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Summons to Congress Ludhiana candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu

Tried to help Congress leader play sympathy card: Minister

Two Covid deaths have been reported in Ludhiana so far

Ridicules the government’s action of suspending the Ludhiana Vigilance SSP, and claims that the latter had acted on his own

Congress levelling baseless allegations to gain sympathy of voters, says Sanjeev Arora

Arena Grandmaster Shubham Shukla of India dominated the Sharjah Masters Cup 2025, winning the Category C title with an impressive 8.5 out of 9 score and qualifying for Category B in the next edition. He secured an early lead, won his first eight games, and played a draw in the final round to remain unbeaten. Shukla's victory earned him a $1,500 prize. He also runs the Indira Chess Academy, and shared his chess journey, highlighting his school and university successes. He has also won Abu Dhabi Masters, National Amateur titles, and represented his state in various national competitions. (This summary is generated via AI.)

This article highlights the success of a government-run Table Tennis Academy in Ludhiana, India, which recently moved to a new world-class facility near Rakh Bagh. The academy, operational for over 15 years, has significantly improved with its new location, boasting 19 tables compared to the previous 5, and accommodating around 40 players of all ages and skill levels. Under the guidance of coaches like Vikas Paswan, the academy focuses on grooming young talent, with several players achieving success in local competitions. The new facility, inaugurated on April 10, 2025, cost Rs 1.61 crore and includes air-conditioned playing halls, a visitor's gallery, and is a major step in enhancing sports infrastructure in Ludhiana, funded by Ludhiana Smart City Limited. The academy aims to provide world-class facilities to table tennis enthusiasts and promote sports development in the city. (This summary is generated via AI.)

Fourteen candidates will compete in the upcoming byelection for the Ludhiana West seat in the Punjab Legislative Assembly. Following the withdrawal of one independent candidate, Kamal Pawar, a total of 14 candidates remain. Voting will be held on June 19, with results announced on June 23. The expenditure observer will cross-check candidate expenditure registers on June 9, 13, and 17. The district election officer announced the specific times and groups for comparing the registers of various party candidates and independent candidates. All candidates are required to bring their expenditure records. (This summary is generated via AI.)

The Tribune Interview: Parupkar Ghuman, SAD candidate

The upcoming Ludhiana West bypoll presents voters with a diverse field of candidates from major political parties. The candidates include: * **Bharat Bhushan Ashu (Congress):** A seasoned politician and working president of Punjab Congress, Ashu has a history of representing the Ludhiana West seat, having won in 2012 and 2017. He served as a minister in the previous Congress government. He lost the 2022 election and faced legal troubles after AAP came to power, related to an alleged foodgrain transportation scam, but has since been bailed. * **Sanjeev Arora (AAP):** A Ludhiana-based industrialist and current Rajya Sabha MP, Arora is running for his first direct field election. He is the wealthiest candidate, with a background in business. As MP, he has focused on infrastructure and development projects in Ludhiana. * **Jiwan Gupta (BJP):** A core group member and former state general secretary, Gupta is contesting his first Assembly election. He has a long association with the BJP and RSS. * **Parupkar Singh Ghuman (SAD):** A lawyer and former president of the Ludhiana Bar Association, Ghuman is a newcomer to politics. He has a legal background and experience in the legal field. (This summary is generated via AI.)

CM Mann formally inducts workers into party fold in presence of candidate Arora

Sohan Singh Thandal rejoined the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) after a brief stint with the BJP. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal welcomed him back, criticizing the current AAP government. Badal accused AAP leaders in Delhi of controlling Punjab's administration, violating norms, and claimed the law and order situation in Punjab was deteriorating due to rising crime. He urged voters to choose the SAD candidate based on merit, criticizing AAP's policies towards farmers and warning bureaucrats against following AAP's orders. Several prominent SAD leaders were also present at the event. (This summary is generated via AI.)

A lawyer, Daljit Kaur, aspiring to be a judge is under investigation by Ludhiana police for allegedly impersonating a public servant. The police are probing a case filed against her under Section 204 of the BNS after she reportedly claimed to be a judicial officer to Navneet Kaur, JMIC, Ludhiana, on Wednesday. Kaur, a registered lawyer with the Bar Association, Jalandhar, was seeking an appointment with the judge. She is currently preparing for a competitive exam to become a judicial officer. (This summary is generated via AI.)

Nirmal Singh was first Indian hammer thrower to win a medal at Asian Games

On World Environment Day, Ludhiana's Health Department and Municipal Corporation (MC) launched green initiatives to promote environmental awareness and public health. The Health Department, led by Dr. Vivek Kataria, held a tree-planting ceremony, emphasizing the connection between environmental and human well-being. The MC, in collaboration with NGOs and volunteers, organized city-wide cleanliness and plantation drives, including a 'Plogathon' that collected a significant amount of waste. The Mayor and MLA also participated in plantation efforts, highlighting the importance of these initiatives for a healthier community. (This summary is generated via AI.)

Computer teachers in Punjab held a large protest in Ludhiana, demanding merger into the Education Department, implementation of the 6th Pay Commission, and enforcement of Punjab Civil Services Rules. They marched to the office of Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Kumar Arora, criticizing him for not addressing their issues despite multiple meetings. Leaders stated that an agreement on the 6th Pay Commission was reached in February, and a High Court ruling affirmed their right to government employee benefits. However, the government and bureaucracy are allegedly delaying implementation of these directives. (This summary is generated via AI.)

