What's up with Punjab and it's overfamiliarity with politicians? In just one day, I met one and heard of many more candidates who go by, well, their silly nick names.

We met Bittu, assasinated Chief Minister Beant Singh's grandson. He said, "Don't laugh at me, there's a Tikku and a Danny fighting as well."

Of course, how could I have forgotten Delhi's very own education minister Arvinder Singh, also known as Lovely? He's been quite befitting to his name really, making sure that private schools don't get too tyrannical with parents...

But his namesake may have been different. Buta Singh's sons Sweety and Lovely, were known to be the real power centres during President's rule in 2005.

For reporters like us, it's a bit difficult to figure out what to call them. Bittu? Mr Bittu? Mr Singh urf Bittu? Punjab's fetish for nicknames has even beaten the Bongs. Bengalis also have very funny ones but we wouldn't be caught dead contesting with those names. We take ourselves far too seriously, after all!