cockpit bar latest endeavour
Whatever the general perception about the laggardly ways of the typical Indian politician, there is a select group among the current crop who can certainly keep up with the Joneses of international political circles. And they can exhibit some extremely creative and innovative thinking while going about it. Last month, the capital got a brand new bar –christened the Cockpit Bar – at the Delhi Flying Club. The décor of this bar – unique and in keeping with its name – has been conceived by and executed under the personal supervision of the club’s president, Captain Satish Sharma. The bar was inaugurated in style by Captain Sharma, accompanied by his wife. About 300 members and their families were feted with a lavish menu and drinks – all on the house.
The members are all praise for their President who, despite his political preoccupations, has steered the club through difficult times. During the previous NDA regime the club, which was set up years ago to provide transit resting facility to pilots operating from Safdarjung airport, was almost taken over. Captain Sharma shot into the limelight as a friend of Rajiv Gandhi and later as the Petroleum Minister but got mired in controversies. Despite the setback in his political fortunes, he has continued his loyalty to the Nehru-Gandhis.
Tit for tat in DD Kendra
bakshi raj in full swing
In a charitable gesture by the PMO, the terminally ill Priyaranjan Dasmunsi continues to hold the Cabinet rank post of Minister of Information and Broadcasting. He is thus allowed to retain the official bungalow and cars provided by Doordarshan. However, when BM Bakshi took over as Director, Delhi Kendra of Doordarshan, among the first things he did was to issue instructions to withdraw all facilities, including cars and personnel, given to the Minister. This was in retaliation for Dasmunsi having shipped Bakshi to Tripura for controversial behaviour regarding sports coverage and his links with the RSS.
Bakshi was also instrumental in cutting short the tenure of the then DG, SY Qureshi, who is now Election Commissioner of India, during the Vajpayee regime. Now, it is said that he has openly declared he will take orders only from Prasar Bharati CEO BS Lalli and not Aruna Sharma, the new DG of Doordarshan, who has been appointed for a month under the orders of the CAT. This is being seen as a serious development since, under the Prasar Bharati Act, all administrative powers rest with the DG alone. It is being perceived as Bakshi pelting a stone at the UPA even before the elections have been announced.
Kings all, or none’s a king
who’s congress’ number two?
A fallout of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s heart surgery has been the opening of a Pandora’s box for the Congress. The question is, who is primus inter pares after Manmohan? The Congress has always been known to have the unique effect of cutting every leader to size. The cutting competition inevitably spawns frustration and, after a point, leaders ask why 10 Janpath doesn’t simply resolve the issue by declaring the hierarchy.
While Pranab Mukherjee was chosen to head Cabinet meetings, he was still not declared number two. Kamal Nath and Kapil Sibbal were each hoping that, with the exit of P Chidambaram from finance, they would get the portfolio but it went to Pranabbabu. When new Home Minister Chidambaram wanted to visit the US to brief the Americans about the Mumbai attack, Mukherjee told him he couldn’t go because it was the domain of the External Affairs Ministry. When Mukherjee went to Sri Lanka, an order was issued that in his absence Defence Minister AK Antony would take all decisions. North Block officials went to Chidambaram with a query as to who, apart from RAW chief KC Verma, they should consult on internal security. Speak to Antony, was Chidambaram’s reply. Antony learned of this and his retort to Chidambaram was that it was a question of four days so how did it matter who looked after what. Ah well, being king, even for a day, is all.
‘Blackberry Gandhi’
rahul sets new trends
When Rahul Gandhi entered politics, many Congress leaders had commented that he would sink rather than swim. But, over time (and never mind if he did take considerably more time than expected), he has made those cynics eat crow. A painstaking and plodding learner, he has picked up the ropes and now slowly started to assume command within the party. He has developed a reputation for meaning business. Over the last three months, he has interviewed thousands of youngsters interested in working with him.
Perhaps the Gandhi scion’s most notable contribution is not just that he has invigorated the party’s youth but has set new standards in the use of technology to best serve the needs of a political party. Every member of his core group possesses a Blackberry. The group uses emails and smses to communicate rather than phoning one another – which aids privacy. But, while all this is very well, will the young leader be able to tackle aging bureaucrats and party seniors?
