18022026-JTR-01.qxd 2/17/2026 10:47 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune KANUNGO’S BROTHER CAUGHT TAKING ~20,000 BRIBE BY VB HOSHIARPUR–HIMACHAL STRETCH PLAGUED BY POTHOLES HAVEN OF ASIAN CUISINE NEAR DHARAMSALA Kanungo Jatinder Singh demanded a bribe of Rs 1,00,000 in the name of Tehsildar from the complainant. P2 There are no visible zebra crossings, no functional traffic signage and speed limit boards lie buried in mud. P3 NomadGao Cafe in Dharamkot near Dharamsala offers Vietnamese and other Asian special food items. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 11°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.17 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 7:05 AM » WEDNESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2026 | JALANDHAR With 99.97 percentile, Ishmit is JEE Main topper in Jalandhar Naman at 2nd spot with 99.93 score Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 17 City boys Ishmit Singh and Naman Narula bagged two top positions in the JEE Main (Session-1) result that was declared last evening. While Ishmit scored 99.97 percentile, Naman followed closely with 99.93 percentile. A student of MGN Public School, Urban Estate, Ishmit Singh said he was expecting a high score. “Physics paper was easy but chemistry paper was a bit tricky. My score does not stop me here. I have to work hard and outperform myself in the second session of JEE Main which is likely to be conducted next month”, said the teen, who is the son of a businessman, dealing in hosiery. He maintained that this was not yet a celebration time for him, “My ultimate goal is to crack the JEE Advanced exam for which more preparation is required. I have my board examination starting from February 20. Today’s result calls only for a small Start flights to Patna, Nanded Takhts: MP Phagwara, February 17 Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, highlighting his performance during the first phase of the Budget session, stated that he raised several issues of public interest in Parliament. These included concerns related to Punjab, the harassment faced by women in Gulf countries, cancer, pending highway projects, environmental protection and other welfare matters. Seechewal said he urged the government to introduce direct air connectivity from Punjab to two Takht Sahibs located outside the state. He also raised the demand to connect Sultanpur Lodhi — historically and religiously associated with the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev — with all five Takht Sahibs through railway routes. He specifically demanded that direct flights be started from the airports of Amritsar, Adampur, and Mohali to Takht Sri Patna Sahib and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, along with other significant Sikh religious and historical sites across the country. He noted that a large number of Punjabis living abroad undertake pilgrimages to the Takht Sahibs throughout the year. Direct air connectivity from Punjab airports, he said, would not only facilitate devotees, but also create substantial employment opportunities. — 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. Ishmit Singh (right) and Naman Narula flash victory sign after scoring 99.97 and 99.93 percentile, respectively, in JEE Main in Jalandhar on Tuesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH treat at home”. A student from Guru Harkrishan Public School, Kapurthala, Naman shared that he was a bit casual in Class XI, “I started being more serious when I entered Plus Two. I deleted all my social media accounts as I found that I was engaging on it for one-two hours a day. This was affecting my performance. It helped me get back on the right track.” Naman said multiple tests and mock tests that he took ahead of the JEE Main helped him sail through. “While doing preparation, I never studied in terms of number of hours a day. We were given topics to be covered as our targets and we had to achieve those targets which could take a number of hours,” he said. Like Ishmit, Naman’s father too is a businessman and mother a teacher. Vivek Bhadauria of Aakash institute said he hoped that the boys would be in the top 500 rank in the country. The ranks would be declared after the second session exam in April. Among other students, who have made it big from Jalandhar, is Ishan Mittal, who has scored 99.93 percentile. Sifat Monga of La Blossoms School has got 99.89 percentile. Tanish Sharma, Bhavik Jain and Haragam Singh of Innocent Hearts School have scored 99.86, 99.63 and 99.4 percentiles. From the same school, Namish Arora obtained 98.90, Sanya scored 98.04, Manya secured 97.7 percentile. Dr Anup Bowry, chairman of Innocent Hearts, congratulated the students and staff members for their remarkable achievement. Principal Rajeev Paliwal appreciated the efforts of the students and extended his best wishes. Other achievers from La Blossoms School are Ishaan Chawla, Yuvraj Arora and Krishang with 98.87, 98.4 and 97.6 percentiles. Chairperson Vandana Murria, director Ruhani Kohli, and Principal Nidhi Chopra congratulated the achievers and appreciated the consistent efforts of the faculty members who guided them throughout their preparation journey. From St Soldier Schools, Suryansh Sharma has got 99.07 percentile, Harish Uppal 97.99, Prachi 96.86, Uchhista Yadav 96.56 and Preetpal Goswami 96.006 percentile. Group chairman Anil Chopra and vice-chairperson Sangeeta Chopra congratulated the students, teachers and their parents and wished them a bright future. CBSE Class X exams begin, Basic maths exam harder than Standard Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 17 As the CBSE Class X exams started on Tuesday, students appeared for both Standard and Basic mathematics exam. Quite unexpectedly, the Basic mathematics paper, which should have been easier than the Standard mathematics paper, turned out to be more difficult and challenging, taking the students and experts for a rude shock. Teachers said they had convinced the students, who had scored low in mathematics in previous years and do not intend to pursue the subject in higher studies, to go for the Basic mathematics paper. “We were all expecting it to be easier