Guns, pens and pyjamas
Posted: Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:36 am
Kurta-pyjama stories
With elections round the corner in Uttar Pradesh, the sale of kurta-pyjama sets has suddenly shot up in Lucknow.
Shops selling ready-made “pure white” khadi kurta-pyjamas in Darul Shafa — a residential complex for politicians located in the vicinity of the offices of major political parties — have reported brisk sales in the past few days. All wannabe politicians are rushing to these shops to buy ready-to-wear kurta-pyjamas as soon as they get the nod to join a political party.
“We have kurta-pyjamas of all sizes, especially extra-large ones. We even offer alteration service on the spot, free of charge,” said Kishore Sharma, one of the shop-owners. Darul Shafa shop-owners have their own brand of political stories to share. “One top politician, now an MP, once came rushing to buy a kurta-pyjama as soon as he was informed that he had to join one particular political party within half an hour,’’ recalled Mr Sharma.
“He did not have enough money on him, but sensing the urgency of the situation, I gave him the clothes on credit. He never paid up, but he did do me a few favours, including helping in my son’s admission,” said Mr Sharma with a smile. It seems, every khadi kurta-pyjama set that is bought off the shelves of these Lucknow shops has a story to tell.
Mighty pen, mightier automatic
Recently, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh won a battle of wits with the local media. While addressing a news conference at the state secretariat, Mr Singh noticed that a reporter had misplaced his pen.
Mr Singh forthwith offered him his own. Seeing the pen changing hands, one journalist said, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” and joked that Mr Singh may well be giving away some of his power to the media by handing over his pen (considered a symbol of power). Mr Singh looked at him, smiled, and said, “I am not as naïve as you think. I always keep a spare pen to make sure I do not go powerless.” And then, pointing to the automatic gun in the hands of his security guard, added, “Besides, I have an alternative source of authority.”
A triumphant smile was playing on his face as Mr Singh looked straight at the journalists and said, “Power flows from the barrel of a gun.” The journalists went quiet. Perhaps it was more than just a battle of wits. Perhaps there was a message there. Perhaps.
To love and to cherish, and take credit
Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was rewarded for his good performance in the health sector with an additional portfolio, education, by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, has embarked on an ambitious plan, albeit in another sector — Mr Sarma has set his mind to revive the Assamese film industry. Mr Sarma claims that the film Ramdhenu (Rainbow), directed by Munin Barua and produced by the company headed by his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, has given a fresh lease of life to the Assamese film industry.
Delighted over the box office performance of his first home production, Mr Sarma is busy tweeting about five new films that are in the making and how these films will rejuvenate the Assamese film industry. This is not the first time that Mr Sarma has exhibited his versatility. On earlier occasions, too, he has proved his ability outside politics by launching a news channel and expanding its network across the region. But whatever tall claims the minister may make on Twitter, the fact remains that it’s his wife who owns and runs the companies, including the film production house. Mr Sarma would do well to give credit where it is due.
Miss Eternal Sunshine
On July 21, the day of the Trinamul Congress’ victory rally , it rained cats and dogs, leaving the sprawling Brigade Parade Ground water-logged. This was the first public rally firebrand leader Mamata Banerjee was scheduled to address since becoming the chief minister. But the rains, which continued till an hour before the rally began, had dampened the spirit of her party leaders, who feared the whole ground would be washed out, as well as Didi’s rally.
However, to their surprise, diehard supporters of Ms Banerjee thronged the ground in large numbers. It is another matter that the rally didn’t witness a record turnout as was expected. But Ms Banerjee, known for putting a positive spin on every adversity, took it all in her stride and said, “Mercifully, it rained heavily and thousands of party workers could not come, otherwise the Brigade Parade Ground could not have accommodated them all.” Next day’s headlines beamed with Didi’s knack for finding a silver lining around every grey cloud.
It’s politics, my lord
With so many lawyers now part of the ruling elite at the Centre, politics is obviously a popular topic in the corridors of Supreme Court. And though the UPA government has its fair share of lawyers — Kapil Sibal, P. Chidambaram, Veerappa Moily and Salman Khurshid — it’s the telecom and HRD minister who elicits most interest.
The latest issue being debated hotly by senior advocates is the exit of Gopal Subramaniam as solicitor-general. Many see this as a triumph of the “Kapil Sibal lobby” in the government and say that after Mr Sibal became powerful — he is, after all, the Prime Minister’s main troubleshooter, be it the Anna Hazare issue or the Baba Ramdev problem — this was to be expected.
There is talk of old professional rivalry and discussions about why Mr Sibal fielded Rohinton Nariman to defend him in the face of serious allegations in connection with the reduction of penalty on Reliance telecom. Whatever may be the reason for Mr Sibal to pick Mr Nariman over Mr Subramaniam to defend him, it’s the subsequent announcement by the government, appointing Mr Nariman as the solicitor-general, that is clinching evidence of who wields real power, in case anyone’s still looking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The same man who gave gun licenses and training to Salwa Judum.
