21102026-ATR-01.qxd 10/21/2026 12:02 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY CITY'S 450TH ANNIV TO BE CELEBRATED WITH GRANDEUR KESHOPUR — A BIRD WATCHERS' DELIGHT RITEISH DESHMUKH’S TELUGU DEBUT WITH FILM RAPO23 TheShiromaniGurdwaraParbandhak Committeehasplannedspecialeventstomark the450thanniversaryofAmritsar. P2 Keshopur wetland, popularly known as Chhamb in Punjabi, stands out as a vital freshwater marshland. P3 MAX 30°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 19°C Riteish Deshmukh is set to make his Telugu debut with Energetic Star Ram Pothineni’s RAPO23. P4 » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.49 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:34 AM » WEDNESDAY | 21 OCTOBER 2026 | AMRITSAR Young brigade on a clean canal mission Students create awareness, say faith can be celebrated without harming water bodies Neha Saini Tribune News Service Actor Sara Ali Khan breaks down at the Golden Temple in Amritsar ahead of the release of her film Udta Teer. Emotional Sara Ali Khanoffers prayers at Golden Temple Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 20 Bollywood actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan arrived in Amritsar on Tuesday to promote their upcoming film “Udta Teer”. While offering prayers at the Golden Temple, Sara Ali Khan had a emotional breakdown, a common phenomenon observed at religious places. Later in the evening, the actors paid a visit to the Attari-Wagah border for the Beating Retreat ceremony. Fans there queued up to have a glimpse of the stars, who chose not to interact with the media. But the latter were seen exchanging a banter with officials at Attari. Seeing the enthusiasm of fans, Ayushmann took to the stage, terming the trip a spiritual experience, giving clarity and a deep sense of truth. The visit comes ahead of the release of their upcoming film “Udta Teer”, scheduled to hit theatres on October 23. The film is a spy comedy that blends espionage, action and humour, with a storyline built around mistaken identity and a mission that takes an unexpected turn. For the two actors, the trip offered an opportunity to seek blessings at one of holiest shrines and experience the charged atmosphere of the retreat ceremony at the AttariWagah border. Amritsar, October 20 United by a cause, this young brigade is out and about to bring about winds of change. The mission is to not let religious offerings and plastic waste pollute the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC). For a group of young students and professionals in the city, weekends no longer mean outings or binge watching. Instead, the priority is to create awareness among people and keeping the water body clean. Carrying placards, the group, led by 26-year-old Sunil Kumar, gathers every weekend near the UBDC in the Sultanwind area and engage with those visiting the place to immerse religious offerings in the water body. The youngsters believe faith can be celebrated without harming the environment. Coming from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, the volunteers have found a common ground in their concern over the growing burden of waste entering water bodies. Harmanpreet Kaur, a 20year-old nursing practitioner from Edmonton, Canada; Gurpartap Singh, a 20-yearold BTech student at Guru Nanak Dev University; Mahesh, 26, a shop worker from Batala; Anjali Kumari, a 22-year-old professional from Majitha Road; and other young volunteers, including AI, tech graduates and Class XI students from the city have taken upon themselves to save the water body. “I run a mobile repair shop at Hall Bazar. On seeing garbage strewn all around, I thought of connecting with those having the same mindset as mine. First, I put my house in order and then RESPECTFUL APPROACH ■ Carrying placards, the group, led by 26-year-old Sunil Kumar, gathers every weekend near the UBDC in the Sultanwind area and engage with those visiting the place to immerse religious offerings in the water body. ■ Coming from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, the volunteers have found a common ground in their concern over the growing burden of waste entering water bodies. ■ Rather than confronting people or questioning their faith, the youngsters seek to explain how improper waste disposal, can contribute to water pollution. << Volunteers at the Upper Bari Doab Canal. embarked on the mission to clean the other areas,” he said. Among those who joined Sunil’s campaign is Harmanpreet Kaur from Edmonton, Canada. She is in What has BJP done to check drug trade: MLA takes swipe at Shah Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 20 The Irrigation Department has scheduled a canal shutdown from October 15 to November 10 to facilitate the pipe crossing work under the water supply project. The work is being carried out by L&T at four locations, including Vallah Pashu Mandi, Focal Point, near the Sultanwind