Hooked to social media
All the Ministries in the Modi Government seem to be cashing in on the emerging and ever-increasing wave of social media. After Woman and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi took to Facebook to talk about her schemes, policies and new initiatives, Nitin Gadkari has put in place a team to constantly feed on Twitter and Facebook, the happenings in the Ministry. In his recent briefing on the developments in the Shipping Ministry last week, at least five people seated in a row were updating the Twitter, Ministry website, the PIB webpages and Facebook.
Working holiday
The extended weekend at the Supreme Court saw lawyers doing the vanishing act from courtrooms on Thursday. Cases were taken up but no lawyer was present to argue them. Faced with this situation, Justice Madan B lokur conveyed his displeasure to an office-bearer of the SC Bar Association seated in his court. The judge said such conduct by lawyers not only harms litigants but reflects poorly on courts in general. Advice well taken, but this is a matter where lawyers always have the last laugh.
CRPF goes solar
The CRPF has directed the field formations to procure solar panels to overcome the problem of electricity supply failure. The Madhya Pradesh Sector of the paramilitary had sought supply of solar panels to the units deployed in Naxal theatre for uninterrupted electricity. The paramilitary directorate has already issued authorisation for energy saving items — including solar panels on functional and operational basis.
Rare honour
After Poonam Khetrapal Singh, who is the first Indian to adorn an important post in the WHO in recent years as its Regional Director for South-East Asia Region (SEARO), VK Duggal, a former bureaucrat and ex-Governor of Manipur and Mizoram, has become the second Indian to be appointed to the health agency’s Advisory Group to strengthen response to outbreaks and emergencies with health and humanitarian consequences. He is the only representative from the SEARO in the Advisory Group to WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan and will be serving the organisation on an honorary basis.
Idea for change
A message box in the office of Aviation , Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma has the ‘potential’ to effect major changes in the these key Ministries. “Anyone can drop suggestions without identifying himself and if they are good , will be implemented”, says the Minister.