01012026-JTR-01.qxd 12/31/2025 11:05 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune ONE YEAR ON, MAYOR LISTS KEY PROJECTS FOR 2026 Mayor Vaneet Dhir announced that 1,196 safai karamcharis will be recruited to strengthen sanitation services. P2 » FOCUS ON IMPROVING RESULTS, INCREASING ENROLMENTS: DEO NAYANTHARA’S FIRST LOOK FROM TOXIC SHARED We are ensuring that funds allocated for infrastructure are properly utilised, said DEO Gurinderjit Kaur. P2 The actress is seen playing the character Ganga in the upcoming movie led by actor Yash. P4 » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 14°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 19°C | MIN 7°C SUNSET THURSDAY 5.34 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 7.19 AM » THURSDAY | 1 JANUARY 2026 | 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. INBRIEF PETROL PUMP LOOT CASE Phagwara: A man accused of looting a petrol pump in Kapurthala was injured after being shot during a police encounter late on Tuesday night, officials said. The incident occurred during a follow-up operation when the accused allegedly opened fire on the police team, prompting retaliatory action. During the recovery operation, the accused reportedly attempted to flee and fired at the police. In self-defence, the police retaliated, resulting in the accused sustaining a bullet injury to his leg. A pistol and other incriminating material were recovered from the accused. A case has been registered. OC TWO HELD FOR ARMS SMUGGLING Phillaur: Police intercepted two suspected arms smugglers allegedly moving with weapons that could have been used to threaten or harm people in the area. Acting on specific information, the police laid a naka and stopped two youths, whose movements had raised suspicion. During the search, police recovered a country-made pistol, a toy pistol, live cartridges and other items, preventing a potential crime and averting danger to the public. Police officials said the accused were apprehended while attempting to evade checking. The recovery revealed that the suspects were carrying a country-made pistol along with a toy pistol, often used to intimidate victims during crimes such as robbery and extortion. Police stated that a probe is underway. OC LEOPARD FOUND DEAD IN BARAPUR Hoshiarpur: A leopard was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the forest area of Barapur village, triggering concern in the region. Barapur village sarpanch Surinder Pal received a phone call in the morning from a villager informing him about the leopard lying dead in the forest. He immediately informed the Wildlife Department. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kulraj Singh said that a team reached the spot and took custody of the leopard's carcass. The exact cause of death will be ascertained after the postmortem examination. OC WILDLIFE OFFICER HELD FOR BRIBERY Hoshiarpur: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Rajpal Singh, a Block Officer posted in the Wildlife Division, Garhshankar, Hoshiarpur district, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000. The arrest was made following a complaint filed by a resident of Balachaur on the CM’s AntiCorruption Action Line portal. The allegations were found true during verification. OC City rings in the new with music, food and fun Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 31 Dressing up in their best party outfit, hanging out with family and friends, having exquisite meals and drinks to toast, and making memories by clicking selfies, Jalandharites welcomed 2026 with style and elan. Almost every city hotel, restaurant and eatery was decked up for the day. All joints had special menu for the occasion for which prebooking of tables was also done. Themed parties, DJs, live music, festive decor and lavish food spreads charged up the atmosphere. The lawns of Jullundur Gymkhana Club too were all decked up by this evening for the gala New Year eve wherein Jalandhar-native singer Anadi Mishra enthralled the guests with his Punjabi num- Singer Anadi Mishra performs at Gymkhana Club in Jalandhar on New Year eve. SARABJIT SINGH bers, 'Tim tim taare badlaan vich' and Mein ajj tak jinnian kudian vi dekhiyan, tu sab toh sohni en. The music and performance of Dragon Dance Troupe also set the floor on fire. The Eastwood Village also arranged New Year eve party by organising live music, fireworks show and setting up a vibe to welcome the new beginnings. Several families preferred to hang out at the various outlets in the market zone for the food of the choice while tapping to the full blast music. While most banquets and hotels held indoor parties, Zoka arranged it on the rooftop. The party had five DJ artistes putting out the best mashups and remix music. Dance with fire acts added to the energy levels. A