Dance and bars
Faced with closures of their business in Kerala, the owners of liquor bars argued in the Supreme Court last week that the dance bars of Maharashtra faced similar situation, the apex court came to their rescue by ordering their reopening. But senior lawyer Kapil Sibal did not seem to agree with their contention. Appearing for Kerala, he said, “Dance and liquor are different commodities.” A lawyer who represented a bar owners’ association had a fitting reply, “Both are addictive.”
Call of duty
Call of duty is supreme for fighter pilots. Squadron leader DPS Bali is its perfect example. Posted in Coimbatore, a few days back, he got a SOS from his father that flood waters had entered their home in Srinagar. Bali rushed to his hometown and got into the first IAF helicopter heading to the valley. He spotted his parents standing on the rooftop to be airlifted, but Bali ordered his men to pick up 28 others, including small children and women, trapped in an adjacent home. The fighter pilot took this decision, knowing that his father was critically ill and needed immediate medical help. His father was airlifted later, and he is now safe.
Special adieu
The obituary reference held by the Supreme Court judges in honour of former Attorney General Goolam Essaji Vahanvati last week was special as never in the past have 28 sitting judges assembled in one courtroom to pay homage to any member of the legal fraternity. Grapevine has it that the Chief Justice of India RM lodha was so moved while presenting the reference address that on one occasion, he choked with emotion as he remembered the former AG’s contribution as a law officer and as a senior member of the bar both inside and outside Court.
Eye on Gujarat
The search for an HRD Secretary seems to be heading towards Gujarat after the Ministry’s keenness in adopting some of the existing educational policies from the home State of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With incumbent secretary Ashok Thakur on way out, names of 1981 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre Dr Hasmukh Adhia is at the top of the list. His batchmate of UP Cadre Vrinda Swarup who is already in the Ministry as Additional Secretary, and 1979 UP cadre Vijay Shankar Pandey are also in the reckoning. All of them have been empanelled as Secretary recently.
Air traffic snarl
Massive flood rescue and relief operations in Jammu & Kashmir have led to traffic jam of sorts at the Srinagar Airport with more than 200 aircraft and helicopters operating from there. There is paucity of parking space for more aircraft and many private helicopter operators were politely declined permission to join in the relief mission. Moreover, with all roads leading to and from Srinagar Airport waterlogged, the air corridor used by helicopters to reach stranded people is overcrowded and the IAF has to take extra precautions to avoid any mishap.
Relief for journos
Soon after beginning an elaborate system of profiling the visitors, including journalists, at the CBI Headquarters, the agency has now decided to exempt the beat reporters from the cumbersome exercise. The reporters are now required to be frisked and then make entries in a separate register. Other visitors are first frisked and then they are supposed to give the details for the entry pass including a photograph through the web camera. After this, such visitors are required to make entries in the general register and then allowed entry in the building.
Congress’ nemesis
Two-time MP lal Singh — who joined the BJP after denial of Congress ticket from Udhampur lok Sabha seat in Jammu & Kashmir — hopes that the Congress would get another beating in the coming polls in J&K. Relying on “root-less leaders” like Gulam Nabi Azad would be Congress’ nemesis in Assembly polls, fumes lal Singh on whose seat Azad contested and lost Udhampur lok Sabha seat. Singh, a former State Health Minister, feels it was Azad who backstabbed him in the Congress.
Showing the way
Prime Minister Narendra Modi may be one of the most-followed politicians on Twitter and social media, but his Ministers are yet to catch up with him. According to sources from Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, nearly half his Ministers are yet to have verified accounts on social media platforms. But seniors are clearly showing them the way. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, Defence & Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Power Minister Piyush Goel, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan are quite active on the social media platform.