06112025-ATR-01.qxd 11/5/2025 11:41 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune YOUTH AKALI DAL CONDUCTS ‘DASTAR LANGAR’ IN TARN TARAN SUMMER PALACE ILLUMINATED ON GURU NANAK JAYANTI Devotees from across the country and around the world paid obeisance at the Golden Temple on Gurpurb. P2 MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 26°C | MIN 13°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 15°C PUNJABI SENSATION KARAN AUJLA’S SONG RECREATED On Gurpurb, the Youth Akali Dal organised a special 'Dastar Langar' at Sri Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran. P2 FORECAST Punjabi sensation Karan Aujla’s hit song White Brown Black has been recreated for Ajay Devgn’s film. P4 » » SUNSET THURSDAY 5.36 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6.51 AM » THURSDAY | 6 NOVEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Properties of four peddlers attached Aided school teachers threaten ‘mass arrests’ over salaries Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 5 The Amritsar Rural Police on Wednesday attached movable and immovable assets, worth around ~1.33 crore, of four drug smugglers falling under the Lopoke police station. Confirming this, SSP (Rural) Maninder Singh said the freezed assets included properties, land, cars, tractors and others. A property worth Rs 59.80 lakh of Jodhbir Singh of Vaniake village was freezed after over 2 kg heroin was recovered from him. A property worth Rs 11.52 lakh of Balwinder Singh of Gharinda village was freezed after the seizure of over 6 kg of heroin from him. A property worth Rs 62 lakh of Gurpreet Singh of Chicha village was freezed after over 6 kg of heroin was seized from him. Besides, asset worth Rs 10,000 of Lovepreet Singh of Rajatal village was freezed after over 6 kg heroin was recovered from his possession. Amritsar, November 5 As the state observed Gurpurb of Guru Nanak Dev, members of the Aided School Union on Wednesday convened a meeting to address the persistent issue of non-payment of salaries for the last eight months. Gurmeet Singh Madnipur, state president of the Aided School Union Punjab, chaired the meeting held in Amritsar in connection with the November 7 protest and the Jail Bharo movement. The meeting was held at DAV School, Hathi Gate. Madnipur said the government has not released the salaries of 1,700 employees of aided schools for the last eight months. “The state government is delaying the release of grants by issuing some new letter on audit of school funds without any reason. The Punjab Government is conspiring to close these legacy schools on the pretext of checking the accounts of the manage- Illegal mining rampant in Ravi riverbed in Pathankot Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Members of the Aided School Union at DAV School in the Hathi Gate area of Amritsar. ments of aided schools. We have been running from one official to official to get our grievances addressed, but till date we have been ignored,” he said. The union has now demanded the government to withdraw its unnecessary letters and release salaries till December. “If the pend- ing salaries of aided school employees are not released by November 6, then on November 7, all aided school employees will court arrest at the DC office, Tarn Taran, and the correspondents of all managing committees will also resign from their posts,” said Madnipur. Pathankot, November 5 Illegal mining is going on unabated in the riverbed of the Ravi in Bhoa, Pathankot — a development that not only threatens the local ecosystem but also risks altering the river’s natural course, potentially endangering nearby residents. Pathankot is a mining rich district with Bhoa being the epicentre. This has resulted in a free for all for unscrupulous elements, including middle rung politicians, who care least for the ecological system. In Saharanpur village, which falls in Bhoa, scores of trucks are ferrying the sand extracted from river Ravi’s riverbed to different cities. Nearly 15 porcelain machines are excavating sand under the guise of the state government’s policy of ‘Jisda Khet, Usdi Ret.’ Under this policy, Illegal mining being carried out at Saharanpur village of Bhoa in Pathankot district. farmers are allowed to extract and sell sand from their flood-damaged fields without permits to help them recover financially. In the guise of this policy, people in Saharanpur are actually excavating sand from the river bed of the Ravi. Extracting sand from river beds is strictly banned in Punjab. Officials admitted that this scheme was being exploited to the hilt by the mining mafia. Illegal mining bypasses regulatory oversight and tax payments, resulting in substantial revenue loss for the government. Just three days ago, the police had seized three machines from the site in Saharanpur. Subsequently, an FIR was registered against unknown persons under the mines and minerals act (development and regulation), 1957, at the Taragarh police station. The cops are investigating the case. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pallavi said, “We are looking into the matter. If illegal excavation of sand is taking place anywhere in this district, we will act strictly.” Sources say the police cannot do much if such incidents are brought to their notice as they can act only after the mining department files a complaint with them. “According to rules, we provide security to mining department officials when they raid a site. An FIR can be registered only if officials of the department make a complaint with us,” said SSP Daljinder Singh Dhillon. BJP’s Vijay Sampla attacks Cong Devotees pay obeisance at Golden Temple on Gurpurb during Tarn Taran campaign Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, November 5 Vijay Sampla, senior BJP leader and former chairman of the National Scheduled Castes Commission, strongly criticized the Congress party, accusing it of maintaining an anti-poor and anti-Dalit mindset. Sampla was in Tarn Taran on Wednesday to campaign for BJP candidate Harjit Singh Sandhu for the upcoming Tarn Taran Vidhan Sabha by-election, accompanied by several senior party leaders. Addressing a press conference, Sampla alleged that the Congress has historically nurtured hatred towards the Dalit and underprivileged communities. “The Congress party has always displayed a narrow and discriminatory mentality. Its Punjab unit president, Raja Warring, has unleashed the fire of hatred through his comments against Dalits,” Sampla said. Sampla urged people to recognise what he called the Senior BJP leader Vijay Sampla accompanied by other party leaders addresses mediapersons in Tarn Taran on Wednesday. Congress party’s divisive attitude and to instead support the BJP’s inclusive policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He highlighted the various welfare schemes initiated by the Central Government aimed at empowering the poor and marginalised sections of society. Prominent BJP leaders, including SC Morcha state vice-president Paramjit Singh Kaith, Kisan Morcha national leader Sarabjit Kaur and several others, were present during the event. Concluding his address, Sampla remarked, “The history of the Congress party is dirty and murky. The people of this country now fully understand its double standards and politics of discrimination.” Amritsar, November 5 On the occasion of 556th Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev, a sea of devotees, including CM Bhagwant Mann along with his family, paid obeisance at the Golden Temple today. Demanding re-opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, which leads to the shrine in Pakistan where the founder of the Sikhism lived a long part of his life, he said when the Union Government does not have any reservation at playing cricket matches with Pakistan, then the corridor should never be closed. He urged that keeping in view the sentiments of the devotees, the Union Home Ministry should immediately initiate the process of reopening the corridor so that they can have darshan of the sacred site sanctified by the footsteps of Guru Nanak Dev. He added that devotees from India could return within just four hours after visiting Kartarpur shrine. There seems no logical reason to keep the corridor closed, adding that since a jatha of Sikh devotees has already travelled to Pakistan, there A large number of devotees at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday. VISHAL KUMAR 1 LAKH GHEE DIYAS LIGHTED AT NIGHT ■ The grand celebrations that culminated in the evening saw devotees lighting over 1 lakh ghee diyas inside the shrine complex, as the Golden Temple shone with lights as bright as the sun. An impressive 15-minute fireworks display enthralled everyone present in and around the shrine. Besides, an estimated three lakh devotees paid obeisance at Darbar Sahib. should be no delay in reopening the Kartarpur Corridor. The Chief Minister prayed for the development of the state, peace and tranquility of its residents and ‘Sarbat Da Bhalla’. He refused to comment on Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring’s allegedly “casteist remarks” made against former Union Home Minister Buta Singh during an election rally in Tarn Taran on November 11. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), on Tuesday, issued a notice to the Tarn Taran deputy commissioner and SSP to submit the action taken report within seven days of the receipt of the notice. Elaborating about his government’s efforts to provide amenities to devotees visiting the Sikh shrine, he said planning was to modernise the parking facilities and clean roads. “Endorsing the statement of the Punjab CM to open the Kartarpur Corridor, Gurpreet Singh of the Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha said alongside the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari and Joint Check Posts (JCP) at Hussainiwala and Sadiqqi must also be opened to facilitate trade of the North Indian States using the road route to CIS countries and Eurasia. This would help in ensuring peace in the region as also achieve the goal of trade of 100 billion USD the Government has set for 2030.” Amidst continuous flow of divine Gurbani, devotees, who arrived from across the country and around the world, were making a beeline