The Netherlands may soon baptise a new tulip variety after a popular Indian personality, Ambassador Marisa Gerards has said. India imports 15 lakh tulip bulbs annually for Srinagar’s garden, while a Dutch-backed centre in Kashmir aims to boost local production. A yellow “Maitri” tulip was named in 2022 to mark 75 years of diplomatic ties.Rahul’s Jiu-Jitsu politicsDays after using a Jiu-Jitsu analogy in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi demonstrated the parallels between the martial art and politics to the AICC Research Department headed by Rajeev Gowda. Participants said Rahul explained how to channel an opponent’s strength and overcome it through patience and clarity. Several young research professionals and Congress office-bearers attended. Many described it as a valuable lesson in adaptability, strategic thinking and overcoming fear in politics.Macron’s ‘Jai Ho’ momentFrench President Emmanuel Macron’s effusive praise for India’s leadership in global tech and trusted brands won many hearts this week. Addressing the India AI Impact Summit, Macron lauded Indian-led top firms — from Alphabet, Microsoft, IBM, Adobe to Palo Alto, Novartis and Chanel — and concluded, to loud applause, with the iconic lyrics of AR Rahman’s Oscar-winning “Jai Ho.” Macron said the question was no longer “if India innovates, but who innovates with India”.CM Saini’s viral gestureHaryana CM Nayab Singh Saini surprised supporters yet again. After a function in Uchana (Jind), a youngster jokingly asked if the CM would give him a helicopter ride. Saini immediately called the youth over and spent a few minutes bonding with him inside the helicopter, though no ride was given. A video of the smiling CM and the beaming boy soon went viral on social media with the tagline, “janata ka CM”.Mann halts Cabinet rejigThe much-talked-about Punjab Cabinet reshuffle, including the appointment of two Deputy Chief Ministers, has been shelved — at least for now. While the Aam Aadmi Party high command was keen on changes, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is learnt to have had his way. With Mann seen as the party’s most saleable face ahead of the Vidhan Sabha elections, his word continues to prevail in party affairs.(Contributed by Surya S Pillai, Aditi Tandon, Pradeep Sharma, Ruchika M Khanna)
