02032026-LT-01.qxd 3/2/2026 12:58 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune TURMERIC PROCESSING OPENING NEW AVENUES FOR FARMERS SUKHBIR BADAL ADDRESSES RALLY IN SAMRALA VIOLA DAVIS CALLS LIFE A ‘HERO’S JOURNEY’ PAU experts say scientific processing enhances the colour, aroma and purity of turmeric. P2 The SAD president vows to reinstate pro-people policies if his party is voted to power. P2 Viola Davis delivered one of the night’s most resonant speeches at the 57th NAACP Image Awards. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 30°C | MIN 14°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 13°C SUNSET MONDAY 6.22 PM » SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:28 AM MONDAY | 2 MARCH 2026 | LUDHIANA Dist gears up for HPV vaccination campaign for adolescent girls Stray dog menace: Civic body tackling hundreds of complaints with 1 vehicle Issue reflects poor planning, lack of accountability, say social activists Manav Mander Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 1 Preparations are underway in the district to roll out the HPV vaccination campaign aimed at preventing cervical cancer. Following the state-level launch in Patiala by Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh on Friday, the Ludhiana health authorities are now gearing up to implement the programme at the local level. A district task force meeting is scheduled for Monday to finalise logistics. The campaign is part of a nationwide initiative by the Central Government to address the rising number of cervical cancer cases among women. In the state, the programme will target adolescent girls aged 14 to 15 years, administering a single dose of HPV vaccine in the left shoulder. The drive will run for 90 days, with the first phase covering 10 community health centres Drive part of nationwide initiative to address rising number of cervical cancer cases among women KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF DRIVE ■ Target group: Girls aged 14- 15 years ■ Coverage goal: 35,000 adolescents in district ■ Dose: Single dose HPV vaccine ■ Duration: 90 days ■ Vaccine administration sites: CHCs, SDHs and district hospital ■ Method: Injection in left shoulder WHY HPV VACCINATION MATTERS The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection and a leading cause of cervical cancer. Vaccination during adolescence is considered most effective as it provides immunity before potential exposure. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the country, often developing silently without early symptoms. Preventive measures such as vaccination and regular screening are crucial to reducing mortality. ADDRESSES CHALLENGE BY PREVENTING INFECTION ❝ Despite being largely preventable through vaccination and early screening, cervical cancer continues to impose a heavy burden on families and the healthcare system. The nationwide HPV vaccination programme directly addresses the challenge by preventing HPV infection before it can progress to cancer. — Ramandeep Kaur, CIVIL SURGEON ❞ (CHCs), four sub-district hospitals (SDHs) and one district hospital. The goal is to vaccinate approximately 35,000 girls in the district. The vaccine will Up in arms be provided free of cost at designated government health facilities. The special campaign will run in mission mode over a three-month period, during which eligible girls can receive the vaccine daily at designated facilities. Thereafter, the vaccine will continue to be available on routine immunisation days. The Civil Surgeon, Ramandeep Kaur, confirmed that discussions in the Monday’s meeting would pave the way for the immediate rollout. Despite being largely preventable through vaccination and early screening, cervical cancer continues to impose a heavy burden on families and the healthcare system. The nationwide HPV vaccination programme directly addresses the challenge by preventing HPV infection before it can progress to cancer, the Civil Surgeon said. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 1 The growing menace of stray dogs has sparked concern among residents, with complaints being received by the Municipal Corporation daily. Despite the rising number of incidents related to stray canine, the civic body has only one vehicle and a handful of staff to catch them, leaving residents worried. City residents say the situation has worsened in recent months. In January alone, 1,402 persons visited the Civil Hospital for anti-rabies vaccination. The corporation admits to having only one dog-catching van, which is inadequate for such a big city. A senior official from the MC admitted that they have only one dog catching van and it proves inadequate for the city. Officials claim they were working on expanding facilities but residents remain unconvinced. “I once registered a complaint with the Municipal Corporation to pick up a dog from our street that was probably The MC has only a few employees to catch stray dogs. FILE SITUATION WORSENED IN PAST MONTHS: RESIDENTS City residents say the situation has worsened in past months. In January alone, 1,402 persons visited the Civil Hospital for antirabies vaccination. rabid. The van only came in the evening and the official kept repeating that it had gone to another area. By the time the van reached, it had already bitten 10 persons in the area,” Dispute over tip-cat turns into clash Moga youth dies after Elderly man hit with gilli, falling from tractor youngsters attack kin Tribune News Service ASHA and mid-day meal workers stage a protest in support of their demands in Ludhiana on Sunday. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN Ludhiana, March 1 A dispute over playing gillidanda (tip-cat) escalated into a violent clash at Sukhdev Nagar in Basti Jodhewal here. As per information, some youths hit an elderly man with a gilli while playing and when the family objected, they attacked them. Sarabjit Singh said some youths used to play gilli-danda daily in a vacant plot near their house. Despite repeated warnings, they refuse to listen. On Saturday, his father was drinking tea outside the house when a gilli hit him and caused injuries. When he returned from work, his wife told him about the incident. when objected Afterwards, he went to meet families of the youths to discuss the matter with them but was attacked. “I just went to their houses to tell them that they should not disturb the family in my absence. When the youths hit me in the face with a badminton racket, I managed to defend myself but they started pelted bricks at me. I got injuries on the forehead in the attack. When people came to save me, the attackers slapped them too,” the victim alleged. The victim said he was tak- en to the Civil Hospital for treatment. His wife Surinder Kaur alleged that when she tried to save her husband, the attackers also assaulted her. She told mediapersons that the youths also used to pass comments at girls. Meanwhile, area residents alleged that the suspects often create a ruckus in the neighbourhood and there was no police patrolling. On Sunday, when the injured Sarabjit was taken to the hospital, the attackers went there and threatened the victim. He demanded that the police should take strict action against the assailants and increase patrolling in the area. The Tibba police started investigation into the matter. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 1 A 16-year-old youth lost his life after falling from a moving tractor near the Jawaddi area on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Harjot Singh, a resident of Baghapurana in Moga district. Following the accident, he was rushed to a nearby private hospital in a critical condition, where doctors declared him brought dead. The Dugri police reached the scene and took the victim to the Civil Hospital. According to investigat- Woman sexually assaulted, case filed after over 3 months Youngster dies as Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 1 The Jodhewal police took three-and-a-half months to register a case of sexual exploitation and blackmailing of a woman. The suspect was accused of deceiving, blackmailing and drugging the woman. The victim filed the complaint on November 15, 2025, and the police registered a case on charges of rape and cheating on Saturday. The victim, a resident of the city, told the police that the suspect, Prohit Kumar Singla, a resident of Muzaffar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, introduced himself as a bachelor and developed a relationship with her, even though he was already married. She alleged that he engaged in a physical relationship with her and took wedding-style photographs of them. She alleged that the man claimed the victim as his wife in a passport application and extorted money from her. He also black- mailed her by showing her obscene photographs. He also used to drug her. Investigating officer assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Balkar Singh said after registering a case, further investigation was launched in the matter and a raid was being conducted to arrest the suspect. Child prodigy Yuvraj honoured by Guv for carpentry talent Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 1 Six-year-old Yuvraj Singh Chouhan, fondly known as the ‘Google carpenter’, captured everyone’s attention with his extraordinary carpentry skills. He was honoured by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria during the Swadeshi Expo at the PAU here. A student of BVM, Kitchlu Nagar, Ludhiana, Yuvraj was also honoured with a prestigious award by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, recognising his remarkable artistry and dedication. Yuvraj first rose to fame when his videos handling said a resident of Model Gram. “We are scared to let our children play outside. Every street has groups of stray dogs and they chase people