Latest news with #JagtarSingh
Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
‘We wanted to have tea… Army personnel told us to drive away due to heavy shelling'
It's a mission that will be etched in the mind and heart of Jagtar Singh forever. Jagtar, a driver in his early 40s, was an integral part of the PGIMER's dedicated transport team that rendered medical support on ground zero during Operation Sindoor. Amid the recent war-like situation between India and Pakistan, a special humanitarian mission was carried out in the crisis-hit region of Jammu and Kashmir by the PGIMER, Chandigarh. Traversing tough and unknown terrains and keeping tight schedules to ensure timely evacuation of the injured, getting those in need to hospitals, while shelling… Jagtar recalled how he drove from Chandigarh to Rajouri on the night of May 8, along with some more team members, carrying essential medical equipment for logistical coordination and supply chain continuity. 'We were then required to go to Poonch, which is more than 7 hours' drive, and we didn't know the way. The roads were narrow, and there was a complete blackout; we could not even switch on the headlights, and there was a complete atmosphere of fear. We drove through shelling, with a local guiding us through. But there was no thought, just the call of duty, and we began the journey,' Jagtar said. With hardly any civilians and only hospital staff and Army personnel on the way, the driver remembered witnessing damaged buildings, cars, and a lot of tension. 'We would get calls from places where there were injured people, and we would drive to pick them up and take them to the hospitals. Many people had died too, and had to be shifted, with no time to waste, and the locals supporting us. Then the hospital got a frantic call from almost the zero point near the border, that a pregnant woman had started labour pains, and needed to be rushed to the local government hospital, and I remember that it was a very tense moment, and two lives had to be saved. We had the technician with us in the car, and all the needed medicines, bandages etc, and we finally managed to reach the woman, who, before we could get her to the hospital, delivered in the vehicle, with the medical staff making sure that the mother and the baby girl were both safe, and then got to the hospital for further care. We had to drive fast and safely, and it was almost 60 km.' The moment was both special and precious for Jagtar, as he had a seven-year-old daughter, who was very tense that he was going to be away in such a situation and just kept asking him when he would be back. The team was there for more than 15 days, and had to go to various places to help the injured with dressings and first aid. 'There was so much to learn from people, the selfless attitude of Army personnel, who would instruct us to be quiet, not switch on any lights. As there was no network, we had to depend on our instincts to guide us through this challenge,' said Jagtar. The driver also praised all the senior officials of the PGIMER, who were 'constantly connected' through video calls, assuring the team that they were not alone.' 'There were many tense moments, so many shells fell near our car. One evening, we wanted to have tea and stopped on the road, and suddenly, the Army personnel told us to drive away due to heavy shelling. We were there when the ceasefire was announced, and suddenly the tension melted, and people started coming back. 'I started driving in 2004, and this was my first such experience. It was a proud moment when our team was honoured, and I got a medal from PGIMER Director Vivek Lal with words of appreciation. My family and my daughter were also so happy that we could save so many people,' smiled Jagtar as he reflected on the 15-day humanitarian mission.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Punjab farmers anxious as migrant labourers yet to arrive for paddy transplantation
1 2 Bathinda: With only a week left for the start of paddy transplantation in the first zone of Punjab, comprising five districts, farmers are eagerly awaiting the arrival of migrant labourers. Labourers from various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal, arrive in Punjab for paddy transplantation. Railway junctions in towns such as Ludhiana, Bathinda, Sangrur, Rajpura, Patiala, and Mansa become hubs as thousands of migrants alight at these stations. From the railway stations, they are either taken to various villages by waiting farmers or reach their destinations by buses. In most cases, farmers hire the labourers much earlier, pay them in advance, and offer many other incentives. This time too, many farmers have deposited advance payments through Google Pay. Some farmers feel that the area under direct seeding of rice (DSR) may increase due to the expectation of fewer migrants coming to Punjab, while others believe the migrants may start arriving in the next few days. This year, many migrant labourers who stayed back in Punjab returned to their homes due to increased tensions between India and Pakistan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 BHK Nature Villas with ₹30K EMI Offer* in Bengaluru Avind Forest Trails Book Now Undo Transportation remains hectic in June despite rising temperatures, as trains from various far-off locations come packed with migrant labourers. During the Covid-19 pandemic, such activity was missing as farmers hired buses to bring labourers from various locations. Paddy transplantation is set to start on June 1 in the districts of Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Muktsar, and Fazilka. It will begin on June 5 in the districts of Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Roopnagar, SAS Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Hoshiarpur, and on June 9 in the districts of Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. "We are waiting for the labourers very eagerly. A couple of farmers from my village have even sent money electronically to ensure the labourers reach in time, but we are still not fully sure of their arrival in the first week of June, as they have not booked their train tickets for Punjab yet," said farmer Shingara Singh from Giddar village in Bathinda, where plantation is to start on June 1. Farmer Jagtar Singh from Lambi village in Muktsar said that although DSR is more pronounced in the districts of Fazilka and Muktsar, migrant labourers still arrive in large numbers. This time, however, we have not heard from them. Farmer Harjinder Singh from Baggi village in Bathinda said they are still waiting for confirmation from labourers from Uttar Pradesh. The farmers are ready to provide more money if fewer labourers arrive. Farmer Gora Singh from Bhainibagha village in Mansa said that although transplantation in Mansa is to start on June 9, there is no word about labourers even in the adjoining Bathinda. Local farmers prefer migrant labourers Migrant labourers are preferred for transplantation compared to local labourers as they work in groups and for more hours than local labourers. Three migrant labourers can transplant paddy in an acre in a day, while four locals are needed to transplant one acre in a day. Although wages for transplantation vary from area to area, on average, it is Rs 3000-3500 per acre, say farmers. Paddy to be planted in 32L hectares Paddy, including Basmati, is expected to be planted in nearly 32 lakh hectares in Punjab. Transplantation through DSR started on May 15, and it is expected that the area under DSR may increase. The state govt offers Rs 1,500 per acre as a cash incentive to farmers to adopt the DSR technique, which consumes less water than the traditional method of transplantation through puddling. MSID:: 121379480 413 |
