Gurdaspur: Cabinet Minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa feels embarrassed when anyone touches his feet. So much so, he has hung boards at his Qadian and Chandigarh residences forbidding people to do so. Visitors are quick to recount an old story depicting the travails of ASI Palwinder Singh. While seeking a favour from Tript at his Qadian residence, the officer committed the cardinal sin of touching the minister’s feet. Bajwa immediately rang up IG (Border) Surinder Pal Singh Parmar and informed him about the officer’s ‘misdemeanour’. As the ASI was leaving Bajwa’s residence, he was stunned beyond disbelief. Reason: He had just received his suspension orders through an SMS on his mobile from the IG. Bajwa later got him reinstated but the message that went out was loud and clear: Do not repeat the same mistake and expect a different result.
Documentary on Harike Pattan released
Ferozepur: A special documentary depicting the various scenic and natural locations of the Harike Wetland, which is home to lakhs of migratory birds from Siberia and other central Asian countries, has been released worldwide. Produced by advocate Harpreet Sandhu, it highlights the serene calmness and natural beauty of Harike Wetlands and brings alive panoramic views of the area. It is known for its rich flora, fauna and migratory birds, surrounded with the natural lake deep inside the sanctuary in Harike.
Muktsar’s own ‘Navjot Sidhu’
Muktsar: Meet Principal (retd) Gopal Singh Makkar, secretary, District Red Cross Society. Having almost every characteristic of PCC chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, he is so loquacious that you can start any topic and he won’t let you speak until he concludes his informative talk loaded with couplets. Having a good command on English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu, he writes confidential letters and speeches for bureaucrats as well. Just like Sidhu, he is also a strong critic of those enjoying or enjoyed the power. He has done BA (English), BEd, MA (English, Punjabi), MPhil, PGDTE and is pursuing PhD. “You can call me Navjot Sidhu. We have a lot of similarities. I am retired but not tired,” he says proudly.
No more security for ‘VIPs’
Patiala: With the change of guard in the Punjab Police headquarters, police officials attached with around 500 self-styled VIPs, a majority of them politically connected, were called back. These VIPs were guarded by more than 3,500 Punjab Police personnel drawn from the district cadres and reserved battalions. In the orders to withdraw the security cover, the personnel were “immediately asked to return to their parent cadre” following instructions from Home Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. In many districts, those with political influence had security officials following verbal orders from local SSPs.
Punjab Diary: A suspension for touching feet
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