29102026-ATR-01.qxd 28-10-2026 22:38 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY SKILLSET A MAJOR PLAYER IN LANDING JOB: EXPERTS 53 KNEE PATIENTS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET GLOBAL TRAILER OF MARATHI THRILLER GONDHAL UNVEILED A three-day Commonwealth Asia Graduate Employability workshop gets underway at GNDU. P2 As many as 53 underprivileged patients undergo free knee replacement surgeries. P3 Trailer of Gondhalhints at a mysterious tale, drawing a newly married couple into unsettling events. P4 » » » MAX 28°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 28°C | MIN 16°C SUNSET THURSDAY 5.37 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:35 AM THURSDAY | 29 OCTOBER 2026 | AMRITSAR All things fancy! Tradition meets modernity this Karva Chauth Neha Saini Tribune News Service A woman flaunts her hands adorned with beautiful henna art in Amritsar. VISHAL KUMAR Amritsar, October 28 Fancy a cool mehndi design this Karva Chauth? Rush to the city’s bustling markets and witness a maelstrom of colours, symbolising love and deep bond. With social media inspired designs being the latest fad, crowded mehndi stalls are giving the traditional festival a contemporary twist. For some, the occasion is about rituals and celebration; for others, it is an opportunity to earn a seasonal income. On Lawrence Road in Amritsar, Shariq, who runs a tea stall all year round, has turned an entrepreneur for the festive season. With the help of his family, particularly its women members, he has set up a mehndi stall, where customers queue up for intricate henna designs. “It’s that time of the year when we can earn quick money while enjoying the festivities and expressing our creativity,” said one of the girls, who manages the stall alongside Shariq. Three of her cousins, visiting from Uttar Pradesh, have also joined in. Students back home, they learnt henna art by watching social media videos and are now putting their skills to work. For young women, who face family restrictions on taking up regular employment, the festival offers a chance to earn independently. “Since Karva Chauth is a women-centric festival, it becomes an opportunity for young women to bring home self-earned money,” said Bhavna, another mehndi artist working on Lawrence Road. The business is becoming increasingly lucrative, with Arabic patterns, elaborate florals, bride-and-groom figures, hidden partner initials Continued on page 2 At 318, farm fires rage in Tarn Taran Neeraj Bagga ALARMING Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 28 Stubble burning has been a bane of Punjab. Not only it adds to the pollution levels, but also affects the soil health. Sadly, there seems no end do the practice, with the data released by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) setting alarm bells ringing. This year, the district topping the chart is Tarn Taran with 318 farm fires to date. Officials inspected 299 locations and confirmed stubble Tarn Taran 318 in 2026 224 cases in 2025 362 cases in 2024 << Straw burning at 152 sites. burning at 152 sites. Environmental compensation was imposed in 152 cases; the total fine stands at Rs 7.80 lakh. Additionally, 64 FIRs were registered, and ‘red entries’ (official adverse records) were made against 152 fields. Coming to Amritsar, there were 154 incidents; inspections carried out in 150 locations and stubble burning confirmed at 75 sites. As per the PPCB, Tarn Taran saw 305 farm fires between September 15 and October 26. There was a rise in such incidents as compared to the corresponding period last year when only 224 cases were reported. During the same period in 2024, around 362 incidents were reported. The trend went downwards in Amritsar, which recorded only 152 farm fires, less than two cases in comparison with the corresponding period last year. The number was 472 in 2024. Continued on page 2 c m y b Transporter opens fire at car, kills 1, injures 2 Gurbaxpuri Tarn Taran, October 28 A transporter reportedly opened fire at a car, killing one and injuring two others, on Asal Road in Khemkaran town on Wednesday afternoon. A video of the incident too has gone viral on the social media. The deceased was identified as Gursewak Singh of Assal Uttar, while the injured, Harkirat Singh and Sajanpreet Singh, are recuperating at a private hospital in Bhikhiwind. Manjit Singh Katta, a resident of Khemkaran near the International Border, along with his brother Sandeep Singh, was returning home after offering prayers at a shrine in Ghariala when he realised that a car was following the couple. When the vehicles reached near the Mehndipur level crossing, Manjit allegedly opened fire at the car, injuring its three occupants. Soon after the incident, he claimed that the occupants of the car were involved in an extortion case. Belying his claim, the victims’ side alleged that Manjit had opened fire without Police personnel at the crime scene in Tarn Taran on Wednesday. PHOTO BY WRITER ACCUSED LEVELS EXTORTION CLAIM ■ Manjit Singh Katta, a resident of Khemkaran near the International Border, claimed that he had been receiving threats from gangsters. ■ Soon after opening fire at the victims’ car, Manjit claimed that the occupants of the car were involved in an extortion case. ■ Belying his claim, the victims’ side alleged that Manjit had opened fire without any provocation. Following which, a case was registered. any provocation. The police said the accused, Manjit Singh Katta, a resident of Khemkaran near the International Border, claimed that he had been receiving threats from gangsters for the past few days. He was given security cover too. But such was the extent of the threats that he went on to hire private security personnel. While SSP Surendra Lamba denied the involvement of gangsters in the incident, DSP Atul Soni and SP Sukhninder Singh, who were at the hospital to get crucial leads, refused to divulge details. The actual circumstances leading to the firing and the motive behind it are yet to be established. Further details are expected to emerge after the completion of preliminary investigation. Sukhninder Singh SP (Headquarters), who visited the spot, said a case under relevant sections had been registered against Manjit Singh Katta and his brother.