Gurdaspur Diary: Greed is the raison d’être of all crime

In this season of heightened political activity, a majority of leaders are going on an overdrive ostensibly to impress their constituents. Some politicians are delivering dull and drab extempores in the process driving away their audiences. Then, there are others who have spectators bound to their seats with their wit and knowledge. Raman Bahl, chairman of Punjab State Subordinate Services Selection Board, can safely be bracketed in the second category. The other day, while delivering the keynote address at an event named Rozgar Map, held to guide youngsters on career choices, he not only dwelt upon how, as a nation, we were missing the benefits of democracy but also exorcised a ghost while presenting on stage a man, Waryam Chand, who was allegedly being tormented by a Congress MLA. The legislator, in the speaker’s words, was the “watchman of democracy” while the man was the “gullible victim.” Bahl claimed that Waryam’s land had been forcibly grabbed by the MLA who, in turn, denied the accusations. The denial, of course, was on expected lines. Bahl also asserted that the MLA’s henchmen had destroyed the standing crop of the man by mauling it with a tractor. He also produced evidence to this effect. Things did not stop here. Donning the role of a ‘Good Samaritan’, Bahl said he had immediately informed DGP Dinkar Gupta about how “the watchdog of democracy” was “usurping the rights” of a common man. The DGP, acting with alacrity, rang up SSP Nanak Singh. The SSP, on his part, asked the SHO to stop the politician from going any further. The tractor disappeared from the scene but the damage had been done. Before presenting the victim on the stage, much to the surprise of the gathering, Bahl spoke on the topic of ‘Reaping the benefits of democracy.’ In an emotional speech, delivered with much aplomb, he said: “In a true democratic state, people should not be afraid of governments. It should be the other way around as governments should be afraid of the people. In a democratic set-up, like the one we have in our country, elected representatives tend to do a lot of things, some different and some not so different, to justify the ends. In my opinion, the end may justify the means as long there is something that justifies the end. There should be no secret deals by a government which is for the people, of the people and by the people. After all, secrecy begets tyranny.” Turning to Waryam Chand, Bahl said: “He is a victim of a politician’s gluttony and avarice. The MLA had become desperate to grab his land. Despair is typical of those who do not understand the causes of evil, see no way out and are incapable of struggle.” Motto of the speech: Greed is the raison d’être of all crime. Curb it and you will not require the police to police society. In other words, try and hold down the feeling of ‘yeh dil maange more!’

Delegation of veterinary inspectors meets Secy

Last week, a delegation of the Punjab State Veterinary Inspectors Association, led by its president Bhupinder Singh Sachar, secretary Jaswinder Singh and press secretary Krishan Chand Mahajan met the Secretary (Department Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries) in Chandigarh and apprised him of their long standing demands. These included the posting of 87 inspectors in tehsils and the issuance of orders pertaining to the promotion of district veterinary inspectors. The delegation was a happy lot as according to Krishan Chand Mahajan, “The Secretary called up Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry HS Kahlon in our presence and asked him to consider all our demands.” The delegation members later profusely thanked the Secretary.

This CID inspector does city proud

Punjab Police Inspector Ashok Kumar (pic) recently made the city proud after being conferred upon with the prestigious President Police Medal for meritorious services. Kumar, a post graduate in Police Administration, is posted in the Punjab Police’s CID unit in Gurdaspur. “I give all the credit to my senior officers. The award means a lot to me. It brings happiness along with a kind of fear. It brings fear because it means that I have to work with more responsibility.” All the best Inspector.

— Contributed by Ravi Dhaliwal