Punjab CM greets Indian hockey team for reaching semis

Chandigarh: Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday congratulated the men’s hockey team for making it to the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics. The CM tweeted, “Stellar performance by the Indian Men’s Hockey team at #TokyoOlympics to beat Great Britain by 3-1 & entering Olympic top 4 after 41 years. Happy to note that all 3 goals were scored by Punjab players Dilpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh & Hardik Singh. Congratulations…go for Gold!”. TNS

Veterans raise pension, welfare issues with MoD

Chandigarh: Ex-servicemen’s associations raised a host of issues pertaining to their pension benefits, medical facilities, post-retirement rehabilitation and welfare measures at a meeting with the Secretary, Defence Services Welfare, in the Ministry of Defence. Revision of their pension under the one rank-one pension formula, setting up of a Veterans’ Commission, veterans hospitals under the ECHS, etc., were discussed at the meeting. TNS

One held, several booked for illegal mining in Fazilka

Fazilka: A man was arrested and another booked for illegal sand mining in Fazilka district. Sagar Singh, a resident of Khui Khera village, was arrested with a sand-laden tractor-trailer near Sukhera Bodla village. Also, the police confiscated a sand-laden tractor-trailer near Chack Sotrian village and booked unidentified persons. OC

Curbs eased, devotees throng Abohar shrine

Abohar: As the government announced further Covid relaxations, the annual Sawan Mela at the dargah of the Panjpeers of Multan in Abohar attracted hundreds of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. The devotees had started thronging the mazars of the five saints to pay obeisance on the eve of the annual fair since Friday. Intriguingly, the mazaars of Panjpeeranis located near the ancient dargah had only a handful of visitors. OC