22122025-CT-01.qxd 12/22/2025 12:26 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune GUDDI, NIDHI BAG GOLD MEDALS IN BOXING MEET 251 TREES TO FACE AXE AMID MOHALI’S SOARING AQI CRISIS THE YEAR 2025, WHEN BRIDES CHOSE THEMSELVES 24th Senior Women Chandigarh State Boxing meet concludes at Sector 7 Sports Complex. P3 Several trees felled in Sector 79, activists highlight the hypocrisy over green policies. P4 Gaurav Gupta’s new collection is designed for Gen Z couples unwilling to perform roles ‘written’ for them P5 » » AIR QUALITY INDEX CHANDIGARH 193 PANCHKULA 340 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD WHAT’S ON APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 43 & 45 Mohali: Sectors 70, 78 & Phase 5 Panchkula: MDC, Sector 5 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com POWER SHUTDOWN MOHALI 10 am to 4 pm (Dec 22, 23): New and old Sunny Colonies, Sectors123,124,125, Hussainpur, Manana , Jhampur and Jandpur villages, Thaska, Behlolpur, Tadauli, Raipur, Desumajra, Fartullapur and Harlalpur INBRIEF MAN ARRESTED WITH PISTOL Panchkula: The Crime Branch, Sector 19, has arrested a habitual offender with a countrymade pistol and cartridges. He is the main suspect in an attempted snatching targeting an elderly woman in Kalka on November 19, during which she was assaulted. The accused has been identified as Nitin (38), a resident of village Tipra, Kalka. His accomplice in the snatching attempt has already been arrested. A case under the Arms Act has been registered against him at Kalka. TNS /THETRIBUNECHD P’kula air 3rd most polluted in North Mohali, December 21 The police have booked a girl, Aditi, alias Navdeep, and her accomplice for allegedly duping a 32-yearold man, Ankit Jaggi, a resident of Ropar, of his gold ornaments worth Rs 12 lakh and Rs 70,000 cash after drugging him. The complainant reported that he was the owner of a brick-kiln, and came in contact the girl through a dating app. He fixed a meeting with her on December 13 around 10:30 pm near the Jubilee Walk shopping mall in Sector 70. While having coffee in his car, the girl asked him to get a cigarette. While he was out to get a cigarette, she mixed something in his coffee. As planned, they booked a room in Hotel Gill Lodge. After I lost consciousness in the room, the girl took away 6.5-tola gold chain, 5.5-tola gold MAX 21°C | MIN 11°C YESTERDAY MAX 21°C | MIN 8.8°C SUNRISE TUESDAY 7.15 AM FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Chrysanthemum Show ends Monitoring accuracy under scrutiny as AQI swings Tribune News Service Panchkula, December 21 Panchkula recorded the thirdhighest air pollution level in North India this evening, prompting concerns not only over deteriorating air quality but also the reliability of pollution-monitoring system amid unusually sharp fluctuations in official readings. At 8.05 pm on December 21, the city’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 340, categorised as very poor. Only Delhi and Ghaziabad reported worse air quality, with AQI levels of 373 and 353, respectively, at 8:05 pm on Sunday. Panchkula ranked above Baddi (328), Jind (329), Gurugram (321) and Rohtak (318), reflecting the widespread impact of winter pollution across the region. Official data over the past four days reveals extreme variation in Panchkula’s air quality. On December 18, the AQI was 346 (very poor), before dropping sharply to 145 (moderate) on December 19 — an improvement of over 200 points within a single day. This was followed by a sudden spike to 361 (very poor) WORST POLLUTED CITIES Only Delhi and Ghaziabad reported worse air quality, with AQI levels of 373 and 353, respectively, at 8:05 pm on Sunday. Panchkula, with 340 AQI, ranked above Baddi (328), Jind (329), Gurugram (321) and Rohtak (318), reflecting the widespread impact of winter pollution across the region. on December 20, before easing slightly to 340 on December 21 evening. Such abrupt swings contrast with trends in neighbouring Chandigarh, where changes were more consistent. Chandigarh recorded an AQI level of 266 (poor) on December 18, 254 (poor) on December 19, 302 (very poor) on December 20 and then improved to 216 (poor) on December 21. Environmental observers noted that while both cities were affected by winter pollution, Panchkula’s volatility stood out. Experts say that variations of this magnitude, without a corresponding change in meteorological conditions or emission sources, raise questions Dense fog likely from Christmas Eve in city Tribune News Service Chandigarh, December 21 Christmas celebrations are likely to be overshadowed by fog with weatherman forecasting dense fog in the city on the eve of Christmas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted partly cloudy sky on December 22 and mainly clear sky on December 23, but partly cloudy weather with dense fog from December 24 to 26. Sunshine was slightly better today in comparison to yesterday. There was a rise of 2.7 degrees in the temperature in the past 24 hours. The maximum temperature in the city was recorded at 21 degree Celsius, which was 0.4 above normal. Similarly, the average minimum temperature dropped by 2.5 degree Celsius in the past 24 hours in the city. The minimum temperature was logged at 8.8 degree Celsius, which was 1.1 degree above normal. about local monitoring mechanisms and data generation. Some specialists point to the need for closer scrutiny of sensor calibration, station