‘Humble farmer’ H.D. Deve Gowda’s 11 months as PM came to an abrupt end in March when Sitaram Kesri pulled the rug, whereupon he continued to be a thorn in I.K. Gujral’s side.
Gujral enjoyed an even shorter stint. He toured the world to put his doctrine into practice and, as the United Front ran through its course of luck, responded with more of Ghalib.
After much British breast-beating, a sombre ceremony marks Hong Kong’s handover to China.