Shortfall Of 50
This is unpardonable. Does no one understand the pressures of making a public appearance? Gujarat minister Arvind Raiyani was guest of honor at Keshod in Junagadh for the Tiranga hoisting at a police event. All was going according to the itinerary. The unfurling, woh gulabon ki bochchar and then, of course the national anthem. After which came the minister’s speech. He began by alluding to the freedom struggle and then went on to say how the country gained Independence on August 15, 1997!!
There was a moment’s silence but the minister continued unfazed. Now, now, now… It could have just been a slip of tongue or you know how close 47 and 97 sound in the regional language, even if they be 50 years apart. Mouths just need to chatter and forwards just need some fodder. This one became a huge hit ever since the day.
Kyunki Dil Hai Hindustani…
I-Day celebrations were a huge hit all over India. But what really touched a chord was seeing pavement dwellers hoist the Tiranga. Across the nation, digital portals and tele media channels splashed images of a vibrant celebration. Homes, offices, schools and even moving vehicles, the Tricolour was seen fluttering from et al. However, the most definitive image seemed to be from pavement dwellings and their makeshift tarpaulin sheet roofs which did not mind accommodating a small hole to fit in the Tiranga.
Out enterprising reporter walked down the Bhaipura vicinity in the Maninagar area of Ahmedabad only to see thousands of jhanda, in all sizes. Curious to know more, he asked the shanty dwellers where did they manage the money from?
“Corporator saheb ne diya!” pat came the reply. How nice. But adding sweetness to their day, a box of mithai or maybe a packet of milk would have gone a long way in making it a true amrit mahotsav for the underprivileged.
Safaya Ki Safai
“It seems the BJP is horrified by the Aam Aadmi Party’s rapid growth in Gujarat. Maybe, it will have to declare Union Home Minister Amit Shah as its chief ministerial candidate in the Assembly polls in the state,” stated Kejriwal, indicating the rapid presence AAP has managed to drill into Gujarat. In a cryptic tweet, the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also wondered if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not happy with the work of Gujarat chief minister Bhupendrabhai Patel.
Alongside, during his visit to the state, Kejriwal made five promises to the trading and business community. Topping the list was “respect to every business and stopping Raid Raj.” Are wah!! Now we are talking business. Gujarat being a trading bastion, a little birdie tells us the nest needs a massive clean-up.