neon face art zone too added to the charm of the partygoers. The Backyard Farms also hosted a New Year extravaganza with an RJ anchoring the show and the visitors dancing to the beats of DJ and dhol. The visitors had fun playing various games and relishing the delicacies. A grand cake-cutting ceremony was held at midnight to usher in the New Year. But there were many who quietly enjoyed with their families at their place in the warmth of their four walls. "We did not host party for any friends. We do not go for any freakout or even a geri. We simply sat at home, cooked a good, fancy meal, played a soft music and welcomed the New Year. I think this was the best New Year eve I have ever enjoyed," said Mandeep Dhingra, a school teacher. City police warn of 'Cell Block Party'! Jalandhar police issued an advisory for the hooligans on social media. It warned the New Year party-goers from getting drunk and later hitting the roads and risking the lives of others. The best part with the warning was the creativity with which it was issued. The message read, "For hooligans, we are holding a Cell Block Party. There will be a comfortable sitting area with cold cell bars and hot beats. The opening performance will be with a breath-analyser. Transportation will be available ---- SUVs with special red and blue beacons. Cinematography will be done by speed cameras. If you spot someone who needs to party, just dial 112 and let the good times roll! Venue: Your nearest police station". The message was captioned, "Law and order never takes a holiday." To add more zing, Honey Singh's music was added, "This party getting hot". RTA officer found dead in washroom City artist welcomes New Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 31 A senior officer of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), Ravinder Singh Gill (55) was reportedly found dead at his residence in Jalandhar Heights. His body was found in the washroom of his flat after a likely cardiac arrest. His Ravinder Singh Gill gunman and driver felt sus- picious as he did not come out of his washroom for long and was not responding to the knocking of the door. Driver Pargat Singh told the police that he broke open the door and found him lying dead. The Sadar police reached the spot and started investigations. They sealed the flat and did not allow any outsider to go in. His last rites were performed at his native place in Bathinda today. Gill remained as Motor Vehicle Inspector in Bathinda. He got promoted and joined the Transport Department head office in Chandigarh. He recently got the additional charge for Jalandhar. HEAVY RUSH: Huge chaos was seen at Jalandhar city railway station on Wednesday as passengers scrambled to board a train after prolonged delays due to fog. TRIBUNE PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH Year with sand artwork Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 31 Renowned experimental artist Varun Tondon of Jalandhar has ushered in the year 2026 with a powerful artwork created entirely using sand, symbolising the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of change. The sand artwork presents a striking visual of people watching a sand clock with curiosity, reflecting humanity's helplessness as moments pass beyond control. In the lower chamber of the hourglass lie fallen numbers representing past years, signifying that time has already slipped away. At the centre, the year 2025 is shown dissolving into sand as it passes through the narrow neck, while 2026 stands tall and upright in the upper chamber, symbolising the arrival of a new beginning and renewed hope. Explaining his concept, Tondon said the choice of sand was deliberate. "Like time, sand cannot be held in a closed palm. The tighter we try to grasp it, the faster it escapes. Through this work, I wanted to reflect on acceptance, learning and the quiet hope that emerges as one year gives way to another," he said. The artwork took him approximately three hours to complete. Tondon recently drew widespread attention during the Mela Ghadri Babeyan Da, where he created a striking portrait of freedom fighter Ghadri Gulab Kaur using mitti (soil). "I have represented the country with mitti," he said, highlighting the deep symbolic connection between the land and the spirit of freedom. Alongside Gulab Kaur's portrait, Tondon also crafted portraits of 10 other women freedom fighters using the same medium. Adding a modern touch to traditional art, each portrait featured a QR code, that when scanned, played a short video in which the freedom fighter narrated her own story. Known for his innovative approach, Varun Tondon has consistently experimented with unconventional materials. His earlier works have incorporated smoke, grass, tea leaves, matchsticks and other natural elements instead