08112026-JTR-01.qxd 07-11-2026 22:38 Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune MUSIC, FESTIVE CHEER MARK DIWALI ACROSS CITY SCHOOLS NINJA REGALES STUDENTS, STAFF AT ‘JASHAN-E-DIWALI 2.0’ RICHARD GERE ON COLLECTIVE GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY The special celebrations convey a message of India’s religious diversity and communal harmony . P2 Ninja's powerful vocals, popular Punjabi hits and electrifying stage presence captivate the audience. P2 At the D’sala International Film Fest, the Hollywood star speaks about a shared planet & individual role. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 29°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 15°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.33 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:49 AM » SUNDAY | 8 NOVEMBER 2026 | JALANDHAR City lights up for Diwali amid tight security Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 7 The city has geared up for the Diwali celebrations with markets, commercial establishments and residential areas wearing a festive look, even as the police have stepped up security and traffic arrangements to manage the rush ahead of the festival of lights on Sunday. From the bustling Rainak Bazaar, Sheikhan Bazaar and Phagwara Gate to Model Town and Adarsh Nagar, markets have witnessed increased footfall as residents make last-minute purchases of sweets, clothes, decorative lights, gifts and puja items. Illuminated shops and commercial establishments, along with stalls selling earthen lamps, candles and festive decorations, have added to the celebratory atmosphere. The Model Town market has been decked up with streams of lights overhead and fresh flower decorations outside shops, said Rajiv Duggal, president of Model Town Market Association. With Diwali coinciding with Bandi Chhor Divas, prepara- Police enforce elaborate traffic, security plan Women purchase diyas on the eve of Diwali in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH tions are also underway at temples and gurdwaras across the city. The illuminated premises of religious places, special prayers and community celebrations are expected to draw devotees. The police have drawn up an elaborate security and traffic management plan, deploying around 450 personnel from the traffic wing and police stations to regulate movement and maintain law and order. Markets such as Rainak Bazaar, Sheikhan Bazaar, Phagwara Gate, Milap Chowk, Bhagwan Valmiki Chowk and Model Town have been identified for heightened vigil. Barricades have been installed at narrow mar- ket stretches to restrict the entry of cars, e-rickshaws and other large vehicles. Additional personnel will also be deployed at the PAP Chowk, BSF Chowk, Maqsudan Chowk, Chugitti flyover and Kapurthala Chowk. Special nakas will be set up on highways and major roads to monitor vehicular movement. c m y b Traders race against time to sell cracker stocks Cite delayed approvals, fear losses 18 fire tenders, 90 personnel on alert for Diwali Rishika Kriti Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 7 With Diwali, Chhath Puja and Gurpurb fuelling festive demand for firecrackers, traders at the temporary fireworks market set up in Raowali village on Pathankot Road are racing against time to maximise sales. The market has been permitted to operate only till the evening of November 8, leaving traders with just four days to dispose of their stocks. The traders received their licences on November 4 and set up the market thereafter. They said the shortened selling period had left them with limited time to recover their investment in procuring firecrackers, arranging transportation and setting up stalls. Vikas Bhandari, president of the Jalandhar Fireworks Association, said, “We applied for licence on October 27 but the process took longer than expected after the village panchayat raised objections to setting up the market. The lucky draw for temporary licence which was initially scheduled for October 29 was hence postponed to November 2 where we finally received our licence on November 4. This has left us People buy crackers at a shop in Jalandhar. PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH with only four days to sell firecrackers and cater to the festive demand.” “Before the High Court took suo motu cognisance of the sale and bursting of firecrackers during Diwali in 2017, we used to get around 30 days to operate the market. The selling period has become considerably shorter since then,” Bhandari added. Another trader at the market said, “It is the responsibility of the district administration to identify and provide suitable land for such a market. Traders invest a considerable amount in purchasing stocks, transportation and setting up stalls well in advance. When licences are issued late, the reduced selling period makes it difficult to recover the investment and increases the risk of unsold stocks,” the trader said. The district administration allotted 20 licences through a draw of lots on November 2 under the Explosives Rules, 2008. The temporary market has been set up across around 5.5 acres. As part of the safety arrangements, a distance of at least 15 metres must be maintained between the stalls and the parking area. The market must also adhere to the distance norms from the national highway, petrol pumps, factories and residential areas. Each stall is required to have four fire extinguishers placed outside and a water tank inside to deal with any mishaps. To regulate movement around the market, direct vehicular entry from the national highway has been prohibited. The organisers have been made responsible for managing traffic and ensuring that the arrangements do not obstruct the highway. Jalandhar, November 7 While the city prepares to celebrate Diwali, more than 90 fire personnel in Jalandhar will be on duty, keeping a round-the-clock vigil against fire emergencies. The district fire department has deployed 18 fire tenders, including four quick response vehicles, at strategic locations across the city while holidays of staff have been cancelled for Saturday and Sunday. District fire officer Maninder Singh said all arrangements had been made to ensure a swift response to emergencies. “Our teams and vehicles are on high alert and personnel will remain on duty round the clock. We have stationed fire tenders at prominent locations to minimise response time, particularly in congested areas. All vehicles have been checked and equipped to deal with any eventuality during the festival,” he said. The vehicles have been stationed at Sauda Chowk, Jalandhar Cantonment, Babri Chowk, Model Town, Damoria Pull, Lamba Pind Chowk, Tikkya Wala Chowk, Company Bagh, Dada Colony, the Surgical Fire Substation and fire department headquarters near Jyoti Chowk. — TNS