On World Environment Day, the District Education Officer (DEO) in Ludhiana organized sapling planting events in various schools. At Government Primary School, Giaspura, neem, peepal, and moringa saplings were planted, while at Government Primary School, Jandiali, neem, ashok, and guava were planted. Students and teachers adopted the plants for care. Students also performed and educated parents and panchayat members about environmental protection. The DEO, Ravinder Kaur, emphasized the importance of fostering environmental responsibility in the younger generation. (This summary is generated via AI.)

Four years after the death of Kuldeep Singh in a road accident, his colleagues and associates are honoring his memory by planting and nurturing trees. A group of activists from the Technical Services Union and PSPCL Retirees' Union, led by retired lineman Charan Singh, dedicate themselves to this cause, carrying water to saplings and caring for existing trees. They work tirelessly, prioritizing the shade and comfort of others, particularly visitors to the Guga Mari Chhapar. They find satisfaction in their actions, motivated by gratitude to Kuldeep Singh, who supported them during his life. They are not looking for recognition, with their focus being on honoring Kuldeep Singh and his vision. President of the Pensioner’s Union, Sukhcharan Jit Sharma, acknowledged that this resulted in the growth of roughly 200 plants. (This summary is generated via AI.)

On World Environment Day, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) of Ludhiana launched a tree plantation drive at the District Courts Complex. Under the supervision of Sessions Judge Harpreet Kaur Randhawa, the drive aims to plant approximately 15,000 saplings throughout Ludhiana by July 5th, including locations like the District Courts, administrative complexes, jails, schools, and villages, with the assistance of the Forest Department. A concluding project, 'One Judge - One Tree,' will assign each judicial officer responsibility for a sapling. The Forest Department also distributed saplings and provided information about tree planting, free legal aid, and the benefits of National Lok Adalats, along with distributing related awareness materials. (This summary is generated via AI.)

Despite yearly celebrations of World Environment Day and significant public spending on environmental initiatives, Ludhiana's environmental condition is worsening. The Public Action Committee (PAC) has issued a demand notice to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) regarding violations of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2016. Specifically, the PAC is demanding environmental compensation be levied on Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) for failing to enforce SWM rules in private colonies and markets managed by Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). The PAC alleges that these entities fail to segregate waste, as mandated by the 2016 rules, and instead dump garbage illegally, endangering public health. They highlight that RWAs and developers collect maintenance fees but send unsegregated waste, exacerbating the city's waste problem. They are prepared to escalate to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) if the PPCB doesn't take action within a month and SWM rules are not implemented within two months. The article emphasizes that Ludhiana, already critically polluted for years, continues to see blatant violations by authorities like GLADA. (This summary is generated via AI.)

Thandal said that SAD was his mother party, and he was happy to be a part of it again

The Ludhiana election is seeing an intense hoarding war between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, who are dominating the city's advertising space with bold slogans and visuals, while the BJP and SAD are lagging behind. AAP's Sanjeev Arora and Congress' Bharat Bhushan Ashu are engaging in veiled attacks and vying for voter trust with slogans that highlight their strengths and target opponents' weaknesses. The AAP emphasizes work and respect, while Congress focuses on development and its established track record. The BJP and SAD are taking a different approach, opting for less expensive options like illegal wall posters and social media. SAD's Parupkar Singh Ghuman is promoting prosperity and accessibility, positioning himself as the local, humble choice. BJP's Gupta, however, is largely absent from the hoarding battle, citing financial constraints and a preference for grassroots engagement over large-scale advertising. (This summary is generated via AI.)

To prepare for the upcoming elections, Khalsa College for Women hosted a two-day training session on Wednesday for Presiding Officers (PROs), Assistant Presiding Officers (APROs), and Polling Officers (POs). The training included hands-on practice with EVMs and VVPAT machines (for PROs) and a session on the ECINET application (for all three roles). This aimed to familiarize personnel with election procedures and real-time information sharing. Master trainers were present to guide the PROs. IT expert Saurabh Rai presented on the ECINET application. General Observer Rajeev Kumar emphasized the importance of efficient and transparent performance of duties by the polling personnel. (This summary is generated via AI.)

On Tuesday, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, inaugurated the PAU-TAFE Learning Centre (Advance Farm Machinery) in collaboration with Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE) Limited, Chennai. The Centre, part of an ongoing agreement, aims to promote agricultural research and education. PAU's Vice-Chancellor emphasized the university's commitment to excellence in research, education, and extension programs, including providing quality education and developing solutions to agricultural challenges. The MoA will facilitate interaction between the university and industry through visits and lectures, fostering innovation and practical skill development for students, as highlighted by university officials. (This summary is generated via AI.)

The BJP office of Ludhiana West candidate Jiwan Gupta was inaugurated by senior leaders, including Sunil Jakhar. Jakhar criticized Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann for his remarks on 'sindoor,' calling it blasphemous and predicting Mann would be punished by voters in the upcoming bypoll. He also took a swipe at Congress, mentioning Ashu's caution towards disloyal party members. The inauguration was attended by prominent figures like Vijay Rupani and industrialist Onkar Singh Pahwa. (This summary is generated via AI.)