24062026-ATR-01.qxd 6/24/2026 12:06 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY TARN TARAN GEARS UP FOR SIR OF ELECTORAL ROLLS MARHANA VILLAGE — WHERE SAINTS & PATRIOTS FLOURISHED SAIYAMI SHARES REACTION AS 200-YR-OLD TREE FACES AXE A SIR of voter lists in Tarn Taran district will be carried out in a transparent manner. P2 Tarn Taran’s Marhana is a historically significant village known for its rich heritage, religious traditions. P3 Actor Saiyami Kher voiced her anguish after witnessing cutting down of a tree located 500 metres away from her Nashik home.P4 » » » MAX 37°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 37°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 7.38 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 5.26 AM WEDNESDAY | 24 JUNE 2026 | AMRITSAR Coach Kuljit Bamrah has shaped generations of hockey players NEWSMAKER OF THE WEEK Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 23 Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hockey Academy, a residential training centre for hockey players, has produced dozens of international players and over 240 national players during its 21 years of existence. In its illustrious journey, hockey coach Kuljit Singh Bamrah has played a seminal role. The academy began operations in 2005 and he joined as a junior coach on April 1, 2006. Most players respectfully address him as “Baba”. He trains young athletes and embodies the principle of “catch them young” in both letter and spirit. The academy has produced several distinguished players, including three Olympians — Ramandeep Singh, Shamsher Singh, and Dilpreet Singh. Araijeet Singh Hundal was a key member of the Indian team that won the Asian Champions Trophy held in China in 2024. Lovedeep Singh and Gurjant Singh are among other international players from the academy. Several players are currently representing foreign clubs across Canada, Australia, the USA, Hong Kong, and Portugal. Kuljit Singh Bamrah These include Harsahib Singh, Ravisher Singh, Bikramjit Singh, Harmandeep Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Harshdeep Singh, Amritpal Singh, Sukhdeep Singh, Lovedeep Singh and Mandeep Singh. Kuljit Singh Bamrah’s journey into hockey was not easy. When he was three years old, his father, Paramjit Singh, who ran a furniture shop, passed away due to a suspected heart condition in 1979. His mother, Manjit Kaur Bamrah, who held an MA in English and Hindi, raised him and his brother Tajinderjit Singh while teaching at CKD-run Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary School. She passed away in 1989 after being deeply affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, during which her father’s property in Madhya Pradesh was destroyed. Thereafter, their aunt Kulwant New baggage handling system to ease passenger movement at city airport Kaur took care of the siblings. Bamrah developed an interest in hockey during his studies at Khalsa College Senior Secondary School, from where he passed out in 1995. He was selected for the Sports Wing, Tanda, in 1990, where he trained for three years. He was a member of the state hockey team from 1985 to 1994. He was also part of the Amritsar hockey team that won the Punjab State Hockey Championship in 1993 after a gap of 30 years. He participated in several prestigious tournaments, including the Nehru Hockey Tournament, Surjit Hockey Tournament, Baba Farid Gold Cup and the Liberals Hockey Tournament (Nabha). He later completed his graduation from Khalsa College, followed by a Diploma in Physical Education from Patiala. He also undertook a certification course at the National Institute of Sports at Banaras Hindu University. Since April 1, 2009, he has been serving as the head hockey coach at Spring Dale Senior School. Bamrah has received several accolades, including the Best Coach Award from the Nehru Hockey Society, New Delhi, recognition from Fit India, and the Best Teacher (Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan) Award from the Spring Dale Educational Society. Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 23 Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar, has made its inline hold baggage handling system operational, marking a long-awaited and passenger-friendly upgrade. The new system is expected to significantly streamline the check-in process, especially for international travellers, elderly passengers and families carrying heavy luggage. In a joint statement, the FlyAmritsar Initiative (FAI) and the Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM) welcomed the move and called for further passenger-centric reforms as the airport looks to expand both ground and flight operations. Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative — a civil society group advocating the development of and direct flights from the Amritsar airport — explained the impact of the upgrade. He said that earlier, departing passengers had to unload their baggage from trolleys near the checkin area and send it through a standalone X-ray screening machine. After screening, A view of Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar. FILE PHOTO they had to reload the baggage onto trolleys and carry it to airline counters, a process he described as time-consuming and inconvenient. “With the inline hold baggage handling system now operational, passengers can proceed directly to airline check-in counters with their baggage,” Gumtala said. “Once accepted, the checked-in baggage will pass through the inline system for internal screening and sorting before being loaded onto the aircraft. This will reduce manual handling, save time, ease congestion and ensure a seamless departure experience.” Yogesh Kamra, convener (India) of the FlyAmritsar Initiative and general secretary of the Amritsar Vikas Manch, highlighted that the facility had been a longpending demand and was