News / Author / Surjit Singh

Surjit Singh

Surjit Singh is a correspondent. He covers politics and agriculture, besides religious affairs and Indo-Pak border in Amritsar and Tarn Taran.

Articles by Surjit Singh

Folk dancers from Bulgaria pay rich tributes to World War-1 heroes at Amritsar village

The delegation visited the historic plaque installed by the British, in the middle of the village, which honours the sacrifice and attempts of soldiers to preserve their legacy. They saluted the plaque and garlanded it, paying rich tributes to the martyrs

Bulgarian folk dancers paying Homage to the World War-1 heroes at Sultanwind village in Amritsar on Wednesday. (HT photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 30, 2023 08:32 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

4 years after demolition, Tarn Taran gurdwara’s historic deori restored

Before initiating the renovation work, a meeting was held in this regard and experts of Directorate of Cultural Affairs Archaeology and Archives Museum Punjab, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, local intellectuals and members of Sikh organisations assembled for discussion.

Deori of gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Tarn Taran. (HT photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 28, 2023 06:26 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Tarn Taran

Bandi Chhod Diwas: Use ‘close ties’ with MHA to ensure decision on Rajoana’s mercy plea: Takht jathedar to DSGMC

In his customary address delivered from Darshani Deodi (entrance to sanctum sanctorum) of Golden Temple on the occasion of Bandi Chhod Diwas (Diwali), he said, “The DSGMC is directed to play meaningful role in this matter. The DSGMC must send a report of its efforts on this issue in 15 days to the Akal Takht”.

Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Sunday directed the office-bearers of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to make efforts to ensure early decision on the mercy plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana, death row convict in former CM Beant Singh assassination case, by using their “close ties” with the Union ministry of home affairs. (HT File Photo)

cities

Updated on Nov 14, 2023 05:40 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Dhami re-elected SGPC president for third term

Of the total polled 137 votes, Dhami bagged 118, his opponent Balbir Singh Ghunas bagged 17 while two votes were cancelled. The election session was conducted at the SGPC headquarters Teja Singh Samundri Hall. Of the total 152 members, 137 attended it. The opposition fielded Ghunas but its vote percentage dipped in comparison to last year when its candidate and three times president Jagir Kaur got 42 votes of the total 146.

Harjinder Singh Dhami was re-elected president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for the third consecutive term during the annual General House session for the election of the SGPC office-bearers. (Sameer Sehgal/HT)

cities

Updated on Nov 09, 2023 05:48 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Harjinder Singh Dhami re-elected SGPC president

A total of 138 votes were polled, out of which a whopping 118 votes went in Harjinder Singh Dhami’s favour while his rival candidate Balbir Singh Ghunas could garner only 17 votes. Two votes were cancelled.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate Harjinder Singh Dhami has been elected SGPC president for the third time. (ANI FILE)

cities

Published on Nov 08, 2023 03:40 PM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

SGPC annual polls: Harjinder Singh Dhami is SAD’s pick for top post, Oppn fields Balbir Singh Ghunas

Harjinder Singh Dhami will be the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate for the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for the third time. The annual elections will be held on Wednesday. Dhami was previously elected in 2021 and 2022.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) incumbent president Harjinder Singh Dhami (File)

cities

Updated on Nov 08, 2023 09:44 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

SGPC annual elections: Dhami vs Ghunas likely for the top post

Unlike last year, both the camps—one is controlled by Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) which is in majority, and other is opposition supported by Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led splinter Akali group, SAD (Sanyukt)—are not seen so proactive for garnering the support

Teja Singh Samundri Hall the head office of SGPC

cities

Updated on Nov 07, 2023 07:02 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Stubble burning: Amritsar continues to top charts, but overall count dips

Authorities expect the total count to be less than last year, say more farmers have opted for residue management methods

Farmers burn stubble after harvest on the outskirts of Amritsar on Thursday. (AFP)

cities

Updated on Oct 27, 2023 08:06 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

SGPC installs screen on heritage street for live telecast of gurbani

SGPC general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal said that soon more screens will be installed along the way to Darbar Sahib.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami inaugurating a screen to telecast live gurbani kirtan performed at the sanctum sanctorum of the Central Sikh shrine. (HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Oct 25, 2023 06:58 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Gadkari inaugurates 418-feet national flag at Attari-Wagah border, tallest in country

