Match as a fiddle. That’s Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav for you. Phrase on the road is that he’s sparked a mini health revolution within the Punjab Police ranks, lengthy identified for his or her love of a hearty meal and a good heartier waistline. Do not forget that legendary photograph of two cops with their bellies touching as they talked? Properly, occasions are altering.
Yadav, it appears, is setting an instance. When he’s not attending courtroom proceedings, he’s out on the highway, fairly actually strolling the discuss. The key behind his enviably flat stomach? Inexperienced tea. However not simply any inexperienced tea—it’s served in tiny, glasses. Neglect mega mugs; that is the railway station chai-walla method, simply sufficient to moist the throat with out including a single calorie.
Hearsay has it that inexperienced tea makers are eyeing him as their subsequent model ambassador. In spite of everything, if Punjab Police can commerce their lassis and paranthas for leafy brews, who gained’t.
Our Honour
They are saying jusice mustn’t solely be achieved, it also needs to be seen to be achieved. Punjab and Haryana Excessive Court docket Chief Justice Sheel Nagu exemplifies this precept. The CJ has introduced in a whiff of contemporary air within the courtroom by actively encouraging on-line proceedings. In the event you can’t come to Chandigah, no worries, you may attend his courtroom nearly. The courtroom will not be off restrict for others too. The CJ additionally doesn’t suppose a lot of the weekends, calling the courtroom on Saturdays when wanted. And that isn’t all, he’s additionally glad to carry single-bench hearings to expedite justice . No surprise there’s a lengthy line of litigants who need him to listen to their circumstances. Justice is greatest served scorching.
Chief of Proposition
If there’s one man who by no means lets Punjab’s information cycle catch its breath, it’s Partap Singh Bajwa. The chief of opposition from Qadian has turned staying on prime of each improvement—whether or not it shakes the earth or barely rustles a leaf—into an artwork kind. Bajwa’s group, a crack squad that features a perpetually prepared photographer, ensures each smile, frown, or furrowed forehead is documented for posterity.
By night, he’s the undisputed king of commentary, firing off crisp updates to social media and flooding journalists’ inboxes and WhatsApp chats. Missed one thing? Don’t fear—Bajwa’s dispatches may have you prepped for dinner debates or newsroom brainstorms. No surprise he’s dubbed the Chief of the Proposition.
Poirot Punjabi
If there’s one man who retains Punjab’s law enforcement officials sweating, it’s Bikram Singh Majithia. The ever-sociable chief, who by no means skips a laanwaan or a bhog, is simply as omnipresent on social media. And when he seems, it’s normally with a dramatic flourish—a sheaf of papers in hand, aka “proof,” prepared to reveal corruption, misgovernance, or generally, outright crime.
How Majithia will get his fingers on these incriminating paperwork is a thriller match for a Netflix thriller. However what’s really spectacular is his supply. With the poise of a magician unveiling his ultimate act, he presents proof so meticulously that even seasoned sleuths might take notes.
Punjab Police would possibly need to ship their officers for a crash course in The Majithia Methodology. In spite of everything, if Poirot had his little gray cells, Majithia has his little white papers—and so they’re simply as damning.
Going, going, not gone
The grapevine practically exploded when stories claimed Sunil Kumar Jakhar, BJP Punjab president, had handed in his resignation. However as a substitute of clarifying, Jakhar himself pulled a disappearing act, leaving BJP leaders scrambling to play defence. Denials poured in, but the hearsay mill saved spinning, with whispers rising louder that he had resigned, however the letter wasn’t accepted.
Then got here Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Chandigarh go to for the Nayab Saini swearing-in. The BJP’s PR machine kicked into overdrive, plastering images of Jakhar greeting the PM like nothing had occurred.
In the meantime, as many within the BJP solid longing glances at Jakhar’s chair, the person from Abohar appears in no hurry to vacate it. Again in motion, he continues to talk his thoughts—generally to the occasion, generally to the world—reminding everybody that whereas the wires could buzz, this saddle isn’t empty simply but.
P for police, P for politeness
If there have been an award for politeness, Punjab and UT police would win it fingers down. Their deference to seniors might rival a royal courtroom. Till pretty not too long ago, Punjab’s social media-savvy cops, for example, would by no means miss an opportunity to credit score their wins, be it busting a drug ring or rescuing a stray cow, to the “ready steerage of CM Bhagwant Mann.” Now, this darbari method appears to have rubbed off on Chandigarh police drive as nicely.
In Chandigarh, each operation begins with a tribute to the SSP and DGP: “Beneath the benign steerage of…” Be it nabbing tyre thieves or hardcore criminals, all is completed beneath their divine management. One wonders if their stories will quickly learn, “Beneath the celestial alignment of senior officers, we crossed the highway safely.” Actually, a well mannered drive.
Shuttling round
Sangrur MP Meet Hayer has by no means actually fitted into the sartorial mould of a politician. Even when he was first sworn in as a legislator from Barnala in 2017, he was the odd one out. Many a cameraperson out to click on all of the younger AAP lehisltors fully missed hello as he got here weaing khaki trousers and a printed shirt.