repeatedly raised during his tenure as a member of the airport advisory committee. The airport has recently introduced several passenger-focused improvements, including DigiYatra, fasttrack immigration facilities (FTI-TTP), the Udaan Yatri Café, a Flybrary (a small library space), new food outlets, upgraded Wi-Fi, and aesthetic enhancements along the airport approach road. However, the groups stressed that further improvements are needed to meet rising passenger expectations at Punjab’s leading international airport. They called for more security check counters during peak hours, expan- Key academic decisions taken at GNDU meet Dist admn to step up anti-drug campaign in schools, colleges and international conferences will be expanded in the coming period. He highlighted that the Department of Physics recently secured a prestigious grant under the National Quantum Mission to establish a quantum technology laboratory, placing the university among India’s top 23 institutions. The university has also secured an international research project from HORIBA Ltd, Japan. The Vice-Chancellor further mentioned GNDU’s 78th global rank in the WURI “University Brand and Reputation” category and the launch of redesigned official and ODL websites to enhance digital accessibility. Besides academic and sports achievements, he also highlighted major seminars and lectures organised by the university, including the Nanak Singh Memorial Lecture, Gall Punjab Di conclave, Guru Ravidas events, Bharatiya Bhasha workshop, and quantum outreach programmes. Neha Saini Tribune news Service Amritsar, June 23 The Syndicate meeting of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) was held on the campus on Tuesday. Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjeet Singh presided over the meeting, during which several key decisions related to academic, administrative, and developmental matters were discussed and approved. During the meeting, the Syndicate approved a significant proposal allowing students enrolled in private, open and distance learning (ODL), and online modes to study the “Developing Entrepreneurial Mindset” course. The VC stated that the university has already been successfully running the “Entrepreneurship Mindset” course for undergraduate and fiveyear degree programmes. Expanding this initiative further, the course will now be extended to students pursuing education through private, ODL and online modes The GNDU building in Amritsar. from the 2026 academic session. Through this course, students will develop entrepreneurial thinking, innovation and business skills, enabling them to launch new ventures. Apart from approving academic promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS), the Syndicate also considered proposed amendments in ordinances and eligibility criteria for various programmes, including Bach- elor of Physiotherapy (BPT), Master of Physiotherapy (MPT), LLB, BCom LLB, and BBA LLB. Decisions were also taken regarding the appointment of a regulatory committee, its recommendations and other policy matters. Prof Karamjeet Singh said the university remains committed to strengthening research and innovation. He added that the scope of seminars, lectures and national Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 23 Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh on Tuesday held a key meeting with Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar to review the implementation of the ‘National Coordination Centre for Drug Law Enforcement’ framework and strengthen measures to prevent drug abuse in the district. Senior officials from the police and civil administration attended the meeting, during which detailed discussions were held on curbing drug trafficking, creating public awareness and ensuring community participation in the fight against drugs. During the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner directed the departments concerned to further intensify the ongoing anti-drug awareness campaign to educate people about the harm- ful consequences of drug abuse. He emphasised that individuals struggling with addiction must be identified and guided towards de-addiction and rehabilitation centres offering free treatment and counselling services. “The fight against drugs is not the responsibility of the government alone but requires collective efforts from all sections of society. We will focus on awareness and education campaigns to engage youth against substance abuse. The district administration is fully committed to taking strict action against drug traffickers and ensuring the rehabilitation of individuals affected by drug addiction,” said the DC. Officials of the Education Department have been directed to conduct regular awareness activities in schools about the harmful effects of drugs and to sensitise students during daily morning assemblies on the importance of staying away from substance abuse. He further emphasised the need to mobilise youth in colleges and universities and to ensure stricter checks on the sale of narcotic substances in and around educational institutions. The Deputy Commissioner also instructed the Drug Inspector of the Health Department to intensify inspections of chemist shops across the district and to take strict legal action against those found selling narcotic or prohibited medicines illegally. The Health Department has so far cancelled the licences of 15 chemist shops in the district for violations related to the sale of prohibited drugs. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that the police are continuously taking action against drug traffickers under the Punjab Government’s ‘ Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign. ~1,400-cr rail project Garbage spillage from open trolleys sparks civic concerns raises hope in Batala’s industrial sector Manmeet Singh Gill Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Batala, June 23 The sagging factories and workshops of Batala, once a famous mercantile city, are on the path to revival following the Railways’ decision to complete the 40-km QadianBatala track, nearly a century after work first began on it. At present, trains from Batala travel to Amritsar, halt there and then proceed towards Jalandhar and other parts of the country. Once the new track is completed, trains will bypass Amritsar and move directly to Jalandhar, reducing the distance by about 90 km. With shorter distances, freight charges will decline, leading to improved profit margins. The project, estimated at Rs 1,400 crore, is being seen as a watershed moment for the 500-year-old city, where industrial growth has remained constrained for decades. Parmjit Singh Gill, president of the Batala Industrial Estate Factories’ Association (BIEFA), said, “Lack of connectivity increases the cost continued on page 2 Amritsar, June 23 The transportation of waste in uncovered trolleys continues to be a common sight on city roads, raising concerns over public health, road safety and environmental cleanliness. Residents have expressed concern that heaps of garbage transported openly through residential and commercial areas not only create a foul smell but also lead to littering along roads. Frequent sightings of overloaded and uncovered garbage trolleys moving across city roads highlight the issue. These vehicles, carrying mixed waste piled above their edges, are often seen without any protective cover- PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Tribune News Service Garbage being transported in an uncovered trolley in Amritsar. ing. They frequently transport household and market waste to dumping sites. c m y b Residents said the problem worsens during windy conditions when plastic bags, paper and other lightweight waste materials fall onto roads and nearby green spaces. They argue that despite ongoing cleanliness campaigns, the uncovered transportation of waste undermines efforts to maintain a clean urban environment. “Garbage often spills onto the road while these trolleys are moving. It creates an unpleasant sight and sends a wrong message about cleanliness,” said Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Ranjit Avenue. Another resident, Harpreet Kaur, said uncovered waste poses health risks. “The waste attracts flies and stray animals. During summer, the foul smell becomes unbearable for commuters,” she said. Motorists have also high- lighted safety concerns. Gurpreet Singh, a daily commuter, said, “When plastic sheets or lightweight waste fly off the trolley, they can distract drivers and even cause accidents.” Residents have urged authorities to ensure that all waste transport vehicles are fitted with covers or netting systems to prevent littering. They said that many cities have already adopted covered waste transportation as a standard practice to improve sanitation and reduce pollution. They also called upon the Amritsar Municipal Corporation to strictly enforce guidelines for waste collection and transportation, stating that covering garbage during transit is a simple yet crucial step towards improving civic hygiene. sion of terminal capacity and improved customer service standards. They also emphasised the proper implementation of the Green Channel system at Customs so that passengers — especially families and elderly travelers — are not required to undergo additional X-ray checks after baggage collection unless specifically required. Additionally, they said airport authorities should improve pick-up and dropoff areas by creating multiple dedicated lanes under CCTV coverage, clearly marked slots near arrival and departure gates for passengers with reduced mobility, and a visible 24x7 manned assistance kiosk for wheelchair support. The organisations added that while the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and airport management are upgrading facilities, the Punjab Government must fulfil its long-pending responsibility of providing affordable public transport connectivity to the airport. “Dedicated bus services from major cities and districts of Punjab would be highly beneficial,” Kamra said. Jandiala Guru MC elects new president, vice-president Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 23 Satinder Singh was unanimously elected as the president of the Jandiala Guru municipal council, while Amandeep Singh Virk was elected as the vicepresident during the general house meeting held on Monday. Satinder Singh, the councillor elected from Ward No. 1, was chosen as president and Amandeep Singh Virk, elected from Ward No. 15, was selected as vice-president with the support of all councillors. The election of the president and vice-president of the 15member municipal council was conducted during a meeting chaired by SDM AmritsarI, Alka Kalia. During the session, all newly elected councillors were administered the oath of office and secrecy. Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, who is also the MLA from the Jandiala Guru Assembly constituency, attended the meeting as a special guest. In the recent civic body elections, the Aam Aadmi Party secured 13 out of the 15 wards in the municipal council. Congratulating the newly elected officebearers, Harbhajan Singh said the new team would give fresh momentum to the overall development of Jandiala Guru. He added that the government remains committed to strengthening urban infrastructure and providing better civic amenities to residents. The minister expressed confidence that the new council would meet the expectations of the people and further strengthen the town’s heritage and identity. The newly elected office-bearers assured residents that they would work with dedication and sincerity to address public issues and ensure development projects are completed on a priority basis.