27122025-JTR-01.qxd 12/26/2025 11:28 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune A YEAR OF FLOODS AND STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL 1,101 YAGYA KUNDS PREPARED FOR GLOBAL PEACE RITUAL WHEN MUSIC TOOK CENTRE STAGES Swollen rivers submerged thousands of acres, wiping out months of labour & investment in a matter of days. P2 Preparations are in full swing at Hoshirapur’s Shri Siddheshwar Shiv Temple, where Rudra Mahayagya is scheduled.P3 Playback singer Abhijeet Ghoshal on how Indian singing reality shows shifted from musical rigour to market spectacle. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 19°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 20°C | MIN 8°C SUNSET SATURDAY 5.32 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 7.25 AM » SATURDAY | 27 DECEMBER 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. Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan begins with soulful strains of shehnai, dhrupad, sitar Arrangements made to accommodate 2,000 enthusiasts in 90x180 feet pandal Miscreants open fire at warehouse in Kapurthala Phagwara, December 26 Panic gripped the Sultanpur Lodhi road area of Kapurthala yesterday night after unidentified assailants opened fire at warehouse of a wholesale grocery trader and later demanded extortion from him through a WhatsApp call. The firing incident occurred around 1.30 am, prompting an immediate response from district police officials. While confirming the incident, Gaurav Toora, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kapurthala, said a total of five rounds were fired at the warehouse. Preliminary examination revealed two bullet marks on main gate and three on shutter of the warehouse. Though, no one was injured in the incident, panic spread among residents and traders in the area. According to police sources, shortly after firing, the trader received a WhatsApp call from a foreign number in which the caller allegedly demanded extortion amounting to several lakhs. The trader immediately informed the police, following which senior officers reached the spot and initiated a probe into the incident. The police are closely examining CCTV footage of cameras from the surrounding area of the warehouse to trace movement and identity of the accused. Based on physical evidence collected from the spot, the case is being investigated from multiple angles, including organised extortion threats. Officials have assured that perpetrators of the crime would be identified and arrested soon. The police also initiated the process of registering a case against unknown persons in this connection. Body recovered from Mukerian power house gates Our Correspondent Talwara, December 26 A body of a man has been recovered by the Hajipur police from the gates of power house No. 2 of the Mukerian Hydel Project. The body recovered from the power house gates was identified as that of Gurnam Singh, a resident of Ghagwal village. Deceased Gurnam Singh’s father Ratan Singh said his son had been missing from home since December 14. He said Gurnam was suffering from mental distress. Ratan Singh said a report was immediately filed at the Hajipur police station after Gurnam went missing. Upon receiving information about recovery of the body form the power house gates, family members reached the spot. The condition of the body was very bad as it had remained in canal for 10 days. The police handed over deceased’s body to the family. PHOTO: HARIVALLABH ARCHIVES Our Correspondent The erstwhile samadhi and temple of Baba Harivallabh; one of the oldest invitations of the 1926 sangeet sammelan sent by Pundit Tula Ram; and (right) Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar performs a dhrupad recital at the 150th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan in Jalandhar on Friday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 26 The 150th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan got off to a warm start with mangal dhwani of shehnai from grounds of the Shri Devi Talab Mandir here today. A landmark event in the history of Harivallabh celebrations, the 150th year celebrations are aimed to host a larger gathering compared to previous years. The sammelan is dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and also to Banaras Gharana virtuoso Pt Chhannulal Mishra who passed away earlier this year. A stirring Saraswati Vandana recital from students of HMV College, followed by mellifluous shabad recital from students of the Jawaddi Taksal and pakhawaj recital from last year’s music contest winner Prakash Mestri, acted as precursors to the day’s events. The evening featured rousing mangal dhwani of shehnai by Pt Shailesh Bhagwat, accompanied by Kedar Jadhav on shehnai, Anshdeep Singh Namdhari on Tar shehnai and Ajay Gaikwad on tabla. This was followed by Dagar Vani virtuoso Pt Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar’s deep, resounding Dhrupad notes — remindful of saints who first initiated the Harivallabh tradition. Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar was accompanied by Pt Mohan Shyam Sharma on Pakhawaj. Until the filing of this report, the remaining recitals were yet to follow. Arrangements have been made to accommodate 2,000 people in a 90x80 feet pandal, at the Shree Devi Talab Mandir grounds in Jalandhar, for the sangeet sammelan. A warm, inviting pandal with a flower-laden decor and a stage backdrop ushers audiences at sammelan. Amidst biting chill of Punjab, 40 heaters will keep music lovers warm. Dispending with the usually favoured marigolds, special pink and white Carnations and Dahlias decked up the pandal this year. Special designers also decked main stage of the sammelan venue with floral patterns. Purnima Beri, president, Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Mahasabha, said, “Arrangements have been made for 2,000 people this year. We are looking