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MANPREET, THE POET

Allama Iqbal, the 19th century Sialkot-born poet, continues to inspire finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, who during his third budget presentation in the Congress government, quoted verses penned by the poet. On Monday, the English translation of Allama’s verse FM quoted is, “This the law of nature, the way by her prescribed; he who treads the path of action is the nature’s favoured child.”

SNUB OF THE DAY

Vidhan Sabha speaker Rana KP Singh snubbed cabinet minister Charanjit Singh Channi after his response to a query from the opposition, on making Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) functional, was found wanting. “Don’t talk about the past, you have been in the government for two years, so speak about your achievements,” the speaker told Channi.

JIBE OF THE DAY

“Sir, your attention is towards the opposition MLAs. Please give some time to MLAs on the treasury benches,” an exasperated Congress MLA Kuljit Nagra said, after the speaker failed to notice his requests for attention. The jibe finally got the speaker to turn towards Nagra.

ATTENTION-CATCHER OF THE DAY

Akali MLA NK Sharma caught the attention of every one present in the House, as he reached the session wearing a black turban. “The party has issued a diktat to wear black turbans. I can’t ignore that,” he offered by way of an explanation.