02022026-JTR-01.qxd 2/1/2026 11:39 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune ANTI-LEPROSY AWARENESS AT SALOH VILLAGE YUVRAJ BHATIA SHINES AT ANTALYA TURKISH OPEN The Mass Media Wing organised an awareness programme at Saloh village to mark Anti-Leprosy Day. P2 Yuvraj Bhatia, a promising young golfer, delivered a good performance at the Antalya Turkish Open 2026.P3 » RAM CHARAN & UPASANA KAMINENI’S TWIN JOY PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 19°C | MIN 7°C YESTERDAY MAX 20°C | MIN 6°C SUNSET MONDAY 6.03 PM Global star Ram Charan and wife Upasana Kamineni Konidela have been blessed with twins. P4 » FORECAST SUNRISE TUESDAY 7.19 AM » MONDAY | 2 FEBRUARY 2026 | JALANDHAR PM’s association with Dera Ballan: From a call during pandemic to visit on Budget day Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 1 From the Prime Minister’s call to the Dera Sachkhand Ballan chief when he fell ill years ago during the Covid pandemic, to the visit to the dera today, his gesture to call upon Sant Niranjan Dass, days after the Central Government conferred the Padma Shri upon him, is seen as the warming up of association between the two leaders. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi kept his date with the Dera Sachkhand Ballan — the revered and influential seat of the Ravidassia community in Jalandhar — on the occasion of Guru Ravidass Jayanti today, leaders close to the dera recalled the PM’s previous “warm” gesture. Insiders say while the visit today was purely religious and apolitical — it has rekindled hopes that more declarations may be in the offing for the dera and the Ravidassia community at large. Keeping his promise with Dera Chief Sant Niranjan Dass — even on a day that the Union budget was presented — Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the country’s first PM to visit Dera Sachkhand Ballan today. BJP leaders said the visit marks a new era of close association as the dera chief Sant Niranjan Dass warmly welcomed the PM, took him around for a “parikrama” (ceremonial round) of the dera’s sanctum Man held with illegal pistol in Kapurthala Phagwara, February 1 The Kapurthala police today arrested a man carrying an illegal 9mm pistol near the grain market in Sultanpur Lodhi. The accused has been identified as Gurbagh Singh alias Sukha, a resident of Jabbowal village. A patrol team received specific information that the accused, who has previously been booked for attempt to murder, was waiting for someone in the grain market with an illegal firearm. Based on the tip-off, a police team conducted a raid and apprehended the suspect on the spot. A 9mm pistol with a magazine was recovered from the right pocket of the jacket worn by the accused. The pistol was found to be an Austrian make Glock 19X. The magazine was unloaded and found to be empty. The accused failed to produce any valid licence or permit for the weapon. A case has been registered against the accused under Section 25 of the Arms Act at Sultanpur Lodhi police station and the weapon has been taken into custody. An investigation has been launched to ascertain the source of the illegal firearm and determine whether the accused was planning to commit a crime. — OC 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Sant Niranjan Dass at Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar on Sunday. SARABJIT SINGH sanctorum and then sat beside him on stage throughout the event. The PM also touched Sant’s feet. The dera holds considerable sway among state’s Dalit population. Thirty-two per cent of the state’s populace comprises Dalits. The Prime Minister, in his speech, also made special mention of being touched by the dera’s “ardas” for him on his birthday. BJP leader Avinash Chander, who has been a pivotal intermediary between the dera and the Prime Minister said, “The Prime Minister first met Sant Niranjan Dass Ji during a Ravidass Jayanti event at Seer Govardhanpur in Varanasi a few years ago. In 2020, when Maharaj (Sant Niranjan Dass) was ailing, the Prime Minister specially called him up.” The dera chief also made a “charhdi kala ardas” (prayer for well-being) for the Prime Minister on his birthday in September, when leaders of the BJP led by Chander, called upon him with “prasad”. Sant Niranjan Das, along with BJP leaders including Vijay Sampla, called on PM Narendra Modi at his official residence on December 5, 2025, to invite him to attend the Guru Ravidas Jayanti function at Kashi on February 1, 2027. While declaration of Padma Shri for Sant Niranjan Dass was made by the Central Government a week ago, the Prime Minister — responded to the saint’s December 5 invitation by calling on him at the Dera Sachkhand Ballan today. While the Ravidassia community leaders have been raising a list of demands, Chander today said, “Today was a religious, holy occasion. We didn’t make any demands today as the Prime Minister himself has already displayed his warmth towards the dera. Sant Niranjan Dass was also very pleased. It is the Guru Ravidass’ 650th birth anniversary next year and we hope there will be more declarations in time.” Sat Paul Virdi, former Dera Sachkhand Ballan general secretary said, “We, the members of the Ravidassia community are very happy with the Prime Minster’s visit at the dera. The PM and Maharaj ji had met in 2019. The PM also called up Sant Niranjan Dass ji when he was ill