Palestinian Dreams
Devastated and destroyed by violence, Palestine seeks solace in Hindi films and songs, their diplomats say. Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Shahid Kapoor the list of actors admired in Palestine is only growing by day. So it was not a big surprise when a diplomat in Palestine embassy took pride in informing about his love for Bollywood films and actors. While he himself is a great fan of Amitabh and Hema, his son goes after the younger generation. In fact, the son has taken a degree in film making in Egypt and now is looking forward to take admission in FTII in Pune. As for the father, he wants to utilise his posting days in India to get a click with Big B.
Money Drain
A Supreme Court judge recently remarked on the baffling amounts spent by political parties and candidates on their elections and claimed it was a trend related to literacy levels. Justice J Chelameswar, during the hearing on Panchayat polls in Haryana, said, “literacy makes the difference in spending pattern in elections. In the South, particularly Kerala where I have been Chief Justice, they spend a miniscule of the money spent for elections in other States.” Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi differed with the judge. He said, “The way liquor is distributed during elections in Kerala explains where the money goes.”
Rijiju and Media
Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiran Rijiju is thoroughly unhappy with mediapersons for creating outrage over his casual conversations. This is the second time media ditched Rijiju, say his staffers pointing to his recent remarks related to North Indians. A few months ago, after the media misquoted him on his eating habits, Rijiju kept a distance from the journos, especially TV channels reporters who shove their mike for comments on everything under the sun. later, Rijiju softened his stand to become friendly with the media again. But, this time sahib will be stern, his staffers point out.
DCI’s ‘Mental’ Woes
Days after the name of a top functionary of the Dental Council of India (DCI) came in the news for his alleged involvement in sexual harassment cases, the dental body is facing a curious situation: It is flooded with anonymous/pseudonymous complaints through emails and posts against its officials. Irked at the piling up complaints, the Council has made it clear that it will not entertain any post, which is not substantiated with documentary proof, in order to avoid tension to the persons against whom complaints were made. In this regard, the DCI has cited CVC order issued in 1999.
Going Geo
Geo-tagging and geo-mapping are the new buzz words in the Modi Government. After Minister for roads, transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced the use of satellites BHUVAN and GAGAN to monitor various road-related works, including construction and green plantation alongside highways, Minister for Woman and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi, said that she will be using geo-tools to monitor all anganwadi centres across the country to keep a tab on their daily activity.
High on Hopes
Awaiting Bihar poll results with bated breath, BJP headquarters is witnessing expansion with construction on to accommodate more mediapersons, particularly television scribes wanting to do ‘live’ from 11, Ashoka Road. “More rooms would be ready to facilitate television coverage”, says party’s headquarters in-charge and National General Secretary, “confident” about BJP’s win.
Hawk-eyed Gadkari
An hawk-eyed Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has questioned the role of crucial Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) for ignoring “basic” rules and regulations for appointment of officials, particularly that of Member (Projects) in the NHAI. To avert any embarrassment and legal tangles over issues of top-level appointments, Gadkari has refused to approve the ACC recommendations favouring two names which include a Chief General Manager at NHAI, who needs to be compulsorily repatriated to his parent cadre Railways Ministry. The Minister has questioned the modus operandi of the ACC in such recommendations.
Cycle ki Sawari
A group of Army officers is living up to the image of being lean and fighting fit by bicycling long distances over the weekend in the National Capital Region (NCR). led by Brigadier Sandip Singh, an Armoured Corps officer deputed in the Army’s Public Information cell, this group cycled more than 100km last Saturday from Gurgaon to Pari Chowk, Greater Noida. These officers are undertaking this fitness regime for the last one year and now some civilians have also signed up. The enthusiasts now want to break the 150-km barrier next Sunday.