forward to enthusiastic support from music lovers of the region. A chowk commemorated to the Harivallabh will also be unveiled shortly. We are hoping it will be inaugurated in a day or two.” Sterling line up of classical music artistes at the festival this year includes Pt Sajan Mishara, with son Swaransh Mishra; Pt Ronu MajumdarShashank Subramnyam; Ashwini Bhide; Pt Sanjeev Abhyankar; and Pt Vijay Ghate-V Selvaganesh- Naveen Sharma-Shikharnaad Qureshi, among others. Chowk to be unveiled on sammelan’s 150th anniv The city of Jalandhar is also all set to get a special thoroughfare (chowk) — complete with musical instruments — to commemorate the festival’s 150-year-old legacy this year. The Doaba Chowk, closest to Devi Talab Mandir, is all set to be dedicated to sammelan. A 15-feet monument featuring a sitar, veena and tabla has been constructed as a tribute to Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan completing its 150 years. The funds for the fixtures, coming up at a cost of Rs 15 lakh, were donated by Doaba College and a private hospital in the city. Currently wrapped up, the chowk is expected to be inaugurated by Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat tomorrow or day after., Jalandhar Mayor Vanit Dhir said, “Since it is the 150th year of the Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, a chowk will be dedicated to commemorate 150-year-old legacy of the event this year. A monument will be unveiled in a day or two, as a tribute to sammelan. I have also asked all councillors and officials to visit to the music festival. The Municipal Corporation will extend all help and co-operation to make the event a grand affair.” The Mayor will be attend sammelan tomorrow. On Friday, day one of the sammelan, the customary mangal dhwani of the shehnai played by Pt Shailesh Bhagwat was followed by a dhrupad recital by Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar. Next came sitar-cello jugalbandi by classical music’s talented couple Pt Shubhendra Rao and Saskia Rao-de-Haas. The musical evening reached its conclusion with a recital by folk icon Malini Awasthi who is also Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan brand ambassador for its 150th edition. Man duped of ~12.17L via fake app Two youth arrested with Our Correspondent Nakodar, December 26 In a case highlighting the growing threat of cyberenabled financial fraud, the Shahkot police have registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following allegations of cheating an amount of Rs 12.17 lakh through a fraudulent investment application. A case has been registered against unknown persons in this connection. According to the police, a complaint was filed by Amritpal Singh, a resident of Jain Colony, near the Patwarkhana, in Shahkot. In his complaint, the victim stated that he was lured into investing money through an online application named “Neo Wealth”. Singh claimed that he began investing on October 13, and initially deposited approximately Rs 7.5 lakh through the app. The complainant further alleged that the application falsely displayed an inflated profit of Rs 82,36,776, creating an illusion of high returns on his investments. When Singh attempted to withdraw the amount, he was allegedly asked to deposit additional money on the pretext of service tax and other charges. Trusting representations made through the app, he transferred an additional amount of Rs 4.67 lakh via app. The complainant stated that an amount of Rs 12,17,500 was taken from him by unidentified individuals operating the fake investment platform. Realising that he had been duped, Singh approached the authorities and submitted details of multiple transactions done through the app till Novem- ber 26, 2025, while seeking legal action. Following a preliminary inquiry, the police registered a formal case under Section 318(4) of the BNS, which pertains to cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. Officials said efforts were underway to trace the digital trail, identify the accused who committed fraud, and recover the defrauded amount. The police have urged the public to exercise caution while investing online, verify the authenticity of digital investment platforms, and report any suspicious activity immediately. The police reiterated that cybercrime cases were being taken up with seriousness. Strict action would be taken against those found involved in such fraudulent activities, the police said. 20 gm heroin in Banga Our Correspondent Banga, December 26 The police have arrested two peddlers and recovered 20 gm heroin from them during a routine checking operation in Banga. Superintendent of Police Sarabjit Bahia said on Friday that a case was registered under Sections 21 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act against the accused. According to officials, a team from the Banga police station was checking suspicious persons on the Happowal road near the bus stand. During operation, the police spotted two youth walking on foot. On noticing the police, they reportedly became nervous. One of them threw a plastic envelope from his left hand onto the roadside. Suspecting illegal activity, the police team detained both individuals. Upon checking the discarded envelope, the police recovered heroin. The two accused were identified as Kulwant Ram, a resident of Khandiyan village, and Manish Kumar, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar, Banga. Both the accused were arrested on the spot and a case was registered against them. TruckenroutetoGarhshankar collides with private bus; passengers escape narrowly Our Correspondent Garhshankar, December 26 A truck and a bus collided near a marriage palace near Padrana village on the Garhshankar-Hoshiarpur main road. Bus passengers escaped unhurt, while the truck driver was seriously injured in the accident. According to reports, a truck (bearing registration number