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Journalist-turned-author Jagtar Singh's book traces Sikh struggles over a century
At a time when the Khalistan narrative, pushed by a section of Punjab-origin diaspora , is impacting India's relations with some of the Western countries , it is important to trace its origins. And that's precisely what journalist-turned-author Jagtar Singh's latest book, 'Sikh Struggle Documents 1920 to 2022' does. The book was released at the Chandigarh Press Club on Saturday. Singh, a former political correspondent of the Indian Express, said that the concept of Khalistan first emerged in 1940 as a response to the Pakistan Resolution adopted by the Muslim League. Initially proposed by Dr VS Bhatti of Ludhiana, the idea of an independent Sikh state garnered more attention from Congress than from the Akalis,he added. Jagtar got to witness the rise of militant preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale from close quarters after he was transferred from Chandigarh to Amritsar in 1979. The book contains around 180 documents, including the communication between former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and the then Akali Dal president Sant Harchand Singh Longowal that paved the way for the signing of Rajiv-Longowal Accord in July 1985. These documents have not appeared in the public domain until now. In the present-day scenario, the author says, the Khalistan discourse has significantly strained India's relations with Canada and is seen as an irritant in the context of the United States, particularly following the foiled attempt on the life of Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The author's other books include 'Rivers on Fire – Khalistan Struggle', and 'Kalapani: Punjabis' Role in Freedom Struggle'.
ITV News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
'War is coming': ITV News speaks to those living on the India-Pakistan border
ITV News Correspondent John Ray reports from the India-Pakistan border amid the rising tensions between the two neighbours Jagtar Singh remembers the last war between India and Pakistan, more than 50 years ago. Despite living just one mile from the border of Pakistan, in Amritsar, India, he is confident and says he's not scared. "War is coming," he told ITV News. "This is a war against the militants. Against the terrorists." Jagtar's friend chimes in, brimming with confidence: "We will be victorious, we are very powerful." Just over a mile away, however, many Pakistanis share that confidence. "If India thinks that we are weak, this is their mistake," one man told the Associated Press. "Our army has given them a good answer." ITV News Correspondent John Ray reported from Amritsar, in northern India, on Friday night as air raid alerts rang out. The area was under an enforced blackout due to attacks across the border. "There are very dangerous and uncertain days ahead," he said. There is real concern that the violence will escalate into all-out war. Overnight on Thursday, at least five civilians were killed after both sides exchanged heavy volleys of shells and gunfire across their frontier in Kashmir. India has said the civilian death toll in Indian-administered Kashmir has risen to 18 since Wednesday, while Pakistan said Indian mortar and artillery fire has killed 17 civilians in Pakistan-administered Kashmir in the same period. Tensions between the two nuclear-armed rivals have soared since last month's terror attack on a tourist site in India-controlled Kashmir left 26 civilians dead. India blames Pakistan for backing the attack, an accusation Islamabad rejects. What's happened so far? On Wednesday, India conducted airstrikes on several Pakistani sites it described as militant-related, killing 31 civilians according to Pakistani officials. In response, Pakistan said it shot down five Indian fighter jets. On Thursday, India said it thwarted Pakistani drone and missile attacks on military sites in more than a dozen cities and towns, a claim Pakistan denies. India also claims to have hit Pakistan's air defence systems and radars close to the city of Lahore, something that has not been independently verified. India has also ordered social media site X (formerly known as Twitter) to block more than 8,000 accounts, including a number of "international news organisations and other prominent users". The social platform did not specify exactly which accounts had been blocked, but in a statement on Thursday said the order "amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech." Across several northern and western Indian states, including Punjab, Rajasthan and Indian-administered Kashmir, schools have been shut, and some companies have been encouraging staff to work from home. Earlier on Friday, the Board of Control in India announced it was suspending this year's Indian Premier League for at least one week due to security concerns.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Watch: Blackout at Amritsar's Golden Temple as lights switched off for mock drill
Golden Temple goes dark — ANI (@ANI) NEW DELHI: As part of a nationwide civil defence drill, the Amritsar district administration held blackout measures in the city to ensure public safety and preparedness, according to the District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) on Wednesday."Taking utmost caution, the Amritsar district administration has again started the blackout process. Please stay at home, do not panic and do not gather outside your houses; keep the outside lights switched off," news agency ANI quoted the Amritsar DPRO as showed lights being switched off at the iconic Golden Temple as well. The lights were later turned back officer Jagtar Singh told ANI, "The blackout was between 10:30 pm and 11 pm. The directions are that there should not be any lights on so that the enemy may not know there is a city here. The rehearsal is being done for the interest of the country. Some people are following the blackout, and some are not. The siren was activated and then there was a complete blackout within two minutes."The blackout in Amritsar was part of a nationwide civil defence mock drill ordered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to check emergency preparedness in case of future threats. The exercise involved scheduled blackouts at key locations across the states, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Bihar, also observed similar blackouts. Cities such as Barmer, Gwalior, Surat, Shimla, and Patna participated by switching off lights at key buildings and public spaces. In Delhi, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Vijay Chowk also went dark for the nationwide preparedness drill came after the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor early on Wednesday. This were retaliatory strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed.
