Rain plays spoilsport in Lohri celebrations

Tribune Reporters

Jalandhar, January 13

Chill gripped the city on Lohri owing to the rain that lashed various parts of the region throughout the day.

The showers spoiled arrangements made by those who had been waiting for the festival since long. Mostly, people preferred to remain indoor as several roads, streets and localities remained waterlogged.

“We organised a DJ party today outside our home in Friends Colony to celebrate the first Lohri of my newborn grandson but the weather today ruined all plans and we were forced to do make arrangements indoor for the same,” said Inderjit Singh, adding that they had idea about weather forecast but were not expecting the downpour for the whole day.

Karanbir Singh, a resident of Aman Nagar, said they celebrate the festival every year with much fanfare and traditional fervour. However, the rain that lashed the city today forced everyone to remain indoors and even celebrations in localities were cancelled and several people preferred to offer prayers and having Lohri snacks at their homes.

Meanwhile, markets too witnessed lesser number of buyers as people cancelled their last-minute shopping plans. At many places, Lohri functions were postponed or delayed. It was also celebrated at educational institutions across the city.

Blankets distributed among mothers of girls

Ward No. 1 councillor Tamanreet Kaur celebrated Lohri by distributing blankets among mothers of girls. The event was held at an anganwari in Gurbachan Nagar.

Tamanreet said the blankets were given away to the women belonging to humble families.

“The aim was to spread the message that Lohri should be celebrated for daughters too,” she said.

Tamanreet, who has a PhD degree in zoology, shared how from being a lecturer, she moved towards politics.

She makes sure that she remains connected with local residents.

“In my family, we had no political background but after my marriage, there was a political inclination. Thus, this time, I thought of getting into politics because for me, my people will be like my students only and I will listen to their every problem and at the same time, will try to solve these too,” she had said when she was contesting for the Municipal Corporation elections.

Tamanreet, who has remained a state-level athlete in the college, said she had been working with dedication for people. She is probably the most educated councillor in all 80 wards of the city.

Cops vow to keep city crime-free

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) D Sudarvizhi today celebrated the festival with fervour along with the staff of the Police Division Number 8.

During the celebrations, the ADCP said the Lohri was celebrated with enthusiasm across the state. She said the festival had immense significance in Northern India as it strengthen the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood in society. Sudarvizhi said all police personnel were celebrating the festival at the police station.

Meanwhile, the ADCP, accompanied by Assistant Commissioner of Police Jasbinder Singh and Station House Officer Sukhjit Singh, also lit a bonfire during the celebrations.

They also distributed sweets and groundnuts among employees at the police station for sharing the joy. On the occasion, the entire staff, led by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, took a pledge to keep the city safe and crime-free.

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