16112024-ATR-01.qxd 11/15/2024 11:40 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST DENSE FOG MAX 22°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 22°C | MIN 15°C FAZILKA, MANSA GIVE KHEDAN WATAN PUNJAB DIYAN A MISS IN MUMBAI, CHANDIGARH BOY IS NAVIGATING FILM INDUSTRY CELEBS EXTEND WISHES ON OCCASION OF GURPURB Girls from Tarn Taran, Mansa, Malerkotla, Fazilka, Pathankot and Sri Muktsar Sahib didn't take part. P2 Manahar Kumar is actively navigating the vibrant film industry, with his sight set on acting and direction. P4 Sunny Deol wrote on Instagram, “Waheguru ji da Khalsa...Waheguru ji di fateh...Aap sab nu Gurpurb di lakh lakh vadhaiyan howe.” P4 » » » SUNSET SATURDAY 5.30 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 7.00 AM SATURDAY | 16 NOVEMBER 2024 | AMRITSAR Foggy conditions lead to two road accidents in city Garment trader gets extortion call, gangster booked NHAI fails to install solar blinkers at road construction sites Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amid smog, commuters find it difficult to commute on the GT Road in Amritsar on Friday. SUNIL KUMAR ‘Smog density harmful for health’ Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 15 The presence of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM 10 in the air is increasing the density of smog in the city. Data shows the presence of extremely harmful gases which can harm even lungs. On Friday afternoon, PM 2.5 was found to be 110 microns and PM 10 at 225 microns. These microns increase by two to three times at night causing smog to become dense which considerably reduces visibility. Environment is considered safe when PM 2.5 is below 60 and PM 10 is under 100 microns. High level of PM 10 and PM 2.5 in the air indicate the presence of harmful pollutants or particulate matter (PM). PM 2.5 is more likely to deposit on the surface of the deeper parts of the lung, while PM10 is more likely Smog coupled with cold in the morning baffles city residents to deposit on the surfaces of the larger airways of the upper region of the lung. Particles deposited on the lung surface can induce tissue damage and lung inflammation. Combined PM 10 and PM 2.5 include sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds, ammonia and black carbon. Vinod Kumar, Assistant Environmental Engineer of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), said the WHO guidelines issued in 2021, clearly stated that there was much stronger evidence to show how air pollution affects different aspects of health at even lower concentrations than previously understood. Every year, expo- sure to air pollution is still estimated to cause millions of deaths and the loss of healthy years of life. The number of diseases attributable to air pollution is now estimated to be at par with other major global health risks such as unhealthy diet and smoking tobacco. In 2015, the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of World Health Organisation, adopted a landmark resolution on air quality and health, recognising air pollution as a risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and cancer. Density of the smog has been increasing in the city for the past few days. Continuous omission of rain and blowing of wind in the atmosphere are causing the pollutants to remain stagnant in the atmosphere. Amritsar, November 15 Foggy conditions on Friday led to two road accidents in the city which highlighted the negligence of the authorities concerned. Though no loss of life was reported, three vehicles were badly damaged in the mishaps. In the first case, a truck overturned on a car at the Gumtala bypass. The car was badly damaged and all occupants had a narrow escape as the truck crushed the car soon after they left the vehicle. The truck driver claimed that he was unaware of the diversion created by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) due to construction of an overbridge at the Gumtala bypass. As per the rules, the NHAI should install solar blinkers for road safety. Leave alone making special arrangements, no ordinary lights have been provided at the stretch to prevent road accidents. Despite the instructions from the district administra- SUNIL KUMAR Amritsar, November 15 The Beas police have booked Canada-based gangsterturned-terrorist Lakhbir Singh, alias Landa Harike, for allegedly threatening and demanding extortion money from a local garment trader. The victim alleged that the accused demanded Rs 50 lakh from him and threatened to kill him in case he failed to do so. Deepak Verma (35), a resident of Rayya, said that he runs a ready-made garment shop. He said on November 7, he got a call from a virtual number in which the caller identified himself as Landa Harike and demanded Rs 50 lakh in extortion money. He said initially, he did not take it seriously but yesterday he again got a call from a similar number. Police said that a case has been registered after a complaint filed by Deepak Verma and investigations are in progress. “A case has been registered under Section 308 (4) of BNS against Landa Harike. We are trying to identify the callers, whether he was Landa Harike or some other person had threatened using his name,” said Harinder Singh Gill, SP (D). — TNS A truck that hit the parapet wall of the BRTS overbridge on the Batala road in Amritsar on Friday. tion, the NHAI did not install the solar blinkers at the road construction sites in Vallah and the Gumtala bypass. In February 2023, an NHAI contractor was booked for not installing the blinker or any caution sign at the Manawala construction site, leaving a youth seriously injured. In another accident, a truck collided with the central divider of the Metro sta- tion at a BRTS overbridge on the Batala road. The sudden start of the Metro station in the BRTS corridor is a death trap for the firsttime visitors, who are not aware of its design. Commuters from other cities and states are mostly victims of the BRTS black spot. Generally people are not aware of the BRTS lanes and corridors constructed in the mid- dle of the roads. People from other cities and states, who travel late at night or in the morning, mostly meet with accidents here. “In the absence of reflectors or warning signs, commuters often hit the BRTS lane divider. The MC should install solar blinkers on every such spot where BRTS lane starts,” said Kuwar Parmavir Singh, a local resident. City mall lights 1,000 diyas On the occasion of the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, devotees pay obeisance at the Golden Temple and (right) light candles in Amritsar on Friday. SUNIL KUMAR Volunteers light diyas at Nexus Amritsar mall on the occasion of Gurpurb on Friday. Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 15 To mark the 555th birth anniversary of the first Sikh master, Guru Nanak Dev, the Nexus Amritsar today lighted 1,000 diyas simultaneously in its indoor central atrium. The extraordinary celebration earned it a place in the India Book of Records, symbolising the festival’s spiritual significance, promoting tradition and unity. The event also honoured the contributions of traditional associates and encouraged community spirit through volunteer participation. Col Mandeep Singh, Centre Director, Nexus Amritsar Mall, said lighting 1,000 diyas was more than just a milestone— it was a heartfelt celebration of tradition, unity and community spirit. CJI pays obeisance at Golden Temple Gurpurb celebrated with fervour, gaiety Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 15 A sea of devotees paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and took a holy dip in the Amrit Sarovar to celebrate the Parkash Purb of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev here on Friday. All the roads leading to the Golden Temple were beautifully decorated. Reciting ‘ Waheguru’, devotees, who arrived from across the country and around the world, were heading to the holiest Sikh shrine. Devotees put up stalls in all nook and cranny of the holy city to serve people langar and water. Prabhat Pheri was taken out from Bhai Vir Singh Niwas Asthaan to the Golden Temple this morning. On the occasion of the Prakash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev, State BJP in-charge and former Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani and organisation general secretary (Punjab) Shrinivasulu, along with office-bearers of the BJP district unit paid obeisance at the Golden Temple here on Friday. Local BJP leaders Gurpratap Singh Tikka, Harjinder Singh Thekedar, district president of the OBC Morcha, Amritsar, Kawaljit Singh Sun- ny and other leaders were also present. At Ajnala subdivision, Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal paid obeisance at Gurdwara Baba Jeevan Singh on the occasion. In his address, he laid stress on the need to follow Guru Nanak Dev’s philosophy in life. Meanwhile, city-based educational and other institutions celebrated Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev with gaiety and fervour here on Friday. Stalwarts World School celebrated the occasion with the recitation of Chaupai Sahib. The programme featured Shabad Kirtan performances, along with inspiring anec- dotes from the life of the founder of Sikhism by the students. They highlighted Guru Nanak Dev’s message of dispelling inner darkness by eradicating one’s vices, a message that gives Nanak Jayanti its alternate name, the ‘ Festival of Lights’. School principal Manisha Dhanuka encouraged students to learn from Guru Nanak Dev’s teachings. At the end of the celebrations, ‘Karah Prasad’ was distributed among students and a langar organised. ‘Guru Ka Atut’ langar was served at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan SL Public School on the occasion of Prakash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev. The event began with Shabad Kirtan which created a devotional ambience. MLA from Amritsar North Dr Kunwar Vijay Pratap, in his address, underlined key lessons and teachings from Guru Nanak Dev’s life and said that Guru Nanak Dev kept preaching universal brotherhood all through his life and always wanted the welfare of entire humanity. Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh was the chief guest on the occasion and appreciated the performance of students in ‘Shabad Kirtan’. RELATED STORY ON PAGE 2 Palki, holy saroops presented to Pak GS Paul Tribune News Service Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna along with family pays obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 15 On his maiden visit to the holy city after being appointed Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna along with his wife paid obeisance at the Golden Temple here on Friday, which also happened to be the Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev. The SGPC felicitated the CJI during his visit. They also paid homage to the martyrs at the historic Jallianwala Bagh and later offered prayers at the Durgiana temple. In the evening, they observed the retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah joint check-post. The family of the CJI hailed from the Katra Sher Singh area of the walled city. Many of his relatives still live in the city. Amritsar, November 15 Marking a spiritual bond between the Sikh fraternity of ‘Chadhda Punjab’ (East Punjab, Indian side) and ‘Lehnda Punjab’ (West Punjab, Pakistan side), a magnificently built ‘palki’ (palanquin) made up of special steel and ‘saroops’ of the Sikh holy scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib were sent to Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah bor- c m y b der. It was dedicated to the 555th Parkash Purb (birth anniversary) of first Sikh Master, Guru Nanak Dev. The ‘sewa’ (service) of ‘palki’ was undertaken by Nirol Sewa Organisation based at Muktsar, whereas the six ‘saroops’ of Sri Guru Granth Sahib were presented by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. With the constant recitation of ‘Satnam Waheguru’, continued on page 2 A palki being presented to Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee via Attari-Wagah border.