30042026-JTR-01.qxd 4/29/2026 10:55 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune PANEL SEEKS REPORT ON NON-FUNCTIONAL OXYGEN PLANTS HEATSTROKE UNITS SET UP EARLY AT CIVIL HOSPITAL A six-bed heat stroke unit has now been made functional on the ground floor of the Trauma Centre at Civil Hospital. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 35°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 21°C MAKE YOUR LIVING SPACE BRIGHTER AND BREEZIER Plants have remained defunct for the last eight years, forcing authorities to depend on externally refilled oxygen cylinders. P2 FORECAST April décor is about how a space feels. Sensory elements are becoming essential, especially as temperatures rise. P4 » » SUNSET THURSDAY 7.06 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:43 AM » THURSDAY | 30 APRIL 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 THREE NABBED FOR SNATCHING Hoshiarpur: The police have arrested three persons in connection with a cash snatching incident carried out at gunpoint in Bullowal. Acting on a complaint by Ajay Kumar of Bullowal, the police said the victim was on his way with his brother to purchase goats when three men intercepted them on Mundian Road and snatched ~5,000. Following an investigation, the police arrested the accused identified as Sandeep Singh, Sukhbir and Amarjeet Singh. A pistol has been recovered from their possession and the vehicle used in the crime has also been seized. OC FIVE ARRESTED WITH NARCOTICS Hoshiarpur: In a major crackdown, the police arrested five persons from different locations and seized narcotics and illicit liquor. Officials from Model Town police station apprehended Sunil Bhosale and Arjun from Balveer Colony and seized 50 gram of heroin from them. In a separate case, the city police arrested Gurcharan Singh of Bahadurpur and seized 24 bottles of liquor. Meanwhile, the Hajipur police nabbed Sanjeev Kumar of Sahoda Kandi with 68,250 ml of illicit liquor, while the Garhshankar police arrested Harkaran Sandhu of Chak Guru and recovered 9,000 ml of liquor from his possession. OC 2 BOOKED FOR BLACKMAIL BID Hoshiarpur: The police have booked the mother-daughter duo for allegedly using social media to defame a person and extort money. According to a complaint filed by Vishal Sharma of Bahadurpur, Mannat Tabadia and her mother Seema Tabadia, residents of Chandigarh, allegedly threatened and blackmailed him online in an attempt to extort money. The police have registered a case and initiated further proceedings. OC TWO HELD WITH PISTOLS, ROUNDS Hoshiarpur: During routine patrolling, the Model Town police arrested two individuals and recovered two pistols along with four cartridges. The accused have been identified as Ranjit Singh and Fuman Singh, residents of Tarn Taran district. Further investigation is in progress. oc SCOOTER STOLEN FROM HOSPITAL Phagwara: A scooter theft was reported from the Civil Hospital premises in Phagwara. According to Avtar Singh of Basant Nagar, Phagwara, the incident occurred when he went to the hospital on his scooter to undergo a medical test. When he returned, he found that the scooter was missing. The complainant later suspected that Ajay Kumar, a resident of Patel Nagar, Phagwara, had stolen the scooter. oc Games, exercises, light tasks mark AAP meet in Jalandhar Trust building the motive, say leaders During the ongoing wheat procurement, labourers are busy handling arrivals at the New Grain Market in Jalandhar. FILE Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 29 The grounds of the CT Group of Institutions in Jalandhar were abuzz with activity during an unusual AAP political meet today, as party workers held hands, jostled playfully and took part in friendly sporting contests, giving the political gathering the feel of a summer camp. AAP workers and observers participated in light-hearted activities, including tug of war, passing the ring, verbal exercises and indoor games in an effort to ease tensions after days of intense political activity and protests following the exit of seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs. For many workers and MLAs themselves, the games were a surprise. The marathon meeting, which ran from 10 am to nearly 4 pm, dedicated a major portion of the day to games and group exercises. Party leaders said the activities were meant to boost morale, promote teamwork and rebuild trust among cadres. Party members said such exercises are routine in the youth wing and the party also has trained coaches. Leaders claimed the meeting saw a generous presence Over 4.23 lakh MT wheat procured Tribune News Service AAP Punjab leaders have fun with party workers during a meet at the CT Group of Institutions’ playground in Jalandhar. PHOTO:MALKIAT SINGH as the auditorium with a capacity of over 1,000, where the meeting was held, had only 50 seats empty. While several senior party leaders remained absent as well – some of them, regarding whom speculations have been rife too – party organisers said some were away to the CM’s programme elsewhere today or other genuine personal engagements. Vehicles lined the roadside as the