28012026-JTR-01.qxd 1/27/2026 10:33 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune PAK-INDIA BIZ COUNCIL CALLS FOR COOPERATION FLORAL TRIBUTES FOR LATE IS BINDRA’S ENDURING INNINGS Body chairman acknowledges India’s progress in infrastructure, technology, and industrial development. P2 District cricket body remembers the former ICC president’s contributions to the sport at the national and international levels. P3 » » LOGGING OUT OF SOCIAL MEDIA IS THE NEW POWER MOVE Celebrities are quietly logging out. Actors are stepping back from social media to protect themselves. P4 FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 17°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 16°C | MIN 9°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.57 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 7:22 AM » WEDNESDAY | 28 JANUARY 2026 | JALANDHAR begins over Minister Goyal honours martyrs’ kin on R-Day PoliticsDera Ballan Modi’s Takes salute from march past, highlights govt’s feats |Balbir unfurls Tricolour in Nawanshahr Kids perform at Nawanshahr Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 27 On the 77th Republic Day, Mining and Geology, Water Resources, and Land and Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Monday unfurled the national flag during the district-level function held at the local Guru Gobind Singh Stadium. The minister took the salute from the march past led by IPS officer Ashok Meena and also honoured the family members of 10 soldiers martyred in the India-China, India-Pakistan and other wars. RS Member Balbir Singh Seechewal, Kartarpur MLA Balkar Singh, Mayor Vaneet Dhir, DC Dr Himanshu Aggarwal, and Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur were also present. Goyal paid homage to the sacrifices made by Punjabis in the freedom struggle and saluted the contribution of BR Ambedkar in framing the Constitution. The minister highlighted welfare initiatives being undertaken for the well-being of the people. He said the government, which began its tenure after taking oath at Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s ancestral village Khatkar Kalan, is dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of the martyrs. He mentioned several historic steps, including installing portraits of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Dr BR Ambedkar in government offices, renaming Mohali International Airport after Shaheed Bhagat Singh, increasing ex gratia assistance to families of the martyred soldiers from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore, and extending Chinese dorslits biker’s finger in Phagwara Our Correspondent Students perform giddha; and (right) Punjab Police constables participate in a march past during a Republic Day programme held in Guru Gobind Singh Stadium Jalandhar on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH similar financial support to the families of police personnel who sacrifice their lives in the line of duty. Highlighting healthcare initiatives, he said the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojna’ provides cashless treatment up to Rs10 lakh at over 900 government and empanelled private hospitals, covering around 65 lakh families. Goyal said the number of seats in ITIs had been increased from 35,000 to 52,000. Keeping in view the needs of industry and the market, 814 new trades had also been introduced. He said incidents of stubble burning cases declined by 53 per cent in the last season. IGP Intelligence, Babu Lal , Meena, District and Session Judge Nirbhow Singh Gill, Chairman of the Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank Pawan Kumar Tinu, Chairman of Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited Mangal Singh HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. Commissioner (Urban Development) Jasbir Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Amaninder Kaur, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Navdeep Kaur, Joint Commissioners Mandeep Kaur and Sumandeep Kaur, AAP leader Rajwinder Kaur Thiara were also present. Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 27 Just as Union Minister of State Ravneet Bittu on Tuesday announced the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar on February 1 to mark the occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas, politics has already got started over it. While all BJP leaders are upbeat over the PM’s visit, the Aam Aadmi Party leadership seems to have been taken aback after the announcement. Aam Aadmi Party leader and minister Mohinder Bhagat said he hoped that upon his visit, the PM would give Punjab an assurance that its Rs 9,000 crore Rural Development Fund would be released soon. Bhagat said, “We also expect the PM to release the Rs 1,600 crore dole that he had announced as relief for the flood-hit Punjab five months back. We are also expecting that he will announce a special package for Punjab.” The SC leader, who has been with the BJP for decades, however, was quick to add, “We will welcome the PM with open arms. The PM does not belong to any party. After all, he leads the nation.” On