08112026-LT-01.qxd 11/8/2026 12:34 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune RICHARD GERE ON COLLECTIVE GLOBAL RESPONSIBILITY WIFE DUPES TEACHER OF ~45L ON PRETEXT OF PR A private schoolteacher has allegedly been duped of nearly ~45 lakh by his wife, based in Canada. INSIDE MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 31°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 16°C B’WOOD CELEBRITIES OPT FOR A QUIET, THOUGHTFUL DIWALI At D’sala International Film Festival, Hollywood star speaks about a shared planet & individual role. INSIDE FORECAST From family pujas and homemade sweets, celebrities are embracing a more mindful Diwali. INSIDE » » SUNSET SUNDAY 5:31 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:42 AM » SUNDAY | 8 NOVEMBER 2026 | LUDHIANA 32 fire tenders, 120 personnel to ensure trouble-free Diwali 100 fire incidents reported in three-day period around festival last year Sukhpreet Singh NUMBERS FOR ANY EMERGENCY Tribune News Service Fire Brigade helpline Fire Brigade (HQ) 0161-101 0161-2749111, 2750764, 2750765 Gill Road fire station 0161 - 2531600 Focal Point fire station 0161 - 2670101 Sundar Nagar fire station 0161- 2621651 Haibowal fire station 0161 - 2305101 Tajpur Road fire station 9056694940 ADFO Jaswinder Singh 8360032550 FSO Kartar Singh (HQ) 9041204071 SFO Dinesh Kumar (HQ) 9876185858 SFO Rajan Singh (Gill Road) 9781815397 FSO Sukhwinder Singh 8847252064 (Sundar Nagar, Focal Point & Tajpur Road) FILE Ludhiana, November 7 With the city gearing up for Diwali, the Fire Department has strengthened its emergency response arrangements by setting up three temporary fire stations at strategic locations to ensure a quicker response to fire incidents. The temporary fire stations have been established near Jalandhar Bypass, Samrala Chowk and Verka Milk Plant. With these additions, the city now has nine fire stations, including six permanent ones. The six existing fire stations are located at the Central Fire Station near the railway station, on Gill Road, in Sunder Nagar, Haibowal, Focal Point and on Tajpur Road. The temporary facilities have been set up keeping in mind the need to cover different parts of the city and minimise the time taken by fire tenders to reach an emergency spot. The department has deployed a total of 32 fire tenders and around 120 personnel to deal with emergencies during the festive period. The need for additional arrangements is underlined by last year’s figures. Around 100 fire incidents were reported in the three-day period around Diwali in the previous year. With a similar rush of celebrations expected this year, the department is preparing to handle any eventuality. Additional Divisional Fire Officer Jaswinder Singh said the department had made these arrangements to ensure that fire tenders remained stationed closer to vulnerable areas and could respond promptly. He said the deployment of additional vehicles and personnel would help the department tackle multiple emergencies simultaneously. The department is also focusing on ensuring that adequate manpower and fire tenders remain available throughout the festive period so that no emergency goes unattended. Residents have also been advised to exercise caution while using firecrackers and avoid keeping inflammable material on rooftops, balconies and near electrical installations. ADFO Jaswinder Singh said as many as 32 fire ten- Festive delight ders, including 1 turntable ladder, rescue vans/tenders, mini-fire tenders among other machinery/equipment, had been deployed in the fire stations to tackle any fire incident. Generator sets have also been deployed at tube wells in different parts of the city for refilling the fire tenders during emergency. Mayor Inderjit Kaur and MC Commissioner Ankur Mahindroo said in case any fire incident is reported, the firefighters are equipped with modern fire tenders and tool/machinery to deal with the incidents. They urged residents to not to keep hosiery material, waste clothes, furniture or any other flammable material on the rooftop of houses to avoid any fire incident during Diwali celebrations. The locals have also been urged to burst crackers within the permitted time period of 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali night as ordered by DC Himanshu Jain. Fire officials said besides 0161-101, residents can also contact the nearest fire station in case of any emergency. City gasps for breath as air quality index hits 222 Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 7 Air quality in the city has remained in the ‘poor’ category for most of the days since the beginning of this month, raising concerns among health experts and residents alike. With the festive season coinciding with ongoing incidents of stubble burning in the state, doctors fear that smoke from crackers could further aggravate pollution levels and trigger respiratory problems among vulnerable groups. According to the air quality index (AQI) data, Ludhiana recorded an AQI of 216 on November 1, 214 on November 2, 212 on November 3, 150 on November 4, 218 on November 5, 204 on November 6 and 222 on November 7. Except for November 4, when the air quality was categorised as “moderate”, the city remained in the “poor” category throughout the week. Environmental experts attribute the deteriorating air quality largely to farm fires in neighbouring districts, with weather conditions trapping pollutants closer to the ground. The sit- Cops return 700 stolen, lost mobile phones to owners Residents buy earthen lamps, lanterns and decorative flower vases on Diwali eve at a market in Ludhiana on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Ludhiana, November 7 On the eve of Diwali, the Ludhiana police have given residents a unique gift. They returned 700 lost and stolen mobile phones, recovered through swift action, to their rightful owners. Additional CP Rupinder Singh, DCP (Crime) Harpal Singh, Additional DCP (Crime) Rupinder Bhatti and other officials handed over the recovered mobiles to their owners. They said in these times, a mobile holds