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NEWSNOTES:
CAPLOOKS
Meet Management
 Delhi:
The tragedy in Gujarat impacted not just events connected with Republic
Day but also the usual business of political parties. It was but natural
that the Congress party announced the cancellation of the Bangalore AICC
plenary in mid-February. But there was a problem with a national
SC/ST meeting planned in Delhi. Conference conveners were adamant that
it be held, particularly as hundreds of delegates were already in the
capital. On a day of mourning, the
colourful shamiana at the AICC headquarters struck a discordant note,
so Sonia Gandhi quietly converted
the event into a condolence meeting.
Soldiering
On
Chandigarh:
For once the soldier in Punjab Governor
Lt-General J.F.R. Jacob outsmarted the politician in the state Chief Minister
P.S. Badal. Soon after news of the earthquake reached the city, Jacob,
who dons two hats-he is also administrator of Chandigarh-got his act together.
He quickly pulled strings with the IAF and got the first consignment of
22,000 blankets collected by the Chandigarh administration airlifted to
Bhuj, much before Badal could ensure the airlift
of material from Amritsar.
Party
Fare
Lucknow:
With over 20,000 dead in the Gujarat earthquake and the whole country
in mourning, you would expect politicians to show some sensitivity. But
not if you are Uttar Pradesh Urban Development and Housing Minister Lalji
Tandon. On the evening of January 26, Tandon was indulging in revelries
in the company of Bollywood stars at the Kanpur Festival. Apparently,
several of his officers asked the minister to postpone the programme in
view of the rising death toll. But Tandon would have none of it.
 Star
Struck
Bhopal:
Unsolicited advice to Keshubhai Patel from a Bhopal astrologer: the
chief minister's stars are affecting Gujarat, which has already been hit
by a cyclone, drought and now an earthquake, in his years in power. The
way out? Patel should have a yagna at his home. Or resign.
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