Capt ‘fighting fit’ at 75
Chandigarh: Having countered his detractors by saying that he could have a crack at another term, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has taken to badminton – apparently to dispel doubts about his health. On Sunday, he played with his grandson, Nirvan Singh, and media adviser Raveen Thukral at the Sector 7 Sports Complex here. Later, he tweeted an action picture, showing how fit he was even at 75. “Played badminton after a long time, it was a very rejuvenating experience. I remember playing often at the NIS in Patiala,” he tweeted. The photo fuelled speculation that the CM was again trying to silence his adversaries, including Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa, who is keen to make his presence felt in state politics.
Carjacking in Sidhu’s backyard
Amritsar: Days after Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu lauded the local police for bringing down the crime rate in the holy city, unidentified persons took away a Verna car at gunpoint, just a few metres from his residence. After the state government claimed to have solved various targeted killings in Punjab, Sidhu, along with the Police Commissioner SS Srivastav, the IG (Border Range) SPS Parmar and other top cops, had held a press conference recently. They had claimed that the Congress government had given a free hand to the police, due to which fewer crimes were being committed. However, according to local residents, robberies and snatchings are continuing unabated in the city.
‘Manpreet ji’, not ‘Badal saab’
Ludhiana: During a recent visit of Finance Minister Manpreet Badal to the city, Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu said he would not address the FM by his surname. “When I was told that ‘Badal saab’ is coming, I got worried (the surname is generally used for former CM Parkash Singh Badal or Sukhbir Badal). “So, I would prefer to address you as ‘Manpreet ji’ instead,” he said, drawing chuckles from the gathering.
Anganwari stir takes musical turn
Muktsar: Anganwari workers, who are protesting against the state government’s decision to start pre-primary classes in government primary schools, have now started singing songs and circulating the same on social media to catch the attention of the policy-makers. One song, which appeals to the powers that be not to politicise the issue, has gone viral. It goes: “Aangan de vich khed de bachhe, sab to pyare mann de sachhe… Fullan vangu mehak dya nu, paeran vich lataado naa... Umar ehna di nachna tappna, vich siyasat taado naa…”
92-yr-old club gets facelift
Ferozepur: The newly renovated Ferozepur Club was thrown open to its members recently. Founded in 1925, the club is renowned for its Raj legacy. Major Gen Rajesh Kundra, GOC, Golden Arrow Division, who oversaw the renovation project, said, “It’s a gift for the officers and civil brethren.” Manoj Bajaj, a club member, said: “Being a border town, Ferozepur hardly has any recreational facility. This club is the saving grace.”
Rajmeet Singh, PK Jaiswar, Gurvinder Singh, Archit Watts and Anirudh Gupta