flyover and near the Chattingwind flyover. Under the project, the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC) water will be brought to the city and supplied after treatment at Vallah. The pipeline is being laid about 9 m (30 ft) below the canal bed. Mild-steel pipes will be used for the main pipeline, while DI pipes will connect it with overhead water tanks. Near the Chattingwind flyover, the company will first remove debris dumped to fix the breech as a section of the canal embankment collapsed during the drilling work last month. The canal profile will then be restored before pipe crossing. Engineers will attempt it using the jackpushing technique. If the method does not succeed within two to three days, the company may switch to the open-cut technique. Near the Sultanwind bridge, a temporary earthen embankment is being constructed to facilitate pipe crossing. Continued on page 2 India for three months. Her participation has added another dimension to the campaign, bringing together young people whose lives and professional pursuits span dif- ferent places and fields. The approach is deliberately respectful. Rather than confronting people or questioning their faith, the youngsters seek to explain how Ban on drone activity around city airport Baljinder Singh — man behind top boxing talent Tribune News Service Pipeline work prompts canal closure till Nov 10 Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets the family of Vikramjit Singh, who lost his life for raising voice against the drug trade, in Gurdaspur; and (right) AAP MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 20 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing the BJPled Union Government of failing to curb drug trafficking across the country while attempting to exploit Punjab’s fight against drugs for political gains. He questioned Shah’s visit to Punjab, saying except political speeches, he had nothing to offer to the state. The Home Minister previously attended the BJP’s anti-drug campaign in Punjab, but the rally had failed to pull crowds. He slammed the Centre for withholding funds for Punjab, recalling that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced Rs 1,600 crore for flood relief after last year’s floods, but the state had not received even a penny. The MLA said: “It was during the Akali-BJP regime from 2007 to 2017 that people learnt about chitta.” He questioned the Centre’s failure to prevent drones carrying drugs and weapons from across the border. Punjab shared a 532-km International Border with Pakistan, across which drones continued to bring in narcotics and weapons, Dhaliwal said. He questioned why Shah was not visiting Gujarat to address drug seizures at ports, including the Adani-run port in Mundra. everyday religious practices, when accompanied by improper waste disposal, can contribute to water pollution. “We do not want to embarrass or harass anyone. We talk to them and reason with them, asking them not to throw plastic or religious waste into rivers and canals,” said Sunil. “The problem becomes particularly visible during the festive season, when flowers, garlands, clothes, plastic packaging and other offerings associated with religious observances often find their way into canals and rivers. Idols and other ritual materials may also be immersed in water bodies, adding to the pollution burden. Sometimes, people just ignore what we tell them and just throw their waste. It’s a bit disheartening,” said Gurpartap Singh, a 20-year-old BTech student in Guru Nanak Dev University. Continued on page 2 Amritsar, October 20 The Amritsar Commissionerate Police has imposed a ban on the flying of drones and other aerial devices around Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport amid security concerns. The restrictions came into force on October 20 following orders by Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. As per the directive, the restrictions have been imposed to maintain security around the airport and prevent any potential untoward incident. The ban covers drones and other unmanned aerial devices as well as remotely controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders, para-motors, hang gliders and hot-air balloons. The police have warned of legal action against violators. Violations may invite action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The restrictions are aimed at strengthening security around the airport, a sensitive installation, and preventing unauthorised aerial activity in its vicinity. NEWSMAKER OF THE WEEK Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 20 His finesse is what makes him stand out. An Assistant Sub Inspector with the Punjab Police, Baljinder Singh, not only trains budding boxers, but also ensures they achieve their gold goal. The man behind the best boxing talent juggles two jobs, with three of his players ending up in the squared circle of Cambodia.Having