than the Standard mathematics exam but it turned out to be just the reverse. The paper was far more difficult as compared to the level of students. Now, we regret advising our students to make the switch. Almost 30 per cent students had taken the Basic mathematics paper”, said Gurpreet and Shikha, mathematics teachers from MGN Students discuss question paper of mathematics at Jalandhar Cantt. TRIBUNE PHOTO :MALKIAT SINGH. Public School, Urban Estate. Monika, teacher of Ivy World School, too shared the same view. “We were expecting the Basic mathematics paper to be easier, but it turned out to be tough. On the contrary, the Standard mathematics paper was easier and students have turned out satisfied.” Rashmi Vij, Principal, Police DAV Public School, said, “The students of Basic mathematics today came out a bit disappointed, but we hope that the board will be liberal in checking”. Most students of MGN Public School, Urban Estate, who had their centre at Apeejay School, said the paper was easy. A student, Chaitanya Jain, said, “I was able to solve the entire paper easily and within time. I found only one single-mark MCQ a bit challenging. I had enough time to solve.” Most students said the trignometry section was especially easier than the rest of the paper. Some students had issues with 5-mark questions in Section D of the paper. Municipal Corporation officials disconnect illegal water connection in Jalandhar. City civic body recovers ~1L water, sewerage dues Disconnects water, sewerage connections of defaulters Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 17 Officials of the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, carried out a special enforcement drive in Zone 9 to recover pending water and sewerage dues. The drive was conducted on the directions of Mayor Vaneet Dhir, Commissioner Sandeep Rishi and Joint Commissioner Dr Sumandeep Kaur. The drive was conducted under the supervision of Estate Officer-cum-Chief Tax Collector Ashwani Gill and Superintendent (Water Two women among 4 held with heroin Phagwara, February 17 The Kapurthala police have registered three separate cases, leading to the arrest of four accused, including two women, and recovery of heroin. In the first case, the police arrested two women after recovering 10 gram of heroin. The case has been registered. The accused have been identified as Ganga living in Chhaj Colony, Phagwara, and Seema, also a resident of Chhaj Colony. In another incident, the Dhilwan police arrested Ravinder Kumar. The accused was spotted near the old bridge while the police party was on patrol. He allegedly attempted to dispose of a polythene packet by throwing it on the roadside. Upon checking, the packet was found to contain 6 gram of heroin. The accused has been taken into custody. In the third case, the police arrested Kashmir Singh of Hamira village. The accused attempted to flee after allegedly throwing away a polythene packet. He was overpowered by the police. On examination, the packet was found to contain 10 gram of heroin.— OC Rates) Harpreet Walia. During the operation in the Rama Mandi area, officials recovered Rs 1,04,000 as outstanding bills. The authorities also disconnected water and sewerage connections of defaulters who had failed to clear their dues despite prior notices. Additionally, the team took action against illegally operating water and sewerage connections, which were disconnected on the spot. The enforcement drive was carried out by area in-charge Gursevak Singh along with the supporting staff. The MC has appealed to residents to deposit their pending water and sewerage bills promptly to avoid disconnection and further legal action. Recently, a similar operation was conducted along 66 Feet Road, Urban Estate Phase-1 and Phase-2. The officials identified and disconnected six illegal connections that were being operated in violation of municipal rules. As a result of the enforcement drive, Rs 2,18,500 was recovered from defaulters on the spot. Maan magic Gurdas Maan performs at Hoshiarpur Nature Fest on Tuesday. Back home Adampur’s Gautam returns from US detention centre Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, February 17 For the Nayyar family of Kalra village in Adampur, the past few weeks have been an emotional roller-coaster, marked by anxiety, hope and finally, immense relief. Gautam Nayyar, who had been detained in the United States, has safely returned to India following the persistent efforts of former MP Avinash Rai Khanna and swift intervention by the Government of India. According to Jyoti Kumar Jauly from Khanna’s office, Gautam’s father, Shiv Charan had approached the former MP during an open public meeting, seeking urgent assistance to bring his son back home. Overwhelmed and worried, the father narrated how Gautam had been arrested in the US and was lodged in the Adams County Correctional Centre in Mississippi. Responding promptly, Khanna ensured that all documen- tation was completed and the matter was immediately taken up with the Ministry of External Affairs. The family was advised to remain patient while the government initiated the required diplomatic and legal procedures. Days of uncertainty followed, but hope remained alive. Their prayers were answered when Gautam was released from detention and arrangements were made for his return to India. Gautam finally stepped c m y b back onto the Indian soil and returned to his ancestral home, where he was welcomed with tears of joy and heartfelt embraces. Soon after his arrival, Gautam visited Khanna along with his family to express gratitude for the timely intervention that made his homecoming possible. In an emotional meeting, the relieved family thanked Khanna and the Centre for their efforts. Marking the joyous occasion, Khanna congratulated Gautam on his safe return and offered sweets to the family, celebrating what they described as nothing short of a miracle. For the Nayyar family, the ordeal has reinforced their faith in collective support and institutional response. For the community, it stands as a reminder that timely governmental action can reunite families, even across continents. Ex-MP Avinash Rai Khanna offers sweets to Gautam on his return from the US. >>