All articles tagged with #punjab
Amritpal Singh Dhillon, a 26-year-old Canadian NRI, was arrested after allegedly hitting and killing legendary marathoner Fauja Singh with his SUV in Punjab. Dhillon reportedly confessed to the incident, claiming he was unaware of Fauja Singh's identity at the time. The vehicle involved has been seized for investigation.
Fauja Singh, known as the 'Turbaned Tornado' and believed to be the world's oldest marathon runner at 114, died after being hit by a car in Punjab, India. He gained fame for completing marathons well into his old age, including being the first centenarian to finish a marathon, and inspired many with his positivity and achievements. His legacy will be celebrated through upcoming events and a dedicated clubhouse in Ilford, London.
The Punjab government has proposed a three-month ban on weddings during November, December, and January as part of a long-term plan to combat severe smog in the region. This measure is part of a broader smog mitigation policy that includes shutting schools, shifting public office work online, and banning heavy vehicles. Lahore, the provincial capital, currently has the most polluted air globally, posing significant health risks, especially to children. The smog crisis is exacerbated by agricultural burning, coal plants, and traffic, with Lahore and Multan heavily affected.
Severe air pollution in Pakistan's Punjab province has led to an estimated 1.8 million people falling ill over the past month, primarily with respiratory issues and eye irritations. The government has responded by closing schools, parks, and museums, and urging residents to limit travel. The smog, which has enveloped Lahore and 17 other districts, has prompted health warnings, particularly for children, and discussions on inducing artificial rainfall to alleviate the crisis.
Unicef has raised alarms over the severe air pollution in Punjab, Pakistan, which is affecting over 11 million children under five. The air quality in the region has reached hazardous levels, prompting school closures and restrictions on public spaces until November 17. Unicef's representative, Abdullah Fadil, emphasized the urgent need for government action to reduce emissions and protect children's health, as the smog poses significant risks to young children's development and well-being. The situation underscores the critical need for sustainable energy and transportation solutions.
The Malwa region in Punjab, known for its cotton production, has been dubbed the "cancer belt" of India due to its high cancer rates. Studies have linked the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture to the contamination of water and soil, contributing to the alarming cancer rates. Research has also found that metal exposure, including cadmium, chromium, and lead, is a leading contributor to breast cancer in the region. Additionally, pollutants from industrial chemicals and environmental contamination are known to increase the risk of various cancers. This highlights the need for pollution control measures and public health initiatives to mitigate cancer risk in the region.
The BJP appears unruffled by the current farmers' protests, confident in its ability to minimize their political impact through counter-polarization and alliances, unlike in 2020-21. The party aims to de-escalate the situation and launch a campaign highlighting the "illogical" demands for a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP). While acknowledging potential electoral challenges in Punjab, the BJP plans to counter the protests' impact through strategic outreach and emphasizing its support for farmers.
Punjab's AAP Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ruled out the possibility of an alliance with Congress for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, expressing confidence in AAP's victory in all 13 parliamentary constituencies in the state. Discussions have been held on potential candidates, with a focus on winnability as the primary criterion. While TMC's Mamata Banerjee's decision to go solo for LS polls was noted, a final decision on the alliance for Punjab is yet to be made by party leadership.
A prominent lawyer in Punjab, Ankur Verma, was arrested after CCTV footage surfaced showing him, his wife, and son brutally assaulting his elderly mother. The lawyer's sister discovered the distressing scene and lodged a formal complaint with the police, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). Verma has been taken into custody and charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act. The incident has shocked the community, highlighting the determination of the daughter to seek justice for her mother.
The ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader is causing concern among Sikhs in Punjab. Some fear backlash from India's Hindu-nationalist government and worry about the impact on their prospects for a better life in North America. The Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, accused Indian government agents of potential involvement in the killing, leading to a series of retaliatory measures from India. Sikhs, who make up a majority in Punjab and a significant population in Canada, are concerned about deteriorating diplomatic relations and declining economic prospects in Punjab. The fear is that this dispute may affect student visas and create hurdles for those aspiring to go to Canada.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the head of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), a separatist organization, was shot dead in Canada. Nijjar had moved to Canada from Punjab in 1997 and was actively involved in the operationalization and networking of the KTF, according to the Indian government. He was also associated with Sikhs For Justice, a separatist organization banned in India. Nijjar was named in an FIR registered by the NIA in December 2020 and his properties in Punjab were attached in relation to a case against Sikhs for Justice for their online campaign for the so-called referendum.
An eight-month-old infant, cradled by his aunt, lit the funeral pyre of his parents and grandmother who died in the Ludhiana gas tragedy in Punjab. The boy's paternal uncle, who also survived the disaster, said he will try to fulfill his brother's dream of giving his son a comfortable life and a good education. The boy's future is uncertain, but his relatives have tentatively decided that he will live with a maternal aunt who stays nearby.
Eleven people died and four were hospitalized due to a toxic gas leak in Ludhiana, Punjab. The cause of the leak has not been officially confirmed yet, but reports suggest high levels of hydrogen sulphide gas were detected in the area. The Punjab government has announced compensation for the victims' families and the injured, but many are still reeling from their loss.
Amritpal Singh, a self-declared leader of Sikh separatism, has been arrested in Punjab, India, after a month-long manhunt. Singh, who models himself on a former Sikh militant leader, had been charged with attempted murder over an attack on a police station in February. His arrest has not prompted significant protests, but his agenda, which mingles demands for action on social problems in Punjab with Sikh separatism, could yet strike a chord in the Sikh-majority state.
Parkash Singh Badal, a five-time former chief minister of Punjab and Akali Dal patriarch, passed away at the age of 95. He was admitted to a private hospital in Mohali a week ago after he complained of uneasiness while breathing. Badal was the youngest Chief Minister to ever hold office in the state of Punjab and lost only two elections in his career spanning over seven decades. He courted arrest during Operation Bluestar in June 1984 and returned his Padma Vibhushan award in protest against the treatment of the protesting farmers by the Central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes to the Punjab leader, calling him a "colossal figure of Indian politics, and a remarkable statesman".