Reaching milestone 25

A beacon of truth, change across district

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Samita Kaur

Environmentalist

The Tribune has been a newspaper that I consider as my constant companion. It has become synonymous with news in my family. The saga began with my great grandfather encouraging us to read the paper for its truthful and on-time reportage. With an unbiased approach, too! Being born and brought up in a small town, Doraha, I’ve seen the city edition taking up issues of every nook and corner of the district, be it on law and order or on environmental issues, the newspaper has been proactive. With changing times, the introduction of the Ludhiana Tribune has made us more informed. In the recent past, issues such as solid waste management and illegal cutting of trees have been highlighted by the paper. The challenges faced by the residents of various towns and villages of the district such as lack of clean drinking water and the Giaspura tragedy were among the most heart-wrenching incidents that were brought before the public by the paper. Newspapers have a responsibility of putting forward news in a manner that the public is able to form its own opinion. Lately, I’ve seen this newspaper flourish and achieve all such success. Every aspect of society —from education, lifestyle, health, education and women empowerment — is covered by the paper equally, proving itself to be a class apart.

Only The Tribune can bring change

Gaurav Kumar

Social activist

I am a social activist based in Ludhiana and have been constantly raising social issues concerning the city. I, being a regular reader of the Ludhiana Tribune supplement, congratulate the entire The Tribune team for completing 25 years.

I can’t imagine starting my day without The Tribune, especially Ludhiana Tribune. Even before my morning cup of tea, I look for the paper on my table. I read each news to keep me updated about the issues concerning the city. The paper is always in the forefront, highlighting issues related to the industrial hub, be it social, political or education, though the city still has many issues that need to be highlighted prominently for the sake of its residents. Some of these include encroachments, illegal constructions, corruption, traffic conditions, broken roads etc. The newspaper should highlight these issues by running a special series to bring about positive change.

The Tribune’s credibility cannot be challenged. Though my office has subscribed to several newspapers, to verify the authenticity of any news concerning the city, I always turn to Ludhiana Tribune. People staying abroad also regularly read the e-paper to stay updated.

Trusted mate in changing times

Twenty-five years ago, we lived in an entirely different world. Communication and news were different. There was no Twitter or X and the Facebook was unheard of. The Tribune was the only credible source of information. It continues to remain so to date.

Although the paper has a glorious history of 144 years, I am referring here to the past 25 years only, when on this day in 2000, the Ludhiana Tribune was launched. Ludhiana happens to be the industrial and financial capital of Punjab. Having an English newspaper edition and that too The Tribune, named after the city, gives a sense of belongingness, that is beyond expression. I was among the lucky few to be present at the launch ceremony of the pull-out. That occasion remains vividly etched in my memory.

Over the years, I have felt that I don’t merely read The Tribune, I feel like interacting with it every day. While during the last 25 years, particularly during the last decade, there have been multiple sources of news, newspapers have remained everlastingly credible, more so The Tribune. I am also grateful to the paper for providing me the chance to publish my weekly column on Ayurveda every Wednesday.

Ludhiana Tribune was a futuristic venture in terms of circulating local news that perfectly fits in the frame of credibility, reliability, accessibility and proximity. — Dr R Vatsyayan

Paper tells city’s story daily

Brij B Goyal

Educationist

Getting Ludhiana Tribune’s daily edition along with The Tribune helped me focus on news that directly impacts this busy city, villages and its satellite townships. I find that over the years, the Ludhiana Tribune team has justifiably felt the nerve and verve of people about various issues. The archives of Ludhiana Tribune are a vast treasure and testimony to years of significant reporting by the enlightened journos.

Ludhiana Tribune has always given me an opportunity to project my views on various issues that matter to communities, particularly in the educational domain. My special thanks to Ludhiana Tribune for their candid reporting on every news that mattered. Making people aware of educational and literary luminaries is in fact the supreme duty that the paper has been doing so passionately. I also feel gratitude to it for raising concerns regularly for the inadequacy of the city’s libraries, including that of Panjab University Extension Library, which needs to be strengthened.

Almost daily reporting on environmental issues, particularly Buddha Darya’s polluted waters, too, is bringing hope to citizens. Covid-19 awakening and reporting has been another hallmark of the edition. I sincerely hope that Ludhiana Tribune each day will be a collector’s edition for the readers. Miles to go perennially while my family too cherishes the journey which started with The Tribune since 1934.

