Regional journal: Tharoor’s diplomatic double act

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor grabbed attention for two reasons this week. On Friday, he attended the Presidential banquet in the honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin. A day earlier, he hosted the curtain raiser of the 2026 Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) at his Lodhi Estate Home. Germany is the KLF partner country this year. As the two events unfolded, the buzz in Delhi was unmistakable. In the current geopolitical climate, only Tharoor could dine with the German envoy one night and the Russian President the next.

Transfer tango in Himachal

Within days after being transferred, 32 of 55 police officers in Himachal Pradesh saw the orders on their shifting being recalled. A few officers who did not make the rollback were left sulking. The state government, which has been struggling to frame a clear transfer policy, could have avoided the mess altogether by allowing officers the choice to stay or move.

Lawyers take moral stand

A tiny board outside an advocate’s office at the Gidderbaha courts complex has created a buzz. Three local advocates — Narain Singla, Janjinder Singh Dhaliwal and Devan Munjal — have publicly declared they will not defend drug peddlers. Singla says the decision stems from “moral responsibility”, as drugs continue to devastate families. The move has triggered debate within legal circles, with many hoping others will follow suit.

MLA turns devotional singer

AAP’s Gidderbaha MLA Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon surprised many with an unexpected devotional turn at a recent ‘Shyam Darbar’. Taking the mic, he sang a bhajan with the ease of a seasoned performer, leaving the audience both amused and impressed. Soon after, netizens dubbed him “Lakhbir Singh Lakha”, after the popular devotional singer. The video has since gone viral and is now the talk of local political circles.

Always in campaign mode

The BJP appears to have mastered the art of keeping its cadre constantly engaged through a series of outreach programmes. The latest is a ‘direct connect’ with railway passengers under its ‘vocal for local’ drive as part of the Developed India @2047 initiative. These sustained activities, including 'atam nibhar Bharat', 'nasha mukt abhiyan' and celebrating local heroes' anniversaries, keep party workers busy, ensuring they remain battle-ready for the country’s perennial elections, says a party insider. This clearly explains BJP’s repeated electoral success.

Where cops unwind & whisper

A cafe near a police post in Patiala’s Model Town has quietly become a favourite hangout for policemen, from constables to senior officers. Often seen visiting in uniform, cops gather here to discuss government activities and criticise political interference in police functioning. The cafe also doubles up as a gossip hub, where officers exchange hushed remarks about senior colleagues and politically influenced postings. With discounts thrown in, the cafe’s walls feel almost alive with the buzz of conversation.

Contributed by Aditi Tandon, Ambika Sharma, Archit Watts, Pradeep Sharma and Aman Sood