Monday, August 29, 2011

The Tribune-Chatterati-29th-August-2011

"Grand couple, grander celebrations"

The Second Sin', the posh new avatar of the barely laminated 'Manre', was the venue for the first wedding anniversary celebrations of Sunanda and Shashi Tharoor. One of the city's most social couples had put together a very varied guest list that ranged from Sunanda's army childhood classmates to Tharoor's companions.

Guests were entertained in style presided over by 'Second Sin' owner and Rajya Sabha member K.D.Singh. But the highlights of the evening were the two presentation ceremonies--a painter who had done a large portrait of the much-in-love middle-aged couple and a printer who had dedicated a calendar with pictures of the couple adorning its pages.

The Anna Hazare tumult and the relatively faraway Saket location meant that many of Delhi's spoilt citizens who rarely travel outside their comfort zone of Central Delhi were missing in action.

But cheerful friends made up for the absence of the politicians and Shashi's colleagues, the members of Parliament. Giving an Anna touch to the evening were Kabir Bedi and his effervescent daughter Pooja Bedi flushed with stories of their speech from Anna's podium earlier in the day. Then there was a crooner who sang old film numbers praising the lovebirds Sunanda and Shashi. Though the crowd was thin, the spirits were high and the food was good.
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"Cong misses Sonia"

In and out of Parliament chaos is supreme. The public is angry and so sorry that the taxpayer's money is going waste. As two spokespersons Jayanti Natrajan and Ashwani Kumar are now cabinet members, the Congress has two new spokespersons Renuka Choudhary and Rashid Alva. But sadly no Congress spokespersons are a match to the Anna team. Public temper is at the highest at the arrogance of the Congress troubleshooters. The Congress has constituted a team which is called G-7, informally of which seven ministers are members. They make the strategy to tackle media regularly.

This was constituted after the Anna Hazare fiasco in May where the government fumbled and appeared confused and weak to handle the issue. This committee has experienced and smooth talkers like Ghulam Nabi Azad and this is the first time an Indian government has institutionalized media management in this manner, where a group of ministers discuss and then in a united way handle media.

Chidambaram and Ambika Soni, members of G-7, are always prepared to take on the hungry media even though team Anna's anger towards the home minister is at its highest peak. But the minister's presence adds credibility and substance to the tackling of questions on all issues, including political.

The media-management structure was put together at the core committee of the Congress where the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi were present. Articulate lawyers but not politically savvy are the ones who are being blamed for the mess even though savvy politicians hardly talk.

Pawan Bansal brings to the table the views of other parties while the seasoned Ambika Soni sends out important headlines to the team in the morning. Then these ministers are given an update when they meet. This is how now the troubled government gets its views across. Of course now every hour there is something new that erupts and has to be tackled. As the media now plays the role of the opposition, they have to be careful all the time. But none of their assurances can get the emotionally charged public to be quiet now. There is a joke doing the rounds that when the lady of the house is away, the house is in disarray. With Sonia away, the Congress is in a state of complete confusion. The Congress is surely missing Sonia Gandhi and how?

Pioneer-DilliBilli-28th.Aug.2011-"HAZARE MAKES GOVT BITE DUST"

"Hazare makes Govt bite dust"

There has not been a single instance where the UPA has been able to break Hazare or his team or find a solution

It is an absolute disaster how the Congress has gone about handling the Anna Hazare situation. It has left almost everybody shocked and bewildered. Every step that the party has taken has been outwitted by Hazare’s team. His team has used Hazare’s image to the hilt and proved that they are much smarter than the Government. Attacking Hazare, his team and his people only helped his case and showed how the Government has been misinformed about the public sentiments and emotions.

Why was Hazare arrested, sent to Tihar jail and then released at 7:30 pm? Why could he have not been put under house arrest? Who were the people behind this Government’s strategy? Why did the Prime Minister not come out in the open and speak on the issue? The seasoned Congress politicians who had isolated themselves from the Hazare issue were asked to step in and settle things amicably. The strategists have not tried to shield the Prime Minister, instead they have been successful in destroying the Prime Minister’s image. In the beginning, at least one thought, that whatever corruption was surfacing in the UPA Government, the Prime Minister was above it all and he did want to punish the guilty. But now he has virtually turned a blind eye towards the demand of the people. If a dialogue had been initiated, the Congress’ image would not have taken the beaten it has received.

