Pathankot: Government officials are honoured for exemplary service to society on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day each year. Local residents are this time rooting for Pathankot Divisional Forest Officer Rajesh Mahajan to get the award. Mahajan spearheaded the “impossible feat” of capturing an eight-foot-long adult leopard from the city outskirts. The wildcat could have done immense harm had it made its way into the city. “A trophy sitting in your drawing room will not change the world. But it does show your devotion. The officer and his team had put their lives at risk. Hence he deserves an accolade or two,” said MLA Amit Vij. For Mahajan, it was the seventh leopard rescue of his career. Is anybody in the government listening?
Unexpected praise
Sangrur: An AAP leader recently heaped praise on Cabinet Minister Vijay Inder Singla during a District Grievance Redressal Committee meeting here. The praise comes at a time when a ruling Congress leader had accused the district administration of delay in development works. The AAP leader’s gesture not only took the main Opposition party by surprise, but also left Congress supporters perplexed. It also came as a breather for Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who is the chairman of the committee, as he used the praise to defend the performance of his government.
Holding the fort
Fatehgarh Sahib: The writ of MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra’s wife Mandeep Kaur Nagra, popularly known as “Bhabhi ji”, prevails in the district. In the absence of the MLA, who being the PCC working president remains busy with party affairs, Mandeep has been looking after the constituency matters. A strict disciplinarian, she has been overseeing development works in the constituency, so much so that it has instilled a sense of fear among officials. Even CM Charanjit Singh Channi acknowledged her work when he saluted the couple’s “dedication and honesty” during his address here. Seen regularly at her husband’s office, Mandeep hears out scores of people who seek redress of their grievances and arranges calls with officials. For locals, her presence seems like a bonus as they don’t always have to meet the MLA for resolution of their issues.
Keeping roads safe
Muktsar: Law student Anurag Sharma, who unsuccessfully contested the municipal council polls as a BJP nominee here, has started a campaign on the social media to make city roads commuter-friendly. Wherever he finds an uncovered manhole or overflowing sewage, he goes live on the Facebook to highlight the anomaly. In the past, his efforts have borne fruit. The locals see him as a social activist, who is often seen helping needy people on the roadside, watering plants, distributing books and face masks, etc.
Contributed by Ravi Dhaliwal, Parvesh Sharma, Surinder Bhardwaj and Archit Watts
Caging wildcat
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