2020 — The year that was or wasn’t...

The Tribune highlights key events that took place during 2020, a year that most of us won't be able to forget for obvious reasons. Covid-19 affected lives in many ways. The government-imposed nationwide lockdown, as a preventive measure against the spread of the virus, forced people to remain indoors. Roads and streets remained deserted during the curfew and migrant workers, who lost their livelihood, had no option but to return.

The year 2020 would be remembered for obvious reasons! Most part of the year went in the lockdown owing to the pandemic with all sections of society, including industrialists, traders, shopkeepers, vendors and even daily wagers facing huge financial losses.

Those with foreign dreams also got stuck, as flights were cancelled, airports got almost shut and most countries restricted the entry of students.

While most of the things were going haywire, courtesy the pandemic, there were some good aspects to it too! There was oneness in community and people readily came out in large numbers to help the have-nots. The cops and medical fraternity worked 24x7 risking their own lives to help and treat Covid patients. The crime graph dropped considerably. Most people became health conscious and connected to nature. Residents breathed clean air. Masks and sanitisers became a new normal and permanent accessories for one and all. It was a rare treat for the eyes, when Jalandharites saw the mighty Dhauladhars from their rooftops. As the year came to a close, it was farmers’ issues that cropped up. Most villagers from Doaba are still camping at the Delhi borders seeking the rollback of the new farm laws. Between this melee, development issues took a backseat and the city remained deprived of good civic amenities. — Deepkamal Kaur

Those who made headlines

Bravery Icon: Kusum

Kusum Kumari, a 15-year-old girl from Fatehpuri Mohalla of Jalandhar, shot to limelight when she gave a tough fight to bike-borne mobile phone snatchers. As she became a youth icon of the city, the state government, district administration, politicians and philanthropists made a beeline to offer her help.

Anwar Ali returns to the game

Adampur-based FIFA World Cup player Anwar Ali (20), who was barred from the sport after being diagnosed with congenital heart condition, returned to the game as a player for an HP-based club. Delhi High Court allowed him to play till the AIFF arrived at a final decision.

Palak selected for Paralympics

Jalandhar-based Palak Kohli (18) qualified for Tokyo Olympics and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). She has a deformed left arm since birth. Palak, who began her initial training at Hansraj Stadium, is the only one from the state and the youngest player to qualify for the event.

JEE (Main) topper Ujjwal Mehta

Ujjwal Mehta of Kartar Nagar, Jalandhar, topped the state in the JEE (Main) examination this year. He scored 99.995 percentile and an All-India Rank (AIR) 27. He scored 100 marks in mathematics, 99.99 in physics and 99.99 in chemistry.

Social Media Icon: Paranthe Wale Bebeji

At 70, Kamlesh Kumari, who is running a small parantha stall at the Phagwara Gate market for the last 35 years, became quite popular on social media. She got assistance from the state government, Punjab State Women Commission and several people began visiting her stall that she runs from evening till midnight.

First Covid victim from Punjab: Baldev Singh

The first coronavirus casualty from Punjab was Baldev Singh (70) of Pathlawa village of Nawanshahr. A priest with a dera, he had returned from Italy a few days before he fell ill. Since about 25-odd people who came in his contact also caught the infection, he became a victim of a ‘vilification campaign’. Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala sang a song for the Punjab Police, which earned both — the singer and the force — the public’s wrath.

Jagir Kaur makes a comeback

Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Jagir Kaur came to spotlight in November this year, when she was appointed as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief for the fourth time. Having remained politically inactive for a long time, she has now re-emerged in the political circles of the state.