Even now, as a second-time MLA and first-time MP, he sticks to his “non-neta” wardrobe—no starched whites, simply easy rebel. However what actually units him aside is his love for badminton. Hayer is extra more likely to be discovered smashing shuttles on the courtroom than shuffling papers in an workplace.
In Barnala, everybody is aware of the best way to his ears is thru the badminton courtroom, which explains why the city is instantly filled with aspiring gamers. Neglect political rallies; the key to his electoral success would possibly simply be this mantra: voters that smash collectively, keep collectively.
Mera aadmi
When Nayab Singh Saini was first elevated to BJP’s state president, it reportedly took him 5 hours to journey from workplace to dwelling—due to the countless crowd of well-wishers. The identical factor occurred when he turned chief minister. Now, at the same time as he settles into his chair, his “folks’s CM” status ensures his evenings are removed from peaceable.
With an open-door coverage and a cellphone quantity that’s simpler to search out than a lacking Aadhaar card, Saini is Haryana’s most accessible politician. His favorite story? A midnight name from a villager who needed nothing greater than to examine if the CM actually solutions each name. Saini, enamel presumably grinding, indulged the prank. “What’s one sleepless night time,” he quips, “within the grand pursuit of democracy?” Clearly, Saini’s endurance—and his ringtone—are being examined day by day.
The darkish horse
Punjab Meeting Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has mastered the artwork of being partaking with out truly partaking. This 12 months, he deserves a medal for fielding the trickiest questions with a calmness that might put a yogi to disgrace. When CM Bhagwant Mann fell in poor health and the digital media started its ominous countdown, reporters made a beeline for Sandhwan. The person from [insert place], along with his twinkling eyes and flowing beard, met each question with the identical one-word response: Waheguru. No explanations, no gildings—simply divine delegation.
Clutching his prayer beads and radiating newfound spirituality, Sandhwan left everybody questioning if his prayers had been about to be answered. However one factor’s clear: when cornered, the Speaker is aware of precisely learn how to ‘bead’ his manner out.
Pickpockets wi aa gaye oye, in Chandigarh
The Metropolis Stunning wrapped up the 12 months with a full Punjabi playlist as three singing sensations took turns setting the stage—and town—on fireplace. First, Karan Aujla ignited the vibe, adopted by Diljit Dosanjh, who virtually turned each Chandigarh home right into a live performance area, decibel limits be damned. Then got here AP Dhillon, closing out the 12 months with a barely muted efficiency—maybe due to the venue’s proximity to the aromatic Daddumajra dump.
Nevertheless it wasn’t simply the singers stealing the present. Pickpockets and cellphone thieves had their very own live shows, making off with record-breaking hauls. Regardless of tight safety (Dhillon even had the NSG in tow!) and eye-watering ticket costs, wallets and mobiles vanished like magic. The true thriller of the night time? Not who stole the present, however who these savvy, VIP-era pickpockets are. Anybody?
Not-so-smooth operator
Anil Masih, the returning officer who turned Chandigarh’s mayoral elections right into a political sitcom, ensured the Metropolis Stunning was renamed the Metropolis Weird for a strong information cycle. Caught red-handed fudging votes with the finesse of a rookie magician fumbling his huge trick, Masih catapulted himself to fame—or infamy. The Supreme Court docket grilling he earned was simply icing on the cake for somebody who gave “election drama” an entire new which means.
However Masih isn’t one to fade into obscurity. Simply while you thought he’d realized a lesson, he returned with a brand new act—this time, hurling unflattering feedback about Congress leaders. Suitably triggered, councillors on either side of the fence jostled, shoved, and shouted like extras in a badly choreographed brawl. And there was Masih, unfazed and unbothered, with one hand in his pocket and a watch on the digital camera.
The timekeeper
Chandigarh’s newly appointed Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar has introduced again good old style self-discipline—with a twist. Not like the previous when considered one of his predecessors, splurged on fancy watches to trace workers timings solely to have them mysteriously vanish, Kumar went analog. He stationed himself on the MC workplace exit, catching workers sneaking out an hour early. In fact, they had been simply making an attempt to beat visitors—at the least, that’s their excuse. However phrase has it, the early birds are actually clocking in further hours. The one query is, are they working, or simply perfecting their workplace chai breaks? As they are saying, you may lead an worker to the workplace, however you may’t make them work.
United in defeat: Punjab’s spouse brigade
Free bus journey might need taken Punjabi ladies to each nook and cranny of the state, nevertheless it didn’t fairly result in victory on the poll field for a few of Punjab’s most well-known wives. This 12 months, 5 wives of outstanding politicians confronted a united entrance of defeat.
Amid the political carnage, Amrita Warring misplaced Gidderbaha, Kaur Randhawa fumbled in Gurdaspur, and civic polls weren’t a lot kinder to Mamta Ashu, spouse of former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Meenu Parashar, higher -half of AAP MLA Ashok Parashar and Dr Sukhchain Kaur Gogi, the spouse of AAP legislator Gurpreet Gogi. However don’t rely them out simply but—hearsay has it, they’re already strategising over chai and chaat. Keep tuned, the sequel would possibly simply be a political blockbuster.
