-kUeE-U20678266148E7-960x540%40HT-Web.jpg "Aseem Bassi")
Aseem Bassi
A principal correspondent, Aseem Bassi is the bureau chief at Amritsar. He covers politics, Indo-Pak border, gurdwara politics, crime, border trade and civic issues.
Articles by Aseem Bassi
Upsetting that Pakistan misjudged Begum Jaan, says Mahesh Bhatt
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi and Usmeet Kaur
UPDATED ON APR 15, 2017 10:59 AM IST
He said that Pakistan was not a market for him. “It is a ladder that can connect the cultures. I would make it very clear that the ban on one movie cannot jeopardise the long efforts made to bring peace between two nations,” he added.
Community kitchen expansion underway at Golden Temple
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON APR 08, 2017 08:26 PM IST
Rs 20 crore project to be completed by Diwali; will accommodate 7,500 devotees instead of 5,000 at present
Amritsar man kills wife, daughter as they reject groom chosen by him
Hindustan times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON APR 03, 2017 09:11 AM IST
A man bludgeoned his wife and daughter to death after a tiff over rejection of a prospective groom by the latter on Sunday.
SGPC to set up new Sikh reference library in Amritsar
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 30, 2017 12:12 PM IST
Even as the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is waiting for the Union government to return rare manuscripts and other articles of Sikh history taken away during the Operation Bluestar in 1984, the Sikh body has decided to set up a new Sikh Reference Library.
When Navjot Sidhu went for thanksgiving to Amritsar: From riding a Bullet to dancing the bhangra
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 27, 2017 07:00 PM IST
From riding an Enfield motorcycle to doing bhangra to the beats of ‘dhol’, taking blessings from elders to helping the handicapped — it was super Sunday for cabinet minister Navjot Sidhu who paid a visit to his Amritsar East constituency to thank people for his victory in the elections.
Make Amritsar drug-free: MP Aujla to administration, police
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 26, 2017 01:22 PM IST
On reaching Amritsar after taking oath in the Parliament, Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar Gurjit Singh Aujla held a marathon meeting with the police and civil administration officials, instructing them to make Amritsar drug-free and ensure maintenance of law and order.
It is my duty: Navjot Singh Sidhu to mediate between Kapil Sharma-Sunil Grover
Hindustan Times | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 23, 2017 11:51 PM IST
Navjot Singh Sidhu is associated with show right from the start, and enjoys a great rapport with entire crew, including Kapil and Sunil.
Sidhu on Kapil Sharma show controversy: Should I turn corrupt or start operating buses?
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 23, 2017 11:52 PM IST
Sidhu said that he has already left 75 percent of his TV work . He also said, “If four days a month I go for TV, that too at night, then what is the problem. What I do at nights should not concern anyone.”
Sidhu’s wife takes to Facebook to back his decision to stay on Kapil Sharma show
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 22, 2017 09:54 AM IST
With cabinet minister and MLA from Amritsar East Navjot Singh Sidhu maintaining that he will continue with his TV show and his work as minister will not be effected, his wife and former MLA Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu has come out in support him through Facebook saying that undue hype was being created over the issue.
Congress MLAs make it loud and clear: No place for drug traders in Punjab
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 20, 2017 10:36 AM IST
With the newly formed Congress government vowing to weed out drug menace from Punjab, party legislators are employing loudspeakers installed at gurdwaras to requests villagers to shun the illegal trade.
Amritsar cops bust 2 gangs, arrest 11 members
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 19, 2017 02:52 PM IST
Battling against the menace of back-to-back snatching incidents in the city, the Amritsar police on Saturday tasted major success by arresting 11 members of two gangs involved in the cases of snatchings and thefts.
Amritsar: Navjot Singh Sidhu strikes big win, proves game-changer
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 12, 2017 06:48 PM IST
Making a last-minute entry into the Congress, cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu not only trounced his BJP rival Rajesh Honey with a big margin of over 42,000 votes from Amritsar East, but also played a role of a game-changer for the party in the crucial Majha region.
Punjab’s Majha gives bleeding blow to SAD-BJP
Hindustan Times, Chandigarh | By Pawan Sharma and Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 12, 2017 01:41 PM IST
The ‘Majhails’ — people belonging to the Majha region — true to their ready-to-fight persona, gave a bleeding blow to the ruling SAD-BJP combine by giving 22 seats to the Congress.
Pak fears ‘hidden camera’ on India’s tallest flag at Attari, BSF trashes claim
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 07, 2017 08:01 PM IST
The Pakistani force had also alleged that the pole violated norms under which any construction is not allowed to 150 metres from the border.
Akali-dera bond: SGPC panel submits report to Akal Takht
Hindustan Times | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 07, 2017 12:17 PM IST
The three-member panel formed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to probe into the pre-poll pact between the Shiromani Akali Dal and Dera Sacha Sauda has finally submitted its report to Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh on Monday, exactly a month after it was set up on February 6.
