This refers to the report, “Some prizes, many surprises” (September 4). Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strived to instil the four Ps — passion, proficiency, professional and political acumen — in his refurbished team. The BJP's resounding win in 2014 was marked by the election of a number of new faces relatively novices to public administration at higher levels. So, the visible generation shift among the ministers cannot be missed. That performers have been rewarded is exemplified by a relatively new comer, Nirmala Sitharaman, bagging the Defence portfolio. Union Minister Piyush Goyal has the onerous task of putting the railways back on track after his predecessor, Suresh Prabhu, set a new benchmark with regards to zero tolerance to rail accidents. Despite being a Minister with a difference, a series of train derailments blotted Prabhu's record.
Inarguably, the induction of four former bureaucrats — RK Singh, Satyapal Singh, KJ Alphons and Hardeep Puri — was the highlight of the Cabinet expansion because all of them bring rich administrative acumen with them, though their portfolios may not be in sync with their areas of interest. However, they are known go-getters, and the Minister of State rank should not hamper their zeal. Non inclusion of the AIADMK and JD(U) has come as a surprise. This may also mean that another minor cabinet expansion may be in the offing.