10052026-JTR-01.qxd 5/9/2026 11:35 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune 39,920 CASES SETTLED IN LOK ADALAT GUV URGES YOUTH TO FOLLOW MAHARANA PRATAP’S IDEALS Various cases, including civil, matrimonial, MACT, criminal and traffic challans were taken up during the proceedings. P2 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 38°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 24°C ‘I WANT TO DRESS UP MERYL STREEP’ Governor Gulab Chand Kataria called upon the younger generation to follow path shown by Maharana Pratap.P3 » FORECAST SUNSET SUNDAY 7.13 PM Manish Malhotra, who loves dressing up celebs, wants to put the spotlight on artisans. P4 » SUNRISE MONDAY 5.34 AM » SUNDAY | 10 MAY 2026 | JALANDHAR Prepaid billing leaves schools Fearless & free: The resilient journey of a single mother powerless amid rising heat MOTHER’S DAY Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 9 A tattoo on her right arm aptly defines her personality. It reads “fearless” and has an image of a free bird. An Assistant Professor, Department of Laws, Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr Harkirandeep Kaur, is a single mother and has been raising her nineyear-old daughter Saanvi all by herself. She ensures that her daughter takes to various activities after the school. By the time both of them get free for the day, they spend quality time with one another and even plan vacations together. Dr Harkirandeep got separated from her husband when Saanvi was just six. “She has adapted so well with the change. She shares all her feelings with me and so do I. It is just the two of us living together in an accommodation within the campus and enjoying each other’s company. We Dr Harkirandeep Kaur with her daughter Saanvi. make it a point to socialise at least once every week, visiting some friends, going out for a dinner or enjoying ice cream at a parlour,” the mother shared. To keep herself busy in daytime and to ensure that she does not start rewinding her past, Dr Harkirandeep has tak- en to several responsibilities on the campus. “I am the warden of the hostel. I am the programme officer of an NSS unit on the campus. I am the advisory member of the IPR cell. I am also the joint secretary of the Teachers’ Association winning elections with the highest margin. I always keep myself busy so that I do not get distracted at all. I am fully devoted to my job. Back home, I give all my time to Saanvi so that she does not feel the need of a second parent. I try to strike a complete balance between work and home,” she says. Dr Harkirandeep says, “Ever since I switched to being a single parent to my daughter, I feel a lot of positive change in me. I have shunned all fear. I see myself emerging stronger, powerful and more resilient. I have become more capable in decision making.” “I had always wanted to go for nose piercing, which I recently got done. I am also into gyming to keep fit. I am really happy to have chosen my own path, hold the tiny hands of my daughter and shape her also into a smart, independent child,” she laughs and shares. “On Mother’s Day, we will hangout and certainly make it little extra special in our own way tomorrow,” she says. How Opinderjit is carrying forward legacy of Channan Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 9 “Satguru Nanak Pargateya, Miti Dhund Jag Channan Hoeya.” It was Guru Nanak’s ethos which gave the threedecade-old organisation meant for the specially-abled — The Channan Association — its illustrious name. Under president Opinderjit Kaur (65), mother, activist and a fierce advocate for the specially-abled, the association is spreading its wings. A single mother, a soft balance between her daughter’s care and upliftment of specially-abled kids, consumes her time. Founded by pioneering disability activist, Amarjit Singh Anand in 1997, the association aimed for the welfare of special children and especially their parents — many of whom were then clueless about their rights, legislations and organisations which would help them bring up their children. As he plunged into activism, his wife Opinderjit Kaur cared for their beloved daughter Jasjit Kaur, a specially-abled child, inspiration behind the founding of “Channan”. After Anand’s sudden demise in January 2024, these delicate responsibilities fell upon Opinderjit’s shoulders. In past two-and-a-half years, her resolve and determination has surprised many. At the heart of it, lies a mother’s love for her daughter. Opinderjit Kaur Anand, president, Channan Association, and Jasjit’s mother, says, “Sade bacche sade sir da taj ne. (Our children are the crown of our heads). Many parents keep forgetting this, but it’s our job at Channan, to keep reminding them. We’re supposed to have fun, take them out, dress them up for weddings and parties, and enjoy ice creams together. At the house, Jasjit keeps flitting between the bedroom, lobby and her loved swing outdoors. Her chirpy presence makes me happy. I envision similar future for other mothers, and their specially-abled kids.” The Channan Association currently giving skill training to 22 specially-abled adults above the age 18 years. They are being trained to make their own merchandise including masalas and festive goodies among other things. They’re picked and dropped every day from their respective homes, receive yoga sessions from an in-house instructor and participate in various other activities. Opinderjit also takes up special children’s guardianship and health insurance issues with the administration. The Channan Association is also noted for providing services at very reasonable rates and sometimes for free, where many other organisations for the special, charge exorbitant fee which poor parents can’t afford. Opinderjit Kaur says, “My husband was always concerned about the disabled. Months before his passing, he asked me to deliver Continued on Page 3 Opinderjit Kaur Anand with her daughter Jasjit Parveen Abrol with her daughter Aashtha and son Ravish. Unlettered mother who raised family of 10 doctors, 2 