The Union minister said a surveillance system has been fitted atop the flag which will help the BSF troops keep track of the activities near the border

Union minister Nitin Gadkari with Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann during the inauguration of the highest national flag - 418 ft tall - at the Attari-Wagah border, in Amritsar on Thursday. (ANI)

cities

Updated on Oct 20, 2023 09:34 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Akal Takht bans weddings at beaches, resorts citing religious norms

The Akal Takht on Monday banned destination weddings at beaches and resorts, citing the violation of maryada, the religious protocol of Sikhs

Akal Takht Jathedaar Giani Raghbir Singh held his first meeting since taking charge. (AFP)

india news

Updated on Oct 17, 2023 06:08 AM IST

BySurjit Singh

Akal Takht bans destination Sikh weddings at beaches, resorts

After his first meeting as Akal Takht jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh says complaints were received from the sangat (Sikh community) that some people were violating maryada and conducting Anand Karaj (Sikh wedding) by installing Guru Granth Sahib at beaches or resorts. According to the Panj Singh Sahiban, conducting Anand Karaj with parkash (installation) of Guru Granth Sahib at these places is banned.

The trend of conducting Sikh marriages at beaches, resorts, banks of lakes and other natural sites, including parks, is fast growing. (Representational photo)

cities

Published on Oct 16, 2023 04:17 PM IST

BySurjit Singh

Punjab BJP vice-president Raj Kumar Verka heads back to ‘mother party’ Congress

Former Punjab minister, who holds sway in the SC community of Amritsar, says rectifying mistake as BJP hasn’t been able to accommodate all sections

Punjab BJP vice-president Raj Kumar Verka (right) addressing a press conference at his residence in Amritsar on Friday. He was accompanied by his nephew, Priyanshu Verka, and supporters. (Sameer Sehgal/HT)

cities

Updated on Oct 13, 2023 02:32 PM IST

BySurjit Singh

Will take Tarn Taran SSP’s transfer issue to logical end: Guv

The governor also claimed that he was not asked about the two-day assembly session being called by the AAP government on October 20-21

Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit and DGP Gaurav Yadav addressing a press conference at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar on Thursday. (Sameer Sehgal/HT)

cities

Updated on Oct 13, 2023 09:16 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Anil Sharma, Amritsar/tarn Taran

Updating of electoral rolls for SGPC polls to start on Oct 21: Punjab CM

The elections of the SGPC, which is also known as the Sikh Parliament, are to be held after every five years as per law, but the present general house was elected in 2011. While hearing a petition, advocating the right to vote to ‘Sehajdhari Sikhs’, the Supreme Court (SC) had stayed the house from taking over and asked the then executive to run the SGPC affairs.

In a tweet, the Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann informed that the process of registration of new votes and revision of voter lists for the much-awaited SGPC elections will start from October 21, while the rest of the details will be shared soon. (HT File)

cities

Published on Oct 04, 2023 04:09 PM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Four years on, bridge on Kartarpur zero line nears completion in Pakistan

After recent suspension of pilgrimage due to floods, work picked up pace in Pakistan; though Pakistan spent billions of rupees on the Kartarpur corridor project, it delayed the work on the bridge for a long time

The corridor crosses the flood plains of the Ravi and is prone to flooding. (HT photo)

cities

Published on Sep 26, 2023 01:05 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Dera Baba Nanak (gurdaspur)

Punjab: Hate crimes, denial of visa worry students, parents

Canada popular study destination with Punjab youngsters due to easier immigration and the large Punjabi population there with a political say.

Such is the craze that the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) welcomed 5.51 lakh new international students in 2022, of which 2.26 lakh (41%) were from India.

cities

Updated on Sep 22, 2023 08:50 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Surjit Singh, Tarsem Singh Deogan, Rajanbir Singh, Jalandhar/amritsar/bathinda/ludhiana/chandigarh:

Visa suspension: Canadian NRIs in limbo as travel plans to Punjab go for a toss

Kapurthala-based immigration consultant Inderpal Singh, who also owns a hotel in Jalandhar, said he has received over a dozen calls from Canadian NRIs, regarding their reservations and planned itinerary

High Commission of Canada in India at Shantipath in New Delhi on Thursday. (PTI)

cities

Updated on Sep 22, 2023 01:24 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Surjit Singh, Vishal Joshi, Aneesha Sareen, Jalandhar/amritsar/ludhiana/bathinda/patiala

