Sense and consensus
Sukh Ram was sworn in as number two in the BJP ministry at Shimla, probably at the same time when the BJP-led coalition at New Delhi gave final touches to the President's address before the joint session of Parliament. The key sentence use by the President was that good governance was possible only in a climate of morality and ethics. Apparently, the BJP stretches the meaning of morality to suit its convenience and timing.
It's foreign policy without research
Since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru, no External Affairs Minister has consciously devoted any time to developing a strong, vibrant and diversified research base for inputs on foreign policy and strategic studies. There has always been a propensity for EAMs to look towards South Block mandarins for policy assistance and information. Such a policy, at the time when Nehru was at the helm of affairs, appeared adequate.
Small is beautiful
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has reiterated his government's decision to constitute three separate states -- Uttaranchal, Vananchal and Chhattisgarh. He has argued that there is no need for a states' reorganisation commission as the Assemblies of the three states from which they will be carved out have passed the necessary resolutions.
Naidu's choice
It cannot be said that Chandrababu Naidu's choice has been a non-choice. His talk of the Telugu Desam Party's post-election resolve to remain "neutral" between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress was a transparent, and so ineffective, political ruse and his "equidistance" between the two national players for power at the Centre was clearly a euphemism for a new entente with the BJP.
The lady and the monk
Kotmale Sri Sumedha can now use the prefix "Venerable" to her name. Earlier this month, the 48-year-old Sumedha became one of the first women in Sri Lanka to be ordained as a Buddhist priest, the first time in nearly 1,000 years. Wearing a monk's orange robes and her head shaven, Sumedha will train 3,000 other women to follow in her footsteps.
Singing to the same tune
There is heartening news from the US: four Senators have brought out a CD of country, Western and gospel songs. The general elections offered an excellent opportunity to our own politicians to do the nation a similar favour. Not a single candidate took advantage of the window of opportunity.
