No sparing Mann’s slip of tongue

Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is pouncing upon its rivals even for a slip of the tongue. Asked about the state government’s decision to distribute utensils worth Rs 100 crore among the panchayats, AAP MP Bhagwant Mann said during a press conference last week, “The government has finally realised that people are so poor that they don’t even have utensils.” He went on say that the BPL families’ blue cards were meant for beggars. Mann promptly clarified that the government had “reduced the poor to beggars”, but the SAD lost no time to express “shock and disbelief” over his initial statement. The ruling party alleged that Mann had equated poor Dalits with beggars. Things went from bad to worse for the MP as the week progressed.

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‘Amphibious bus’ floats, at last!

Chandigarh: Sukhbir Badal’s ambitious project of amphibious buses has missed several deadlines and is now expected to see the light of day next month. While the Deputy CM was on a foreign trip recently, his idea was ‘stolen’ by some mischievous people. Following a heavy rain in several towns of the state, they found the waterlogged roads ideal for floating “amphibious” buses. “Finally that day has come! Punjab Government inaugurates the bus that will run on water,” read the caption of a picture showing a toy bus afloat in an inundated street. This “soft launch” was a huge hit on social media.

Sting-wary Congress alerts its leaders

Chandigarh: The sting operations that led to the ouster of state AAP convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur and Delhi minister Sandeep Kumar have made the Punjab Congress tread cautiously. During a recent meeting of the Congress Legislature Party, the leaders were advised to be watchful, especially while talking about party funding. Better safe than sorry.

Taking it easy after retirement? Not him

Muktsar: Dr SPS Brar, who recently retired as a Professor from the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, has returned to his native village, Maha Badhar, in Muktsar district and started an awareness campaign about the use of pesticides in agriculture. Though he had job offers after retirement, he preferred to start this eco-friendly drive, and that too by spending from his own pocket. Dr Brar has got printed pamphlets that are circulated with newspapers. He has also written to the state government and the Prime Minister to ban cancer-causing pesticides. The government has forwarded his suggestion to the Punjab Pollution Control Board.

CM’s health keeps staff on toes

Jalandhar: Octogenarian Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who was hospitalised in the winter early this year during a Sangat Darshan programme at Nawanshahr, doesn’t seem to have fully recovered from a chest infection. In Adampur last week, he had to be nebulised repeatedly by his physician. His staff kept serving him warm water from a flask – even in the hot and humid weather. With the Assembly elections just a few months away, the CM just can’t afford to take chances with his health.

Making the most of the mat

Abohar: The town best known for cotton and kinnow is going places on the yoga front. The girls’ team of DAV College of Education won the 12th National Yoga Championship held from August 27 to 29 in Kolkata. Nisha, Anuradha, Manju, Suman and Sunaina were the team members. Nisha won the gold in the individual category, while Anuradha bagged the bronze. The team from Haripura village-based DAV Public School won medals in this tournament in the junior category. They will take part in the international championship to be held in Puducherry. Now here’s a town that doesn’t celebrate Yoga Day only on June 21.