Corruption is not new in our country but the scale at which it has risen is shocking. One has to bribe everyone for everything. The Prime Minister has legal minds assisting him on political decisions. Hazare on the other hand has people who are obviously a lot smarter. There is no doubt that the Government is without a direction or focus. They tried everything in their power to break Hazare and his team and failed. Hazare’s strength lies in the huge support he got globally. There are some members of the Union Cabinet who may not ever win an election because of the negative image they have got from this mess. If Sonia Gandhi was in the country the situation would have been handled in a more dignified manner.

And what is stranger is how the Government is blaming the Press for the situation? Can the Government not see the frustration of the people? The Government may be entering the phase of policy paralysis and it has to do damage control if Rahul Gandhi has to head the party in the near future. But one thing is clear — Hazare and the aam admi has crippled the UPA Government. The public is sure that the Nehru-Gandhi parivaar is against personal attacks and is waiting for them to find a solution. The Prime Minister must realise that by keeping quiet he has not only destroyed his image but also the image of the Congress. He and his advisors should at least protect that.

There is a joke doing the rounds these days. When the lady of the house is away, the house is in a disarray. The Congress is in a state of confusion with Sonia Gandhi away.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

The Tribune-Chatterati-28th-August-2011

"Grand couple, grander celebrations"

The Second Sin', the posh new avatar of the barely laminated 'Manre', was the venue for the first wedding anniversary celebrations of Sunanda and Shashi Tharoor. One of the city's most social couples had put together a very varied guest list that ranged from Sunanda's army childhood classmates to Tharoor's companions.

Guests were entertained in style presided over by 'Second Sin' owner and Rajya Sabha member K.D.Singh. But the highlights of the evening were the two presentation ceremonies--a painter who had done a large portrait of the much-in-love middle-aged couple and a printer who had dedicated a calendar with pictures of the couple adorning its pages.

The Anna Hazare tumult and the relatively faraway Saket location meant that many of Delhi's spoilt citizens who rarely travel outside their comfort zone of Central Delhi were missing in action.

But cheerful friends made up for the absence of the politicians and Shashi's colleagues, the members of Parliament. Giving an Anna touch to the evening were Kabir Bedi and his effervescent daughter Pooja Bedi flushed with stories of their speech from Anna's podium earlier in the day. Then there was a crooner who sang old film numbers praising the lovebirds Sunanda and Shashi. Though the crowd was thin, the spirits were high and the food was good.
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"Cong misses Sonia"

In and out of Parliament chaos is supreme. The public is angry and so sorry that the taxpayer's money is going waste. As two spokespersons Jayanti Natrajan and Ashwani Kumar are now cabinet members, the Congress has two new spokespersons Renuka Choudhary and Rashid Alva. But sadly no Congress spokespersons are a match to the Anna team. Public temper is at the highest at the arrogance of the Congress troubleshooters. The Congress has constituted a team which is called G-7, informally of which seven ministers are members. They make the strategy to tackle media regularly.

This was constituted after the Anna Hazare fiasco in May where the government fumbled and appeared confused and weak to handle the issue. This committee has experienced and smooth talkers like Ghulam Nabi Azad and this is the first time an Indian government has institutionalized media management in this manner, where a group of ministers discuss and then in a united way handle media.

Chidambaram and Ambika Soni, members of G-7, are always prepared to take on the hungry media even though team Anna's anger towards the home minister is at its highest peak. But the minister's presence adds credibility and substance to the tackling of questions on all issues, including political.

The media-management structure was put together at the core committee of the Congress where the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi were present. Articulate lawyers but not politically savvy are the ones who are being blamed for the mess even though savvy politicians hardly talk.

