17042026-JTR-01.qxd 4/16/2026 11:45 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune TEACHERS UNION OPPOSES ATTENDANCE VIA M-STAR APP 21-YEAR-OLD KRISH PICKED BY MUMBAI INDIANS KRITIKA EMBRACES GLAMOUR & GRIT IN MATKA KING They said the location tracking through the app is an attack on the personal freedom of teachers. P2 Krish is the nephew of minister Mohinder Bhagat and the grandson of former BJP minister Bhagat Chunni Lal. P3 The actress says it is a "welcome change" from the simplicity that defined many of her recent roles P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 33°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 37°C | MIN 20°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.57 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 5:56 AM » FRIDAY | 17 APRIL 2026 | JALANDHAR From Rurka Kalan to Mexico City: YFC boys set for Street Child World Cup Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 16 In a major sporting boost for Jalandhar, the Youth Football Club, Rurka Kalan, will represent India at the Street Child World Cup 2026 in Mexico City, to be held alongside the FIFA World Cup across the US, Canada and Mexico. For 10 ace football players of the Youth Football Club (YFC), it will be their first flight out of the country. Many of them didn’t have hopes of even a decent education. Today they are set to represent Indian football on the global stage. The Street Child World Cup 2026 will take place from May 5 to May 15 in Mexico. With a history of making sporting icons out of children from financially poor backgrounds, the YFC is set to script history again. The YFC will be among the 30 teams across the world, which will display its sporting prowess at the World Cup. The players from the YFC, who will represent India, Punjab, and their village at the event, are Silas Sidhu, Arshdeep, Jashanpreet, Rajan Jakhu, Sameer, Raminder Singh, Sam Masih, Shamsher Singh Akash (goalkeeper) and Raunik. The team will be supported by Anwar Ali (Head Coach), Harsh Jaisukh Chotalia (Team Leader) and Nupur Nag (Team Manager). Students from across the state have been trained by the YFC, which has the state-of-the-art infrastructure in the region. The team’s centre back player Silas Sidhu lost his father in 2019 and his mother is the only bread winner. Another player Arshdeep’s father, on the other hand, is a labourer. Silas says, “My mother has Members of the Youth Football Club, Rurka Kalan. supported me all through and I’m very excited about the Street Child World Cup, as the YFC has provided me with a great opportunity to Travel firm dacoity: Two in police net, third on the run Had fled with ~1.09 lakh from city office Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 16 The city police have arrested two persons in connection with an incident of dacoity at the Harnamdaspura locality last evening. Three Activa-borne youths had entered the premises of Rajdhan Travels and Finance office on the pretext of enquiring about ticket booking for flight from Delhi to Sharjah and currency exchange rates. One of them went close to Radha, owner of the firm, muzzled her face with one hand and took away cash to the tune of Rs 1.09 lakh from the counter and fled. The matter was reported to the police after which SHO Division No. 2 Jaswinder Singh, ACP Central Ajay Singh, CIA incharge Surinder Kumar and Special Two youths accused of dacoity in travel firm in police custody. Cell teams reached the spot and started investigation. On the basis of CCTV footages, the police have arrested two persons, recovered some part of the cash and Activa scooter from their possession. Accused Gurdeep Singh of Nizatam Nagar and Amritpal Singh from Mithu Basti have been arrested and a case under Section 309 and 3(5) of the BNS has been registered against them. Both of them already are facing a criminal case each, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (investigation) Manpreet Dhillon during a press conference this evening. Dhillon said a search was being conducted to arrest the third accused. Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 16 Twin brothers Arsh Puri and Sparsh Puri from Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, here have achieved identical scores of 98 per cent in their Class 10 board examinations, the results of which were declared on April 15. The twins share not just a home, class and section, but also similar interests, study habits, and personalities. They have long been close competitors. “We’ve always scored nearly the same marks, usually with a difference of just one or two. Most of the time, Sparsh would edge ahead,” Arsh said with a smile. Born to doctor parents, both Twins Arsh Puri and Sparsh Puri in Jalandhar. brothers are now set on following the same professional path. “We both want to become doctors,” they said, reflecting a shared ambition shaped by their upbringing. Despite their outstanding academic achievement, the twins emphasise a balanced approach to life. Both are active basketball players and believe in enjoying their studies rather than treating them as a burden. “Our parents have never pressured us. We’ve always been encouraged to learn with interest,” Arsh added, offering advice to fellow students. Arsh shared that they follow Hungary, India, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Pakistan, Mexico, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The girls’ teams will feature