premises’ internal Attack on ex-Army man, police yet to take action Phagwara, April 29 The family of a retired Army man who was brutally attacked during a morning walk three days ago is reportedly moving from one police station to another for justice. Jaswant Singh Fauji, a retired Army man, along with his friend Malkit Singh, a transporter, had gone for their routine morning walk at village Akalagarh in Phagwara on April 27 when three assailants allegedly attacked them with sharp-edged weapons. The attackers arrived on a motorcy- cle before inflicting serious injuries on them. Both injured were immediately shifted to Jindal Hospital. Sources said Harpreet Singh, an inspector serving in the CRPF and son of the injured ex-serviceman, has approached police officials, seeking registration of a case, proper investigation and action against the culprits. However, despite the gravity of the attack and repeated representations by the family, justice is yet to be delivered. — OC parking space filled up completely Leaders began arriving at the venue from 10 am and continued to do so well past noon. An inaugural session saw light tasks, verbal exercises and mind games at an indoor hall, then – unlike the usual AAP gatherings amid tight security – all leaders moved freely onto the open grounds with no barricades or bars. Manish Sisodia and Speaker Kultar Singh Sand- hwan witnessed from a pavilion, later joining teams on the grounds. Party observers first formed circles — one for each district — and held hands while passing a ring, before cheering loudly as district units competed in tug-of-war contests. Cheers erupted as teams won, with Manish Sisodia and Kultar Singh Sandhwan watching closely. Later, Sisodia remarked, “If you keep holding each oth- er’s hands like this, we will cross a 100.” A party worker from Jalandhar said, “When we have worked through sweat and heat for building the party and a leader leaves, it is indeed a dampener. But we know how to pick ourselves up. More than a party, there is anger against those who betrayed us. Today’s meet was a message that we aren’t just sitting on durries and shouting but having fun.” Jalandhar, April 29 Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia stated that wheat procurement across the district mandis is progressing smoothly, with daily reviews being conducted to ensure a seamless process. He said the district has recorded the arrival of 4,24,873 metric tonnes of wheat of which 4,23,871 metric tonnes have already been procured by various government agencies. Payments to farmers are being made within the stipulated time frame. As of Tuesday evening, payments exceeding Rs 1,058 crore have been ensured. Emphasising timely lifting of procured wheat, the DC directed officials to ensure that no delays occur in the process. He stressed that lifting must be carried out promptly after procurement to avoid inconvenience. The district administration is making efforts to complete procurement operations efficiently. He added that the timely procurement, lifting and payments are being ensured to prevent any hardship for farmers. The DC also appealed to farmers not to burn wheat stubble after harvest, urging them to contribute to environmental protection. He highlighted that stubble burning leads to air pollution and increases the risk of accidents. Farmers were encouraged to adopt proper crop residue management practices using subsidised agricultural machinery provided by the government. Meanwhile, officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department and the Mandi Board are continuously visiting mandis to ensure that the procurement season is completed without any disruptions. Govt schools add mental health period to tackle stress Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 29 In an attempt to tackle the rising stress levels among students, the Punjab School Education Department has made it mandatory for all government middle, high and senior secondary schools to introduce a daily mindfulness programme from April 30 under Mission Samarth. The directive, issued by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) on April 27, requires schools to set aside a 20- minute session at the start of each day exclusively for mindfulness activities. To implement this, the existing eight period timetable will be expanded to nine periods. Schools have been asked to spare the time by adjusting the morning assembly and reducing five minutes each from the last three periods, ensuring minimal disruption to academic teaching hours. The programme is designed as a structured, activity-based intervention rather than a theoretical exercise. 