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Raakhi Jagga
Raakhi Jagga is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Ludhiana. With over two decades of experience, she is a leading voice on the socio-economic and political pulse of Punjab, particularly the Malwa region. Professional Background Specialization: She is widely known for her extensive on-ground coverage of agrarian distress, the 1971 war history, and the industrial challenges of Ludhiana (often called the Manchester of India). Key Coverage Areas: She has been at the forefront of reporting on the Farmer Protests, the impact of drug addiction on Punjabi youth, and the intricacies of the state's rural governance (Zila Parishads and Panchayats). Reporting Style: Her work often bridges the gap between high-level policy (like the MGNREGA or central farm laws) and their raw, grassroots impact on farmers and small-scale industrialists. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her reporting in late 2025 has focused heavily on rural elections, administrative controversies, and environmental policy: 1. Rural Governance & Politics "Punjab Zila Parishad polls: How candidates are placed and funding sources" (Dec 11, 2025): A comprehensive "Explained" piece breaking down the mechanics and financial structures of the 2025 rural body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailed reporting on the AAP's dominance in the recent local polls. "Before criticising VB-G RAM G, explain Punjab's MGNREGS work days" (Dec 19, 2025): Covering the political back-and-forth between the BJP and the AAP regarding the state’s employment guarantee performance. 2. Education & Labor Protests "Why experienced teachers in Punjab are protesting against govt-mandated bridge course" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the friction between the state government and veteran educators over new training mandates. "Punjab government cancels recruitment drive for psychologists" (Dec 21, 2025): Investigating the abrupt cancellation of a recruitment drive in favor of outsourcing. 3. Agriculture & Industry "Anti-stubble-burning move backfires: Paddy waste left to rot in Fatehgarh Sahib" (Oct 24, 2025): An investigative report on the failure of supply chains intended to move stubble to biomass power plants. "Punjab farmers forced to buy other products with subsidised urea" (Oct 16, 2025): Detailing the persistent issue of "tagging," where farmers are coerced into buying unwanted products to get essential fertilizers. "Diwali 2025: Amid date confusion, here’s when industries will celebrate" (Oct 18, 2025): A localized report on how Ludhiana's massive industrial sector navigates holiday calendar discrepancies. 4. Crime & High-Profile Incidents "Ex-Punjab IPS officer IG Amar Singh Chahal shoots himself after cyber fraud" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering the tragic fallout of a massive ₹8.10 crore cyber fraud targeting a retired high-ranking...
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More From Raakhi Jagga - Page 154
Patwaris go on mass leave in Ludhiana after MLA’s ‘sting operation’ against one of themSubscriber Only
September 28, 2017 02:34 IST
All Patwar Union members in Ludhiana went on mass leave from September 25 to protest a sting operation done by in Lok Insaaf Party MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains, which purportedly showed a Patwari and his assistant taking bribe.
Thu, Sep 28, 2017
In Ludhiana, child dies half an hour after getting polio vaccinationSubscriber Only
September 22, 2017 04:47 IST
Victim Aditya Kumar’s parents, who are residents of Agra and had come to visit a relative, said that the child was rushed to a nearby hospital, but could not be saved.
Fri, Sep 22, 2017
Cracker factory blast: Factory owners booked, four godowns sealedSubscriber Only
September 21, 2017 05:06 IST
On Wednesday morning, police sealed four godowns belonging to the duo. Deputy Commissioner A S Virk has ordered a probe into the incident by Sunam SDM and Dirba DSP
Thu, Sep 21, 2017
5 dead in Sangrur cracker factory blastSubscriber Only
September 20, 2017 01:33 IST
The incident occurred at a factory that is a major supplier of crackers to the entire Sangrur district. The two-storey factory building was completely damaged in the blast. Firecrackers had been stashed in the building ahead of Dussehra and Diwali.
Wed, Sep 20, 2017
Farmers, police clash in LongowalSubscriber Only
September 20, 2017 00:39 IST
Seven farmer unions have planned dharna outside Moti Bagh in Patiala from September 22-September 26. The police have arrested over 300 farmers
Wed, Sep 20, 2017Over 300 farmers arrested in Bathinda and Patiala zonesSubscriber Only
September 19, 2017 02:11 IST
All these are preventive arrests in which several active farmer union leaders have been taken into custody. Raids started on Sunday and continued on Monday.
Tue, Sep 19, 2017
5-day Baba Farid Mela begins todaySubscriber Only
September 19, 2017 01:45 IST
While the heritage mela tag comes with an entitlement of Rs 25 lakh annual grant for organising the event, the state government, this year and even during previous years, has not released any money to the district administration.
Tue, Sep 19, 2017
Sukhbir Badal targets Navjot Sidhu: ‘A liar who doesn’t know politics’Subscriber Only
September 17, 2017 01:24 IST
Sidhu has often been critical of the Badals in his public speeches. Interestingly, Sukhbir made just one reference to Captain, saying, “Captain sahib took oath by taking Gutka Sahib in his hands and has not fulfilled his promises till date.”
Sun, Sep 17, 2017
Farmers in bypoll-bound Gurdaspur get arrears; wait on in rest of stateSubscriber Only
September 16, 2017 01:11 IST
There are two co-operative sugar mills in this constituency, one in Gurdaspur and another in Batala. Last month, a total of Rs 24 crore was disbursed towards clearing arrears, sources said.
