CBI ‘In Queue’
Prize catch underworld don Chhota Rajan, remanded to10-day police custody, may be in the lock-up of the CBI at its headquarters, but the officials of the premier investigating agency have been barley able to question him till now. It’s the sleuths of the Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing who have held fort extensively quizzing him. Grapevine has it that the ‘who’s who’ of the covert agencies and security establishment has visited the CBI headquarters to question the don.
Indo-Russian Bonhomie
The ongoing joint exercise ‘Indra’ between Indian and Russian army near Bikaner turned festive last week on Diwali day. Russian commandos donned traditional Rajasthani turbans and took part in celebrating the festival by lighting candles and diyas. The visitors also danced with gusto to the beats of drums and enthralled the audience including Indian troops with some deftly performed moves. The two countries annually practice counter-terrorism drills in urban and rural scenario for a fortnight and nearly 250 Russian troops are here for this year’s exercise.
Bose in Delhi
For the supporters and followers of freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the West Bengal Pavilion at the IITF-15 being held at the Pragati Maidan will be worth a visit. A separate section has been dedicated to the leader. large panels showcase some pages of the files on Netaji which were recently de-classified by the Mamata Banerjee Government. Photographs, CDs and books on his life and times too are displayed. DVDs of the de-classified files will also be available for sale. Apart from indigenous crafts and skills, another attraction is the overwhelming presence of Goddess Durga-resplendent in full regalia in the magnificent Mahishasuramardini form as well as ‘tri-nayana’ (three eyes) as a centerpiece.
NSDC’s Woes
It seems it will take some time for the Ministry of Skill Development to ensure the NSDC puts its act together after the removal of the Corporation’s top bosses. Grapevine has it that there have been complaints about appointments on recommendations, highly-paid executives with little output, preferential treatment to an ad agency and a chosen few in the organisation. If the head of a crucial division had the privilege of working from home for long, then, interestingly, the key PMKVY coordination unit is headed by an NRI with little knowledge of Hindi essential for interacting with stakeholders.
Red Ribbon Tale
Having failed to meet its scheduled deadline of August 2015, the work on the additional office building of the Supreme Court coming up within the Court complex has gained speed. The work is pending since May 2012 and this has only added to the burden of the apex Court to maintain records of the burgeoning cases within the already crammed up office space. Grapevine has it that the Chief Justice of India Hl Dattu, expected to retire last month, had nudged the Government to expedite the work. Whether he gets to inaugurate the project before bidding adieu remains to be seen.
Unconstitutional MandalIJ
The BJP veterans’ stinging criticism of the leadership following the Bihar poll debacle seems to have brightened the prospects of the elder members of the ‘Margdarshak Mandal’ being consulted in the party affairs. Asked whether the Mandal may now have its first ever meeting, a senior in the party, however, countered saying, “There is nothing like Mardarshak Mandal in the constitution of the party.”
TMC Calling
Prashant Kishor, the man who is credited with making Narendra Modi a political brand in 2014 and Nitish Kumar in 2015, may still be looking for greener pastures post-Bihar polls. last heard, Trinamool Congress (TMC) is said to have set its eyes on the former UN health official and sent feelers to him to be with the party.
Smart Act
Kiren Rijiju, MoS Home Affairs, has been a media savvy Minister until he found himself in the thick of controversies due to alleged “misreporting”. Continuing with his new strategy to be away from media glare, Rijiju last week cleverly deflected attention during a press conference with his senior Rajnath Singh by diverting a query directed at him. “Today all questions will be answered by Rajnathji. Today is not my day,” he said with a smile. Rajnath too, for his part, was cautious in answering the queries, including some loaded ones on the BJP’s Bihar poll debacle.
Gyan’s The Way!
The Government has appointed a bureaucrat Dipankar Shri Gyan as Director of the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, an autonomous body under the Union Culture Ministry for the promotion of Gandhian philosophy. His appointment has been welcomed by the Samiti’s staff which feels that the institute that was so far headed by personalities with Gandhian background needed someone with administrative experience to streamline its functioning. Gyan has earlier worked in Centre for Advancement of People’s Action in Rural Technology.
Swachchh post-Diwali
Taking a proactive stand to ensure that Swachchh Bharat Mission is followed in letter and spirit, Praveen Prakash, Union Urban Development joint secretary and mission director (SBM), personally wrote a letter to all municipal corporations to take up sweeping of streets and cleanliness drives immediately after the Diwali celebrations to make market areas, housing colonies and establishments litter-free and clean. Post Diwali, the Ministry officials claim that the call was responded well and special cleanliness drives were launched in requisite locations from November 12 midnight to 5 am.