Latest news with #HarjitSingh
Hindustan Times
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Inspection reveals open sewage, garbage dump at Tajpur complex
Serious environmental violations and worsening pollution levels have been found along the Buddha Nullah near the Tajpur Dairy Complex. A team from the Public Action Committee (PAC), led by activist Anita Sharma, conducted an inspection near the 5 MLD effluent treatment plant (ETP) on Sunday. The visit revealed shocking scenes of open sewage, garbage dumps, illegal encroachments, and foul-smelling conditions across the area. Temporary huts have taken over nearly one kilometre of the bank. These shanties lack toilets and proper drainage, and waste is dumped directly into the nullah. The nearby government fish market is also discharging waste into the water body. Roads leading to the site are broken and filthy, making the area almost unlivable. Two outlets were found releasing untreated wastewater straight into the nullah — one from the dairy complex and the other from the ETP itself. Residents living near the Tajpur complex have long raised concerns. 'We have been breathing foul air for months. Cattle waste and garbage are left out in the open,' said Harjit Singh, a local resident. Another resident, Shalini Arora, added, 'There is no accountability. Political leaders promise action during elections but disappear later.' The PAC held a meeting with dairy owners and suggested key steps: setting up a dairy cooperative society, following zero liquid discharge (ZLD) norms, building cow dung disposal points, and ensuring proper waste transport. A proposal was made to channel all dairy waste into a central gobar gas plant for sustainable treatment. PAC also recommended installing bio-digesters at dairy units, GPS tracking of waste vehicles, and quarterly audits. A community helpline and monitoring committees were also suggested to ensure transparency. Anita Sharma condemned the inaction of local authorities. 'The Buddha Nullah is choking due to negligence. If no urgent steps are taken, this will become a health disaster,' she said. Despite repeated promises, political parties have failed to act. Even the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had earlier proposed a parking and waste management system under the elevated road nearby, but it never materialised.
Hamilton Spectator
22-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Milton's South Asian Communities Embrace Peace After India-Pakistan Conflict
Milton is home to a vibrant and diverse immigrant population, including a significant number of residents from Pakistan and India. As tensions between the two countries have historically been high, recent news of a pause in hostilities has brought a sense of relief to the local community. Residents from both countries are now focused on moving forward in peace and harmony, thankful for the stability they have found in Canada. The recent easing of conflict between India and Pakistan has triggered mixed emotions worldwide. But for many Indo-Canadian and Pakistani-Canadian residents of Milton, the dominant feeling is one of relief. Many have expressed gratitude for the peaceful environment they enjoy in Canada and their hope that tensions overseas do not escalate further. 'I feel relieved that the fighting has stopped. We don't want to see any more conflicts between the two countries, especially after what has happened in the past,' said Rina Patel, a 35-year-old Indo-Canadian who has lived in Milton for more than a decade. 'We're lucky to live in Canada, where we can feel safe, work together and raise our families in peace. That's the most important thing for me.' Milton's growing population of Pakistani and Indo-Canadian immigrants has forged a path toward unity. These two communities, long divided by historic and political tensions, have found common ground in Canada's multicultural landscape. Residents from both backgrounds live in the same neighbourhoods, work in similar industries and, in many cases, have married across community lines. There is a growing sense that Canada's inclusive society encourages collaboration and mutual understanding—even when global events raise concerns. For many in the Indo-Canadian community, the message is clear: peace is essential. They are grateful for the opportunities available in Canada, especially the chance to live free from the geopolitical disputes that continue to affect their countries of origin. Many are hopeful not only for peace between India and Pakistan, but also for stronger local ties between the two communities. 'I've always said that if people can live together and work together here, they can do it anywhere,' said Harjit Singh, a 40-year-old business owner who immigrated from India 15 years ago. 'Canada has given us the chance to be who we are, while still finding ways to collaborate and live in peace.' Singh said that despite historic tensions between the countries, many families in Milton are not defined by political boundaries. He sees daily examples of co-operation—whether it's business partnerships or cultural events where both communities come together to celebrate. 'Milton has shown me that despite our past, we are capable of living side by side and building a better future for our kids,' he said. 'We live in Canada now. The emphasis should be on peace, not war.' Pakistani-Canadian residents in Milton share similar hopes. For many, the most recent conflict brought back painful memories of the instability back home. But they also expressed deep appreciation for the peaceful life they've built in Canada. 'Back home, we could never feel at peace, especially when things get worse between India and Pakistan. It's stressful,' said Ali Ahmed, a 30-year-old engineer who moved to Milton six years ago. 'But living here in Canada, I don't have to worry about that. The people here don't care about the divisions between our countries. They care about our humanity and how we contribute to this community.' Ahmed said that while he still feels a deep connection to Pakistan, he is equally proud to call Milton home. When news broke of the recent hostilities, he was concerned for family overseas. But the support and understanding he experienced locally reminded him of the strong bonds that exist in his Canadian community. 'My friends here, whether from India or Pakistan, all agree on one thing: we want peace,' he said. 'We don't want to see people suffering. We want a future where our kids can grow up without the burden of our past.' For many Pakistani-Canadians, the threat of conflict between their country and India has long loomed large. But in Canada, those fears no longer define their lives. One strong symbol of this unity is the increasing number of intercultural marriages between Indo-Canadian and Pakistani-Canadian residents. Many such couples are choosing to embrace both heritages and build a life together rooted in peace and shared values. 'We're from two different cultures, but that doesn't matter in Canada,' said Saira Malik, a Pakistani-Canadian woman married to an Indo-Canadian man. 'In this country, we have the freedom to choose who we want to marry, regardless of where we're from or what our family history is. We're both here for the same reason: we want peace, love and opportunity.' Her husband, Arvind, shared a similar view. 'The world back home can be complicated, but here, it's a different story,' he said. 'People from all over the world live and work together, and that makes this country so unique. We've learned to respect each other's differences, and that makes life better.' As the threat of war remains a distant reality, both Indo-Canadian and Pakistani-Canadian residents in Milton remain hopeful. Many say that living in a peaceful, multicultural community has allowed them to focus on family, work and community engagement. 'I don't want to see any more bloodshed between our countries,' said Patel. 'We have a chance here in Canada to show what living together in peace really means. I'm hopeful that the next generation will continue this work of bringing people together, no matter where they come from.' Despite their diverse backgrounds, Milton residents are united in their call for lasting peace between India and Pakistan. For now, they are committed to building a shared future in the country they now call home—one grounded in respect, understanding and a strong desire to leave conflict behind. According to the 2021 Census, Milton, had a population of 132,979. Of that number, approximately 16,040 residents—or 12.2 per cent—identified as having Pakistani ethnic origins, while about 14,120 people, or 10.7 per cent, reported Indian ethnic origins. These two communities make up a significant portion of Milton's population, underscoring the town's growing diversity and strong South Asian presence.
