Have it, flaunt it!
Gifts are meant to be flaunted. Possibly, this is why the lobby of Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan in Delhi that houses the Ministry of External Affairs is decorated with the gift items given to Indian dignitaries during their foreign visits or by the visiting delegations.
From a fragile flower vase of Uzbekistan to statues, and brass ware from other nations gifted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and some other dignitaries are well showcased along with caption indicating names of the countries.
Interestingly, with India's outreach with the world growing, the glass display showcases are increasing day by day, so much so that every little corner now has something to show off!!!
BJP on high-rise
The BJP seems to be sure of returning to power after the 2019 general elections. The confidence is reflected in the swanky seven-storey building coming up on a two-acre plot on Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg-Rouse Avenue, close to ITO in New Delhi. The state-of-the-art complex will house the new BJP headquarters. “The boundary wall has come up and the project would complete well in time by 2019,” said a senior party leader with a sly smile.
Amaravati circle
The shifting of the capital of Andhra Pradesh to Amaravati might take its own time, but the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has already created a new circle with its headquarters at the proposed capital after bifurcating its Hyderabad circle. The aim
is better preservation and maintenance of Centrally-protected monuments, archaeological sites and remains located in Anantapur, Chittoor, Cuddapah, Guntur, East Godavari, Krishna, Kurnool, Nellore, Prakasam, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and West Godavari districts. However, both the circles of Amaravati and Hyderabad would function from the ASI’s existing premises in Hyderabad until the new capital comes into existence.
In two minds
A few lawyers in the SC have taken a hiatus after their names are doing the rounds for elevation as High Court judges in Allahabad and Delhi. The ongoing tussle between the Centre and the judiciary to agree over the amended Memorandum of Procedure has made things worse for them with the recommended names being put on hold by the Centre. Grapevine has it that the persons in line for elevation are unable to decide whether to resume active practice or wait for the ice to melt on the matter.
CRPF security scare
In what is a clear security breach, a ministerial staff recently entered the CRPF headquarters with a firearm undetected and was later found allegedly killed from the fire from it. The police is probing the criminal aspect including the suicide angle, but the entry of a personnel with a firearm unauthorisedly at the premises of the force that is the lead counter-terror, anti-Naxal and anti-insurgency force has alerted the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is keeping an eye on the developments related to the case.
Google Sinha
Manoj Sinha being made the new Communications Minister with Independent Charge was quite unexpected for both the babus at Sanchar Bhawan, telecom department's headquarters, as also the telecom industry. The appointment of a Minister without any previous stint in the telecom sector was a big surprise for them. Grapevine has it that Manoj Sinha was most Googled by the babus and telecom bigwigs eager to know his
“history, geography(and even horoscope)” and understand the “temperament” of the new boss.
Parrikar's sedan
The good old Ambassador car used by the Defence Minister has finally bid adieu after many years in service. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar recently switched over to a sedan from Ambassador and when people including journos congratulated him, the minister remarked “what is so great about it. I need the vehicle to go from place A to B, that's all.”