Sat, Sep 16, 2017
Punjab plans month-end rollout, gets 10,000 applications from retired Army personnelSubscriber Only
September 14, 2017 00:02 IST
Punjab government claims to be the first state in the country to implement such a scheme. Applications for the same were invited on September 7.
Thu, Sep 14, 2017
Saragarhi battle to be part of school text books in PunjabSubscriber Only
September 13, 2017 00:54 IST
On September 12, 1897, 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikh had had fought to the last man against nearly 10,000 Afghans. So far, this tale of bravery had not been included in school history books in India, while Britain had already included it in their school curriculum.
Wed, Sep 13, 2017
Abohar sanctuary: Stray dogs kill three black bucksSubscriber Only
September 13, 2017 00:28 IST
RD Bishnoi, president of Akhil Bhartiya Bishnoi Samaj, said, “Stray dogs often enter villages and they run after black bucks in the sanctuary.
Wed, Sep 13, 2017
Punjab: State-level event to mark 120 years of Saragarhi battle todaySubscriber Only
September 12, 2017 05:10 IST
Descendants of 12 martyrs have been invited and they will be honoured on Tuesday. Apart from this, a 14-member British contingent has also arrived in Punjab to take part in the September 12 function in Ferozepur.
Tue, Sep 12, 2017
Cremation of BSF officer martyred in J&K to be held in his Punjab village todaySubscriber Only
September 03, 2017 04:05 IST
Though the family back home is grief-stricken, Kamaljit’s 21-year-old son Navdeep Singh is determined to join Army. “I want to serve my country so that I can defeat the Pakistani forces across the border."
Sun, Sep 03, 2017
A week after violence, Dera followers allege police harassment in PunjabSubscriber Only
September 03, 2017 04:03 IST
On Saturday, dera followers met Congress leaders in Faridkot while on Friday, they narrated their woes to Congress MLA Amarinder Raja Warring in Gidderbaha.
Sun, Sep 03, 2017
Dera violence: 181 arrested from Bathinda, Patiala zonesSubscriber Only
September 02, 2017 05:06 IST
Also, two Punjab police ASIs who were part of the security detail of Gurmeet Ram Rahim in Sirsa were suspended after they were found to be Dera supporters.
Sat, Sep 02, 2017
Congress reaches out to kin of dera premis killed in violence, says innocents need not fearSubscriber Only
September 01, 2017 00:13 IST
“After I went to these villages, I got to know that a few premis have not yet come back and their family members are not coming to police for help. So, we assured them that no innocent will be booked. Tomorrow, they will also get their police complaints lodged.”
Fri, Sep 01, 2017
Dera chief’s family moves to home in Rajasthan village untouched by violenceSubscriber Only
August 31, 2017 02:41 IST
The villagers still wear the Dera’s signature ‘1’ locket, but they refuse to speak on Ram Rahim. A house in the village, with an aeroplane-shaped water tank, is the “Naam Charcha Ghar”, where prayers are held every week. But since last week, it has become the temporary quarters of police personnel.
Thu, Aug 31, 2017
Verdict in Ram Rahim’s maternal village: He reaped what he sowedSubscriber Only
August 31, 2017 00:42 IST
In the village of 3,000, dera chief hardly had 250 followers. While Ram Rahim’s relatives are restrained in their reaction about the CBI court’s verdict sentencing him to 20 years of imprisonment in rape cases, the common refrain of the villagers is, “Jaisa karoge, vaisa bharoge (You reap what you sow)”.
Thu, Aug 31, 2017
Most deras in Malwa hub operate without bank accountSubscriber Only
August 31, 2017 00:16 IST
Salabatpura in Bathinda, Punjab’s largest dera spread over 125 acre, has no bank account. Punjab government had recently asked all districts to identify moveable and immovable dera properties in their respective areas.
Thu, Aug 31, 2017
Dera violence: Code phrases used to trigger violence on Aug 25, say policeSubscriber Only
August 29, 2017 08:06 IST
Most of the followers who went to Sirsa or Panckula had been told there was going to be a satsang and free langar, and that Ram Rahim would be appearing personally before the followers.
Tue, Aug 29, 2017Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh sentence: No dera sealed in Punjab, but naam charcha comes to a haltSubscriber Only
August 28, 2017 08:07 IST
Two-hour prayer meetings — which include shabad gyan, pravachan and guru mantra jap — were being held across state’s 98 deras till Aug 25
Mon, Aug 28, 2017
Malwa: 33 FIRs, 200 booked in dera violenceSubscriber Only
August 27, 2017 03:14 IST
In Bathinda alone, 9 FIRs have been lodged and nine arrested while 42 others have been taken into preventive custody. In Muktsar, a total of 96 persons were booked in five separate FIRs.
Sun, Aug 27, 2017
Gurmeet Ram Rahim rape case: Scared, faith shaken, followers can’t wait to get homeSubscriber Only
August 27, 2017 02:46 IST
A day after Panchkula erupted in clashes over Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s conviction in two cases of rape, his followers streamed back to their villages in Punjab - in small groups of ones and two. Many of them said they were just glad to be alive.
Sun, Aug 27, 2017
Punjab: Violence, chaos grip Malwa belt, curfew imposed in 10 districtsSubscriber Only
August 26, 2017 05:32 IST
The districts under curfew were — Sangrur, Moga, Bathinda, Muktsar, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Barnala, Patiala, Fazilka, and Mansa. Government-run Sewa Kendras across districts bore the brunt of the attacks.
Sat, Aug 26, 2017Journalism of Courage
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