Sound As Sleep

THE question everyone is asking is "Why does Deve Gowda likeMumbai so much?" Did he come all the way the other day just to listen to Bill Gates? After all, he had a one-to-one meeting with the computer guru in Delhi just the previous day. And now here he was again, for a minor function here, a minor function there. On his agenda on his last trip was a 'private' visit to Dr L.H. Hiranandani, eminent ear, nose and throat specialist. So what was wrong with the Gowda ear, nose and throat? Does bad ENT make you sleepy?

But we can heave a national sigh of relief. There's nothing wrong with our PM's ENT. In fact, he has a very sound ENT, as sound as the Gowda sleep. He came to see the doctor only as an old friend. The story goes that Dr Hiranandani said he'd drop in and see the PM at Raj Bhawan. "Why?" the PM asked. "I have always come and seen you in your consulting rooms before and that's where I'll come now. Why should things change just because I am PM?" Good question and so typical of our Humble Farmer. Three cheers, kudos and well done old chap.

But first ask the same question of the people who livenear Dr Hiranandani's consulting rooms near Regal Cinema. The police took over the area from the morning (the visit was in the afternoon). Sniffer dogs came, metal detectors were installed, parking was prohibited and the whole place was sealed off. People staying next door at the YMCA International Guesthouse and whose rooms face the clinic were told to keep their windows shut for the day. "Why should things change just because I am the prime minister?" Why, we don't know. How, we do.

Next time, Mr Gowda, PM, Humble Farmer, please meet your old friendsat Raj Bhawan. Better still, meet them in Delhi.