Naming a cyclone
To say “What’s in a name”, may not always be true, at least for present day cyclones! Regardless of the large scale devastation they may cause, their flamboyant names are more prompt in hitting one’s memory. While the present Hudhud cyclone hitting the Vizag coast on Sunday gets its name from the effervescent bright orange, Afro-Eurasian bird ‘Hoopoe’, its predecessor Phailin, which meant sapphire, got its name from Thailand. However, these names can be sensitive too. According to experts, Cyclone Viyaru, which hit Sri lanka, Indonesia amongst other countries in the region in 2013, was earlier named by the island country as Mahasen. But the name had to be changed on the grounds that Mahasen was a king who had brought peace and prosperity to Sri lanka, and it was wrong to name a calamity after him. Next time a cyclone hits the region, it will be Pakistan’s turn to give it a name. It has already been christened Nilofar, meaning lotus. God save this deadly lotus from blooming!
Hockey conspiracy
Sometimes sarcastic remarks from Government officials also appear as authentic news in the media. last week, a high-placed official could not control his laughter when his light-hearted comment that India’s recent victory in hockey against Pakistan could be the reason behind escalation of ceasefire violation by Pakistan on the border, was beamed as Breaking News on some TV channels. The official tossed up the hockey ‘joke’ when mediapersons pressed him to reveal the reasons behind the firing along the border.
Salv(e)aging Amma
Senior advocate Harish Salve’s absence from the national Capital is adding to the woes of jailed AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa. Despite having the doyen of criminal law, Ram Jethmalani, by her side, Jayalalithaa’s lawyers made no attempt to mention the matter last week for urgent hearing. Grapevine has it that the legal team of Amma was in constant touch with Salve and checking on his availability to appear in the case. As Salve is in london, Jayalalithaa’s lawyers are in two minds — whether to go ahead with Jethmalani as their ace counsel or await Salve to work a miracle for the former Tamil Nadu CM desperately seeking bail.
low profile
CBI Director Ranjit Sinha, who is embroiled in a major controversy over the so-called Diarygate, has been maintaining a low profile. Sinha has discontinued the practice of briefing the journos at his North Block office. Even the media lounge at the CBI headquarters wears a deserted look these days with only a few scribes visiting it for routine briefings from the spokesperson. Sinha is due to retire on December 2, and two petitions seeking his recusal from coal scam are slated to be heard by Supreme Court next week.
Mental balance
At a Press conference on sharing details of the Government’s first mental health policy, Union Health Minister Harshvardhan last week lost his cool, saying, “Don’t dis-balance my mental balance.” His angry barb at the reporters came when they bombarded him with questions on a medical report claiming that Sunanda Pushkar died of poisoning. The report was prepared by the doctors from the Delhi-based AIIMS. “I’ve nothing to do with it … go and ask the police,” he said.
Barring Samachar
The Railway Board has issued a circular to its officials not to interact with journalists having affiliation with the Mumbai-based Paripurna Railway Samachar. The officials have been asked neither to interact nor issue any advertisements to the periodical which usually carries “scoops” originating from Rail Bhawan concerning top most officials and members of their family. The circular reads “due to questionable antecedents of the periodical and its staff, the officers need to be told to disassociate themselves from them. It has to be seen if the circular will prevent the officials from” leaking” to the Samachar.
Kishore’s fan
IAF chief Arup Raha seems to be a fan of legendary playback singer Kishore Kumar as was evident last week on the occasion of Air Force Day. The Air Force band played non-stop instrumental music based on Kishore’ songs for more than an hour at the customary reception hosted by Raha at his official residence. President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi were some of the important participants. However, the limelight was hogged by master blaster Sachin Tendulkar with several invitees clicking selfies with him. Dressed in IAF ceremonial uniform, Sachin attended the high-profile function for the first time since he was made honorary Group Captain three years back.