of conventional paint, earning him recognition for blending creativity, symbolism and technology in contemporary art. Tabla prodigy from Canada fulfill’s mother’s dream at Harivallabh Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 31 How can the tabla be so ingrained in someone living so far away? His mother, a Sikh woman, born and brought up thousands of miles away from India, dreamt that her son will one day perform at the Harivallabh. So, when 21year-old Maiher Singh Virk set foot on the stage of the 150th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, his family believed it was destiny. Never having set foot in India before 2021, when Maiher finally performed, the tabla reverberated in his very being. While his mother passed away months ago, he believes she watched him from the heavens. Twenty one-year-old Maiher Singh Virk, a student of psychology in Canada and the disciple of famed tabla virtuoso Sukhwinder Singh Pinky Namdhari, made his debut at the 150th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan on Sunday. Named Maiher (meaning blessings from God), he was born in London and brought up in Canada. Father Bhagwant Singh says, "His mother's side of family first moved to East Africa 100 years ago (a self-sufficient community of Indians a large number of whom were practitioners of music), from where they moved to London. His mother's family was also part Namdhari. While the thirst for traditional moorings drives many young men abroad in quest of spirituality, Maiher found his calling in the tabla." Speaking to The Tribune, the tabla prodigy shared his journey. On how he managed an impressive show on his very debut at the historic Sammelan, Maiher Singh Virk said, "It's all my Guru Ustad Sukhwinder Singh Pinky ji's blessings and Guru Maharaj's blessings. Honestly, it's the first time for me. So, it was a new experience. I've had many years of riyaz (practice) and a lot of learning and observing. As a 21 year 21-year-old Maiher Singh Virk performs on tabla on the concluding day of the 150th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH old, what experience do you gonna have? But Guru ji gave me so many tips and wisdom. With all of that combined, I tried to put my best out there." His mother dreamt that he would play at Harivallabh, how did it finally feel? "Amazing, that is how I felt, I was c m y b fulfilling not only my dream, but my mother's too. In that sense, it's really satisfying, and I hope she's happy. On whether he chose the tabla or his parents, Virk said, "It's a combination of both. Since I was very young, I was playing the tabla, as a child, at merely one or two years of age. I showed a lot of interest and my dad had some interest as well. My mum learnt Sitar a bit but they said, let's put him on tabla." On the Harivallabh, Maiher Singh Virk said, "I've seen so many videos and heard so many legendary stories of Harivallabh. In 150 years, so many maestros have come here. It's a great festival, the oldest (classical music) festival in India. Everyone wants to play here." On how he sees the interplay of Hindi and Sikh musical traditions in classical music with his Guru being a Sikh and his Dada Guru being Pt. Kishan Maharaj, he said, "Music is such a powerful thing, no matter what one's religion, caste, colour or gender is. All these things come together. It doesn't matter whether someone is Sikh or Hindu. We all come together to enjoy, learn, celebrate and perform music." On Namdhari tradition's contribution to music, Maihar Singh Virk said, "The Namdhari community in general has a great contribution to music, to the kirtan tradition specifically, and this is all with the blessings of Sri Satguru Jagjit Singh ji. His contribution to music is immense. He himself was a great master musician and he put my Guru ji in music, and put Dada Ustad Ji Baba Nihal Singh ji in music. All the great Namdhari musicians and so many musicians outside of the Namdhari community have also been given support and scholarships. And because of him, I'm here." On advice to diaspora kids keen on taking up classical music, he said, "Take advantage of technology, it's so readily available. Listen. We all learnt from listening. Eventually, if you practice or learn enough --- find a Guru. Find a Guru as soon as possible. It's always the first step. From there, Guru will take you wherever he wants to take you." On his future plans, Virk said, "I'm an undergrad in psychology in Canada. I hope to finish that soon. I'll definitely be incorporating music in some sort in higher studies. India will be definitely a big part of my life; I hope to come more often. The music that I play --- the music that we all enjoy --- was born here, it developed here. So, coming here is beneficial for me and my music. The plan is to go with the flow."