Banners have become so routine in Puducherry that an empty street now looks unusual. Birthdays, death anniversaries and family functions all get their share of flex, with Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy’s birthday recently prompting another round across the Union Territory. In some places, the celebrations ended in arguments and clashes as government officials tried removing the banners. Police complaints followed, with cases mostly registered against unidentified persons, despite the banners displaying names and photographs. Adding another compelling flavour to the scene, some birthday greetings featured former convicts, including those released for good conduct. Police knew their identities but apparently not enough to identify them since they have landed a spot on a high-profile political hoarding. Some banners remain even days later. -Bagalavan Perier B
Mechanic, the most wanted
The two men were arrested, but it was the police vehicle that ended up needing help. A vehicle carrying the duo to a Chennai hospital for medical examination broke down midway, leaving the policeman inside with two accused and no wheels to move them. One of the police personnel alerted the station, requesting another vehicle, and received a response stating that the problem would be investigated. The bigger worry, however, was not the breakdown but whether the accused would make a dash for freedom. With the police van itself struggling to stay on the road, chasing suspects may have to wait. For now, the vehicle appears to have a more pressing target: a mechanic.-Gautham Selvarajan
The ‘Mama’ effect
C Vijayabaskar appears to be settling into his new political home with a family-sized welcome. At a TVK meeting in Pudukkottai on Saturday, the former AIADMK minister claimed newborns say “Amma” and “Appa” before graduating to “Vijay Mama”. At this rate, Vijay has apparently made it to the maternity ward. Vijayabaskar also assured his “anbu thambigal” in TVK, that he would stand by them. He said he would neither pick fights nor retreat from one that came his way. Having recently switched political homes himself, Vijayabaskar’s message seemed aimed at winning trust. Vijay may be the masses’ “Mama”, but Vijayabaskar is clearly auditioning for elder-brother duties. - Pearson Lenekar SR