during the pandemic. When Sant ji met PM in December to invite him for Guru Ravidass’ 650th Parkash Purab at Benares to be celebrated in 2027, he also invited him to Dera Ballan.” Union Budget evokes mixed reactions from across sectors Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 1 Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday presented the Union Budget 2026–27, which evoked mixed reactions from stakeholders across industry, sports and agriculture. Expressing concern over the industrial sector, Harvinder Singh Chitkara, president, Punjab Rubber Association, said the Budget lacked a strong focus on research and development, which he described as crucial for the industrial growth. “Nothing is being done on the research aspect in industry, which is most important for its growth. Already, manufacturers are turning into traders. So, it is very important to do something on research,” he said. Commenting on the allocation for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Chitkara said the funds announced were inadequate. “The funds released for the MSMEs are like “oont ke muh mein jeera” (a drop in the ocean) and will not be beneficial,” he added. Mukul Verma from Savi International welcomed the government’s vision for the sports goods industry, but cautioned that effective implementation would be key. “The Budget’s vision for the sports goods industry is clear, Residents watch Union Budget 2026-27 being presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament on a television screen in Jalandhar on Sunday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH but its success will depend on execution. The focus on advanced research design and material science is a significant step towards moving up the value chain from basic manufacturing,” he said. Verma added that strengthening domestic industrial clusters could improve efficiency and global competitiveness of Indian manufacturers. However, he pointed out that stimulating domestic demand would be a major challenge. “Sustained private investment often waits for clear signs of rising consumer demand,” he noted. The sports sector, however, largely welcomed the Budget announcements. Principal of Government Sports College, Dr Ranbir Singh, termed it a “great budget for sports.” “Today, the minister announced the launch of a new Khelo India Mission aimed at transforming India’s sports sector over the next decade. This is a great step and will generate many opportunities for new talent in the country,” he said. The government has allocated Rs 500 crore for the promotion of sports goods manufacturing, further strengthening the sector. On the agricultural front, reactions remained cautious. Kul- winder Singh, a potato grower from Musapur village, said while several promises had been made, long-standing issues at the grassroots level remained unaddressed. “A lot of promises have been made, but no discussion is held on the ground-level problems. We really wish that if promises have been made, they must also be fulfilled,” he said. Overall, the Union Budget 2026–27 has met with optimism in some sectors and scepticism in others, with stakeholders emphasising on the need for effective implementation and follow-through on announced measures. Demand for naming Adampur airport after Guru Ravidas finally fulfilled Asked to pay pending bill, patient goes on rampage at pvt hospital in Nadala Our Correspondent PM Narendra Modi renames Adampur airport after Guru Ravidas; and (right) Punjab cabinet ministers Harpal Cheema and Mohinder Bhagat greet the PM at Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Airport. Jalandhar, February 1 The long-pending demand of the leaders of all political parties to name Adampur airport after Guru Ravidas finally got materialised on the occasion of the 649th Guru Ravidas Jayanti on Sunday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself released the plaque at the airport. Though this was the second visit of Modi to the Adampur airport in the last eight months (the last being on May 13, 2025, during Operation Sindoor), the demand for naming the airport after the guru had been on for more than six years. The airport from hence on shall be officially called “Sri Guru Ravi- das Ji Airport, Adampur”. Leaders from all political parties have been making claims for having raised the demand. While Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann too had officially raised the demand four days ago on his social media pages, there have been others from all political parties including ex-CM Charanjit Singh Channi, Adampur MLA Sukhwinder Kotli and ex-MP and BJP leader Sushil Rinku. Doaba-based Dalit leader Rinku said he had fought a long battle to name Adampur Airport after the guru. “When I was an MLA in the Congress government, I had made this demand in the Assembly. All members of the Assembly, WHEN LEADERS WORE RAINCOATS Just ahead of the landing of PM Modi at the Adampur IAF base, it had started raining. All leaders, who had come to receive him, including Punjab ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Mohinder Bhagat and Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, were seen donning raincoats. Modi wore a saffron waistcoat with a woven saffron base shawl on his shoulders. including the then Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, had unanimously agreed to this demand and