04112026-ATR-01.qxd 11/3/2026 11:02 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune TEACHERS STAGE SIT-IN OVER DUES, ALLEGE GOVT APATHY SANGHNA VILLAGE REMEMBERS SIKH WARRIOR Residents of Sanghna village remember Shaheed Baba Balaka Singh and his great sacrifice. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 29°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 15°C A TOUCH OF INDIA AND A WORLD OF COUTURE The local unit of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union protests against the government. P2 FORECAST Designer Anamika Khanna takes Indian couture to London for a dazzling Diwali celebration. P4 » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.36 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:44 AM » WEDNESDAY | 4 NOVEMBER 2026 | AMRITSAR Glitter and fame came from pain, says Mrs Universe 2026 third runner-up Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 3 “Women expected to be competitors turn out to be each other’s cheerleaders,” believes Dr Sehar Om Parkash, who took her journey from the world of medicine to the international beauty pageant stage. After winning the UMB Mrs India 2025 title, the oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist represented India at Mrs Universe 2026, claiming the third runner-up title at the global event held in Sri Lanka. But this was no ordinary ramp walk adventure. Imagine walking confidently in 6inch heels while carrying an elaborate costume weighing a staggering 85 kg! That was one of the extraordinary challenges Dr Sehar took on, while showcasing India’s cultural heritage before an Challenges never came in way of goal: Surgeon international audience. “It was a task to carry the costume as each detailing needed to be carried separately. The theme was Unity in Diversity and my dress was made from several Indian textiles, while the ensemble celebrated India’s temples, monuments, traditional dances and textile heritage. Inspired by the symbolism of a Devi, it was designed to showcase the strength, grace and diversity of Indian womanhood,” she shared. Designed by Delhi-based designer Siddhant Behra, the costume won her the title of Best National Costume at the competition. A gold medallist in oral and maxillofacial surgery, Dr Sehar is accustomed to precision, discipline and demanding professional responsibili- ties. Yet, the pageant brought an entirely different set of challenges — mastering the runway, carrying elaborate outfits, maintaining composure and preparation behind the scenes. There were rehearsals, costume trials, aching feet, skin abrasions, wounds and painful blisters. With seven demanding pageant rounds to navigate, the journey tested her patience and physical endurance as much as her confidence. But Dr Sehar was not ready to let a few blisters steal her spotlight! “I always say that pageantry is like a sport, it tests your physical endurance and strength, while also pushing your mental and emotional well-being. You hardly get three-four hours of sleep everyday and are expected to wake up to be at your best self, smiling and wading through the day’s competitions,” she said. For Dr Sehar, the crown is therefore much more than an accessory. “It celebrates the confidence to explore new horizons, the courage to step outside professional comfort zones and the determination to represent one’s country with pride. I always dreamt of being recognised by my country’s name and when that happened, it was surreal,” she said. After all, when the dream is big enough, even an 85kg costume cannot weigh down a woman’s ambition. Three arms and drug supply networks busted, 11 arrested City boy Sartaj swims his way to success Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 3 Setting a goal is one thing, achieving it another. City athlete Sartaj Singh knew this all along the way and gave his best to make the city proud. Showing his spunk in the Sports Homeland Punjab held in Sangrur last month, Sartaj finished second in 100-m breaststroke. He started with the U-11 Open State Championship in 2012. Sartaj, a student of Guru Nanak Dev University, credits his swimming coach Vinod Sangwan with his achievement. Earlier this year, he participated in the All-India Inter University Rowing Meet in Chandigarh. Last year, standing out in the All-India Inter-University Rowing in Chandigarh, Sartaj went on to take part in the Senior National Aquatic Events in Ahmedabad (Gujarat). In 2024, he secured the first place in the All-India InterUniversity Water Polo held at Sports College, Jalandhar. Amritsar, November 3 The Amritsar Commissionerate Police claimed to have busted three alleged illegal arms and drug supply networks with the arrest of 11 persons, including two juveniles, today. Two hand grenades, 12 pistols, 33 live cartridges and 310.10 gm of heroin here today. Those arrested have been identified as Bobby (21) of Nirankari Colony, Samayal Singh (18) of Cheema Khurd village in Tarn Taran, Satmol Singh, alias Thekedar (20), of Rattan Singh Chowk, Harpreet Singh, alias Happy, alias Bhundi (23), Akashdeep Singh (22) and Akashdeep Singh, alias Akash (20), all residents of Naraingarh in Chheharta. The others are Shamsher Singh, alias Shera (20), and Gurbir Singh, alias Billa (18), of Bainka village in Tarn Taran, and Vishal Singh, alias Kalu (24), of Jandiala Guru. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were in contact with Police personnel with the seized contraband in Amritsar on Tuesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR foreign-based handlers and gangsters, who allegedly facilitated the supply of illegal weapons and narcotics through drones. The consignments were further distributed among criminal elements, he added. According to the police, the recovered weapons were allegedly used in firing gunshots at houses and shops to intimidate people and pressure them into meeting extortion demands. Sharing details of the operations, Commissioner of Police Harmanbir Singh Gill said the first operation was conducted by the Ranjit Avenue police, who arrested Bobby, Samayal Singh and Satmol Singh. Four illegal pistols and 10 live cartridges were initially recovered from them. Three more pistols were subsequently recovered on their disclosure, taking the total recovery in the case to seven pistols. In the second operation, the Chheharta police arrested Harpreet Singh, alias Bhundi, along with a juvenile, and recovered two pistols and four live cartridges. Further investigation led to the apprehension of another juvenile and two associates, Akashdeep Singh and Akashdeep Singh, alias Akash. The police recovered two hand grenades and 15 live cartridges in this operation. In the third operation, the Sultanwind police arrested continued on page 2 NEWSMAKER OF THE WEEK Neeraj Bagga SCALING HEIGHTS ■ Sartaj Singh stood out in the Sports Homeland Punjab held in Sangrur last month. He finished second in 100-m breaststroke. ■ The athlete also participated in the Senior National Aquatic Events in Ahmedabad. In 2024, he secured the first place in the All-India Inter-University Water Polo in Jalandhar. He attained the top slot in 100-m breaststroke and second place in 200-m breaststroke in the State-level Sports Homeland Punjab held in Mohali. The same year, he participated in the the National Games held in Uttarakhand. In 2023, he won the first position in the All-India InterUniversity Water Polo at Guru Nanak Dev University. For three consecutive years (2022, 2023 and 2024), he secured the first place in Inter-College Water Polo (4x100-m freestyle and in 4x100-m medley relay. Sartaj also took part in 100-m and 200-m breaststroke. In 2022, he participated in four water polo national championships held in different parts of the country. The athlete took part in the Senior National Water Polo Assam, Senior National Games, Rajkot (Gujarat), the All-India Inter-University Water Polo, Kerala, and the National Games held in Goa. In 2021, he finished second in 100-m breaststroke in the Open State held in Mohali and also participated in the Senior National Water Polo, Karnataka. Sartaj claimed the second spot in 50-m breaststroke during Open State held in Sangrur in 2019 and also Water Polo held the same year. In 2018, he took part in the junior nationals held in Pune. In the U-14 events, he finished second in Water Polo 2017, Jalandhar, third in 4x100-m medley in Rupnagar and again second in 50-m breaststroke during School State held in Jalandhar in 2013. City basks in pedallers’ glory; 4 Crackdown on five unauthorised colonies Punjab girls pocket gold in Ranchi National Lok Adalat on December 12 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 3 They resolved, they played, they conquered. Pedalling their way to victory, four young girls from Punjab smashed a seven-year-old national record to win gold in the National Track Cycling Championship in Ranchi. Punjab’s sub-junior girls’ team clocked an impressive 1 minute and 16 seconds in the team sprint event in the 78th Senior, 55th Junior and 41st Sub-Junior National Track Cycling Championship, creating a new national record and bringing glory to the state. The achievement has a special significance for Amritsar as two members of the victorious quartet, Japneet Kaur and Palakpreet Kaur, hail from the holy city. The record-breaking quartet comprised Preeti Shah from Ludhiana, Guntaas Sandhu from Patiala; and Japneet Kaur and Palakpreet Kaur from Amritsar. Their synchronised performance reflected the importance of teamwork in track cycling, where every fraction of a second can make the difference between victory and defeat. Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, general secretary of the Cycling Association of Punjab, shared that a special training camp was organised in Ludhiana ahead of the championship. Punjab's sub-junior girls' team clocked an impressive 1 minute and 16 seconds in the team sprint event in the National Track Cycling Championship held in Ranchi. “The cyclists underwent rigorous training under the supervision of experienced coaches, working on speed, endurance, coordination and race execution. The results are there for everyone to see when the young Punjab riders took to the track in Ranchi and delivered a performance that eclipsed a national record that had stood for seven years,” he said. For Japneet Kaur, daughter of Jagdeep Singh and Sukhjinder Kaur; and Palakpreet Kaur, daughter of Baljinder Singh and Harpreet Kaur, the achievement is also a moment of immense pride for their families and the sporting com- munity of Amritsar. Kahlon attributed the historic success to the dedication of the cyclists and the professional guidance provided by the coaching team. He particularly appreciated the efforts of chief coach Satwinder Singh, coaches Bhupinder Kumar and Ikwinder Singh, and women’s coach Harpreet Kaur, whose consistent guidance played an important role in preparing the team for the national challenge. The cyclists, meanwhile, acknowledged that their achievement was the result of collective support. They thanked the Cycling Association of Punjab for providing continued on page 2 Amritsar, November 3 The Amritsar Development Authority (ADA) on Tuesday demolished five unauthorised colonies at Pakharpura and Nangli villages. Officials said despite notices issued under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA), 1995, the work was not halted. The demolition drive was conducted by the regulatory wing of the District Town Planner in the presence of police personnel from Kathunangal, Kambo and Sadar police stations. The action covered one unauthorised colony at Pakharpura and four residential and commercial colonies in Nangli. The officials said notices had earlier been issued to the developers, directing them to stop all development activities. However, they allegedly continued construction and other development work in violation of the regulations, prompting the authorities to take action on November 3. The department said demolition action had also been carried out against Baba Deep Singh Enclave at Nangli on March 21, 2025, and a request had been made to the police to register an FIR. Similarly, an earlier demolition drive was conducted at c m y b Unauthorised colonies being pulled down in Amritsar on Tuesday. VIOLATIONS Officials said despite notices issued under the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act (PAPRA), 1995, the work was not halted. Pakharpura on October 22 this year, but the developers allegedly resumed development activities, forcing the department to demolish the fresh structures. The action was taken on the directions of ADA chief administrator Nitesh Kumar Jain. The officials further said amendments to the PAPRA Act in 2024 provided for imprisonment ranging from five to 10 years and fines between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 5 crore for those involved in developing unauthorised colonies. The department would also seek police action against landowners and colonisers on the basis of revenue records. The District Town Planner (Regulatory) appealed to the people not to purchase plots in unauthorised colonies without verifying the requisite approvals from PUDA. Buyers were advised to check the approval documents and consult the list of unauthorised colonies available on the ADA’s official website before making any investment. Amritsar, November 3 The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Amritsar, will organise a National Lok Adalat on December 12 to facilitate the amicable settlement of pending court cases and pre-litigation disputes. The lok adalat will be held under the guidance of the Punjab State Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar, and the leadership of District and Sessions Judge-cum-DLSA Chairperson Jatinder Kaur. DLSA Secretary Amardeep Singh Bains said judicial officers across the Amritsar Sessions Division were identifying cases that could be resolved through mutual agreement. These include compoundable criminal cases, matrimonial and family disputes, motor accident claim cases, civil suits, bank recovery matters and traffic challans. Appealing to litigants, advocates and other stakeholders to participate, Bains urged them to get their pending cases and pre-litigation disputes listed for settlement. He said pre-lok adalat conciliation sessions would also be held to facilitate negotiations between the parties before the main event. He said lok adalats offered a cost-effective alternative to conventional litigation, allowing parties to settle disputes continued on page 2