PB 08 FL 3551), going from Hoshiarpur to Garhshankar, collided head-on with a private bus (bearing registration number PB 03 AP 7188). The bus was going from Chandigarh to Pathankot. Both vehicles were coming from the opposite direction when the accident happened near Padrana village. After collision, the truck veered off the road and rammed into a tree, trapping the driver inside. He was extricated with the help of a tractor and taken to a hospital. Bus conductor Balwinder Singh stated that the driver suffered an eye injury. Bus driver Harjinder Singh stated that passengers on the bus were safely evacuated from the vehicle. Truck driver Happy Singh, a resident of Jandali, Jalandhar, was seriously injured in the accident. He was admitted to the Civil Hospital, Garhshankar, for treatment. The police arrived at spot and began an investigation into the incident. The truck, which collided head-on with a bus, on the Garhshankar-Hoshiarpur main road on Friday. 3 hurt in scuffle between two car drivers on flyover Our Correspondent Phagwara, December 26 A tense situation was witnessed on the JCT Mill flyover on Thursday afternoon when a minor traffic dispute between two car drivers escalated into a violent clash, leaving three people injured. What began as a verbal altercation reportedly turned physical within minutes, disrupting traffic movement and alarming passersby on the flyover. According to eyewitnesses, the incident was triggered when one car allegedly attempted to suddenly overtake other vehicle on the flyover, prompting objections from its driver, who was following behind. The disagreement led both drivers to stop their cars on the roadside, where the argument intensified between the two. It is alleged that during confrontation, one group attacked the other using bricks and an iron rod, resulting in injuries. Upon receiving information, the police rushed to the spot, brought the situation under control, and shifted injured to the Phagwara Civil Hospital for treatment. However, the ten- sion did not subside there. At the hospital, members of both the parties reportedly again confronted each other, leading to another scuffle that caused panic among patients and staff. Sources present at the hospital claimed that during attempts to make both parties reach a compromise, one side allegedly demanded Rs 30,000 as part of the settlement, which the other side refused to pay. This disagreement reportedly triggered fresh violence on the hospital premises. During the chaos, one injured person was allegedly pulled from a hospital bed. An incident involving tearing of clothing was recorded on video, which later went viral on social media. The police said statements from both sides were being recorded and the matter was under investigation. Appropriate legal action would be taken after examining all facts, medical reports and available video evidence, the police said. The police have appealed to the public to maintain calm and resolve disputes lawfully, emphasising that violence, especially in public places and hospitals, would not be tolerated. Two youth snatch bag from bailiff in Nakodar Ward delimitation draws flak in Nakodar Nakodar, December 26 A case of snatching was reported in Nakodar after unidentified youths allegedly snatched a bag of the court process server. The victim’s bag contained official documents, cash and personal papers. A case has been registered in this connection. A court process server is a legal professional responsible for delivering official court documents like summons, subpoenas and complaints to parties involved in a case. According to the police, a complaint was filed by Ranjit Kumar (43), a resident of Surya Enclave, Jalandhar. In his complaint, Ranjit stated that he works as a process server on a bailiff post with the court of Harsimranjit Kaur, Judicial Magistrate (Senior Division), Nakodar. The complainant stated that on December 23, he was travel- ling on his official Activa scooter (bearing registration number PB-08-DC-2408) to serve court summons in Bajuhana Kalan and Chak Kalan villages. While proceeding from Bajuhana Kalan towards Chak Kalan, he stopped near bus stand of Chak Pir village to attend to personal needs. At that moment, two unidentified youth arrived from Chak Pirpur village side on a Splendor motorcycle. They allegedly c m y b pushed Ranjit and forcibly snatched his bag from his shoulder before fleeing towards Piranwali village on their bike. The stolen bag reportedly contained court summons and warrants, photocopies of Aadhaar cards, electricity bills, photocopy of a house registry, an expense diary, constructionrelated bills, and Rs 3,200 in cash. Based on Ranjit’s statement, the police registered a case in this connection. — OC Nakodar, December 26 Questions have been raised over ward delimitation (wardbandi) exercise undertaken in Nakodar, with local residents and observers alleging irregularities in redrawing of the municipal ward boundaries. While sharply reacting against delimitation, District BJP (Rural) president Munish Dheer alleged that the newly proposed ward boundaries allegedly showed uneven population distribution, with some wards reportedly accommodating significantly higher number of voters compared to others. He also alleged that in certain cases, areas located far away had been grouped into a single ward, while adjacent localities were split, leading to inconvenience for residents, while also raising questions over the administrative logic behind the exercise. Critics of the wardbandi exercise claimed that the manner in which boundaries were redrawn may impact fair representation in the upcoming municipal polls. When contacted, officials said the ward delimitation was carried out in accordance with guidelines and legal provisions. They said objections were invited and examined, and assured that any grievances could be raised through appropriate channels.— OC