placement and data averaging methods, particularly during winter when fog and a lower boundary layer can interfere with accurate readings. Commenting on the broader regional pattern, Dr Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environmental Health at the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, said in a public health advisory: “North India continues to experience unhealthy air quality with AQI remaining in poor category. Unfavourable winter meteorology, lower boundary layer and fog limit pollutant dispersion are increasing exposure risks, especially for vulnerable groups.” Health officials have advised residents, especially children, senior citizens and those with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor activities. With winter conditions likely to persist, experts stress the need not only for pollution control but also robust air quality monitoring. 10 flights cancelled Mohali, December 21 Ten flights were cancelled due to fog and poor visibility at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport his this morning. As many as three arrivals and seven departures had to be put off due to bad weather conditions. Early morning arrivals from Delhi, Pune around 5:30 am were cancelled. The departures to Mumbai, Goa, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bèngaluru and Delhi also had to be cancelled. Flight operations to these major destinations have been disrupted for the past one week. — TNS Girl drugs brick-kiln owner, flees with gold worth ~12 lakh Tribune News Service PARTLY CLOUDY SUNSET MONDAY 5.28 PM » MONDAY | 22 DECEMBER 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST Victim contacted her through dating app bracelet and 5-gm ring he was wearing. She took him to the car and fled the scene in a white-coloured Punjab registration car along with a boy. The complainant stated that they checked in around 12:30 am and the girl robbed him at the hotel room within just 10 minutes. “I was in a semiconscious state till 4:30 am. When I fully regained senses, I informed the Kharar police and got admitted to the Phase-6 Civil Hospital, Mohali,” said the victim. A case has been registered against the suspects for causing hurt by administering intoxicating substances with intent to commit another offence, extortion combined with violence and criminal conspiracy, at the Mataur police station on December 19. c m y b Visitors throng the Terraced Garden in Sector 33 on the concluding day of the 38th Chrysanthemum Show on Sunday. PHOTO: VICKY PGI blossoms at Delhi rose event, 17 entries steal show Amit Shah to be in P’kula on Dec 24 Tribune News Service Rahul Gahlawat Tribune News Service New Delhi, December 21 The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI), Chandigarh, has bagged several trophies and cups in different categories at the Annual Winter Rose Show held at the India-Africa Friendship Rose Garden in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. The exhibition featured 10 major organisations and more than 200 individual exhibitors from across the country, making it one of the capital’s largest rose shows. Various institutions, including NDMC, CPWD, HUDA, Chandigarh PGI and IARI–Pusa, competed in various categories. The PGI team won the NN Mohan Challenge Trophy, Rose Society Challenge Cup and Rose Society Challenge Trophy, among others. Out of 60 competitions across various categories, the Chandigarh team triumphed in 17. A panel of scientists and rose specialists from institu- Roses from the PGI, Chandigarh, displayed at the All-India Winter Rose Show organised in New Delhi. PHOTO: MUKESH AGGARWAL tions such as the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) and the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) in Pune, Bhopal, Kolkata and Faridabad judged the entries. According to officials, the exhibition showcased more than 70 rose varieties, divided into 22 classes and over 175 sections, with around 1,250 exhibits on display. Displays included potgrown roses in standard, floribunda and miniature varieties; cut flowers; planters; artistic bouquets; garlands; “gajras” and other valueadded rose products. It also highlighted greenhouse-grown roses, soil-less cultivation techniques, and captivating Ikebana floral arrangements. Organised by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) in collaboration with the Rose Society of India, the event traces its roots back to 1961, when the Rose Society of India began hosting its annual All-India Winter Rose Show in the national capital. Panchkula, December 21 Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Panchkula on December 24 to attend a series of programmes alongside Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Commissioner and Secretary of the Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture Department Amit Agrawal conducted a review of the arrangements for Shah’s visit. Panchkula Deputy Commissioner Satpal Sharma was also present during the review meeting. Shah will attend the “Sahibzadon Ko Naman” programme as chief guest at the Indradhanush Auditorium in Sector 5 on the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas. The Home Minister will also take the salute at the police passingout parade at Tau Devi Lal Sports Stadium, Sector 3. Another major highlight of the visit will be the unveiling of the statue of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Atal Park in MDC, Sector 1.