Regards,
Virendra
With elections round the corner in Uttar Pradesh, the sale of kurta-pyjama sets has suddenly shot up in Lucknow.
Shops selling ready-made “pure white” khadi kurta-pyjamas in Darul Shafa — a residential complex for politicians located in the vicinity of the offices of major political parties — have reported brisk sales in the past few days. All wannabe politicians are rushing to these shops to buy ready-to-wear kurta-pyjamas as soon as they get the nod to join a political party.
“We have kurta-pyjamas of all sizes, especially extra-large ones. We even offer alteration service on the spot, free of charge,” said Kishore Sharma, one of the shop-owners. Darul Shafa shop-owners have their own brand of political stories to share. “One top politician, now an MP, once came rushing to buy a kurta-pyjama as soon as he was informed that he had to join one particular political party within half an hour,’’ recalled Mr Sharma.
“He did not have enough money on him, but sensing the urgency of the situation, I gave him the clothes on credit. He never paid up, but he did do me a few favours, including helping in my son’s admission,” said Mr Sharma with a smile. It seems, every khadi kurta-pyjama set that is bought off the shelves of these Lucknow shops has a story to tell.
Mighty pen, mightier automatic
Recently, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh won a battle of wits with the local media. While addressing a news conference at the state secretariat, Mr Singh noticed that a reporter had misplaced his pen.
Mr Singh forthwith offered him his own. Seeing the pen changing hands, one journalist said, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” and joked that Mr Singh may well be giving away some of his power to the media by handing over his pen (considered a symbol of power). Mr Singh looked at him, smiled, and said, “I am not as naïve as you think. I always keep a spare pen to make sure I do not go powerless.” And then, pointing to the automatic gun in the hands of his security guard, added, “Besides, I have an alternative source of authority.”
A triumphant smile was playing on his face as Mr Singh looked straight at the journalists and said, “Power flows from the barrel of a gun.” The journalists went quiet. Perhaps it was more than just a battle of wits. Perhaps there was a message there. Perhaps.
To love and to cherish, and take credit
Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was rewarded for his good performance in the health sector with an additional portfolio, education, by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, has embarked on an ambitious plan, albeit in another sector — Mr Sarma has set his mind to revive the Assamese film industry. Mr Sarma claims that the film Ramdhenu (Rainbow), directed by Munin Barua and produced by the company headed by his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, has given a fresh lease of life to the Assamese film industry.
Delighted over the box office performance of his first home production, Mr Sarma is busy tweeting about five new films that are in the making and how these films will rejuvenate the Assamese film industry. This is not the first time that Mr Sarma has exhibited his versatility. On earlier occasions, too, he has proved his ability outside politics by launching a news channel and expanding its network across the region. But whatever tall claims the minister may make on Twitter, the fact remains that it’s his wife who owns and runs the companies, including the film production house. Mr Sarma would do well to give credit where it is due.
Miss Eternal Sunshine
On July 21, the day of the Trinamul Congress’ victory rally , it rained cats and dogs, leaving the sprawling Brigade Parade Ground water-logged. This was the first public rally firebrand leader Mamata Banerjee was scheduled to address since becoming the chief minister. But the rains, which continued till an hour before the rally began, had dampened the spirit of her party leaders, who feared the whole ground would be washed out, as well as Didi’s rally.
However, to their surprise, diehard supporters of Ms Banerjee thronged the ground in large numbers. It is another matter that the rally didn’t witness a record turnout as was expected. But Ms Banerjee, known for putting a positive spin on every adversity, took it all in her stride and said, “Mercifully, it rained heavily and thousands of party workers could not come, otherwise the Brigade Parade Ground could not have accommodated them all.” Next day’s headlines beamed with Didi’s knack for finding a silver lining around every grey cloud.
It’s politics, my lord
With so many lawyers now part of the ruling elite at the Centre, politics is obviously a popular topic in the corridors of Supreme Court. And though the UPA government has its fair share of lawyers — Kapil Sibal, P. Chidambaram, Veerappa Moily and Salman Khurshid — it’s the telecom and HRD minister who elicits most interest.
The latest issue being debated hotly by senior advocates is the exit of Gopal Subramaniam as solicitor-general. Many see this as a triumph of the “Kapil Sibal lobby” in the government and say that after Mr Sibal became powerful — he is, after all, the Prime Minister’s main troubleshooter, be it the Anna Hazare issue or the Baba Ramdev problem — this was to be expected.
There is talk of old professional rivalry and discussions about why Mr Sibal fielded Rohinton Nariman to defend him in the face of serious allegations in connection with the reduction of penalty on Reliance telecom. Whatever may be the reason for Mr Sibal to pick Mr Nariman over Mr Subramaniam to defend him, it’s the subsequent announcement by the government, appointing Mr Nariman as the solicitor-general, that is clinching evidence of who wields real power, in case anyone’s still looking.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The same man who gave gun licenses and training to Salwa Judum.
Regards,
Virendra