precious memories linked to people’s lives, photographs of family and friends, important documents and contact numbers. — TNS FILE Ludhiana, November 7 As people celebrate Diwali on Sunday with traditional fervour in the region, health experts and emergency care providers have urged residents to follow safety measures and avoid preventable accidents during the festival. Hospitals have advised people to exercise caution while handling firecrackers, diyas, candles and electrical decorations and seek medical assistance in case of burns, eye injuries or respiratory distress. Doctors said every year, emergency departments witness a rise in cases related to firecracker injuries, burns and breathing problems, particularly among children and senior citizens. “Diwali is a festival of happiness and togetherness, but celebrations should not come at the cost of safety. SAFETY ADVISORY ■ Burst crackers only in the open and designated areas ■ Ensure water, sand or fire extinguisher is kept nearby ■ Wear cotton clothes and avoid loose synthetic garments ■ Don’t allow children to handle crackers unsupervised ■ Protect eyes, maintain a safe distance from fireworks ■ Avoid smoke-filled areas ■ In case of burns, eye injuries or breathing problems, contact nearest health facility CONTACT NUMBERS OF HOSPITALS ■ Civil Hospital: 9888741454 ■ Dayanand Medical College and Hospital: 98155-55100 Most firecracker-related injuries can be prevented through responsible behaviour and adult supervision,” ■ Christian Medical College and Hospital: 0161-2115000, 01612115201, 0161-2115203 said an emergency medicine specialist. Medical experts advised people to burst crackers only in open spaces, keep a bucket of water or sand nearby and avoid wearing loose synthetic clothing that can easily catch fire. “Children should never be allowed to handle firecrackers without the presence of adults. Even seemingly harmless sparklers can cause serious burns if proper precautions are not taken,” said Dr Sakshi Sharma, paediatrician. Meanwhile, Civil Hospital officials said emergency services would be available and hospital staff will remain on alert during the celebrations. “We appeal to residents to celebrate responsibly and contact the nearest hospital or emergency care centre without delay in case of burns, eye injuries, breathing difficulties or any other medical emergency. Timely treatment can prevent serious complications,” said Dr Akhil Sareen, SMO of the Civil Hospital. c m y b Date Nov 1 Nov 2 Nov 3 Nov 4 Nov 5 Nov 6 Nov 7 AQI 216 214 212 150 218 204 222 Category Poor Poor Poor Moderate Poor Poor Poor uation is expected to worsen with additional emissions from firecrackers during the Diwali celebrations. For many residents suffering from respiratory ailments, the impact is already being felt. Sixteenyear-old Paramveer, who has respiratory issues, said he had been relying on his inhaler more frequently over the past few days. “Pollution has made it difficult for me to breathe comfortably, especially during evening hours. I have been using my inhaler regularly these days,” he said. Health officials have advised people to minimise outdoor activities during periods of heavy pollution and take precautions to protect themselves from exposure. Senior Medical Officer Akhil Sareen said children, senior citizens and individuals with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions were particularly vulnerable to polluted air. “Children, elderly persons and those suffering from lung or heart diseases should avoid prolonged outdoor exposure, especially during morning and evening hours when pollution levels are high. People should wear masks while stepping out, stay hydrated and seek medical advice if they experience breathing difficulties, persistent coughing or irritation in the eyes and throat,” he said. Doctors have also expressed concern over the impact of air pollution caused by excessive bursting of crackers. People suffering from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory ailments have been advised to avoid smoke-filled areas and keep prescribed medications readily available. “Air pollution levels tend to rise sharply during Diwali. Patients with respiratory diseases should remain vigilant and seek medical help if they experience breathlessness or discomfort,” said Dr Harpreet Singh, pulmonologist. Ludhiana, November 7 A 33-year-old daily-wage labourer was injured after masked youths opened fire during a clash between two groups outside a salon near the bus stand in Bhaini Gujjran village on Saturday night. The victim, Jaj Singh, a resident of the village, had gone to the salon for a haircut. On reaching the spot, he found two groups engaged in a heated argument that soon escalated into a scuffle. Realising that the situation was escalating, he stepped outside the shop to avoid being caught in the confrontation. According to Jaj Singh, one of the youths involved in the quarrel pulled out a pistol and fired two shots. One of the bullets struck him in the right shoulder, leaving him critically injured. He collapsed on the ground. The assailants, who had covered their faces with cloth to conceal their identities, fled the spot brandishing their weapons. The incident triggered fear among residents and commuters near the bus stand. Sources said villagers rushed the injured man to a government hospital in Sidhwan Bet, where he was provided initial treatment. Doctors referred him to the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. He was later shifted to the PGI, Chandigarh, for specialised treatment. — TNS GURU NANAK PUBLIC SCHOOL Affiliated to CISCE, New Delhi (Vide No. PU159) Model Town Extension, Ludhiana wishes you a Happy Diwali ADMISSIONS OPEN 2027-28 8 Exercise caution while bursting crackers, avoid mishaps: Health experts to residents Tribune News Service AQI IN CITY THIS MONTH SO FAR Labourer injured in firing as groups clash at village Highlights ..... ..... MRS. DARSPREET KAUR S. JASBIR SINGH RYAIT PRINCIPAL 0161-4673332 | 62834-83635 PRESIDENT, GNPS COMMITTEE www.gnpsludhiana.in query@gnpsludhiana.in