HT Punjab news digest: Sikh cuts beard in protest, Sukhna Lake drying up, and flights from Ludhiana

Here’s a wrap-up of the day’s top news and features from Hindustan Times from the northern region and the diaspora for May 19

Sikh sarpanch cuts beard, hangs it on DC office door to protest water woes in Moga

Bahona village sarpanch Harbhajan Singh cutting his beard outside the DC office in Moga on Friday, May 19. (HT Photo)

In a bizarre protest over non-supply of potable water in Bahona village in the district, its Sikh sarpanch on Friday snipped off his beard and hung it on the door of the deputy commissioner’s office after the latter allegedly failed to fulfil his promise to ensure restoration of water supply. Read full story here

Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake likely to go dry by June 30

This summer could be the last that residents enjoy the Sukhna Lake. With rain predicted almost every day, but nothing on the ground, by June 30, a day after the monsoon is scheduled to hit the city, the Sukhna’s bed will run dry. Read full story here

Jinder Mahal wants to put India on WWE map again, faces Randy Orton

The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has always been quite popular in India, but the lack of Indian wrestlers hindered its growth in the country. Dalip Singh Rana (also known as The Great Khali) was the only one to make it big in the company and despite WWE bringing in some Indian wrestlers into their developmental roster, it has not helped their cause. Read full story here

After 7-year-old dies of heat stroke, school timings in Punjab changed

Punjab education minister Aruna Chaudhary on Friday ordered a change in timings of all schools of the state, keeping in view the soaring temperatures in the state. Read full story here and in pics: This could be Sukhna Lake’s last summer

Flights from Ludhiana airport to start next month under UDAN scheme: MP Bittu

In a move that will benefit residents of Ludhiana and adjoining districts, flight operations from the Sahnewal airport will start from next month under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, MP Ravneet Singh Bittu has said. Read full story here

Amritsar Class 12 girl hangs herself with dupatta in classroom

A Class 12 student, Simran Kaur, committed suicide by hanging herself from the ceiling fan of her classroom at Jagat Jyoti Senior Secondary School here on Friday. Read full story here

Amarinder’s son buries differences with Badal aides

There should be no politics in sports. But politics can do with some sports. Not very long ago in February 2013, National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Raninder Singh, son of Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, had debarred the Punjab Rifle Shooting Association (PRSA), led by former Akali Dal minister Bikram Singh Majithia. Read full story here