Voice of people

Sunil Chopra

Educationist

I have been reading The Tribune since childhood. Ludhiana Tribune, being the voice of residents of Ludhiana, has been rendering yeoman’s service to the residents over the past two decades. The team of the supplement deserves profuse felicitations on the completion of the paper’s 25 years. Describing its dedicated service rendered to the Ludhianvis is not an easy task. Over the past quarter century, the pages of Ludhiana Tribune have been a trusted source of news and insights. The ‘Open House’ is my favourite.

Catalyst for change, recognition, community empowerment

Residents of the region feel grateful to Ludhiana Tribune for highlighting their issues during the past quarter century, that contributed to expediting development projects and strengthening civic amenities by drawing attention of the higher authorities to various problems.

Youngsters, including students and sportspersons, acknowledged the recognition they received across the world, after reports about their performance and achievements were carried in the online and print issues of the newspaper.

Arvind Maavi, president of the Ahmedgarh Sports and Welfare Association, said more government and non-government organisations had started showing interest in activities being undertaken by their organisation after the Ludhiana Tribune highlighted their events.

Baldev Latala, an office-bearer of the state body of All India Kissan Sabha, said The Tribune had emerged as a saviour of the agriculture sector in Punjab.

Responsible, ethical journalism

Henna Singal

Industrialist

In the TRP-driven era, Ludhiana Tribune has proved to be a balanced, trustworthy newspaper, consistently maintaining high standards by steering clear of sensationalism, personal attacks or TRP-driven narratives. It never indulges in mud-slinging or defaming any person, which is a mark of responsible and ethical journalism.

There is no hidden agenda or bias — just clear, impactful reporting that serves society and informs the public.

When I read a news in Ludhiana Tribune, I trust its contents believing it is true, as for the past 15 years, I had never seen any contradiction or apology published by The Tribune related to any news. The paper’s commitment to responsible journalism is truly commendable.

Page 3 of the edition highlights the importance of community-focused journalism that should be applauded. It is a thoughtfully curated section that draws attention to the city’s real issues and achievements. It consistently highlights ground realities, civic issues, artistic talents and social initiatives. It gives voice to the unsung heroes of our city which is truly remarkable.

I would also like to commend the team of reporters for their on-ground presence and dedication to delivering timely and factual news to residents of Ludhiana.

Trusted voice that feels like home

Rajni Bector

Industrialist

The Tribune has been a constant in our home since its inception—without a single day missed. It’s not just a newspaper, it’s a daily ritual and our day never starts without catching the headlines in the morning.

Ludhiana is very close to my heart and it is the place from where I started my journey, from my backyard. So, I long to know about the city, what is happening around and anything new coming here and this urge is satiated by this newspaper. Over the past 25 years, Ludhiana Tribune has consistently delivered credible, comprehensive and relevant news that truly reflects the spirit of our city.

In the 1990s, national news was either seen on TV or read on the paper but local issues were not covered widely, then came the local pull-out from my favourite newspaper, The Tribune. It gave an insight into the city, highlighting everything we wanted to know.

The one thing that remains clear is the unmatched trust and consistency it offers. I never miss a day, and never feel the need to turn to another. This paper has my heart and it continues to be my favourite and every time I got featured in this paper was truly special!

Helped better my efficacy as govt official

S P Sofat

Social reformer

On the completion of 25 years of Ludhiana Tribune, I am tempted to express my views as I found that the newspaper has wisely prioritised community relevance, trustworthiness, accuracy and credibility. It has undoubtedly provided an in-depth coverage of local issues, events and people fostering a sense of belonging, involvement and engagement with its readers across the world. By maintaining standards of journalism, objectivity in reporting, fairness for all stakeholders and completeness, The Tribune has emerged as the first choice among various categories of English newspaper readers.

I have had extraordinary prerequisites from the English daily for quenching my thirst for knowledge in various fields, information and views. I am more impressed by Ludhiana Tribune as besides the metro city, it has extensively covered satellite towns including Khanna, Jagraon, Raikot, Samrala, Machhiwara, Payal and Malaudh.

Besides serving as a check for the local administration, Ludhiana Tribune has also proved to be a ‘think tank’ for readers curious about excelling in various fields. During its first quarter-century of inception, the edition has produced a vast number of writers. I have made use of the information provided by the paper for enhancing my efficacy as a government official and social reformer.