At Attari border with Pakistan, tricolour flutters on country’s tallest mast at 360 feet
Hindustan Times, Attari | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 06, 2017 06:46 AM IST
A 120-foot-long and 80-foot-wide Tricolour was hoisted on India’s tallest 360-foot flag post at the border here on Sunday. Till now, the Ranchi had the tallest flag mast at 300 feet.
Tricolour flutters on country’s tallest 360-foot mast at Attari border
Hindustan Times | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 06, 2017 11:50 AM IST
A 120-foot-long and 80-foot-wide Tricolour was hoisted on India’s tallest 360-foot flag post at the border here on Sunday. Till now, the Ranchi had the tallest flag mast at 300 feet.
Visitors’ gallery at Attari set to be complete this year
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON MAR 03, 2017 04:56 PM IST
As the high voltage drill at border has attained worldwide attraction, gallery is being expanded at Attari border; to accommodate around 15,000 visitors
Kin hope Sushma brings back Nanak, who strayed into Pakistan as a 7-yr-old in 1984
Hindustan Times, Shanna Bedi (Amritsar) | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON FEB 24, 2017 10:25 AM IST
The year was 1984, and Nanak Singh was barely seven years old when he strayed into Pakistani territory from the fields in this border village. He is now close to 40, and reported to be lodged in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore, but the family have not lost hope of getting their son back.
Amritsar: Pilgrims’ platter goes more organic as SGPC’s farm expands to 13 acres
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON FEB 18, 2017 04:00 PM IST
Starting in 2015 with seven acres of organic farm to grow vegetables which make way to the community kitchen of the Golden Temple, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) have expanded the farm to 13 acres and now, more quantity of organic vegetables are served on the pilgrims’ plates.
‘Hukamnama’ against Sirsa dera chief intact: Akal Takht jathedar
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi & Surjit Singh
UPDATED ON FEB 07, 2017 06:55 PM IST
Giani Gurbachan Singh says he will seek a report from the SGPC on the Akali leaders who went to a Dera Sacha Sauda meeting; reiterates there is no chance of revival of dera satsangs in Punjab .
Punjab elections 2017: Amit Shah seeks votes for border security, communal harmony
Hindustan Times, Amritsar/Ludhiana | By Aseem Bassi and Aneesha Sareen Kumar
UPDATED ON JAN 30, 2017 07:49 PM IST
Campaigning in the border district of Amritsar on Monday, BJP president Amit Shah sought votes for the SAD-BJP alliance “in the interest of national security and communal harmony in Punjab”.
Sidhu adds zing to the contest in Amritsar East segment
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON JAN 29, 2017 12:35 PM IST
Amritsar East has become the most watched constituency and got a lot of attention ever since the Congress party chose to field its star campaigner Navjot Singh Sidhu from this segment.
Poll khol: Rahul, Siddu camaraderie and ‘sun oye Majithye’
Hindustan Times | By Aseem Bassi and Prabhjit Singh
UPDATED ON JAN 28, 2017 10:06 AM IST
Rimz J, an orchestra singer from Chandigarh kept the crowd gathered to hear Rahul at a rally in Rama Mandi, Talwandi Sabo, captivated for two hours.
Punjab polls: Rahul Gandhi guns for Badals over drug abuse, PM Modi hits back
Hindustan Times, Majitha/Jalandhar | By Aseem Bassi and Ravinder Vasudeva
UPDATED ON JAN 28, 2017 07:55 AM IST
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi traded barbs on Friday over drug abuse in Punjab in their maiden rallies in the state.
As it happened | Rahul blames Punjab drug menace on Badals, names Cong CM choice
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON JAN 28, 2017 07:55 AM IST
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Amritsar on Friday in his first visit to Punjab after the assembly elections were announced.
Navjot Singh Sidhu hits campaign trail in Amritsar: ‘Here for Punjab’
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON JAN 18, 2017 12:11 PM IST
Returning to home city to begin his new political innings, Congress’ Amritsar East candidate Navjot Singh Sidhu has said he is not here to fight “personal battles” but with a mission to change Punjab.
Sidhu will address 70 rallies in Punjab, will get copter: Dr Navjot Kaur
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON JAN 16, 2017 10:04 AM IST
Navjot Singh Sidhu, who joined the Congress on Sunday in Delhi, will address about 70 poll rallies across the state. The party has also promised him a chopper so that he can attend maximum rallies.
Father of all battles: Captain Amarinder Singh to take on CM Badal in Lambi
Hindustan Times, Chandigarh/Amritsar | By Sukhdeep Kaur and Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON JAN 16, 2017 09:56 AM IST
It was an idea whose time had come. After refusing to accept the dare of the Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal to contest against Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal from Lambi, Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh seemed to realised it was a masterstroke worth a try.
Amritsar LS bypoll: As Chinna gets BJP ticket, it’s Sikh versus Sikh contest
Hindustan Times, Amritsar | By Aseem Bassi
UPDATED ON JAN 12, 2017 07:22 PM IST
With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielding its former state vice-president Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina from the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat for February 4 bypoll, the constituency is set for a Sikh versus Sikh contest.