9-PERIOD TIME-TABLE To implement this, the existing eight period time-table will be expanded to nine periods. Schools have been asked to spare time by adjusting the morning assembly and reducing five minutes each from the last three periods, ensuring minimal disruption to academic teaching hours. Students will engage in a sequence of guided practices, including mindful breathing, reflection on thoughts and emotions, affirmations, visualisation and gratitude exercises. These activities will follow a standardised 12-step format outlined in a mindfulness booklet circulated to schools, along with activity sheets to maintain uniformity in delivery. According to officials, the sessions will be conducted by class teachers under the supervision of school heads. “The idea is to normalise conversations around emotions and equip students with simple tools to manage stress and improve focus within the classroom itself,” a educator in School of Eminence, Lad- owali road, said. The department has also put in place a clear implementation mechanism. At the block level, one nodal teacher and the school head from each school will undergo training conducted by Block and District Resource Coordinators using structured modules and presentations. These trained educators will then lead school-level sessions to train all teachers of Class VI to XII, ensuring that the programme is consistently delivered across classrooms. From tragedy to triumphPratishtha rises to work for people with disabilities Paralysed at 13 after an accident, the Oxford-educated disability rights activist now inspires change on global platforms Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 29 At just 13, when most children are discovering their passion and dreaming freely, Pratishtha Deveshwar’s life took an unexpected turn. A devastating car accident left her paralysed from the waist down. What followed was not just a battle of physical recovery, but a deeply emotional journey of acceptance, resilience and rediscovery. Today, at 27, Pratishtha stands as a symbol of strength and hope, an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker, disability rights activist, and change maker whose story continues to inspire thousands. Before the accident, she was an accomplished dancer and enthusiastic skater. Losing mobility meant losing a part of the life she loved. It took her nearly a year to come to terms with her new reality. But even in those darkest moments, her inner strength refused to let her be defined by the tragedy. “She has always been a positive and motivated person,” recalls her mother Jagriti Sharma, her voice filled with emotion and pride. “The journey after the accident was extremely challenging, both physically and emotionally. There were moments of uncertainty and pain, but what stood out was her determination to not let the situation define her life.” A kind-hearted and generous Pratishtha returned stronger, channeling her experiences into purpose. Today, she uses her voice to uplift others, ensuring that no one facing adversity feels alone. Whether through her speeches or personal interactions, she leaves a lasting impact on those struggling with their own battles. Her academic journey reflects the same grit. From GEMS Cambridge International School in Hoshiarpur, she went on to pursue political science, honours, at Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi followed by a master’s degree in public policy from Somerville College at the University of Oxford. Her achievements extend far beyond c m y b academics. She is a TEDx speaker, a recipient of the prestigious Diana Award and was honoured at the House of Commons in the British Parliament in 2024 with the 75 Achiever Award. Recently, she was also recognised and honoured by a national private channel as a “Future Female Icon” under the “Pathbreakers Powering New India” segment for her transformative work in advancing the rights of women with disabilities. She also uses her social media platforms to encourage others to raise their voices against injustice. Whenever she notices someone feeling low because of their problems, she reaches out to them and offers support and guidance. Currently, she is working as an associate with ‘Girl Up’ at the United Nations in New Delhi, continuing her mission to create a more inclusive and accessible world. Despite the accolades, her journey has not been without emotional struggles. “Healing is never a straight path,” her mother, who is working as a pre-primary in-charge at Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, said. “There were phases when the pain felt heavy. But what makes her truly special is that she never stayed in that space for long. She always found the strength to rise again, often stronger than before.” Those who knew her as a child are not surprised by her impact today. “She was always a very good speaker,” her mother smiles. “In school, she would participate in debates and declamations and always excel.” Now, she uses that same voice to spark change. Pratishtha dreams of a country where accessibility is not an afterthought, but a fundamental right, where infrastructure supports, rather than limits, people with disabilities. And she continues to work tirelessly toward that vision. For her parents, watching her rise above unimaginable challenges is nothing short of overwhelming. “Seeing her recognised on such prestigious platforms fills our hearts with immense pride and gratitude,” says Jagriti Sharma. Pratishtha Deveshwar’s story tells that even in life’s most difficult moments, the human spirit has the power to rise, rebuild and inspire.