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FLIPSIDE
Heroic Events
A
simple demand-supply framework for making sense of the rupee's movements
By
Dilip Bobb
We are
now in the midst of the season when it doesn't just rain, it pours. And
it's got nothing to do with the monsoons. After the calm, the deluge,
as someone famous once said. The sudden flurry of events that have flooded
the newspapers are certain to keep even the most cynical in good humour.
Here's a listing of upcoming events that need to be immediately included
in anyone's diary.
Hero's
Return: The day that extortionist extraordinaire Veerappan decides
to release Kannada matinee idol extraordinaire, Rajkumar, and return him
to the waiting arms of his adoring fans. Only down south could a 74-year-old
actor receive such frenzied adulation, enough to qualify the event as
a national crisis. The deadline, a word rather suggestively given by the
kidnapper, will be cause for unprecedented scenes of joy in Bangalore.
All schools and offices will close, the streets will be emptied as Rajkumar's
fans make bonfires of any passing vehicles and destroy public property
in celebration. Chief Guest will be Chief Minister S.M. Krishna.
Hero's
Revenge: The day that Ram Jethmalani finally gets to speak outside
the Rajya Sabha and explain why his resignation from the cabinet is such
a great loss to the nation, and to the judicial profession. As a case
of the biter having been bitten, he is naturally bitter but it would be
better if the refrains from biting off more than he can chew. However,
having got the entire country in eager anticipation of his revelations,
it will be a day to remember. Specially considering that this is the first
time he will be defending himself and not a client.
Hero's
Returns: The day that the Indian cricket stars returning from London
get to explain their returns to the income-tax authorities. Much has been
made of match-fixing and the umpire's verdict will have to wait till their
assets match their legal earnings. But Kapil Dev, Ajay Jadeja and Nikhil
Chopra will undoubtedly be in dire need of legal support if they are to
emerge with their wickets intact. The good news is that they can always
hire Ram Jethmalani, now that he is constitutionally unemployed.
Hero's
Welcome: The one that Hrithik Roshan will get when he visits the prime
minister's residence. Goes to show that Indian prime minister's are as
mushy and starry-eyed as anyone else when it comes to Bollywood celebrities.
Even though the visit is ostensibly in response to a child's whim, it
is unclear who is being childish considering that a senior minister like
Ram Jethmalani only got to see the prime minister for an hour in a two-year
period.
Hero's
Reward: The day that Amitabh Bachchan finally gets to sign a cheque
for Rs 1 crore. The questions on his show may be as simple as ABCL, but
the fact that no one's come close to hitting the jackpot, and yet no one's
complaining, has given a new message to the medium. Now we know why it's
called Star TV.
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