14102026-ATR-01.qxd 13-10-2026 23:01 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY CULTURE BLENDS WITH COLOURS AT GNDU YOUTH FEST BABA PALLA — DEVOTEE WHOSE FAITH DREW 6TH GURU TO BUTALA IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE AS WINNIE-THE-POOH TURNS 100 GNDU holds cultural, musical, fine arts, theatrical and rangoli competitions on Day 1 of youth fest. P2 A tale of faith, humility and selfless service associated with Butala village continues to inspire devotees. P3 MAX 30°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 21°C From a wartime bear cub to a boy's beloved teddy, the story behind a century-old literary classic. P4 » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.53 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 5:52 AM » WEDNESDAY | 14 OCTOBER 2026 | AMRITSAR a goal to PM SHRI schools in catch-22 — funds A drag-flicker withpossible make impossible lapse, vendors press for payments NEWSMAKER OF THE WEEK Neha Saini NO MONEY FOR TOURS, SCHOLARSHIPS Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 13 Funding lapse is staring PM SHRI schools in the face. The new session is halfway through and the grant meant for the 2025-26 academic session is yet to be released. Concerned over the lapse, the Democratic Teachers’ Front, Punjab, stated that the payment for school uniform, scholarships, educational tours and others was to be paid from those funds. Now, school heads have no idea how to make payments to vendors and service providers. DTF Punjab state president Vikramdev Singh, general secretary Mahinder Kaurwali, finance secretary and Amritsar district president Ashwini Awasthi, addressed the issue in their respective districts. Vikramdev Singh said the funds allocated for PM SHRI schools during the previous academic session had lapsed as those could not be used within the stipulated period. “Despite the commencement of the new session, these funds have not been rereleased, creating financial ■ Concerned over the lapse, the Democratic Teachers’ Front, Punjab, stated that the payment for school uniform, scholarships, educational tours and others was to be paid from those funds. ■ Now, school heads have no idea how to make payments to vendors and service providers. ■ The school heads said a grant letter was issued on October 1, 2026, but they had not received the funds despite October 25 being the deadline for the submission School heads say despite the commencement of a new session, the funds have not been re-released. of utilisation certificates. difficulties for schools. The lapsed grants involve substantial amounts, including more than Rs 10 lakh earmarked for educational tours organised by PM SHRI schools. As a result, firms and vendors that provided tours and other services are repeatedly approaching school heads for pending payments.” Awasthi, who is the DTF unit head from Amritsar, said principals and headmasters, were under immense pressure as they were not able to make pay- ments to vendors. “The issue has also affected uniform grants as proposals submitted by several schools through the prescribed PPA process were reportedly rejected without any reason. Despite requests for the fresh release of funds, the grants remain pending, adding to the financial uncertainty faced by schools,” he said. The union said a grant letter was issued on October 1, 2026, but schools had not received the funds despite October 25 being the deadline for the submission of utilisation certificates. Funds from the 202526 and 2026-27 sessions that reportedly expired or became unavailable before pending bills could be settled. “How can schools make payments, submit utilisation of funds certificate when the money has not been received,” asked Awasthi. The DTF leaders further alleged that several grants under the 2026-27 session had also lapsed without adequate justification. In some cases, school-level payment processes had been com- Drug and arms modules busted; 10 held Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 13 The Amritsar Commissionerate Police claims to have busted five alleged drug trafficking and illegal arms supply modules with the arrest of 10 persons. Officials have also recovered six pistols, 4.409 kg of heroin, 500 gm of opium, Rs 12.90 lakh (suspected drug money) and a drone. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said two cars allegedly used in criminal activities were impounded and 12 live cartridges seized. The accused have been identified as Rajbir Singh (23), Gaganpreet Singh, alias Gagan (31), and Sourav Singh, alias Bahadur (23), all residents of Amritsar; Vishal Singh, alias Tibru (22), and Rashpal Singh, alias Babba (44), of Nurpur village in Lopoke; Veerpal Singh, alias Billa (19), of Mari Mehga vil- Police personnel brief the media in Amritsar. lage and Jagwinder Singh, alias Kala (19), of Ami Shah village in Tarn Taran; Sukhchain Singh, alias Sukh (20), of Khiala village; Jaskaran Singh, alias Jassi (22), of Kolowal village; and Yuvraj Singh, alias Jaggu (20), of Gosanbad village. The seized weapons include one Glock 9mm pistol and five .30-bore pistols. The DGP said preliminary investigation had indicated that the suspects were involved in the supply of illegal weapons and narcotics. The police are now investigating their backward and forward linkages to identify other members of the alleged networks. Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill said during the first crackdown, the Maqboolpura police arrested Rajbir Singh, Gaganpreet Singh and Sourav Singh; and recovered 169 gm of heroin, 500 gm of opium and Rs 10.90 lakh. In the second operation, the Chheharta police arrested Vishal Singh and Rashpal Singh; and seized 4.130 kg of heroin from their possession. Similarly, the Cantonment police, arrested Veerpal Singh and Jagwinder Singh, recovering a .30-bore pistol. The fourth operation by the Chheharta police led to the arrest of Sukhchain Singh and Jaskaran Singh. They recovered 110 gm of heroin, a .30bore pistol, two live cartridges, Rs 2 lakh in suspected drug money and a drone allegedly used for smuggling. A car was also impounded. In another operation, the Chheharta police arrested Yuvraj Singh and recovered four pistols — three .30-bore weapons and one Glock 9mm pistol, along with 10 live cartridges. pleted, but technical or procedural hurdles prevented the funds from reaching the intended recipients. They said the Education Department had not issued clear instructions regarding the restoration or re-release of these grants, leaving school administrations uncertain about how to settle their outstanding liabilities. The organisation now wants thePunjabGovernment and the School Education Department to release all lapsed grants from 2025-26 to 2026-27. Brawl in bank leaves one injured