J A L A N D H A R

Snapshots of a close family bond
Cherished sentiment finds voice in people as Tribune comes to city
"The Tribune is the only paper that I read without fail. It is part of my life. The newspaper is an addiction because of its consistency, ethical values and authenticity. For the future, I want the paper to do more in-depth probe into major issues faced by the region."

The Tribune Trustees and staff after the inauguration of the press.

Jalandhar Plus
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NIT director sacked
Fallout of student’s suicide due to ragging
Jalandhar, October 14
Officiating director of the Dr B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT), Mr R. Sharma was relieved of his duties today. He will be replaced by Prof Moinuddin. The first official action comes three days after the suicide of a first year student, Amit Sahai, because of alleged sexual assaults.

Tagodia fears intrusion from PoK
Jalandhar, October 14
Expressing his apprehension over the intrusion of 10 lakh homeless persons from the Muslim community from the earthquake-hit PoK into the Indian territory, Mr Praveen Togadia, international secretary, Vishva Hindu Parishad, said that security must be alerted around the northern front.

Indoor shooting range inaugurated
Jalandhar, October 14
An indoor shooting range was inaugurated today in the campus of SD College for Girls here.

• Dead body found

Snapshots of a close family bond
Cherished sentiment finds voice in people as Tribune
comes to city

Justice R.S. Pathak, President, The Tribune Trust, inaugurates the printing press in Jalandhar on Friday. — Tribune photo by Pawan Sharma

"The Tribune is the only paper that I read without fail. It is part of my life. The newspaper is an addiction because of its consistency, ethical values and authenticity. For the future, I want the paper to do more in-depth probe into major issues faced by the region."

— Mr Kirpal Singh Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University

"Two things are most difficult— first to make a name for oneself and then to sustain it. The Tribune has done both. For me, The Tribune represents Punjabi pride and the good deeds of the paper speak for themselves. Challenges make you better or bitter; it has made The Tribune better."

— Mr Navjot Singh Sidhu, former cricketer and Member of Parliament, Amritsar

"I began reading the paper in 1988 in Chandigarh and now cannot do without it. I feel the newspaper brings truth to the people of the region on a day-to-day basis. The launching of the Hindi and Punjabi editions will help strengthen its bonding with the people."

— Rana Gurjeet Singh, Member of Parliament, Jalandhar

Navjot Singh Sidhu poses with his admirers.

A view of a section of the audience at the inaugural function.

"I want to congratulate The Tribune for making a big foray into the region. The paper stands for truth, and with more attention to local issues the people of the region stand to gain."

— Mr Amarjit Singh Samra, Minister for NRI Rehabilitation and Revenue

"I began reading The Tribune in the early 60s when the paper reported the emergency landing of Pandit Nehru’s plane in Nagpur.

The affair with the paper grew as I used to pass by its office on my way to Ambala’s SD College. The Tribune carries versions from both the sides and has upheld journalistic values. If there is any negative news, even against me, in the Tribune, I will say it is true. So much is the trust I bestow in the paper."

— Mr Kulbir Singh Kang, Municipal Commissioner, Amritsar

"The reputation and the reach, which the Tribune enjoys in other regions of the state like Malwa is unparalleled and the need for its expansion had for long been felt. With the latest expansion and specially with the launch of the Hindi and Punjabi editions, the void will be fulfilled. I have a very emotional attachment with The Tribune."

— Mr Jaspal Singh, Principal, Guru Nanak College, Nakodar

"I have been reading The Tribune for the past forty years: since the days of my childhood. I used to go out early in morning just to be the first one to pick the paper and read it before my family members. For the future, I feel The Tribune must retain its style."

— Mr Iqbal Singh, Superintendent of Police (CID), Jalandhar

"All my life The Tribune has been like a habit to me. The paper isread avidly by the people and with its coming over more strongly into the region, readers will surely be benefitted.

— Sukhwant Singh, Academician, Government College, Gurdaspur

"Despite other papers coming to the city and trying to attract young readers, The Tribune cannot be replaced because of its credibility."

— Students, BBK DAV College, Amritsar

NIT director sacked
Fallout of student’s suicide due to ragging
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 14
Officiating director of the Dr B. R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT), Mr R. Sharma was relieved of his duties today. He will be replaced by Prof Moinuddin. The first official action comes three days after the suicide of a first year student, Amit Sahai, because of alleged sexual assaults.

In another development, the institute said it has received a complaint from six first year students testifying the ragging of Amit Sahai. The suicide note left by the 19-year-old mentions names of ten seniors, including a girl, for alleged torture.

The note though does not bear any date and is being examined, said investigating officer, Mr Lakha Singh. Records of Amit’s handwriting would be sent to experts, he added.

There was also some altercation between Amit’s father Mr Triveni Sahai and college faculty members when the Mr Sahai threatened to shoot them, the institute said in a release.

The police are investigating the case under Sections 306 and 34 of the IPC against Rahul, a senior student and also management of the institute. Amit’s father, Mr Triveni Sahai, had also accused one Rahul from the North-East batch. He said Amit had told him over the phone that he was being harassed because Amit— a native of Uttar Pradesh—had taken admission in the North-East quota. Amit’s father has also recorded in his statement to the police that Amit had told Rahul that since he had done his schooling from Assam, he got admission under that quota. Triveni Sahai says he heard the name of the senior from his conversation with Amit after the Rakshabandhan holiday, indicating that the alleged torture had continued for three months.

Meanwhile, terrified students say the incident is not the first of its kind and over the years others students have also died under mysterious circumstances.

Tagodia fears intrusion from PoK
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 14
Expressing his apprehension over the intrusion of 10 lakh homeless persons from the Muslim community from the earthquake-hit PoK into the Indian territory, Mr Praveen Togadia, international secretary, Vishva Hindu Parishad, said that security must be alerted around the northern front.

Mr Togadia, who is here on a two-day visit, said this as he interacted with the mediapersons in Annapurna Temple here today. He said that the issue must be taken as top concern by the governments of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

The VHP chief also said that reservations for Muslims in the Aligarh Muslim University must be removed as had been done in Andhra Pradesh.

Indoor shooting range inaugurated
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 14
An indoor shooting range was inaugurated today in the campus of SD College for Girls here.

Inaugurating the range, Brig H.S. Gill, Deputy Director General of combined NCC directorates of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh, said that training in various adventure activities such as mountaineering, para-sailing and hang gliding was being imparted to girls as well.

Twenty six students, who had donated their blood in a camp held recently, were presented certificates by Brig Gill. Lt Col K.S. Bassi of 2 Girls’ Battalion, Jalandhar, was also present on the occasion. 

Dead body found
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 14
A dead body was found inside a vehicle parked at Danishmanda here today. The body has been identified as that of Vinod alias Badri Nath, a resident of Nepal.

According to the family of the deceased, Vinod was a drug addict and was hard pressed for money. They said he might have committed suicide.