even during daytime. Calls to the MC for some solution often end in disappointment,” said Sunita, a resident of Subhash Nagar. “Customers hesitate to come in the evening as dogs gather near the market. We’ve complained many times but nothing changes. Once the civic body picked dogs but dropped them back again after sterilisation,” remarked Rajesh Kumar, who runs a grocery store at Shimlapuri. “We hear promises every year but the ground reality remains the same. One van cannot handle thousands of complaints,” said Ramesh Singh, a retired teacher. Social activists argue that the issue reflects poor planning and lack of accountability. “It is not only about dogs but also governance. The corporation must invest in infrastructure, sterilisation programmes and awareness campaigns,” said activist Anil Mehta. Was also awarded by CM, recognising his remarkable dedication carpentry tools at the tender age of one went viral on social media. His handcrafted birdhouses and wooden structures, created with precision and creativity, have been widely admired. His work has also been linked to social service as he builds shelters for homeless birds, combining skill with compassion. “I got my inspiration from my father, who taught me to respect tools and create with love,” Yuvraj said with a smile. During their meeting, the Governor emphasised that children with unique skills should be sponsored by schools to ensure their abilities flourish without financial constraints. Yuvraj’s work has also earned the Book of World Records certificate for mastering the art of innovation for his 3D tribute to BR Ambedkar. Yuvraj continues to inspire countless children to pursue their passions with zeal. His journey reflects not only technical brilliance but also the power of nurturing creativity at a young age. Yuvraj Singh Chouhan busy in the carpentry work. c m y b ing officer ASI Baljinder Singh, Harjot was travelling with a religious group (jatha) to a shrine on a tractor-trailer. At around 9 am on Saturday, while sitting on the tractor, he lost balance and fell onto the road, sustaining severe injuries. Despite efforts to save him by taking him to a private medical facility, he succumbed to his injuries. The police said further legal proceedings were underway based on statements provided by deceased’s family members following the postmortem examination. truck hits bike Firing at car rental showroom: Gangster Dhir brought on production warrant Tribune News Service Nikhil Bhardwaj Ludhiana, March 1 A youth died in a road accident while his friend was seriously injured. The mishap occurred near the Jaspal Bangar bridge here. The deceased has been identified as Surjeet Singh, a resident of Ayodhya district in Uttar Pradesh. Arjun Singh, deceased’s brother, told the police in his statement that on February 25, his brother and his friend Manish Kumar were travelling from Jaspal Bangar to Sangowal DMart on a motorcycle to buy groceries. As soon as Surjeet crossed the Bangar bridge and reached behind the D-Mart outlet on the main road, a speeding truck (PB46 M 9976), driven by Karam Singh, a resident of Patti, Tarn Taran district, hit the bike. The truck driver fled the scene after the accident. The impact of the collision was so severe that Surjeet died on the spot while Manish suffered serious Friend suffers serious injuries; deceased’s kin seek arrest of driver injuries. The body was severed in parts in the accident. The motorcycle was also badly damaged. Surjeet was working at a factory. Based on the statement of the deceased’s brother, the police on Saturday registered a case against the truck driver. His family members are in mourning after the incident. They demanded the arrest of the trucker. The truck was seized by the police. Investigating officer in the case ASI Harbans Singh said the truck driver was identified as Karam Singh of Patti. Raid was being conducted to nab the errant driver. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 1 The Ludhiana rural police brought a gangster, Narinder Dhir, alias Akash, of Garhi Ajit Singh village, Nawanshahr, on production warrant in connection with the firing at luxury car rental showroom in Baddowal. He was arrested by the Jalandhar Police Commissionerate on February 18 after exchange of fire. The police had then recovered a pistol, two cartridges and a bike from his possession. He was said to be the main shooter connected with the gangs of Kaushal Chaudhary and the Bambiha group. Police sources said on January 10, Narinder along with his accomplice Jaanu, had fired seven to eight rounds at the luxury car showroom near Mullanpur , causing damage to vehicles and the office facade. After firing, Rs 2 crore extortion was also demanded from the owner of the showroom. Narinder used to maintain contact on the phone with Gurdeep Singh, staying in Europe, and used to carry out incidents of extortion, illegal weapons supply and contract killings.