produced 11 international players in the past 20 years, Baljinder Singh has a lot on plate. Preferring peace to money, the coach said: “Boxing is my passion and police job a source of livelihood.”A national player, Baljinder Singh took to coaching in 1999. He has produced over 300 national players, with 138 being placed in various government departments. Those from the city whom he trained went on to bag 11 gold medals in the All India InterUniversity Games and the Khelo India University (introduced in 2020). Baljinder Singh was appointed a coach by the then Punjab Boxing coach Baljinder Singh. Sports Director, Pargat Singh, in 2004-2005. He trains budding players for free at the boxing centre in Khalsa College and the team has remained champions in the inter-college boxing championship for the past 16 years. Recallinghisearlycoachingdays, Baljinder Singh said back then, boxing was associated with street brawls,andnoteverybody’s cup of tea. But things changed with the passage of time, he added. Now, even those pursuing MTech and MBBS show inclination to the sport, with close to 30 per cent of his players being girls. Even his daughter is a pugilist. He added that for self-defence, more and more girls should be encouraged to learn how to box. Baljinder Singh hopes to represent Punjab someday. Cops on ground for residents’ security amid Dasehra festivities Murder accused injured in crossfire Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 20 The Amritsar Commissionerate Police took out flag marches across the city in view of Dasehra celebrations. The flag marches were held on the directions of Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill under the leadership of Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs). Additional DCPs, Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and a large number of police personnel participated in the exercise. The officials visited sensitive locations and markets. They removed encroachments from markets to ensure smooth movement of traffic and pedestrians. The exercise aimed at maintaining law and order, strengthening public confidence and preventing any untoward incident during the festivities. The 100-FOOT-TALL EFFIGY OF RAVANA UP IN FLAMES Gurbaxpuri ■ Dasehra was celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm, marking the symbolic victory of good over evil through religious events. The main attraction this year was a 100-foottall effigy of Ravana at the Durgiana Dasehra ground, where a large number of people gathered to witness the celebrations. ■ Effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkarna were burnt at six major locations across the city at sunset, while smaller effigies will be set alight at two other locations. ■ Adding to the festivities was the famous “Langur Mela” at the historic Bada Hanuman Temple. Police personnel at a venue for the Dasehra celebrations; and (right) an artiste dressed as Lord Rama uses his infallible arrow in Amritsar. PHOTOS: VISHAL KUMAR police have made arrangements to manage crowds, regulate traffic and keep a close watch on suspicious activities amid the festivities. Police personnel have been directed to remain alert in their respective jurisdictions and respond promptly to any suspicious activity or situation that could disturb public order. The Commissionerate Police has also appealed to Dasehra committees to ensure adequate security and crowd management arrangements in place. Organisers have been asked to keep entry and exit c m y b routes clear to facilitate the movement of visitors and prevent congestion. Residents have been advised to park vehicles only at designated parking areas and avoid obstructing roads and access routes. The police have also urged people to refrain from unruly behaviour, altercations and any activity that could disrupt public order. Tarn Taran, October 20 A month after the murder of Ajmeet Singh at Naushehra Pannuan, the prime accused identified as Gulal Singh was injured in an exchange of fire with the police during weapon recovery on Tuesday. The accused, Gulal Singh, an alleged shooter in the case, was taken by a Sarhali police team to recover a weapon based on his disclosure during police remand. According to the police, after the recovery, the accused allegedly snatched a service weapon from a police official and opened fire at them while attempting to escape. The police retaliated in self-defence, Snatched weapon from cops, tries to flee; apprehended during which the accused sustained a bullet injury in his leg. He was rushed to a hospital for treatment. The police said a separate case was being registered in connection with the incident and further investigation would be conducted as per law. Ajmeet Singh was shot at a bus stand in his village, Naushehra Pannuan, about a month ago. He was the cousin of ASI Iqbal Singh (54), who was recently gunned down in the same village by two alleged gang members.