The governor is not at home
On a Republic Day it is the governor’s prerogative to host ‘At Home’ for top political leaders, civil and army officers in the state.
But it was quite a let down for the Patiala district administration when Punjab governor Gen SF Rodrigues cancelled the function. After he unfurled the national flag in Patiala and presided over the state-level function, the district administration had made all arrangements for the function by extending invitations to senior officials and army officers.
However, it was an embarrassment when Governor House in Chandigarh conveyed its regret saying that the Governor would be returning to Chandigarh soon after the function.
Deputy commissioner DS Grewal said the arrangements had been made on the directions of the governor. However, Rodrigues had a brief interaction with the invitees over tea before he drove back to Chandigarh. Later, he hosted the ‘At Home’ in Raj Bhawan, Chandigarh.
Sporty animal husbandry
What could be common between animal husbandry, fisheries and sports? Nothing on the face of it.
But curiously enough, in Punjab, these are the portfolios given to a single minister, always. In over past 15 years, a minister of animal husbandry and fisheries would invariably hold an additional portfolio of sports as well. In the last Congress government, Jagmohan Singh Kang held this responsibility whereas in the present Akali Dal-BJP government Gulzar Singh Ranike is performing the task.
Officials wonder if this is indicative of the state government’s apathy towards sports. After all, sports could at best be linked with education or health, but its tie-up with animal husbandry is simply beyond comprehension.
Gandhi for inmates
On Republic Day when the atmosphere was infused with national spirit, inmates in the high-security central jail here were taking lessons in ‘Gandhigiri’.
Learning about Gandhi, his thoughts and philosophy has become a part of their punishment after a programme ‘hate the evil, not the doer’ was launched by the police, in collaboration with the Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal.
They would be shown films based on Gandhi’s life, asked to study Gandhian literature, and then made to take an exam in Gandhigiri. Inmates who excel in the exam would be rewarded. A Gandhian punishment for them? Perhaps.