Education revolution has begun in Punjab, says AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal

AAP national convener and CM Mann inaugurate state’s first School of Eminence in Amritsar; say previous regimes had looted Punjab

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann during the inauguration of School of Eminence, in Amritsar on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

cities

Published on Sep 14, 2023 12:42 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

On President’s rule threat, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, Paying price for not bowing down to anyone

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann hands over appointment letters to 5,714 anganwadi workers on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan

An Anganwadi worker ties rakhi to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann during an event at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar, on Wednesday. (Sameer Sehgal/HT)

cities

Updated on Aug 31, 2023 12:23 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Raagis protest as SGPC flags Gurbani telecast copyright ‘violation’

Hazuri raagis are the gurbani exponents who sing hymns, as per Sikh music tradition at the sanctum sanctorum of the holiest Sikh shrine.

A devotee pays obeisance at Golden Temple in Amritsar. (HT File)

cities

Updated on Aug 28, 2023 12:44 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Punjab floods: 112 villages still affected, more than 5,000 evacuated

Army assisting in rescue ops, NDRF working to prevent breaches; in Gurdaspur, as many as 70 villages located near Beas river have been affected by the flood with around 5,000 people evacuated to safer locations on Thursday.

A rescue team on job to evacuate people from a marooned house in Gurdaspur on Thursday. (HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 18, 2023 12:11 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Navrajdeep Singh, Amritsar

Punjab: Two boys drown in seasonal rivulet in Gurdaspur village

Due to the water level rising in the nearby Beas river, the nullah was full to capacity. Both the boys went to see the water flowing in it and were standing on its bank when their feet slipped and they fell in, police said.

Family members of the two boys after their bodies were recovered from the seasonal nullah (drain) at Dhirowali village in Sri Hargobindpur sub division of Gurdaspur district on Thursday morning. (HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 17, 2023 12:32 PM IST

BySurjit Singh

Punjab: Situation grim in Majha, several Gurdaspur, Amritsar villages inundated

Teams of the district administration along with locals are evacuating people and taking them to safer places. People are moving to safer places along with their cattle in tractor-trailers

Rescue teams shift flood-effected people to a safer place in Gurdaspur on Wednesday. (HT photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 17, 2023 12:43 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Ardas performed at Akal Takht in memory of Partition victims

The ardas was performed after the bhog (concluding ceremony) of Akhand Path (uninterrupted recitation of Guru Granth Sahib) initiated on August 14 and Gurbani kirtan

Ardas being performed at the Akal Takht in Amritsar on Wednesday. (HT photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 16, 2023 10:59 PM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Indo-Pak Friendship Fest: Rakesh Tikait on Wagah border reopening for trade

Folklore Research Academy’s magazine ‘Panj Pani’ was also released on the occasion.

Farmer leader Rakesh Tikait during the 28th India-Pakistan Friendship Festival in Amritsar. (HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 15, 2023 05:31 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

Punjab bandh: Complete shutdown in Doaba region

In the Doaba region, which includes Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar districts, most commercial establishments remained shut and market areas wore a deserted look

Protestors blocked Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur road near Rama Mandi on Wednesday. (HT photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 10, 2023 12:33 AM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Surjit Singh, Vishal Joshi, Harmandeep Singh, Jalandhar/amritsar/ Bathinda/sangrur

Punjab bandh: Shops across Doaba region shut, lukewarm response seen in other parts of state

In the Doaba region, which includes Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar districts, most commercial establishments remained shut and market areas wore a deserted look. The transportation facilities, however, saw no impact.

Protestors blocking the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur road near Rama Mandi on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Aug 09, 2023 02:21 PM IST

ByNavrajdeep Singh, Surjit Singh, Vishal Joshi, Harmandeep Singh, Jalandhar/amritsar/ Bathinda/sangrur

On Punjab tour, UK Sikh MP Tanmanjeet Dhesi stopped at Amritsar airport for 2 hours

United Kingdom (UK) Member of Parliament Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi landed at Amritsar around 9am. Immigration officials made him wait inside the airport for two hours before allowing him to leave the airport, confirmed a senior police official requesting anonymity

United Kingdom (UK) Member of Parliament Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough. (HT File)

cities

Updated on Aug 03, 2023 12:12 PM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

SGPC launches YouTube channel, to start Gurbani broadcast from July 25

PTC to continue telecast till the apex gurdwara body launches its own satellite channel; Dhami says all rights to remain with SGPC

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Harjinder Singh Dhami (C). (File photo)

cities

Updated on Jul 24, 2023 12:44 AM IST

BySurjit Singh, Amritsar

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Surjit Singh

Surjit Singh is a correspondent. He covers politics and agriculture, besides religious affairs and Indo-Pak border in Amritsar and Tarn Taran.

