mela — a regional fair showcasing handicrafts and handloom items from across the country — not all of them are aware of it while some are reluctant to avail it. Shamshad, Khalid, Arash and Sher Wali, who have come from Kabul to sell dry fruits sourced from across Afghanistan, said they were not aware of the accommodation facility as nobody had told them about it. Similarly, Ketan from Ludhiana who is selling readymade garments at the Mela said he was not aware of government-provided accommodation along with meals being offered for stall operators. An Iranian national, Mohammad Umar, who brought hand-made carpets of machine-manufactured silk from Ghazvin, said he along with his partner has set up a stall in the mela and it was for the first time that they were visiting the holy city. He stated that they were taken to the accommodation which is a common big hall where they were not comfortable. So, both of them were staying at a hotel. Rahul from Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh, who brought ceramic wares to the mela and Shahmim Ahmad from Saharanpur were all praise for the boarding and lodging facilities provided by the government at a community hall. Besides, pick-and-drop facility for stall operators was also there. On the third day of the 10day Saras Mela being organised in Amritsar to promote the craft of artisans, people enjoyed the songs sung by Punjabi singer Jai Singh while Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO specially arrived last evening to enjoy the mela. Additional Deputy Commissioner Paramjit Kaur, DDPO continued on page 2 Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 19 Hours after a petrol bomb was hurled at a liquor vend on the Fatehgarh Churian road in Majitha here on Tuesday night, US-based gangster-turned-terrorist Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, and his accomplice Jeeshan Akhtar on Wednesday claimed the responsibility on his alleged social media handle. He said the incident was a continuation of the previous hand grenade blasts occurred in Punjab in the US-based terrorist, his accomplice claim responsibility last four months. Two unidentified motorcycle-borne persons lobbed a petrol bomb at the liquor vend belonged to Amandeep Jaintipuria. Gurpreet Singh, manager of the liquor vend, told the police that at around 9 pm, two motorcycle-borne miscreants arrived near the tavern, lit the petrol bomb on fire and threw it at them. He said he along with other staff members immediately rushed out to save themselves while the suspects fled the scene while firing. During firing, a magazine of the pistol fell on the ground and they handed it over to the police. Senior police officials reached the spot and carried out investigations. On January 16, three persons had hurled a hand grenade at the residence of Congress leader Amandeep Kumar, son of late business and liquor trader Rajinder Kumar, alias Pappu Jain- tipuria, at Kathunangal. As the family was in Batala, no one was injured in the attack. Maninder Singh, SSP , Amritsar rural, said the probe was under way to identify the perpetrators. He said the facts were being verified. On his social media handle, Passia alleged that the government was targeting drug consumers and small-time peddlers by demolishing their houses while big fishes in the trade, including those police officials who were earlier booked by the police under the similar charges, were left out. Uncovered garbage trolleys leave a trail of filth on roads Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 19 The historic walled city is grappling with a garbage crisis, thanks to the municipal corporation’s lax attitude towards waste management. Residents are fed up as garbage flying off uncovered trucks lands on roads, making commuting difficult. Sometimes garbage comes crashing on the faces of those following the trolleys. Residents say that the MC’s garbage collection vehicles are often left uncovered, spreading filth onto roads. Garbage on roads is not only Tribune News Service Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO visits a stall during Saras Mela in Amritsar on Wednesday. Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 19 The Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested a Punjab Police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ~3,000 from a local resident for releasing his car. He was identified as ASI Sarabjit Singh, who is currently posted at the Islamabad police station here. A VB spokesman said the complainant had lodged a complaint on the anti-corruption continued on page 2 Health officials during the inspection at a cigarette shop in Amritsar. issued challans. She further said nine persons were found smoking in public place who too were issued challans. Dr Jaganjot said the COTPA Act will be strictly implemented in the district with every tobacco product Petrol bomb hurled at liquor vend in Majitha Tribune News Service 35th World Punjabi meet in October Day 3 of Saras Mela: Artisans unaware of facilities on offer Neeraj Bagga ASI nabbed for taking bribe Amritsar, March 19 Vice-chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr Karamjeet Singh has emphasised the need to strengthen the collaborative efforts of educational, cultural and literary institutions to promote lasting peace in South Asia. His statements were made during a meeting with Sehajpreet Singh Mangat, secretary general of the World Punjabi Congress, who visited the GNDU to discuss the conduct of 35th World Punjabi Conference, which will be held in October this year in Amritsar. Mangat also shared a message by Pakistani scholar and former PM, Fakhar Zaman, chairman of the World Punjabi Congress. During the meeting, Dr Karamjeet Singh and Mangat discussed the involvement of Punjab’s universities in the forthcoming World Punjabi Conference. Mangat revealed plans for the event, centred on the philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev. He highlighted the importance of maximising participation from educational institutions and announced his intention to meet with the vice-chancellors of all Punjab universities to ensure a strong presence of educators at the event. Mangat noted that the successful organisation of this conference in Amritsar would require substantial support from Guru Nanak Dev University. The conference is expected to attract around 100 writers, educators, intellectuals and media professionals from around the world, including guests from Pakistan. Dr Karamjeet Singh expressed his commitment to supporting the conference, contingent upon receiving the necessary approvals from the Punjab and Indian governments. c m y b An uncovered garbage trolley leaves behind a trail of filth in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR an eyesore, but also poses a health risk to commuters. “Driving behind an uncovered garbage truck or a trolley is troublesome as one fails to get past or drive behind it,” said Ranjit Singh, a resident. Kultar Singh, another resident, echoed similar sentiments. “Ours is a heritage city and it is being designated as a Smart City. The open garbage trolleys are not only an eyesore, but also unhygienic.” The situation is further complicated by the public’s lack of regard for cleanliness.Garbage gets piled up alongside roads and continued on page 2