AS HE starts work as the party in charge for Tamil Nadu, BJP vice president Baijayant Panda appears to be exploring ways to be working on his old connections in the state. While one of his sisters is married into a Tamil family, Panda’s father-in-law, who is from Punjab, can read and write Tamil fluently. Panda had also studied for two years in a boarding school — Kodaikanal International School. He is planning to pay a visit to his school as well as one of his favourite teachers from Bhubaneswar, who currently lives in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. During his first visit to Chennai as in charge, Panda visited PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, who was his benchmate in the 16th Lok Sabha. Panda was made party in charge for Tamil Nadu, which goes to polls in 2026, last month.
The Run
DELHI’S BABUS are in for an early morning jog — and not just any jog. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued fresh instructions to all secretaries and departments, urging them to nudge their teams toward Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on October 31 for the annual Run for Unity, scheduled from 7.20 am to 7.55 am. In its order, the ministry has requested that officers of all ministries and departments be encouraged to voluntarily participate to ensure maximum turnout. The 35-minute run marks Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, and this year’s chief guest, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is expected to flag it off. What’s buzzing through the corridors, however, is less about fitness and more about punctuality — the directive asks the officials to report by 6.15 am.
Poll Song
WHILE THE NDA is yet to decide on its official theme song for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, one of the party’s star campaigners and popular Purvanchali star Manoj Tiwari has already dropped a number, “Haan hum Bihari hain ji”, which underlines the state’s cultural and historical heritage, and has been endorsed by the BJP. Likely to play a significant role during campaigning in the state, the song invokes Bihar’s connection with historical figures — from Buddha and Aryabhata to Chanakya and Ashoka.
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