News / Author / 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

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.

Film producer Mahesh Bhatt interacting with the media in Amritsar on Friday, April 14.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

entertainment

Updated on Apr 15, 2017 10:59 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi and Usmeet Kaur, Amritsar

Community kitchen expansion underway at Golden Temple

Rs 20 crore project to be completed by Diwali; will accommodate 7,500 devotees instead of 5,000 at present

The Golden Temple community kitchen serves ‘langar’ round the clock. Recently, ‘organic langar’ has also been started.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

cities

Updated on Apr 08, 2017 08:26 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi

Amritsar man kills wife, daughter as they reject groom chosen by him

A man bludgeoned his wife and daughter to death after a tiff over rejection of a prospective groom by the latter on Sunday.

cities

Updated on Apr 03, 2017 09:11 AM IST

Hindustan times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

SGPC to set up new Sikh reference library in Amritsar

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.

SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar (centre) presenting the budget report in the presence of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh (left) in Amritsar on Wednesday.(Sameer Sehgal/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Mar 30, 2017 12:12 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

When Navjot Sidhu went for thanksgiving to Amritsar: From riding a Bullet to dancing the bhangra

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.

Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu unsheathes a sword offered as a mark of honour by Congress workers during a thanksgiving visit to Mudhal village in his constituency Amritsar East on Sunday, March 26.(Sameer Sehgal/HT)

cities

Updated on Mar 27, 2017 07:00 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

Make Amritsar drug-free: MP Aujla to administration, police

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.

Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla (2L) during a meeting with police commissioner Nageshwar Rao (2R), deputy commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha (L) and other officials at Circuit House in Amritsar on Saturday.(Sameer Sehgal/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Mar 26, 2017 01:22 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

It is my duty: Navjot Singh Sidhu to mediate between Kapil Sharma-Sunil Grover

Navjot Singh Sidhu is associated with show right from the start, and enjoys a great rapport with entire crew, including Kapil and Sunil.

“Kapil and Sunil are brothers. Being a senior member of the show, it is my duty to bring them together again,” said Sidhu.

entertainment

Updated on Mar 23, 2017 11:51 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

Sidhu on Kapil Sharma show controversy: Should I turn corrupt or start operating buses?

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.”

cities

Updated on Mar 23, 2017 11:52 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi

Sidhu’s wife takes to Facebook to back his decision to stay on Kapil Sharma show

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.

cities

Updated on Mar 22, 2017 09:54 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

Congress MLAs make it loud and clear: No place for drug traders in Punjab

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.

Congress MLA Harminder Singh Gill addressing a public meeting at a village in the Patti assembly segment in Tarn Taran on Sunday.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Mar 20, 2017 10:36 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

Amritsar cops bust 2 gangs, arrest 11 members

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.

“Success came our way during patrolling when we managed to arrest four snatchers and recover 16 mobile phones,” said Jagmohan Singh , deputy commissioner of police.(Sameer Sehgal/HT)

cities

Updated on Mar 19, 2017 02:52 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

Amritsar: Navjot Singh Sidhu strikes big win, proves game-changer

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.

Navjot SinghSidhu Congress candidate from Amritsar East is likely to get a major role in the Congress establishment in the coming days.(HT File Photo)

cities

Updated on Mar 12, 2017 06:48 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

Punjab’s Majha gives bleeding blow to SAD-BJP

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.

Navjot Sidhu’s wife Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, along with other party supporters,during victory celebrations at their residence in Amritsar on Saturday.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

elections

Updated on Mar 12, 2017 01:41 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Chandigarh | ByPawan Sharma and Aseem Bassi, Chandigarh

Pak fears ‘hidden camera’ on India’s tallest flag at Attari, BSF trashes claim

The Pakistani force had also alleged that the pole violated norms under which any construction is not allowed to 150 metres from the border.

BSF officials said Pakistan Rangers voiced their concerns during a flag meeting called specifically to raise the issue.(Sameer Sehgal/HT Photo)

india news

Updated on Mar 07, 2017 08:01 PM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAseem Bassi

Akali-dera bond: SGPC panel submits report to Akal Takht

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.

SGPC probe panel submitting its report to Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh (second from right) in Amritsar on Monday.(Sameer Sehgal/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Mar 07, 2017 12:17 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

At Attari border with Pakistan, tricolour flutters on country’s tallest mast at 360 feet

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.

Tourists take photos with India’s highest tricolour hoisted at Attari Border near Amritsar on Sunday, March 05, 2017.(Sameer Sehgal/ Hindustan Times)

cities

Updated on Mar 06, 2017 06:46 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Attari | ByAseem Bassi

Tricolour flutters on country’s tallest 360-foot mast at Attari border

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.