officers Rishika Kriti Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 9 On the occasion of Mother’s Day, 70-year-old social worker Parveen Abrol, who has spent decades working for the education of underprivileged children in Jalandhar, says the strongest influence in her life remains her mother, Durga Rani. Though not literate herself, Abrol’s mother firmly believed that education could transform lives. Today, the family has 10 doctors and two IPS officers, a legacy Parveen says was built entirely on her mother’s faith in education. Recalling her mother’s determination, Parveen said my mother neither knew how to read or write nor could she even sign her own name, yet she ensured that all her seven children completed their education at a time when educating daughters was often not considered important. “She never went to school, but she understood the value of education better than many educated people. It was because of her support that enabled me to complete my MA and BEd which later became the foundation of my social work journey,” Parveen said. Founder and president of NGO Divya Drishti, Parveen has spent years helping children from economically weaker families access education and supporting women through counselling and family welfare initiatives, particularly those facing emotional and social distress. Parveen said her mother’s emphasis on education inspired her to contribute towards society in every possible way. “Whenever I think about my mother, I realise how deeply her vision shaped our family and my work. She taught us that education was not a luxury but a necessity,” she said. Apart from social work, Parveen regularly writes on social concerns and has authored a book titled “Adarsh Jeevan Jacch”. One of her most personal writings, she said, is a letter dedicated to her mother titled “Ek Ashikshit Maa Di Shikshit Soch”. “For me, Mother’s Day is not merely a celebration, but a reminder of the quiet sacrifices and lifelong values through which mothers shape families, futures and communities,” Parveen said. Parveen is a member of the Punjab State Humans Right Commission, Women Sexual Harassment Committee at the DEO Office, Punjab State Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Board, Mahila Thana and Saanjh Mediation Cell (Punjab Police) and Lok Adalat. Power supply to Government Primary School, Mundi Shehrian, was disconnected after the PSPCL rolled out prepaid smart billing meters. Rishika Kriti Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 9 In a major blow to government schools, several educational institutions across Jalandhar and adjoining districts are staring at abrupt electricity disconnections after Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) initiated prepaid billing on smart meters installed on their premises. Under the new system, schools are required to recharge electricity connections in advance, failing which power supply is automatically snapped once the balance turns negative. This move has already started disrupting studies in government schools. According to PSPCL officials, the prepaid billing is a part of the statewide drive aimed at tightening control over defaulting government connections. Except hospi- tals, almost all government establishments, including schools, are being brought under the ambit of prepaid smart metering. Officials said smart meters operate on a SIM based recharge model. “If a school deposits Rs 1,000 to the power department, they can consume electricity equivalent to that amount, but once the balance goes negative, the supply is automatically disconnected. Prepaid billing in Jalandhar was initiated around two to three days ago,” they said. The impact of the prepaid billing came to the fore on Thursday when a government primary school in Mundi Shehrian village of Jalandhar district witnessed an abrupt power disconnection during school hours, forcing nearly 43 students to spend the entire day without electricity amid rising temperatures. School in-charge Rajdeep Kaur said, “The electricity supply snapped around 11.04 am after the smart meter balance went into “minus four”. We immediately informed the Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO) concerned. The electricity was restored only on Friday after some amount was deposited with the power department.” In another incident, highlighting the fallout of the system, a government elementary school in Oharpur village of Hoshiarpur district also faced power disconnection over pending dues of nearly Rs 2,500. In a letter addressed to the SDO, Hoshiarpur 1B, the school authorities stated that the electricity connection was snapped on May 5 due to delayed payment of the bill. The school warned that the disruption was severely affecting classroom teaching. The recurring incidents power snapping have triggered concern within the education department, especially as schools now fear sudden blackouts over exhausted recharge balances rather than conventional billing defaults. Following incidents, the district education department in Jalandhar has sought urgent details from all Block Nodal Officers regarding schools where smart electricity meters have been installed. In a communication issued by the District Education Officer (Secondary), officials were directed to furnish schoolwise data, including meter type, smart meter numbers and specific remarks. The department also sought clarification regarding the orders under which these smart meters were installed and the grant or budget head from which the expenditure was incurred. Lyallpur Khalsa College Technical Campus G.T ROAD, JALANDHAR ADMISSIONS 2026-27 AICTE APPROVED MCA MBA BHMCT BCA BBA B.Tech - Courses B.Com (Hons) UGC APPROVED Allied & Health Science PCI APPROVED B.PHARMACY D.PHARMACY B.Voc - Courses 1/2/3 Years Programme with Multiple Exits Diploma Courses - Diploma (ME) 88472-62500 98724-76060, 98146-10383, 70095-27853 For Further Queries Contact c m y b Sardarni Balbir Kaur S. Sukhbir Singh Chatha Dr R.S Deol ( President, Governing Council) (Director AA, KCL Group) (Director)