29102026-JTR-01.qxd 10/28/2026 10:38 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune SCHOOLS TO INTRODUCE AI IN CURRICULUM FOR CLASSES VIII-XII FOUR FOOD SAMPLES COLLECTED DURING CHECKS POSTER OF SHAH RUKH’S FILM KING REMINDS OF DHURANDHAR AI-based questions will account for 15 per cent of the total marks in the annual examinations. P2 Officials urge consumers to check the cleanliness and quality of food items before purchasing them.P2 The poster of Shah Rukh Khan’s film King reminds his fans of Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandharposter. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 30°C | MIN 14°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 150°C SUNSET THURSDAY 5.41 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:41 AM » THURSDAY | 29 OCTOBER 2026 | JALANDHAR Fans queue till half-time as hockey craze peaks in city Latecomers brave traffic as opener draws beyond-capacity turnout Deepankar Sharda Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 28 Half-time into the IndiaBangladesh match and scores of fans were still waiting outside the gates to enter the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium. These scenes were not from a cricket venue but from the opening match of the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT), underlining the surging popularity of hockey in the city. The stadium had reached its capacity way before the start of the match, putting the late comers at a risk of missing the action. However, they didn’t lose hope, as the entry to the stadium continued even till the half-time break. From young to long-time fans, the stadium united the hockey lovers to cheer for the Indian team. “I tried to reach here on time, but couldn’t due to the huge traffic. It was only around 8.20 pm, I managed to reach and, luckily, gained entry after a wait of a few minutes. It was my first match and an amazing one. I have been to Mullanpur As hockey takes a break, ‘Saada Pind’ draws spotlight Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 28 A day after the grand opening of the Asian Champions Trophy, which saw Malaysia, Japan and India register victories, the tournament observed a rest day on Wednesday with no matches scheduled. Teams from Malaysia, Bangladesh, China and Korea were supposed to be at the stadium for practice sessions until 5 pm, but Bangladesh and China’s practice was cancelled. The stadium has been beautifully decked up in vibrant colours to mark the occasion. A special attraction is ‘Saada Pind’, an initiative showcasing Punjab’s rich cultural heritage, traditional village life and vibrant rural traditions, offering visitors a glimpse into the state’s unique identity. The action will resume on October 29, with three exciting fixtures lined up for the day. Malaysia will take on Korea, Bangladesh will face Japan, while hosts India will clash with China. The inaugural ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished hockey Olympians and international players, adding to the grandeur of the occasion. Among those present were Col Balbir Singh, Rajinder Singh Senior, Balbir Singh Randhawa, Balwinder Singh Shammi, Baljit Singh Dhillon, Harpreet Singh Mander, Gagan Ajit Singh, Gurbaj Singh, Gurwinder Singh Chandi, Gurjit Kaur, Rupinder Pal Singh, Simranjeet Singh and Gurjant Singh. Padma Shree awardee and renowned wrestler Kartar Singh was also present at the inaugural event. Fans wait outside the gates to enter the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar. (Mohali) to watch cricket matches, but watching hockey here was on another level,” said Shubham, a school student, who was here with a group of friends. “The police ensured a smooth entry for latecomers. I enjoyed the drone show from outside and later managed to get inside for the match,” said another spectator, Shivani. The entry to the stadium was free and owing to the terracing sitting arrangements, more people managed to watch the match than the actual capacity. The capacity of the stadium is said to be around 7,000 but the actual number was way up. “We could have assessed the exact number of fans on the basis of tickets sold or number of seats available. However, it was definitely more than the capacity,” said Khushpreet, one of the local committee members. The craze of hockey was pretty evident in afternoon matches as well. The Malaysia-China and KoreaJapan matches attracted a healthy turnout, with fans engrossed in the play rather than their mobile phones. “Hockey is a fast-paced sport and you cannot enjoy it if you take your eyes off the ball. These matches will create lasting memories for both us and the younger generation. Whether you arrive early or late, watching a hockey match is a must,” said Col Bhupinder Singh, who watched the proceedings from the stands. Interestingly, the veteran usually avoid climbing stairs, but he gathered the courage to see the match from the balcony. “I am surprised to see him taking the stairs. Had it been at home, he would have simply refused,” joked his son, Raminder Singh. c m y b Telephone wires worth lakhs stolen Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 28 Around 25-30 men allegedly stole telephone cables belonging to a private company from a road that houses the offices of the Commissioner of Police and the SSP . District Congress Committee (Urban) president Rajinder Beri said the incident reflected the criminals’ lack of fear of law. He claimed that cables worth lakhs of rupees had been stolen. PROBE SOUGHT Around 25-30 men allegedly stole telephone cables worth lakhs from a road housing the offices of the Commissioner of Police and SSP, prompting demands for a probe and swift action against the culprits. Employees of the private company engaged in laying the cables said this was not an isolated incident. “Cables have been stolen from four or five locations across the city. How- ever, it is shocking that such a major theft took place right outside the SSP’s office, with the road also being damaged in the process,” they said. Beri demanded a thorough investigation into the case to identify the gang involved. “If a road housing key police offices is not safe, it raises serious concerns about security elsewhere in the city. The culprits should be arrested at the earliest and strict action should be taken against them,” he said. Ashish Chopra Gangster dies in Hoshiarpur jail Hoshiarpur, October 28 Gangster Ashish Chopra, also known as Bhuvnesh Chopra, a native of Ferozepur, died under mysterious circumstances at the Hoshiarpur District Jail late Tuesday night. Chopra was taken to the Civil Hospital, Hoshiarpur, after his health deteriorated. However, doctors declared him brought dead and his body was kept in the hospital mortuary. A hospital doctor confirmed that Chopra had been brought dead. The exact cause of the death is yet to be established and is expected to be ascertained after the post-mortem examination and further investigation. Chopra had been deported to India and arrested at the IGIA in New Delhi in March 2026 with the assistance of central agencies. He was wanted in several criminal cases, including the 2024 triple murder case in Ferozepur and alleged drug trafficking. Several FIRs were reportedly registered against him . — OC