Flowing beards , turbans back in vogue
This article appeared in today's (Feb 01) Times Of Indian Chandigarh Edition on Page 2 (Sadly its not available on the Net)
Rohit Mullick/TNN
Chandigarh: The political days of long beards, longer names and sporting beards are back in Punjab.
With an eye on votes, a number of politicians, who till now were recognized by their short hair and beards, have started wearing turbans and growing their beards.
For example , Congress candidate and industrialist Kewal Dhillon , who is contesting from Barnala, has started sporting a turban, something which he hardly did before the announcement of elections. On hoardings put up in Barnala and also in posters, Dhillon can be seen sporting a turban.
Harminder Singh Jassi , who is contesting on Congress ticket from Bhatinda, is another politician who started wearing a turban. Jass, who used to have short hair, can now be seen addressing rallies sporting colourful turbans and asking for votes in the name of Sikh pride.
Even Congress MLA from Beas, Jasbir Singh Dimpa, who is behind the recent violence , has started sporting a turban whenever he has to address a Public meeting.
Randeep Singh, who is contesting from Nabha on Congres ticket and Jasbir Singh Khangura from Qilla Raipur are other politicians who believe wearing a turban would help them win confidence and elections.
Many other politicians have started growing beards with prominent examples being Bikram Singh Majitha of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Hamir Singh. This, the politicians believe, will help voters identify with them, as turbans and beards are symbols of Punjabi Sikh pride. And Parties, especially the SAD , are putting emphasis on not only their candidates wearing turbans but also Party workers.
According to senior SAD leader, “ We have asked our supporters and workers to wear turbans so that voters, especially in the rural areas, don’t find it difficult to identify with us and think us as outsiders.”
In order to gel with voters, politicians have also started adding the names of their villages and constituencies with their names.
While come politicians are already known for their village or constituency names they have adopted, others have done it now with an aim to woo the Voters. Examples are many: Sukhjinder Raj Singh Majhithia, Jatinder Singh Kariha, Kuldeep Singh Wadali, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Balbir Singh Miani, Gurdeep Singh Bhain, Ranjit Singh Talwandi, Malkait Singh Dakha, Harmail Singh Tohra, Randeep Singh Nabha, Hari Singh Zira, Nirmal Sing Panjgrian.
What role new identities will play in elections is to be seen. But, it will also not be less interesting to know whether these politicians revert to their former self or not , after the p<br /><br />
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This article appeared in today's (Feb 01) Times Of Indian Chandigarh Edition on Page 2 (Sadly its not available on the Net)
Rohit Mullick/TNN
Chandigarh: The political days of long beards, longer names and sporting beards are back in Punjab.
With an eye on votes, a number of politicians, who till now were recognized by their short hair and beards, have started wearing turbans and growing their beards.
For example , Congress candidate and industrialist Kewal Dhillon , who is contesting from Barnala, has started sporting a turban, something which he hardly did before the announcement of elections. On hoardings put up in Barnala and also in posters, Dhillon can be seen sporting a turban.
Harminder Singh Jassi , who is contesting on Congress ticket from Bhatinda, is another politician who started wearing a turban. Jass, who used to have short hair, can now be seen addressing rallies sporting colourful turbans and asking for votes in the name of Sikh pride.
Even Congress MLA from Beas, Jasbir Singh Dimpa, who is behind the recent violence , has started sporting a turban whenever he has to address a Public meeting.
Randeep Singh, who is contesting from Nabha on Congres ticket and Jasbir Singh Khangura from Qilla Raipur are other politicians who believe wearing a turban would help them win confidence and elections.
Many other politicians have started growing beards with prominent examples being Bikram Singh Majitha of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Hamir Singh. This, the politicians believe, will help voters identify with them, as turbans and beards are symbols of Punjabi Sikh pride. And Parties, especially the SAD , are putting emphasis on not only their candidates wearing turbans but also Party workers.
According to senior SAD leader, “ We have asked our supporters and workers to wear turbans so that voters, especially in the rural areas, don’t find it difficult to identify with us and think us as outsiders.”
In order to gel with voters, politicians have also started adding the names of their villages and constituencies with their names.
While come politicians are already known for their village or constituency names they have adopted, others have done it now with an aim to woo the Voters. Examples are many: Sukhjinder Raj Singh Majhithia, Jatinder Singh Kariha, Kuldeep Singh Wadali, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Balbir Singh Miani, Gurdeep Singh Bhain, Ranjit Singh Talwandi, Malkait Singh Dakha, Harmail Singh Tohra, Randeep Singh Nabha, Hari Singh Zira, Nirmal Sing Panjgrian.
What role new identities will play in elections is to be seen. But, it will also not be less interesting to know whether these politicians revert to their former self or not , after the p<br /><br />
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