19102025-JTR-01.qxd 10/18/2025 11:32 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune SEECHEWAL BATS FOR GREEN DIWALI, TOTAL BAN ON CRACKERS LUDHIANA CLINCH PUNJAB U-15 WOMEN’S CRICKET TITLE CELEBRITIES SHARE THEIR DIWALI TRADITIONS Seechewal said, “Let us keep Diwali a festival of happiness, not of pollution and noise.” P2 Former MP Avinash Rai Khanna, the chief guest, presented a cash prize of ~1 lakh and a trophy to Ludhiana. P2 Hope the festival of lights brings peace, joy and serenity into everyone’s lives, says actress Rubina Dilaik. P3 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 30°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 18°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.51 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:34 AM » SUNDAY | 19 OCTOBER 2025 | 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. Bhullar regales audience at Jashan-e-Diwali Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 18 Renowned Punjabi singer Gurnam Bhullar’s presence and energetic performances at Jashan-e-Diwali event organised by the CT Group of Institutions, North Campus, on Friday evening filled the air with festivities, melody and cheer. The Diwali party organised on the campus combined culture, celebration, and music. The evening commenced with a series of vibrant cultural performances, including energetic dance sequences, soulful musical acts, and an impressive freshers’ ramp walk that showcased the talent, confidence, and creativity of the new students. These performances infused the event with youthful spirit and festive enthusiasm. The event was attended by Vivek Kumar Modi, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Adampur, who attended as the chief guest along with his family. The entire campus shimmered with festive décor, diyas, and lights, creating an ambience of joy and unity. Chairman Charanjit Singh Channi expressed his delight, stating, Jashan-eDiwali at CT Group is not just a festival celebration but a symbol of togetherness, positivity, and youthful energy. Managing Director Dr. Manbir Singh shared, It’s heartwarming to see our students and staff celebrating with such enthusiasm. Park to come up in city in memory of Ghumman Biker killed in collision with truck near rly crossing Tribune News Service Garhshankar, October 18 A 24-year-old youth Abhay from village Dadyal died in a tragic road accident on the Chandigarh–Hoshiarpur highway near the Bhajjal railway crossing. The accident occurred around 12:30 pm when Abhay, riding his motorcycle from Sailakhurd to Garhshankar, collided head-on with a truck coming from the opposite direction. The collision was so severe that Abhay suffered critical head injuries. Locals immediately rushed him to the Civil Hospital, Garhshankar, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. It was learnt that Abhay was the only son of his parents and had lost his father in Dubai last year, deepening the family’s tragedy. His death has plunged the entire village Dadyal into mourning. Meanwhile, BJP Garhshankar halqa incharge Nimisha Mehta expressed concern over frequent mishaps at the Bhajjal crossing and urged the administration to install traffic lights at this accident-prone spot. She said proper traffic management could prevent further loss of life. Jalandhar, October 18 The local authorities have decided to name the park in Old Baradari after citybased bodybuilder Varinder Singh Ghumman, who died recently. Jalandhar Central Aam Aadmi Party halqa incharge Nitin Kohli said, “As part of the ‘Fit Central’ campaign, a park has been spruced up near the residences of the Deputy Commissioner and Police Commissioner. We will inaugurate it on October 23. As a special tribute, the park will be named after Ghumman, who is known for his achievements in bodybuilding and has long been regarded as a role model for the youth.” Kohli said Ghumman’s untimely death was a huge loss to the city and the sporting community. “During the candlelight march held in his memory last evening, I felt that something meaningful should be done in his honour, something that will inspire the future generations,” Kohli said. Following discussions with Mayor Vaneet Dhir, it was decided that key public spaces and sports facilities in the city would be dedicated to Ghumman’s memory. Alongside the park renaming, plans are also underway to name a road and a city square after him. “Ghumman was not just a bodybuilder ut he was an inspiration. He proved to the world that it’s possible to achieve excellence in fitness and bodybuilding while being vegetarian,” Kohli added. The initiative is part of the broader ‘Fit Central’ mission, which aims to promote sports and create a culture of fitness across Jalandhar. Dedicating this park to Ghumman is a significant step towards that vision, he said. Our Correspondent City gets firecracker market just two days before Diwali Circus ground selected as the site for this year’s market Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 18 After months of delays, controversies and objections, Jalandhar district has finally received its designated patakha market (firecracker market) just two days before Diwali. While the market is traditionally set up well in advance at Burlton Park, the ongoing construction of the Sports Hub complex at the park necessitated the search for an alternative venue. After much deliberation, an open ground near Pathankot Chowk, commonly known as the circus ground, was selected as the site for this year’s market. The hunt for a suitable location that met safety norms dragged on for months, with objections raised against nearly every shortlisted site. Locations such as Lyallpur Khalsa School, Ghas Mandi, and Beant Singh Park were considered but ultimately rejected. Further delays were caused by the Municipal Corporation’s objection to the setup of more than 20 stalls. Firecracker traders approached the High Court seeking permission to install additional The cracker market is set up at circus ground in Jalandhar. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH sheds, which prolonged the process even further. Now, with the market being set up on Dhanteras and just two days left for Diwali, traders are hopeful for brisk business. As many as 20 licensed wholesalers rushed to transport their stock to the site overnight. Even in the early hours of the morning, many stalls were still being established. Traders reported that nearly all firecrackers available this year are green crackers, in line with environmental regulations. Manufacturers have largely shifted to producing eco-friendly variants, which are seeing strong demand. Jalandhar has long been known for its enthusiasm for firecrackers — not just during Diwali, but also during cricket victories and weddings. Raghav Mahajan, a firecracker trader and member of the city’s Fireworks Association, said, “First we awaited clearance from the MC, and then a host of other factors delayed the market setup this year. The shops have finally been set up. This year, manufacturers have sent in green crackers, which are in high demand. Sales have just picked up, and we hope to make up for lost time in the next two days. Day one has already seen good business.” Sans salary for 7 months, aided school staff on warpath Markets abuzz with To observe Black Diwali Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 18 Due to the non-payment of salaries for several months, teachers and staff of government-aided schools have announced plans to observe a “Black Diwali” as a mark of protest against the state government. Government-aided teachers and other employees union staged a demonstration in Jalandhar today, demanding immediate release of pending salaries and resolution of their grievances. Gathered at the DAC in Jalandhar, the employees raised slogans against the government, the CM and Finance Minister. They also warned if the government doesn’t clear their pending dues, they will air their ire during the Tarn Taran byelection. Abbit Masih, state vicepresident of the union, said Aided schools teachers protest against the government at Shalimar Bhag in Kaurthala on Saturday for the non-receipt of salary despite festive season. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH thousands of teachers and employees of governmentaided schools have not received their salaries for the last seven months. He said despite repeated meetings with officials and ministers of the Education and Finance Department, salary has not been released to thousands of teachers and employees working in these schools after March 2025. He said in the name of audit of the managements of aided schools, the salaries of the employees have been stopped. While the department does not have sufficient staff to conduct the audit, there is a shortage of section officers. Union leaders said for the first time since 1967, the state government has stopped the grant of the staff on the pretext of audit of the management committees. They said the government is conspiring to close the aided schools. On festivals like Dasehra and Diwali, when other state governments give DA installments or salary bonuses to the employees, the aided employees are being forced to celebrate the festival without salary. They said due to non-payment of salaries for a long time, the economic condition of the employees has deteriorated. The government, which credits itself with bringing about an educational revolution, has not given any hearing and has not done anything. The union leaders strongly condemned the government for embarrassing the employees of these schools, amid the festive season, by not paying their salaries. Union leaders said Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal had announced during the election that he would issue 100 per cent grant to the aided schools on the Delhi pattern. But nothing on these lines happened. Dhanteras shoppers Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 18 City markets were abuzz with shoppers on Dhanteras on Saturday. Footfall started in the markets since the start of the day and it continued till late evening. There was huge traffic on all roads as the entire city seemed to have come out to make purchases. The commuters had to patiently wait for an hour to cover a distance which normally takes just about 8-10 minutes. Shops selling utensils, jewellery and automobiles remained occupied with buyers. Even as the rate of 22 karat gold remained Rs 1.20 lakh for 10g today, it did not deter buyers from making purchases. Jalandhar also saw the opening of a new gold store today near Guru Amardass Chowk Tyaani Jewellery - a brand of film director Karan Johar. In Bartan Bazaar, brass utensils remained more in demand. Automobile companies which have already been getting a good response from the buyers since the start of the Navratris and reduction in GST slabs, again saw a huge spurt in the sales. Gurinder Pal Singh, owner of automobile showroom, said, “It seemed as if everyone was waiting for this auspicious occasion to make the purchase and also take advantage of the GST cut. We expect to cross billing of 500 scooters by the time we close the showroom in the evening”. Jalandhar DC gets 15-day notice to remove Latifpura encroachments Diwali dhoom Tribune News Service Students of KMV perform a dance during the opening day of Diwali Fiesta in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH c m y b Jalandhar, October 18 After the local administration failed to get removed illegal encroachments by Latifpura residents on 120 feet road abutting Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar as per the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the plaintiffs have started legal action by getting a notice issued on the matter. Sohan Singh of Model Town and Rabinder Singh of Rishi Nagar have got a notice issued to the Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, through their lawyer Ranjit Bajaj, saying that they would wait for 15 days, failing which he they would file a contempt petition in the court. The plaintiffs have said when the matter came up for hearing in the High Court on July 29, it was pointed out that there is widespread encroachment on 120 feet road which is preventing access of the residents to the schools, hospitals, etc. The HC disposed of the petition with a direction to the DC to get removed the encroachments within one month from the date of receipt of the certified copy of order. The order had been passed in the presence of Assistant Advocate General, Punjab. “Though the stipulated period of one month has lapsed long ago, the encroachments have not been removed from the 120 feet wide road. In this regard, my clients have visited the office of the DC on a number of times with a request to get the encroachments removed at the earliest. The encroachments are causing a lot of problem to my clients as well as other residents of the locality. The period of one month has lapsed long ago but not even a single encroachment has been removed. The only plea being made is that meetings have been held with the Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar, and the Commissioner of the MC, Jalandhar, however, no meaningful outcome has emerged to date”, reads the copy of the notice. The notice further mentions, “It shows the noticee is intentionally and wilfully not complying with the order passed by the High Court. I call upon you to remove the encroachments within 15 days from the date of receipt of this notice, failing which I have specific instructions from my clients to file contempt petition in the High Court against you.”