Country’s tallest flag post that was inaugurated on Sunday at Attari.(Sameer Sehgal/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Mar 06, 2017 11:50 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAseem Bassi, Attari

Visitors’ gallery at Attari set to be complete this year

As the high voltage drill at border has attained worldwide attraction, gallery is being expanded at Attari border; to accommodate around 15,000 visitors

Construction of the retreat ceremony parade gallery in full swing at the WagahAttari Border in Amritsar on Thursday.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

cities

Updated on Mar 03, 2017 04:56 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Attari

Kin hope Sushma brings back Nanak, who strayed into Pakistan as a 7-yr-old in 1984

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.

(From left to right) Mother of Nanak Singh Pyari Kaur and father Rattan Singh in Shanna Bedi village near Ajnala, Amritsar on Thursday.(Guroreet Singh/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Feb 24, 2017 10:25 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Shanna Bedi (Amritsar) | ByAseem Bassi, Shanna Bedi (amritsar)

Amritsar: Pilgrims’ platter goes more organic as SGPC’s farm expands to 13 acres

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.

Organic farms at Gurdwara Satlani Sahib near Attari in Amritsar.(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Feb 18, 2017 04:00 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

‘Hukamnama’ against Sirsa dera chief intact: Akal Takht jathedar

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 .

Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Feb 07, 2017 06:55 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi & Surjit Singh

Punjab elections 2017: Amit Shah seeks votes for border security, communal harmony

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”.

BJP president Amit Shah addressing the “Vijay Sankalap rally” in Amritsar on Monday.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

elections

Updated on Jan 30, 2017 07:49 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar/Ludhiana | ByAseem Bassi and Aneesha Sareen Kumar

Sidhu adds zing to the contest in Amritsar East segment

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.

Congress candidate Navjot Singh Sidhu addressing a rally in Amritsar.(HT Photo)

elections

Updated on Jan 29, 2017 12:35 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

Poll khol: Rahul, Siddu camaraderie and ‘sun oye Majithye’

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.

A singer keeping crowd enthralled ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s arrival at a rally in Talwandi Sabo.(HT Photo)

elections

Updated on Jan 28, 2017 10:06 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAseem Bassi and Prabhjit Singh

Punjab polls: Rahul Gandhi guns for Badals over drug abuse, PM Modi hits back

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.

Prime minister Narendra Modi addressing an election rally at Jalandhar, Punjab, on January 27, 2017.(Pardeep Pandit / HT Photo)

elections

Updated on Jan 28, 2017 07:55 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Majitha/Jalandhar | ByAseem Bassi and Ravinder Vasudeva

As it happened | Rahul blames Punjab drug menace on Badals, names Cong CM choice

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Amritsar on Friday in his first visit to Punjab after the assembly elections were announced.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi(PTI File)

elections

Updated on Jan 28, 2017 07:55 AM IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | ByAseem Bassi

Navjot Singh Sidhu hits campaign trail in Amritsar: ‘Here for Punjab’

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.

Navjot Singh Sidhu with other Congress leaders during a road show in Amritsar on Tuesday.(Gurpreet Singh/HT Photo)

elections

Updated on Jan 18, 2017 12:11 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

Sidhu will address 70 rallies in Punjab, will get copter: Dr Navjot Kaur

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.

Congress leader Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu in Amritsar on Sunday.(Sameer Sehgal/HT)

elections

Updated on Jan 16, 2017 10:04 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

Father of all battles: Captain Amarinder Singh to take on CM Badal in Lambi

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.

Captain Amarinder Singh and Punjab CM parkash Singh Badal(HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jan 16, 2017 09:56 AM IST

Hindustan Times, Chandigarh/Amritsar | BySukhdeep Kaur and Aseem Bassi, Chandigarh/ Amritsar

Amritsar LS bypoll: As Chinna gets BJP ticket, it’s Sikh versus Sikh contest

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.

BJP Candidate from Amritsar Lok Sabha Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina(Sameer Sehgal/HT Photo)

cities

Updated on Jan 12, 2017 07:22 PM IST

Hindustan Times, Amritsar | ByAseem Bassi, Amritsar

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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.

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.

Rs 20 crore project to be completed by Diwali; will accommodate 7,500 devotees instead of 5,000 at present

A man bludgeoned his wife and daughter to death after a tiff over rejection of a prospective groom by the latter on Sunday.

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.

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.

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.

Navjot Singh Sidhu is associated with show right from the start, and enjoys a great rapport with entire crew, including Kapil and Sunil.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Pakistani force had also alleged that the pole violated norms under which any construction is not allowed to 150 metres from the border.

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.

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.

As the high voltage drill at border has attained worldwide attraction, gallery is being expanded at Attari border; to accommodate around 15,000 visitors

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.

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.

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 .

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”.

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.

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.

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.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Amritsar on Friday in his first visit to Punjab after the assembly elections were announced.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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