Multifaceted talent
Rape convict and Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is not only a self-proclaimed godman but also a philanthropist, versatile singer, all-rounder sportsperson, film director, actor, art director, music director, writer, lyricist and an autobiographer. The Guru, now lodged in Rohtak jail, has also claimed that he coached many a celebrity sportspersons, including Virat Kohli. It seems Rohtak jail inmates have many a things to learn from the new celebrity entrant.
Atithi Devo Bhava
Abiding to its tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava, Prime Minister Narendar Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj last week served water to the visiting Nepalese PM Sher Bahadaur Deuba during their Press conference after a bilateral talks. Deuba, who had a bad throat, started coughing in between his media statement when Swaraj walked up to the podium and picked up a glass to give him water. Modi poured water in the glass from the jar kept nearby as Swaraj placed it before Deuba to soothe his throat while the bureaucrats started running to help. The gesture was received well by both Indian and Nepalese media and it sent a positive signal to Nepal that was watching the event live.
New India logo
Taking forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call of ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi’, the Government has invited citizens to create a logo for “New India” which would symbolise the aspirations and spirit of this movement from 2017 to 2022. The logo will be widely used across the country for events and initiatives related to the ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi’ movement. The last date of submission is September 22. One can get details from Government’s site www.mygov.in.
New DG RPF
1984-batch IPS officer Dharmendra Kumar is new Director General of Railway Protection Force. The post of DG RPF fell vacant after retirement of SK Bhagat. In addition to Dharmendra Kumar, Special Director (Intelligence Bureau) and IPS (1983 batch) Sunil Sinha and Director General (DG) Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Deepak Mishra ( IPS, 1984) were in the panel list. Prior to this, Dharmendra Kumar served as Special Director General of CISF. He had also served as Special Commissioner of Delhi police.
Eye on espionage
The Defence Ministry headquarters in South Block has undertaken a major drive to keep tabs on unauthorided visitors. Sophisticated electronic scanners are being installed in all the corridors to track bar coded passes issued to visitors. Given the sensitive nature of the ministry, this measures are being taken to prevent espionage and leaking of secret documents.
Tight-lipped
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley last week chose his words carefully while replying to media persons’ queries on offer of resignation made by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and the then Chairman Railway Board AK Mital. While replying to a query on Mital’s resignation, Jaitley stated ‘accountability is a good system in Government’. On the issue of Prabhu offering resignation to PM, the Finance Minister said “Prime Minister will take a decision on the request made by Railway Minister.” Despite persistent queries Jaitely did not reveal his mind on whether he supported Prabhu’s gesture.