long wait for Armymen
Journalists covering Defence beat faced persistent queries from the men in uniform during the last week about the much-awaited One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme. A distinct a buzz prevailed in the corridors of South Block housing the Defence Ministry that the Government was likely to implement the OROP in the forthcoming Budget Session. While even sentries guarding the Ministry wanted newshounds to confirm the good news, some guards promised to offer “mithai” to journalists if the OROP came through. This scheme will benefit more than 25 lakh ex-servicemen and cost the exchequer Rs8,000 crore.
Walk the talk
Suddenly, everyone seemed to be infected with the virus of the “walk the talk.” So new have Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar calling upon the developed nations of the world to “walk the talk” in the UN Climate Change conference in New York last September, and economic wizards asking the Government to “walk the talk” in the forthcoming Budget Session. Similarly, minority leaders and the Urdu press expect Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “walk the talk” on his warning to communalists and those who preach hatred and religious intolerance. Recently, even the Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu asked the industrial sector to “walk the talk” in ensuring cleanliness and waste management in urban areas.
A bright Idea
The biggest and the most spacious is now the brightest. This refers to the court of the Chief Justice of India, which was fitted with high intensity white light last week. Among all courtrooms in the Supreme Court, the CJI court stands out due to its aesthetic wooden panels and fine collection of law books. The change in lighting was long due as lawyers had difficulty in reading case laws in dim light. The decision to change the lighting was taken after Chief Justice of India Hl Dattu saw Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi struggling to read some document.
New ventures
The Family Welfare Centres (FWC), run by the CRPF to develop the skills of the wives of paramilitary personnel and rehabilitate handicapped jawans, are now seeking to collaborate with private companies for branding of products manufactured at such units. The Southern sector of the CRPF is planning to approach Priya, a company of repute in the pickle market, for collaboration. The FWC workshops produce a number of items like pickles, hand-embroidered cloths and other such hand-made articles.
Dus ka paanch
During the AICC briefing last week, a journalist wanted to know from Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar about party’s strategies 10 years onwards since there was no prospect of the Congress revival before that. A former IPS officer, Kumar retorted, “The way they (NDA Government) are going on, we may have to prepare strategies for any eventuality even before five years.”
Desi greetings
At a time when swine flu is rapidly spreading its tentacles across the country, it is but natural for one and all to follow precautionary measure. Hence, it was not surprising that some Health Ministry officials who are known for warm handshakes now offer Indian style folded-hand “Namaste” to greet their visitors and colleagues. “Surely, our desi greeting is healthier than the western-style handshake,” a senior official quipped.
Few takers for Ayush
Though Indian traditional medicine has recently got its own Ministry named Ayush Ministry headed by Minister of State (Independent charge), Sripad Naik, it seems the States are yet to warm up to the significant move undertaken by the Centre to revive the indigenous medicines. The poor response of the State Ministers to the issue was evident at a recent conference of State Ayush/health Ministers. Just ten Health Ministers chose to attend the seminar while the rest were represented by their officers.
Wife comes first
As a Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar has several official priorities, but his personal priority at the moment is to meet his wife in Washington. As India’s envoy to the US, Jaishankar flew to New Delhi on an official assignment during President Barack Obama’s visit. But his name was announced as the new Foreign Secretary shortly after Obama’s visit, and he had to take charge immediately. Having settled down in his office now, Jaishankar has now to go back to the US and pack-up. When asked by a journalist when does his ‘pilgrimage’ of the SAARC nations begins, Jaishankar said, “My first pilgrimage has to be to my wife.”
Smoking Media
Though Parliament is a non-smoking zone, there are areas where Journalists “light” up. After security measures where tightened, security persons were not ready to allow the journalist such liberty. To bring an end to this issue, the Press Advisory Committee is learnt to have suggested creating a Smoking Zone for mediapersons in Parliament like the similar ‘zone’ allotted to MPs. The matter is in the court of Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
Tall promises
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s tall promises are making the going tough for his officers. Only this Friday, when Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal made a courtesy visit to the Road Minister, he requested him for a approving new 6,000 kms-long National Highway running from a Southern State to Punjab. Gadkari readily assured Badal that his demand would be taken care of and asked his officers to take note of the request. Officers who are already tied up with pending list of incomplete projects said this commitment was totally uncalled for.