21102026-CT-01.qxd 10/21/2026 12:44 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune » CONG BURNS CEC GYANESH KUMAR’S EFFIGY INSIDE » TOUR OPERATORS FINED FOR DEFICIENT SERVICE INSIDE CHANDIGARH 75 PANCHKULA 50 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH PARADE: UT-level Police Commemoration Day Parade; Sector 17 police station; 7.30 am MOHALI PARADE: State-level Police Commemoration Day Parade; Police Lines, Sector 25; 7.30 am PANCHKULA PARADE: District-level Police Commemoration Day Parade; DAC, Sector 76; 7.30 am APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 15, 40, 46 Panchkula: Sector 25 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com WATER SUPPLY TO BE AFFECTED IN CITY October 22 and 23 3.30 am to 9 am — Full pressure 6 pm to 8.30 pm — Low pressure MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 32°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 14.3°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.47 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6.28 AM » CITY TRAIL BY 289 RUNS AGAINST MP INSIDE WEDNESDAY | 21 OCTOBER 2026 | CHANDIGARH AIR QUALITY INDEX FORECAST /THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Drugs Ravana of modern society, kill the evil: Kataria Roads choked as crowds flock to Dasehra venues Dasehra celebrated with festive fervour across Tricity Chandigarh, October 20 Heavy traffic was witnessed on city roads as locals attended the Dasehra celebrations at various locations. While the Chandigarh Traffic Police had made elaborate arrangements, commuters faced traffic snarls, with several roads subject to heavy restrictions. The road leading from the Sector 45/46 light point to Sector 46 remained closed. “I had to cross Sector 46 to go to Sector 7. Something that should take just two minutes took over 15 minutes due to traffic heading towards the Sector 46-47 roundabout and a heavy rush of people attending the fair,” said a commuter. The situation was similar near the Sector 17 Parade Ground, as the traffic from Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 20 Drawing a parallel between Ravana and the evil of drugs in modern society, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Tuesday called upon residents to actively contribute to building a drug-free Chandigarh. He emphasised that collective efforts by families, teachers, youth and social and religious organisations were essential to combat drug abuse. He also stressed that people struggling with addiction should be supported through treatment, counselling and rehabilitation rather than being subjected to hatred. Kataria was addressing a gathering during the Dasehra celebrations in Sector 48. He also participated in similar events at Sectors 17 and 46. The festival of Dasehra was celebrated with religious fervour and enthusiasm across the city. Thousands of residents gathered at various venues to witness the burning of effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhakarna, marking the symbolic victory of good over evil. The Administrator said the festival reminded people to overcome inner evils such as anger, greed, hatred, corruption and ego, and to follow An effigy of Ravana set ablaze at the Dasehra Ground in Sector 46, Chandigarh, on Tuesday. PHOTO: PARDEEP TEWARI MORE INSIDE the ideals of Lord Rama, including truth, duty, compassion and justice. Kataria further highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment and social harmony. He urged citizens to respect women, oppose injustice, protect nature and strengthen brotherhood in society. Former MP and Additional Solicitor General of India Satya Pal Jain, former Mayor c m y b Davesh Moudgil and New Tirupati Balaji Sansthan chairman Haneet Singh ceremonially set the effigies afire. Meanwhile, the Vijayadashami celebrations organised by Shri Sanatan Dharma Dasehra Committee at Sabzi Mandi Ground in Sector 46 drew a massive crowd. The burning of the ‘Sone ki Lanka’ and the 106-ft effigy of Ravana were the major attractions at the event. People admired the revolving neck and face of Ravana riding a chariot, a stream of ‘Amrit Kund’ emanating from the navel and the embers of fire emanating from the eyes. During the celebrations, an effigy symbolising drug abuse was also burnt to give the message of a drug-free Chandigarh. Jatinder Bhatia, chief patron and chairman of the committee, said drug addiction was a huge challenge for the society. “It is the need of the hour to make the younger generation aware of its ill effects. Through this initiative, a message was given to the people to stay away from social evils like drugs,” he said. Residents witnessed the fiery spectacle of effigy burning at other places, including Sectors 43, 41, 42, 37, 30, 7, 22, 20, 29 and 34, as well as Ram Darbar, Dadu Majra, Dhanas and Bapu Dham and Manimajra. Tribune News Service People stuck in a traffic jam near a Dasehra function venue in Panchkula on Tuesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR the Sector 22 light point, the Sector 17/18 light point, the Sector 18/19/20/21 chowk and the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium chowk was diverted. Most parts of Sectors 17 and 22 remained jam-packed, with vehicles inching along. Suhani, who wanted to watch the Dasehra celebra- tions in Sector 17, expressed disappointment at being unable to reach the venue on time. People reported higher taxi fares between 5 pm and 7 pm. “We had difficulty getting rides and even the fares were higher when we tried to book Continued on page 2 Father of 5 girls shoots himself dead Tribune News Service Mohali, October 20 A 57-year-old contractor residing in Model Town, Chhajju Majra, reportedly shot himself dead with his licensed pistol at his home on Monday afternoon. His body was found in a pool of blood in the bedroom of his house. The deceased, Sharanjit Singh, has five daughters, the youngest of whom is three years old, the police said. ASI Daljit Singh, the investigating officer from the Kharar City police station, said one of Sharanjit’s daughters went to give him food and found the door of the room bolted from inside. She unbolted the door through a window, entered the room and found her father dead. She then informed her grandfather. Neighbours said the deceased’s wife, Dr Sukhdeep Kaur, had also died at the house last year, reportedly by suicide. The deceased was said to have been in a disturbed state of mind after his wife’s death. In his statement to the police, the deceased’s father, Chhinder Singh, said his son earlier took government contracts, but had given up the work due to mental distress following his wife’s death. The body was handed over to the deceased’s family after a post-mortem examination at the Kharar subdivisional hospital.