"Grand, but private alliance"
Many of Delhi's honchos were a little disappointed that they were not included in the biggest of the South Indian matrimonial event in recent times. The coming together of the Infosys chairman's son with the daughter of Venu Srinivasan of TVS was a grand alliance, but totally private. From Delhi the only big names were L.K.Advani, Anand Sharma, Kamal Nath, Chidambaram and Jayanti Natrajan.
The absence of Jayalalithaa and the DMK supremo Karunanidhi were clear signs that both the well-respected business families did not want any high-voltage distractions in an intensely family moment. Of course, the grand reception that followed was going to be a more public affair.
Business, of course, was better represented than politics. Business associates like Nandan Nilekani, Captain Gopi Nath and Adi Godrej and the Reddys were present.
To complete the family feel, the wedding itself was held at the bride's mother's ancestral home.
The bride's mother belongs to the well-known Amalagations group, which is in the same ranks as the TVS group, where the father Venu Srinivasan is a head honcho.
As for Infosys, though Narayana Murthy has stepped down from his official roles, his ownership and imprint on the country's largest Infotech giant is unmistakable.
The bridegroom dressed in his sherwani was able to tie the Mangalsutra to the Vedic chants from a hundred priests from Tirupati. The guests who attended the wedding were gifted scented candles from London as presents.
All the decorations were done with orchids, lilies and carnations.
The card clearly stated that no presents will be accepted and instead contributions be made to the Akshaya Patra Foundation, a charitable organization that provides children in public schools with lunch.
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"Time to deliver"
As rumours of the central cabinet reshuffle get ripe, a lot of things seem to have gone wrong. Hopeful MPs are busy making their rounds. Some ministers may be dropped. It is a known fact that Rahul and Sonia are trying to get the youth in.
Murli Deora who is ill may be out while his son Milind will be adjusted.
The question is: are the youngsters showing any results? Well, their real test will only come once they have to sit in opposition. Governors are sure to change.
So, hectic lobbying is going on there also. Bhardwaj from Karnataka wants to come to the Union cabinet, but they say he may shift to Rajasthan as Governor. Margaret Alva may go to Chennai from Nainital.
It is a known fact that a cabinet when formed has to have representation from area, caste and seniority.
It is high time the Prime Minister formed a cabinet of people who deliver. If you have a look into the UPA-I and compare it with UPA-II, a lot of people who have substance are out while some of the ones who are in the cabinet or in powerful places are just sitting there with all the facilities.
On the whole, UPA-II is in a worrying position over many issues. Some hurried immature decision have given the opposition a new life and the Congress sleepless nights.
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"Fun for some at fast"
Satyagrah was a serious thing for the government and the yoga guru Ramdev. But for lots of Delhiites and the other people who had free time went to Ramlila Maidan for a good time. It had enough entertainment with Bhojpuri singers on stage and lots of sants and Jain gurus.
It was just fun time for many as they sipped lemonade, learnt a few yogasanas, children made merry and the poor got to sit in AC pandals. Some even slept there in comfort. While the Baba came in style from the airport, received by senior Union ministers.
In the end, the Baba was made a hero and pushed out of the Capital. But it is sad that whoever wants a look into corruption or black money, they are flooded with cases by income tax and enforcement. The government is thus losing respect in the eyes of the common man.
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