As Canada dream gets costlier, Punjab youth look to UK, NZ, Dubai Sheetal, a 20-year-old from Ludhiana, has spent two years chasing the Canadian dream, only to face repeated visa rejections. Her story reflects a growing trend among Punjab’s youth, who are now turning to the UK, New Zealand, and Dubai as alternatives to Canada. Once a straightforward path for students from Punjab’s Doaba and Malwa regions, the Canadian immigration route has become increasingly restrictive and expensive, reshaping migration patterns and challenging the long-standing dream of settling in the West. The Canadian government’s recent policy shifts have significantly impacted students and immigration agencies. By capping student permits and tightening “proof of funds” requirements, Canada has signaled the end of the “easy entry” student visa era. The Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC), a financial requirement for international students, has nearly doubled in cost, rising from $10,000 to over $22,000. This financial burden has made the Canadian dream unaffordable for many middle-class families, forcing them to explore other destinations. The changes have also disrupted the migration industry, which has long thrived in Punjab’s cities like Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Chandigarh. These regions, once hubs for aspiring students, now face a decline in demand for Canadian immigration services. Agencies that once catered to thousands of students are now struggling, with many shifting their focus to the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The once-thriving IELTS coaching industry, a critical step for students aiming to study abroad, has seen a sharp decline in activity. The Canadian government’s decision to reduce the number of study permits issued has disproportionately affected smaller provinces, including Punjab.#pakistan #canada #jalandhar #chandigarh #ludhiana
Karan Aujla Cancels Lucknow and Ludhiana Concerts Amid Venue and License Challenges Karan Aujla, the popular Punjabi singer and performer, has announced the cancellation of his highly anticipated concerts in Lucknow and Ludhiana, originally scheduled for April 10 and 12, 2026. The decision follows unresolved issues related to venue logistics and licensing permissions, which have complicated the event planning process. This development comes after Aujla’s Mumbai Holi concert earlier in the month faced criticism for crowd management problems, raising concerns about the organization of his larger-scale events. The Lucknow and Ludhiana shows were part of Aujla’s ongoing tour, which has drawn significant attention from fans across northern India. The Lucknow concert was set to take place at a large outdoor venue, while the Ludhiana event was planned for a multi-purpose indoor space. However, the organizers have cited delays in securing the necessary permits and logistical hurdles in coordinating with local authorities as the primary reasons for the cancellations. These issues have reportedly caused scheduling conflicts and financial strain, prompting the decision to postpone the events. Fans who had purchased tickets for the canceled shows have been informed that refunds are being processed through the ticketing platform District. According to the platform, refunds should be credited to customers’ accounts within a week. District, which has been a primary ticketing partner for Aujla’s events, has assured users that the process is underway and that no further action is required from ticket holders. Despite the setbacks, Aujla’s other scheduled performances remain unaffected. His Jaipur concert, originally planned for April 5, is proceeding as scheduled, and the Mumbai 2.#lucknow #ludhiana #karan_aujla #district #mumbai_holi_concert
Karan Aujla India Tour Controversy: Singer's Lucknow and Ludhiana Shows Get Cancelled Punjabi singer Karan Aujla’s upcoming Lucknow and Ludhiana concerts, part of his P-Pop Culture India Tour, have been cancelled. The cancellations come weeks after backlash over his Mumbai Holi Edition show, where fans reported poor crowd management and safety concerns. Ticketing platform District confirmed the cancellations, citing logistical difficulties and initiating refunds. Despite this, his Jaipur show on April 5 remains scheduled, and a new Mumbai 2.0 concert is planned for April 12. Aujla, who kicked off his India tour with a high-energy performance at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on February 28, has been performing across major cities, including Kolkata on April 3. His shows have consistently drawn enthusiastic fans, with social media abuzz over his stage presence and hit songs. However, the sudden cancellation of the Lucknow and Ludhiana events has left many confused. While the singer has not made any public statement regarding the cancellations, the ticketing platform District no longer lists these concerts. Fans who had purchased tickets were reportedly notified that refunds would be processed within 5-7 business days. A screenshot circulating online, reportedly from District, read: “Hi there, we regret to inform you that the Karan Aujla P-Pop Culture India Tour – Ludhiana on April 10 has been cancelled due to logistical difficulties. Refunds have been initiated and will reflect in your original mode of payment within 5-7 business days. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.” Reports suggest logistical challenges as the primary reason for the cancellations.#mumbai #lucknow #ludhiana #karan_aujla #district
Rising fuel prices erode margins, disrupt orders for industrial units in city Ludhiana: The global energy shock stemming from the West Asia conflict is tightening its grip on Ludhiana's industry, as escalating fuel prices and shortages begin to disrupt manufacturing activity and strain small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Industrial units across Ludhiana are facing increasing stress as rising prices of petroleum-based industrial fuels continue to push up production costs. Industrialists warn that the ongoing surge in fuel prices is severely affecting manufacturing activity and could disrupt supply chains across multiple sectors. They say margins are being wiped out and fresh orders are becoming harder to secure as clients refuse to bear additional costs. Pankaj Sharma, president of the Association of Trade & Industrial Undertakings (ATIU), expressed serious concern over the sudden escalation in prices of fuels such as light diesel oil (LDO) and furnace oil. He said industries are struggling to absorb the sharp rise in input costs, occurring alongside an increase in raw-material prices. Sharma added that sectors like the forging industry, which depend heavily on these fuels, are finding it extremely difficult to continue production at current cost levels. According to Sharma, lack of LPG availability combined with rising prices of other fuels has made operations unsustainable for many units. He said dispatch of existing orders has become challenging and new orders are being refused because of higher production costs. He observed that margins on previously booked orders have vanished due to increased input costs, and customers are unwilling to accept revised prices, leading to a pause in future orders.#ludhiana #pankaj_sharma #association_of_trade_and_industrial_undertakings #rajesh_mittal #sanjeev_gupta
Diesel price hike adds fuel to LPG crisis fire, threatens to shut 35% of Ludhiana factories A sharp rise in industrial diesel prices has intensified the ongoing LPG crisis in Ludhiana, raising fears of widespread factory closures. Industrial diesel prices surged by ₹22, reaching ₹109 per litre this week, exacerbating an already dire situation marked by severe LPG shortages. Business leaders have warned that the price gap between bulk industrial fuel and retail diesel will force factories to refuel at public petrol stations to cut costs, potentially disrupting regular consumer services and straining fuel station infrastructure. The crisis has left thousands of factories in Punjab struggling to maintain operations as the financial year-end approaches. Harsimerjit Singh Lucky, president of the United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association, stated that at least 30 to 35% of units no longer have the energy to function, with large-scale industries on the brink of closure. The situation is described as worsening daily, with the heat-treatment and induction furnace sectors particularly hard-hit due to their reliance on furnace oil and LPG. KK Garg, president of the Induction Furnace Association of North India, highlighted that the shortage of all fuel types has brought the sector to a standstill. "With deadlines looming, it has become impossible to complete dispatches," he said, adding that the crisis is not just industrial but also inflationary, set to increase transportation and production costs across the board. Gurmeet Singh Kular, president of the Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisations (Fico), called the current climate an "emergency," questioning how workers will survive if the region’s industrial engine stops.#ludhiana #united_cycle_and_parts_manufacturers_association #induction_furnace_association_of_north_india #world_msme_forum
