CBI vs RBI
last week, Delhi witnessed questioning of RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan by CBI Director Ranjit Sinha. After his lecture at the RN Kao memorial series, the RBI Governor faced tough questions from the CBI Director during the interactive session. Sinha bombarded Rajan with questions on black money, prevention of fake currency and withdrawal of pre-2005 notes. Grapevine has learnt that the CBI director was not satisfied with the diplomatic answers by the RBI Governor.
Nehwal forgotten
The old adage ‘out of sight, out of mind’ fits aptly on the Union Health Ministry, which has decided not to rope in ace shuttler Saina Nehwal as the ambassador for girl child campaign this year. While ignoring the fact that Arjuna and Khel Ratna awardee Nehwal is winner of the bronze medal at the london Olympics in August 2012, the Ministry feels that her recent performance is not up to the mark. The facts that Nehwal is born in Haryana, which has one of the lowest sex ratio in the country, should have been enough for the Ministry to realise they can find few 'stars' better than Nehwal to fit the role.
Woman boss
At a Press briefing, Congress spokesperson Shobha Oza did all her bits to defend her party’s vision for empowering women in the wake Rahul Gandhi’s thought of reserving 50 per cent posts including that of Chief Ministers and office-bearers within all the spheres of the Congress. The journos had a volley of questions on the subject including on the number of women spokespersons in the newly announced list of AICC spokespersons. Besides Oza, Rita Bahuguna Joshi is the other woman spokesperson in the list of 18 approved by Rahul. Another uncomfortable question was on women chairing the lok Sabha Screening Committee. The answer: The party has none. Oza had no answer when asked about a Congress Chief Minister in any of the party-ruled State. Pushed on the back foot, Oza reminded the media of Indira Gandhi and quipped, “our party has a woman as its boss.”
Breaking tradition
Judges of the Supreme Court broke a long-kept tradition last week by deciding to join journalists for snacks after a Press conference to announce the launch of Village legal Aid Clinics. Taking the lead, Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam told the waiting journalists, “I will join you for tea.” The other judges followed suit. As a matter of precedence, at events organised inside the Supreme Court, a separate enclosure is made where tea is arranged for judges and former judges alone, shutting out access to outsiders. In the past, this has also been a bone of contention between the Supreme Court staff and scribes, who had complained of this discrimination to the present CJI.
R-Day woes
Republic Day parade at Rajpath holds special attraction for non-Delhi wallas but reaching the venue is becoming arduous due to security restrictions as was the case this year. Even though, the visitors reached the special enclosures well in time, the tedious security drill led to long queues of cars and spectators. Several defence attaches along with senior bureaucrats had to jostle with swelling crowds to enter. Their woes did not end as the organisers had not catered for sufficient public utilities keeping in view the cold weather. An exasperated visitor then remarked what was the point in having a parade with military precision when you cannot have adequate toilets and smooth entry to the venue.