to pay obeisance at the holiest Sikh shrine — Golden Temple — since the wee hours. On the occasion, a “Jalau” (show of splendour), displaying rare and precious articles, artifacts, was held at the sanctum sanctorum, Akal Takht, and Gurdwara Baba Attal Rai, all situated inside the Golden Temple complex. Harmandar Sahib and other shrines were tastefully decorated and illuminated with lights. Religious societies, faithfuls and various organisations held langars and distributed food among the devotees. A religious diwan was organised at Diwan Hall Gurdwara Manji Sahib. Turban museum draws crowds of tourists on Gurpurb PHDCCI Chairman pushes for business edu in Punjab varsities Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 5 On the occasion of Gurpurb of Guru Nanak Dev, a large number of tourists flocked to the turban museum — a unique attraction located within Qila Gobindgarh. The museum, which showcases the evolution and cultural significance of the Sikh turban, witnessed an impressive footfall of visitors from across India. Dharampal Rathour, a visitor from Karnataka, said, “This is the first time I have seen a museum dedicated to turbans. It beautifully presents the tradition followed since the time of Guru Nanak Dev.” The museum offers a detailed insight into how the Sikh turban has evolved over centuries, remaining a pow- Manjit Singh Ferozepuria shows different styles of turbans at the museum in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR erful symbol of faith and identity. Amsfred, a tourist from Tamil Nadu, shared his excitement: “I am fascinated to see such a vast collection of turbans under one roof. It’s amazing to learn about the diversity and significance of each style. The museum tru- ly answers why Sikhs wear different kinds of turbans.” The artistic display owes much to Manjit Singh Ferozepuria, who crafted more than 30 mannequins wearing distinct styles of turbans. “When the team from Gobindgarh Fort contacted me years ago to design the turbans, I immediately accepted. For two decades, I’ve been promoting the art of turban-tying and have even worked with Punjabi film stars like Ammy Virk,” he said. He explained that following the creation of the Khalsa Panth, the Dumala Dastar was among the earliest styles of turbans. “It was compared to a flag — a small piece of cloth fluttering in the air as Nihang Singhs rode their horses,” he added. Each mannequin in the c m y b museum is dressed in attire from its respective era. The Bana (traditional dress) of the Nihang Sikhs, complete with martial gear, transports visitors to the valiant past of Sikh warriors. Particularly captivating was the turban of a Sikh soldier from the British Raj period and the royal turbans worn by Maharajas, adorned with a kalgi (plume). The exhibition also includes turbans worn by Sikh women and the patka, a simpler headgear made famous on the international stage by legendary cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi. The museum stands as a vibrant tribute to the Sikh heritage, celebrating the turban as both a symbol of spirituality and pride that has remained unchanged since the time of Guru Nanak Devi. Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 5 Karan Gilhotra, Chairman of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Punjab, met former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi and Punjab Aam Aadmi Party in-charge Manish Sisodia and proposed to ensure the role of the chamber in the Business Blaster Scheme launched by the government for school and college level students. Gilhotra has invited them to attend the Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX2025) to be held next month in Amritsar. During this meeting, Karan Gilhotra told Manish Sisodia that PITEX has been organised for the last 18 years. Every year, two and a half to three lakh people come to this event during the five day span. This time, more than 500 businessmen from all over the country are participating. Gilhotra, who is also the founder of Plaksha University, Mohali, discussed the need for compulsory business classes in Punjab universities, where every student is given the opportunity to think, understand and research a business idea. Given the scale and platform, the entrepreneurs of the PHDCCI can promote start-ups in collaboration with the government. We will welcome student entrepreneurs from government schools under the business blaster program at PITEX this year,” he said. Gilhotra discussed in detail with Manish Sisodia the mentorship scheme being run for the School of Eminence and expressed interest in involving industrialists and chamber representatives associated with the PHD Chamber of Commerce. Manish Sisodia assured the chamber of all possible support from the Punjab government. Business Blaster program is a flagship program launched inspired by a similar program in Delhi, that aims to turn students into entrepreneurs by teaching them practical business skills and providing seed money. Students in classes 11 and 12 can work in teams to develop business ideas, with selected students receiving a Rs 2,000 seed grant to start their projects.