sent a proposal to the Civil Aviation Minister. This demand has been ongoing ever since,” he said. Rinku said he joined the BJP on the condition that Adampur Airport be named after Guru Ravidas. “To this end, I had met the Civil Aviation Minister in Delhi, initiated work on Adampur Airport, and flights were introduced there. I had even raised this demand with PM Modi,” Rinku said in a media release thanking Modi today. “A long struggle of my life has yielded positive results. This is the biggest and the happiest day for me,” he said. Among other leaders, BJP Punjab Mahila Morcha president Jai Inder Kaur too accorded a warm welcome to Modi. She also expressed her gratitude to the PM for visiting Punjab on the sacred occasion. She especially appreciated the decision to rename Adampur Airport after Guru Ravidas. Referring to another major gift for the state, she said the commencement of operations at Halwara Airport would provide a substantial boost to trade and commercial activities in Punjab and strengthen the state’s economy. Other leaders including Sunil Jakhar, Shwait Malik, Manpreet Badal, Iqbal S Lalpura, Ashwani Sharma, Subhash Sharma, Vijay Sampla, Jaiveer Shergill and KD Bhandari also met Modi and thanked him for naming Adampur airport after Guru Ravidas. — TNS Phagwara, February 1 High drama was witnessed when a patient allegedly went on a rampage at a private hospital in Nadala town near Kapurthala on Saturday. The patient allegedly went about trying to attack staff with a sickle after being asked to clear pending medical bills. The incident triggered panic among doctors, nursing staff and patients, who ran helter-skelter to protect themselves. According to the hospital authorities, a local family had come for treatment at the facility a few days earlier, leaving an outstanding amount of Rs 2,000. Hospital director Dr Karamjit Singh alleged that around 2.30 pm, when a doctor requested payment of the pending amount, the patient began arguing aggressively and left after breaking a windowpane. Later, the accused returned along with an accomplice, armed with a sickle, and began vandalising the hospital, including the doctor’s cabin and other areas. The sudden attack created chaos on the hospital premises, forcing doctors, nurses and patients to run for safety. The hospital management alleged that despite informing the police, no personnel arrived at the spot for at least two hours. The delay, they claimed, was attributed to police deployment for the Prime Minister’s visit to Punjab. During this period, fear and uncertainty prevailed among hospital staff and patients. Later, a police team from the Subhanpur police station reached the hospital and assessed the situation. SHO Bikramjit Singh said the CCTV footage from the hospital had been taken into possession and statements of witnesses were being recorded. He assured that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible for disturbing law and order and endangering public safety. Registration of playway, pre-nursery schools mandatory in Nawanshahr district Nawanshahr, February 1 As per the guidelines issued by the Director, Social Security, Women and Child Development Department, Punjab, registration of private playway and pre-nursery schools operating under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme has been made mandatory across the district. Providing details, District Programme Officer (DPO) Jagroop Singh informed that all private institutions in Nawanshahr district that were currently providing, or intend to provide early childhood care and education services for children aged three to six years must register themselves with the Social Security and Women and Child Development Department. He said so far, 18 playway schools in the district had already registered under the department. According to the department’s instructions, registration is compulsory not only for playway schools, but also for the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) affiliated private schools that are run- c m y b ning pre-primary wings. All such institutions are required to fulfil the standards prescribed by the government for catering to children in the three to six age group. Jagroop Singh appealed to all playway and pre-nursery school managements to obtain Application Form No. 1 from the office of the District Programme Officer for registra- tion. “In case of any difficulty during the registration process, school representatives may visit Room No. 308, Second Floor, District Administrative Complex (DC Office), Nawanshahr, for immediate coordination. For further assistance, they may also contact the District Child Protection Officer at 01823-222322,” he said. He further informed, “The Punjab Government has launched an online registration portal for the registration of playway and private schools catering to children aged three to six years. Schools can visit the department’s website — https://sswcd.punjab.gov.in — click on view registration, and then select registration of play schools to fill out the reg- istration form online.” Reiterating the importance of compliance, the department emphasised that registration of all playway schools and PSEBaffiliated private schools with pre-primary sections was mandatory. School managements were advised to complete both online and offline registration at the earliest by coordinating with the DPO. — TNS