Mouthwash award goes to…
The SGPC chief, Harjinder Singh Dhami, earned this 12 months’s “mouthwash award”. The venerable advocate was caught in a foul temper spouting some foul phrases at none aside from Bibi Jagir Kaur, the previous SGPC chief. The fallout? A comeuppance from the ladies’s fee and an atonement on the Darbar Sahib. The incident is a cautionary story for all those that sprinkle their sentences with, as one editor put it, “compliments to different folks’s moms and sisters.” Lesson realized: for those who can’t say one thing good, preserve your lips sealed or wash your mouth with castor oil.
Food plan Sensible
For a person with a minimalist food regimen, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu positive made headlines over meals this 12 months. First, there was the pakora fiasco, courtesy of overzealous cops, after which the jungli murgi drama, caught by eagle-eyed media. Each incidents went viral, leaving Sukhu wringing his fingers—and his workers scrambling for canopy. Now, his group is on excessive alert, guarding the CM’s menu like a state secret. One misstep, and it’s hen soup for everybody’s soul.
Officer No 1
Krishan Kumar, a 1997-batch Punjab IAS officer, has carved a distinct segment as a results-driven administrator. From bettering the gender ratio in Nawanshahr to spearheading training reforms and modernising the state’s taxation system, Kumar’s work has been transformative. As Deputy Commissioner, he launched campaigns tackling feminine foeticide and gender bias, setting Nawanshahr as a mannequin for Punjab. Later, as Director Common College Schooling, his “Padho Punjab” initiative uplifted rural authorities colleges, addressing dropout charges, infrastructure gaps, and instructor coaching. His reforms dramatically improved tutorial efficiency, particularly amongst underprivileged college students.
Presently serving as Secretary of Taxation, Kumar has digitised income programs, lowering tax evasion and boosting collections. His efforts earned him recognition from Punjab’s Finance Minister. As they are saying, good job!
Plastered!
Typically even a tumble can steal the present. Former Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal fractured his leg on the Golden Temple whereas looking for atonement for alleged misdeeds. However when he reappeared in public, it wasn’t his somber expression or penitent manner that caught consideration—it was his leg plaster. The social media was agog with comparisons, color debates, and hypothesis concerning the plaster’s sturdiness. Who knew a bandage might outshine a whole political narrative?
Captain Chuckles
CM Bhagwant Mann had a rollercoaster 12 months—beginning with a June humbling, a July redemption in Jalandhar, a go to to the hospital, and a string of comparatively cheerful outcomes to wrap it up. However by the highs and lows, the farm fires, and a steadily snowballing farmers protest, Mann saved his humorousness intact.
He had everybody chuckling when he quipped about Punjab’s dhuan (smoke): “Delhi’s complaining we’re polluting their air, and the madam subsequent door (a sure minister in Pakistan) is threatening to shoot off a letter. Ki saada dhuaan gede khayee ja reha hai! (Appears to be like like our smoke is simply aimlessly wandering round.)” Go away it to the CM to make even a haze of bother sound like a joke.
With a foot firmly within the mouth
Ravneet Bittu, now a BJP minister of state after dropping to as soon as his Congress companion in arms, is the courageous political maverick who says what he thinks—penalties be damned. His unfiltered commentary usually will get his personal occasion in bother whereas incomes cheers from detractors. Love him or hate him, Bittu ensures there’s by no means a uninteresting second round him. Until he’s on the aircraft.
The Muscle Man
Ludhiana’s Deputy Commissioner, Jitendra Jorwal, appears to have a aspect gig because the district’s unofficial health mannequin. Rumor has it his biceps are so well-defined, they deserve their very own administrative zone. Beforehand identified for main marathons in Sangrur, Jorwal now faces the Herculean job of motivating Ludhiana’s residents to commerce their cozy beds for trainers.
The Influencer in Khaki
Superintendent of Police Rupinder Sra is redefining the picture of legislation enforcement, one social media publish at a time. Balancing her duties between policing and completely curated social media snapshots, Sra’s ever-present smile is the final word counterargument to anybody doubting a profession in policing. Whether or not she’s within the workplace, placing criminals behind bars, or posing with a rose, this officer positive makes policing look like a stroll within the backyard. Marvel what the cops suppose.
Defector of the 12 months
Although there’s a lengthy checklist of contenders for this award, Jagdish Lal managed to bag it on the very fag finish of this 12 months. Elected from Ward No 6 on Congress ticket on December 21, Jagdish Lal switched his loyalties to the ruling Aam Aadmi Social gathering at 4 pm on December 27. Two hours later, stung maybe by regret and deep eager for his dad or mum occasion, he returned to Congress two hours later. However barely did the solar set that he modified his thoughts. By the point his household say down for dinner, he was again within the arms of AAP.
The second coming
Navjot Singh Sidhu, cricketer-turned-politician, and his higher half, Navjot Kaur Sidhu—now extra famously Noni—could have riled up a couple of medical doctors with their clean-diet cancer-conquering mantra. However love them or doubt them, they’ve sparked optimism the place it’s most wanted. If nothing else, they’ve proved one factor: by no means lose religion, even when the percentages appear insurmountable.
