The now ubiquitous mobile phone, one would think, has played its part as a status symbol and is ready to be acknowledged for what it was meant to be: a handy tool for people on the move. But for some, it's still a toy to be flaunted. And for others, a not-so-convenient gizmo.

Minister of State for Rural Development Tukaram Dighole discovered this the other day when his mobile phone buzzed away during his speech at a meeting of the Nashik Industrial Manufacturers' Association.

In keeping with tradition, the minister had naturally reached the venue an hour behind schedule. Until then, local industrialists occupied themselves with their `mobiles', some even chatting away on the dais.

Dighole finally arrived and had just begun his speech when his phone came alive. A helpful soul on the dias picked it up and fiddled with it, meaning to relay the message that the minister was busy. His effort, however, instead of being appreciated, prompted titters from the audience with theresult that he sheepishly gave up. Dighole then left the microphone, picked up the phone, muttered into it and returned to the mike, this time taking the instrument along.

The phone however was undeterred and rang again, interrupting his speech a second time. At which, Dighole asked the caller to call up after ten minutes, probably hoping that was the end of it. But the diligent caller called back, exactly ten minutes later. An exasperated Dighole had no choice but to hear him out. Talk about the rigours of modern living!

A Question Of Credibility

Last week, the Nashik court was hearing a rape case in which the complainant had accused four persons of gang rape. However, shocked lawyers discovered during the examination that the plaintiff had consumed liquor.

The matter was brought to the notice of the judge who summoned a woman constable and ordered a medical checkup of the woman. The woman tested positive during the medical examination at the Civil Hospital. The court was adjourned tillNovember 7 for the next hearing.

Jubilant defence counsels could hardly believe their luck. The plaintiff meanwhile lost her credibility and to add to her discomfiture, an offence was registered against her by the Sarkarwada police station.

Gold Rush On The Godavari

The Godavari river was in spate after the recent downpour, sweeping away stalls, tents and what-have-you in its wake. But the receding waters also left behind debris along its banks.

The shoreline then became a beehive of activity with people descending on the river to rummage through the debris... looking for pieces of gold! Godavari is major river and religious rituals are performed along its banks. It is also one of the four Kumba Mela sites in the country. And among the flowers and other offerings made to the river, is cash. And gold.

Some families of nomads however were oblivious to the goings-on in their ravaged neighbourhood. While the scavengers continue to sift through the debris, these families got down to the job ofrebuilding their dwellings. For some, shelter is obviously as valuable as gold, if not more.

A 'Memorable' Day

The day of the general body meeting of the Nashik Municipal Corporation was a `memo'rable day for Mayor Ashok Dive, who went around issuing memos to erring employees.

When the meeting began, he found that there were ``too many peons'' moving about in the House. He immediately ordered the departmental head to issue memos to the concerned staff. He was further chagrined to see ``too many security guards'' exchanging notes with corporators and generally ``disturbing the proceedings''. More memos, this time for the hapless guards.

But there was more to come. When the meeting concluded and the House rose for the national anthem -- which is usually played on a tape recorder -- there was a prolonged silence. After waiting uncomfortably for the tape recorder to start, the House proceeded to chorus its way through the national anthem. As soon as it ended, the Mayor got going again, instructingthe electricity department head to issue a memo to the concerned ``erring employee'' who was supposed to play the tape of the national anthem!