Brazil, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Congo, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, England, the Philippines, Kenya, the USA, Germany and South Africa. The Indian girls’ team will be represented by the organistion “Karunalaya”. The global event - Street Child World Cup 2026 - provides a unique platform for children and the youth to showcase their talent, share their stories and participate in football alongside cultural activities, art exhibitions and advocacy programmes. Club president Gurmangal Das Soni expressed his pride, stating that this is a significant opportunity for all players and the club has full confidence in them. The club had previously achieved a remarkable victory at the Street Child World Cup held in Durban, South Africa, in 2010 — an achievement that remains a proud milestone. “Such an opportunity, apart from showcasing our young talent on the world stage, opens many doors for the talented players. We are very happy and proud for our team and hoping they’ll make the best of this opportunity,” Das added. Hopes of secure future Coach Anwar Ali, who’s taking the boys to Mexico, is a YFC product who represented the national team on the international stage 35 times and has remained among the highest paid players of the Indian team. Former members of the Rurka Kalan Street World Cup team (2010) are also now on esteemed positions. play in another country and showcase my talent. This experience will also help me build confidence and develop strong relationships with others.” Arshdeep said, “Life has not always been easy. My father works as a labourer and with his hard work, our Youth dies of ‘drug overdose’, six booked LPU student injured in accident Phagwara, April 16 A tragic incident involving the death of a young man due to a suspected drug overdose has led to the registration of a criminal case against six persons in Mehatput near Nakodar. Complainant Karnail Singh, resident of village Raipur Araiyan under Mehatpur police station, reported the death of his son Baljinder Singh. It has been alleged that the youth died due to a drug overdose, prompting police action in the matter. Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case against Bhagwan Singh, alias Bhagu, Bakshish Singh, alias Shisha, Navdeep Singh, Malkiat Singh, alias Mittu, Gurmeet Singh, alias Gola, and Manjit Kaur, all residents of the same village. Police officials stated that the case has been registered. The accused are absconding and efforts are underway to trace and apprehend them. Further investigation is in progress to establish the exact circumstances leading to the death and to determine the role of each accused in the alleged supply of narcotic substances. — OC Perfectly in sync Jalandhar twins score identical 98% in Class X Both want to be doctors like their parents basic needs are somehow fulfilled. Covid-19 was a tough time for us, we didn’t even have enough money even to buy basic food items. During that time, the YFC Rurka Kalan stood by us.” Team member Raminder Singh (midfield), who hails from Sri Muktsar Sahib, said, “I’ve been playing football for the past seven years. It’s after coming to the YFC that my football dreams began taking actual wings. We are proud to represent our country at the global level. I dream to play for the national team and with the YFC, that dream is possible.” A total of 30 teams from around the world will participate in the Street World Cup this year, including 17 girls’ teams and 13 boys’ teams. The boys’ teams will include countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Burundi, Congo, Egypt, a similar study routine, especially before exams, even without any prior discussion or fixed timetable. At the same time, they make sure not to take on unnecessary pressure. They still play games, talk to their parents and relax during the exam period. While their similarities are striking, there are subtle differences as well. Arsh enjoys playing chess, whereas Sparsh has a keen interest in musical instruments, adding a unique touch to their otherwise parallel lives. The twins also credited their school and teachers for their success. “Our teachers have always been supportive and motivating. That made a big difference,” they said. Their story stands as an example of how shared goals, mutual support, and a stressfree approach to learning can lead to exceptional results. c m y b Phagwara, April 16 A late-night road accident on the national highway left a youth critically injured after his scooter rammed into a stationary truck in the middle of the road. The victim, identified as a student of Lovely Professional University (LPU), was return- ing from the university when the incident occurred. Due to poor visibility and the unexpected obstruction on the highway, he failed to maintain control and collided with the truck, sustaining serious injuries. According to initial reports, the truck had been left stranded on the highway after it ran out of diesel. The vehicle was parked without adequate warning signals. Meanwhile, the scooter rider, reportedly at a high speed, crashed into the stationary truck from behind, resulting in severe impact. A Road Safety Force (SSF) team rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to the Civil Hospital in Phagwara. During the inquiry, truck driver Niranjan revealed that he was travelling from Goraya to Ludhiana when the vehicle ran out of fuel. He stated that he left the truck on the road and went to a nearby fuel station to bring diesel. — OC