Bhagat’s statement, former minister Manoranjan Kalia said, “We should not add any political context to the PM’s visit. His visit purely signifies that he respects all religions and communities and he wants to be a part of all big spiritual events, centenaries and half centenaries. PACKAGE SOUGHT ❝ We expect the PM to release ~1,600 cr dole that he had announced as relief for the flood-hit Punjab five months back. We are also expecting that he will announce a special package for Punjab. Mohinder Bhagat, MINISTER ❞ NO POLITICAL HUES ❝ We should not add any political context to the PM's visit. His visit purely signifies that he respects all religions and communities. ❞ Manoranjan Kalia, BJP LEADER Just as the PM had recently taken part in the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur and also took a holy dip at Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh, he will attend the beginning of the 650th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Ravidas.” Kalia said, “It was wrong for the AAP minister to see through the PM’s visit”. MC’s drive against illegal ads, Stranded in Austria for 16 years, man banners on roadsides in city returns home, thanks to BJP’s Khanna Our Correpondent Tribune News Service Phagwara, January 27 A motorcyclist was seriously injured after his finger was slit by a Chinese kite string near Satnampura on Monday, creating panic among commuters and raising fresh concerns over the continued menace of banned Chinese dor. The motorcyclist was passing through the area when a sharp Chinese kite string hanging across the road suddenly wrapped around his finger, causing deep cuts and heavy bleeding. Passersby immediately stopped and rushed to his rescue, following which he was taken to the Civil Hospital, Phagwara. Witnesses said the string was barely visible, making it extremely dangerous for twowheeler riders. The injured reportedly suffered severe cuts to the finger and collapsed on the road due to blood loss. Local residents expressed anger over the repeated incidents caused by Chinese dor despite a ban, stating that such negligence continues to put innocent lives at risk. Bassi, Chairman of the Punjab Muslim Welfare Development Board Abdul Bahari Salmani, Chairman of the Punjab Khadi and Village Industries Board Gagandeep Singh (Kaku Ahluwalia), Municipal Commissioner Sandeep Rishi, Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Sharma, Additional Deputy Nawanshahr, January 27 Cabinet Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Research Dr Balbir Singh unfurled the national flag at the district-level Republic Day function held at the ITI Ground, Nawanshahr. Dr Balbir Singh inspected the marching contingents and took the salute during the ceremonial parade. Tableaux showcasing various development initiatives undertaken by the government were also presented. DC Gulpreet Singh Aulakh and SSP Tushar Gupta were present during the ceremony. Paying rich tributes to the unparalleled sacrifices of Punjabis in India’s freedom struggle, the Cabinet Minister saluted the brave soldiers of the Army, Navy, Air Force and armed forces who continue to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and integrity. The District Red Cross Society distributed tricycles and sewing machines to needy beneficiaries. Officers and employees, who rendered exemplary services in various departments, were also felicitated, including the parade commander. Students from various schools presented patriotic cultural performances, adding colour and enthusiasm to the celebrations. Among those present were District and Sessions Judge Priya Sood, MLAs Santosh Kataria and Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi. — TNS visit on February 1 Jalandhar, January 27 The Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, has intensified a special enforcement drive for the removal of unauthorised advertisements, including banners, hoardings, posters, wall paintings, illegal flexes, traffic media and all other forms of defacement, found on roadsides, across roads, on walls, buildings, and other public places within the city limits. The MC has said it is informed that the advertisement tender has been implemented and allotted to Creative OOH. Accordingly, no permission has been granted by the Municipal Corporation to any individual, organisation, institution, company, or advertiser to display or install In case any violation, stringent legal action shall be initiated advertisements at unauthorized locations. It is further clarified that even on allotted or authorized advertisement sites/media, no illegal flexes or unauthorized displays are permitted. Only advertisements approved and displayed strictly as per the terms and conditions of the tender and Municipal Corporation norms shall be allowed. Mayor and Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar have strongly appealed to all advertisers to strictly comply with these directions and refrain from installing or displaying any unauthorized banners, hoardings, posters, wall paintings, illegal flexes, or carrying out any form of defacement. In case any violation is