The delegation visited the historic plaque installed by the British, in the middle of the village, which honours the sacrifice and attempts of soldiers to preserve their legacy. They saluted the plaque and garlanded it, paying rich tributes to the martyrs

Before initiating the renovation work, a meeting was held in this regard and experts of Directorate of Cultural Affairs Archaeology and Archives Museum Punjab, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, local intellectuals and members of Sikh organisations assembled for discussion.

A total of 138 votes were polled, out of which a whopping 118 votes went in Harjinder Singh Dhami’s favour while his rival candidate Balbir Singh Ghunas could garner only 17 votes. Two votes were cancelled.

Harjinder Singh Dhami will be the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate for the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for the third time. The annual elections will be held on Wednesday. Dhami was previously elected in 2021 and 2022.

Unlike last year, both the camps—one is controlled by Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) which is in majority, and other is opposition supported by Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led splinter Akali group, SAD (Sanyukt)—are not seen so proactive for garnering the support

Authorities expect the total count to be less than last year, say more farmers have opted for residue management methods

SGPC general secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal said that soon more screens will be installed along the way to Darbar Sahib.

The Union minister said a surveillance system has been fitted atop the flag which will help the BSF troops keep track of the activities near the border

The Akal Takht on Monday banned destination weddings at beaches and resorts, citing the violation of maryada, the religious protocol of Sikhs

Former Punjab minister, who holds sway in the SC community of Amritsar, says rectifying mistake as BJP hasn’t been able to accommodate all sections

The governor also claimed that he was not asked about the two-day assembly session being called by the AAP government on October 20-21

After recent suspension of pilgrimage due to floods, work picked up pace in Pakistan; though Pakistan spent billions of rupees on the Kartarpur corridor project, it delayed the work on the bridge for a long time

Canada popular study destination with Punjab youngsters due to easier immigration and the large Punjabi population there with a political say.

Kapurthala-based immigration consultant Inderpal Singh, who also owns a hotel in Jalandhar, said he has received over a dozen calls from Canadian NRIs, regarding their reservations and planned itinerary

AAP national convener and CM Mann inaugurate state’s first School of Eminence in Amritsar; say previous regimes had looted Punjab

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann hands over appointment letters to 5,714 anganwadi workers on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan

Hazuri raagis are the gurbani exponents who sing hymns, as per Sikh music tradition at the sanctum sanctorum of the holiest Sikh shrine.

Army assisting in rescue ops, NDRF working to prevent breaches; in Gurdaspur, as many as 70 villages located near Beas river have been affected by the flood with around 5,000 people evacuated to safer locations on Thursday.

Due to the water level rising in the nearby Beas river, the nullah was full to capacity. Both the boys went to see the water flowing in it and were standing on its bank when their feet slipped and they fell in, police said.

Teams of the district administration along with locals are evacuating people and taking them to safer places. People are moving to safer places along with their cattle in tractor-trailers

The ardas was performed after the bhog (concluding ceremony) of Akhand Path (uninterrupted recitation of Guru Granth Sahib) initiated on August 14 and Gurbani kirtan

Folklore Research Academy’s magazine ‘Panj Pani’ was also released on the occasion.

In the Doaba region, which includes Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar districts, most commercial establishments remained shut and market areas wore a deserted look

In the Doaba region, which includes Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar districts, most commercial establishments remained shut and market areas wore a deserted look. The transportation facilities, however, saw no impact.

United Kingdom (UK) Member of Parliament Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi landed at Amritsar around 9am. Immigration officials made him wait inside the airport for two hours before allowing him to leave the airport, confirmed a senior police official requesting anonymity

PTC to continue telecast till the apex gurdwara body launches its own satellite channel; Dhami says all rights to remain with SGPC

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