in city Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 13 As the city basks in the glory of the Indian women hockey team, the sport lovers are scrambling for a glimpse of the famous drag-flicker, Gurjit Kaur. The only woman hockey Olympian from Punjab, Gurjit Kaur tied the knot with Jasdeep Singh Khaira, also a hockey player, 11 months ago. A player who believes nothing is impossible, Gurjit Kaur played the nationals and earned praise for her performance in the Pro League-2023 and Hockey India League-2025. Gurjit Kaur, who was part of the Indian contingent in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, congratulated the Indian women hockey team on winning the Asian Games and securing a berth in the next edition of Olympics. On being asked if women had found their footing in the sport, Gurjit Kaur said five years ago too, she was the only one to make the cut from Punjab, commending Baljeet Kaur of Tarn Taran’s Kaka Kandiala village for making Gurjit Kaur the state proud this year. She said events like Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan could be a great platform for the budding talent, hoping to see more women in the scheme of things. Born in 1995, the ace dragflicker, is known for her seminal goal against Australia with the final score 1-0 in the semifinals of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Gurjit Kaur says the government is upgrading sports infrastructure across the state and many young players are getting opportunities. On the safety aspect, the player said hostels for women players were a must. On her comeback, Gurjit Kaur said: “I’m putting in efforts and hope to be part of the national squad soon.” Playing domestic hockey for the Northern Railway team, Gurjit Kaur hails from Miadian Kalan village in the Ajnala subdivision. Speaking of her journey from a small village to representing India in the Olympics, Gurjit Kaur said the path was ridden with obstacles. But she braved all challenges and achieved her goal. Gurjit’s sister Pardeep Kaur, also a former hockey player, is now a coach. She graduated from Khalsa College for Women in 2015. She first played for India in 2014, with her coaches — Olympian Varinder Singh, Parminder Kaur and Kulvinder Singh Saini — predicting her rise way before. Gurjit Kaur recalled how she, along with her sister, would travel 13 km a day to reach their school. Apathy at its peak Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 13 A private bank employee was shot at during a brawl between a coworker and a group of five persons on Tuesday. The incident that took place inside the bank branch on the Mall Road around 3.30pm triggered panic in the area. The police said the bullet hit one Gaurav, who was not involved in the brawl. He was rushed to hospital, where he is recuperating. They said the accused and the bank employee, Jaspal Singh (37), a resident of Ajnala, had some financial dispute. The accused snatched Jaspal’s licensed weapon and opened fire, leaving Gaurav injured. A SIT has been formed and efforts are underway to nab the five accused who managed to give the police a slip. An open manhole near the Durga Temple, Amritsar, poses a threat to motorists, especially those commuting at night. Locals have placed logs at the brim as a caution sign. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR United by wartime history, Sikhs, Italians want Gen Next to remember sacrifice DIASPORA NehaSaini Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 13 Every year, Italy makes it a point to remember the bravehearts who laid down their lives fighting Nazi Germany during the Second World War. At the 15th Martyrdom Tribute Ceremony, the Sikh community, Italian officials and locals got together to pay homage to the Indian soldiers. The event, jointly organised by the World Sikh Military (Royal) and the Municipality of Mercato Saraceno, a quaint remote town of Mercato Saraceno in Italy, aimed at preserving the martyrs’ legacy for future generations. The ceremony began with prayers offered by World Sikh Military committee secretary Satnam Singh. The Mayor of Mercato Sara- ceno and the World Sikh Military committee president Prithipal Singh subsequently paid tributes to the martyrs, remembering their courage and sacrifice in the fight against Hitler’s forces. Prithipal Singh said he hoped that the annual martyrdom tribute would continue in future too. A historic route built by Sikh soldiers in 1944 One of the highlights of the event was an 11-km commemorative march along a historic route reportedly built by Sikh forces in 1944, while fighting the German army. The route served as a reminder of the difficult conditions under which Indian soldiers operated during the Italian campaign. “The march brought together Italian and Indian boys and girls, symbolising the enduring friendship between the two communities and their shared commitment to preserving Every year, the Sikh community and Italian officials pay homage to Indian soldiers who fought Nazi Germany during the Second World War at Mercato Saraceno; and (right) the memorial. wartime history. The group completed the journey, stopping along the way to learn about the places associated with the Sikh soldiers, who were martyred during the WWII. The soldiers and the Italian campaign According to historical accounts, during the Second World War, the Indian Army fought alongside Allied forces c m y b in Italy against German troops defending the Gothic Line, a major German defensive position across northern Italy. Sikh soldiers were among the Indian troops, who took part in the difficult mountain and valley battles of 1944, facing heavy resistance while advancing through challenging terrain. Their contribution formed part of the wider Indian Army effort in the Allied campaign to liberate Italy from Nazi occupation. The sacrifices made by these soldiers remain an important chapter in the shared military history of India and Italy. “The memorial activities in and around Mercato Saraceno serve as a reminder that the history of the war is not confined to battlefields and military records. It also lives on in local communities, historic routes and the efforts of people who continue to honour those who fought far from their homeland. The annual tribute reflects the dedication of World Sikh Military (Royal) Italy and the local community towards ensuring that the sacrifices of Sikh soldiers are not forgotten,” said Prithipal Singh. Iqbal Singh Sodhi, another member of World Sikh Military (Royal) organisation in Italy, said, “The 15th Martyrdom Tribute Ceremony was not merely an occasion to remember the fallen. It was also a reaffirmation of the bond between the Sikh community and the people of Italy, united by a history of sacrifice, courage and remembrance.”