detected, stringent legal action shall be initiated, including registration of an FIR against the advertising agency as well as the advertiser, imposition of penalties, and immediate removal of the material as per law. Hoshiarpur, January 27 Jaswant Singh, who had been stranded abroad for nearly 16 years, has returned to India owing to the efforts of former MP Avinash Rai Khanna and prompt action by the Centre. Addressing a press conference, Khanna said Jaswant of village Ghagon Rodanwali in Garhshankar, had gone to Italy for employment and later moved to Austria. During his stay in Austria, Jaswant was involved in an altercation, following which the police confiscated his passport. As a result, he was unable to return to India and remained stuck there for several years. Khanna said despite making repeated efforts at their own level, Jaswant’s family failed to bring him back Former MP Avinash Rai Khanna addresses a press conference, accompanied by Jaswant Singh, who had returned from Austria, and his family members. home. He added that later his father Karnail Singh approached and informed the ex-MP about his son being stranded in Austria, requesting assistance for his safe return to India. Khanna stated that he took up the matter with the Centre and assured the family of all possible help. Owing to the swift intervention of the Gov- ernment of India, Jaswant Singh has returned to his homeland after 16 years. Expressing gratitude to the Centre, Khanna appealed to people to always provide correct information to embassies and travel abroad only through legal and proper channels. He said the Centre remains committed to assisting Indians living abroad and has also launched a help portal for this purpose. Through the media, Khanna further appealed that if any person is stranded abroad or facing difficulties, they or their family members in India may contact his office and every possible effort will be made to convey their case to the Government of India and ensure assistance. Speeding car kills schoolgirl in Phillaur Youth held with 7 grams of heroin Our Correspondent Phagwara, January 27 A road accident in village Garha near Phillaur, claimed the life of a 13-year-old schoolgirl, sending shock waves across the area. The incident occurred when a speeding car allegedly hit the minor while she was walking along the roadside, resulting in fatal injuries. The deceased has been identified as Muskan, a Class VI student. The accident took place when Muskan was returning home after paying obeisance at a local gurdwara along with her aunt Parveen. Both were walking on the side of the road when a car coming from behind at a high speed rammed into them. The impact of the collision was so severe that Muskan was thrown several feet and struck a nearby tree, leaving her critically injured. She was immediately rushed to a hospital by family members and locals, however, doctors declared her brought dead. The sudden loss of the child plunged the family into deep mourning and left the village in a state of shock. On receiving information from the control room, the Phillaur police reached the spot and took the body into custody, later placing it in the Civil Hospital. DSP Bharat Masih stated that based on the statement of the victim’s aunt, a case has been registered against the car driver, identified as Daljit Singh. c m y b The vehicle has been seized and investigation into the accident is underway. Police officials said they are examining all aspects of the case, including the speed of the vehicle and possible negligence on the part of the driver. The last rites of Muskan were performed in the village. The untimely death of the student has left the community grieving and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent such heartbreaking incidents. Banga, January 27 The Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar police have arrested a youth and recovered heroin from his possession during a routine patrol and checking operation. The accused has been booked under Sections 21, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act. The police party was moving from village Palli Jhikki towards village Surapur and further in the direction of village Bhaura. When the police team reached near government school of village Surapur, they noticed a man approaching from the opposite side. On spotting the police vehicle, the youth took out a transparent polythene packet from the right pocket of his pants and threw it into the grass before attempting to move away swiftly through the fields. Sensing suspicious conduct, cops apprehended the youth. During questioning, the accused disclosed his identity as Harpreet Singh, a resident of village Surapur, near Ban- ga.The police recovered the discarded transparent polythene packet, which was found to contain 7 gram of heroin. 99 grams of opium seized Nakodar: The Nakodar police have arrested a man and recovered 99 gram of opium from him near Rampur. During routine checking and patrolling, the police party apprehended the accused from the outer link road near Rampur. The accused was intercepted while travelling in a car. — OC