Books not bouquets
Against ostentation and wastage, Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit has issued instructions that he should be spared the pleasure of receiving endless bouquets. He also wants to do away with the tradition of the gubernatorial shoulders being draped with fine and expensive shawls. He would rather that people donate the extra money for charitable work.
Prime Minister Modi too had given a similar instruction: that he be given books rather than flowers. Since the PM likes reading biographies, it seems some of his junior ministers are making a catalogue. Governor Purohit, though, has not indicated such preferences, though his inspiration may have been the same.
Trump tales
The streets of Hyderabad may be getting a makeover thanks to Ivanka Trump’s scheduled visit for the 8th Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017, Nov 28-30, what with the city beggars being transported out of sight.
But are the entrepreneurs and the corporates honchos eager to enroll? Not quite, it seems. With President Trump’s own situation under a little cloud, thanks to the ongoing special prosecutor investigation and former FBI chief Robert Mueller’s so-called incriminating documents, not to mention the loss to the Democrats in two state elections, Ivanka Trump’s brand equity and popularity is not exactly soaring. The somewhat lukewarm response from the corporate world has left the organisers in a bit of a bother.
Session postponed?
With the opposition, particularly Congress vice chief Rahul Gandhi, going hammer and tongs on ‘notebandi’ and GST, despite the substantial lowering of rates, the government it seems is reluctant to provide it with another platform. The winter session of Parliament, if it coincides with the Gujarat election campaign, would degenerate into a slanging match over these twin issues. The session therefore may either be called at the end of Gujarat polling or after the results are out on December 18, if at all.
AICC session
Meanwhile, in the Congress too there’s a rethink. Looks like Rahul Gandhi’s formal takeover is again getting postponed, thanks to the Gujarat elections. An AICC session, the only formal platform where it can be announced, seems near impossible right now. Both the Punjab and Karnataka units have offered to host it — in Chandigarh or Bangalore. But the party’s top brass is too preoccupied to even pick the venue.
Nitin of tin ministries
If there’s one thing that Venkaiah Naidu has not given up after assuming the constitutional position of vice president of India, it’s his love for colourful alliterative quotes. In his political heyday, the media never tired of chasing him for quick bites, thanks to his sense of humour that came through every time he faced the mike. At the inauguration of the ninth AgroVision fair in Nagpur, Nitin Gadkari got a taste of Naidu’s penchant for stringing words for a laugh. The VP told the gathering of farmers and agriculturists that they’ve nothing worry any more, they have Ni-Tin of ‘Tin Ministry’ — minister with three ministerial portfolios — to solve the problems. He’ll bring water, road, transport and ports all to their doorstep. Gadkari and his audience were in splits!
Santwana Bhattacharya
The author is Political Editor, TNIE.
Email: santwana@newindianexpress.com