Regional journal: Woman’s touch at Punjab Sectt

The Punjab Civil Secretariat seems to be getting a “woman’s touch” with the installation of mirrors on floors and slogans reminding employees about the importance of “power dressing” and discipline. Each festive occasion is also marked by rangoli designs in the corridors of the ground floor. Every floor has boards specifying which department is located where and who heads it. Clearly, Gurpreet Kaur Sapra, the head of the General Administration Department, has ideas.

No residency at ‘Sheesh Mahal’

With the BJP having won Delhi, all eyes are now on the future of ‘Sheesh Mahal’, the controversial residence of former Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal. CM Rekha Gupta has said she won’t stay there. Her Cabinet colleague Manjinder Singh Sirsa believes the house should be converted into a “museum of corruption” to showcase the transformation of a government accommodation — now with expensive showers, jacuzzis and sound systems. Watch this space.

No BJP chief before March

Scheduled for January, the election of new BJP president has been delayed further. Current BJP chief JP Nadda has been holding the post since January 2020. At least half the state units still need to elect their respective chiefs — only this week, 14 state units completed that revamp process. Sources say the election will now happen only by March.

Punjab heritage adorns walls

Rare photographs of icons in Punjabi literature, music and sports now dominate the walls of the newly inaugurated VIP canteen at Punjab Bhawan, Delhi. A pictorial ensemble of literary giants, including Shiv Kumar Batalvi, Narender Beeba, Surinder Kaur, Amrita Shergil and Amrita Pritam as well as sports legends like Balbir Singh Sr, Milkha Singh and other leading sportspersons have transformed the walls.

Favourites rule the roost

In Himachal Pradesh, some favourites continue to rule the roost. A DSP who superannuated on January 31 has been given a two-year extension. The officer had been bragging about continuing in the force months after his retirement date. The post was, in fact, kept vacant after he proceeded on medical leave a little before his superannuation.

HP Cong leaders want greater say

With Rajni Patil replacing Rajeev Shukla as All-Indian Congress Committee incharge of Himachal Pradesh, state party leaders are expecting a greater say in the reconstitution of the dissolved Pradesh Congress Committee. Shukla had appointed 16 observers from outside the state. State leaders are hopeful that their grip on party matters will now get due recognition by the high command in Delhi.

‘Haryana ki beti’ & Rs 501 ‘shagun’

The ‘roti beti ka rishta’ between Delhi and Haryana were clearly visible in the selection of Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, who traces her origins to Haryana. Senior BJP politician from Haryana OP Dhankar, a central observer, was part of the team that picked the first-time MLA. However, what caught the media's attention was Dhankar's brotherly hug, Rs 501 ‘shagun’ and his rustic ‘Haryana ki beti’ remarks for Gupta.

Love birds at Keshopur

Hundreds of migratory birds, these days, are flying to Central Asian countries and Siberia after spending nearly four wintery months at the Keshopur Chhamb, one of the biggest wetlands of the country. In a unique phenomenon, for the fourth successive year, a pair of Sarus cranes continue to stay back. The lady crane gave birth to twins in July last year.

Contributed by Rajmeet Singh, Aditi Tandon, Ruchika M Khanna, Ambika Sharma, Subhash Rajta, Pradeep Sharma & Ravi Dhaliwal