Home truths
In trying to draw the attention of their political bosses, diplomATS’ moves are sometimes far from diplomatic. Take India’s Japan ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy, who recently tweeted: “Fantastic news about my birthplace #AhmedabadWorldHeritageCity #SmartCity - easily combines rich history & modernity thanks to @narendramodi”. Some in Delhi’s foreign policy establishment say the tweet was in genuine appreciation of the PM’s efforts. Others feel Chinoy aspires to become the next foreign secretary, hence the exuberant tweet. But that will work only if S. Jaishankar stops getting more extensions.
Bull rakshaks
If the cow is here, can the bull be far behind? While BJP governments across the country are busy protecting cows, the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu has chosen to be the saviour of bulls, especially the native varieties fielded in Jallikattu. The state’s animal husbandry department would set up two research centres at a cost of Rs 5 crore for the breeding and propagation of the Pullikulam and Kangeyam breeds. Since one of the main functions of the research centres will be to INSeminate cows with pure-breed bulls, it would also need breeding cows of the native variety. “See, ultimately it all boils down to cows. How can there be bulls without cows? Now you know why the BJP is so bullish about Tamil Nadu?” asks a senior BJP leader.
Between the lines
After branding the FTII protests as anti-national and the IITs as hubs of anti-Hindu activities, next in line for Hindu right-wing organisations is the inimitable Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib. One such organisation, which wants Ghalib struck off the syllabuses, is said to have approached HRD minister Prakash Javadekar. The minister, though, politely declined and directed the traffic towards the PMO. This has become a favourite tactic of many ministers in matters on which they don’t want to say no, but don’t want to move forward either. One can safely assume, then, that Ghalib won’t be purged anytime soon.
Overheard The finance ministry is scanning the list of IAS officers, looking for candidates with degrees from reputed business schools for top posts in India’s public financial institutions.