Pawan Bansal brings to the table the views of other parties while the seasoned Ambika Soni sends out important headlines to the team in the morning. Then these ministers are given an update when they meet. This is how now the troubled government gets its views across. Of course now every hour there is something new that erupts and has to be tackled. As the media now plays the role of the opposition, they have to be careful all the time. But none of their assurances can get the emotionally charged public to be quiet now. There is a joke doing the rounds that when the lady of the house is away, the house is in disarray. With Sonia away, the Congress is in a state of complete confusion. The Congress is surely missing Sonia Gandhi and how?

Monday, August 22, 2011

Pioneer-DilliBilli-23rd.Aug.2011-"INDIA MAKES A MARK FOR ITSELF"

"India makes a mark for itself"

Today, our country has the best to offer to the world — whether it is in the form of goods, talent or creativity

It is a well-known fact that Indian fashion and designers are now in-tune with international market because of the exposure from the west. This has ensured that we are very much at home with our dress sense even when we are travelling abroad. Today, wherever we go, we are looked upon with great respect.

There was a time when we used to return from a foreign trip with bags full of soaps, shampoos, chocolates, biscuits and other knick-knacks. We used to pay for extra baggage and ladies used to stuff their handbags with cosmetics and creams. There was a limit on how much foreign exchange one could carry. So most people ended up borrowing from friends and relatives abroad.

Making several trips to Gaffar market to buy things like coke and imported sweets with friends was common. Things have changes and for the better. As our economy has opened up, everything is now easily available in the market. One need not go abroad for shopping now. People travel to a foreign country for a holiday, to know about different cultures, to understand how their Government works and study their policies. We have realised one important thing — if we are not a step better, we are as good as they are. The Internet and other social network sites have ensured that we are aware of what is happening all over the world. With more and more people getting education, the level of awareness is also on the rise.

Travelling from France to Italy to Scotland to the UK, one thing stands out — foreigners are curious about our heritage, culture and how a nation of over a billion-plus population with different ideologies and beliefs live together in harmony. They do want to come to our country and learn from our rich heritage. Homeopathy, Aryurveda and Yoga are very popular with the average westerner.

On a recent trip abroad, I met a 23-year-old Argentinian who practices yoga with her 80-year old-grandmother. They do asanas and meditation. Her family had never travelled out of Argentina. She was the first to travel to London so that she could learn English. I felt proud when I saw her taking Homeopathy medicine for her acne. Our tandoori chicken and idlis are available as health food in up-market stores. Kurtas modified as shirts worn over jeans with Kolhapuri chappals is a fashion statement in many places in the west. Even our nose pin is popular.

One feels proud as one walks into stores like Harrods or a designer store in Paris and see India designs and clothes on display. The quality is brilliant and as good if not better than the brands that are available there. The creativity, talent and material that is now there in the market, I can proudly say that we are at par with the finest in the world.

When you spot Indians on the streets, they are confident, well-dressed and are brilliant at whatever they undertake — job or business. A new India is making it’s mark across the globe.

The Tribune-Chatterati-22nd-August-2011

"Annacalypse: It’s less of politics, more of raw people power"


It’s not so much about members as it is about sensing the public mood. It's not so much about details and clauses as it is about democracy and free speech. The Ramlila Maidan, carefully prepared for Anna's fast, is only the staging ground for a movement that has travelled well beyond Delhi. And that is what has made Raisina Hill feel nervous as hell. Every capitulation by the government, indeed even every conversation is magnified into a retreat.

Twenty-four by seven media coverage has extracted and magnified every fault line of this new battlefield that is the redone, repaved Ramlila grounds. While team Anna has skillfully expanded its narrow Lok Pal platform to the wider anti-corruption one, the government's silly actions have unwittingly allowed it go this further.

Today the septuagenarian on fast has also become a symbol of democracy--not something that he had marched out of his village in rural Maharashtra to achieve. Indeed bringing a government to its knees in this manner has made him a folk hero. It's less about politics and more about raw people power.

Comparisons with the Mahatma may be unfair, but Anna has ensured that the simple old man now has a brand image much bigger than anything seen in the recent times. Even as the doctors monitor his health, it's Anna's confidence, clarity and courage that inspire people like the dabbawalas in Mumbai to go on their first strike in 120 years. Being a seasoned activist and agitator, Anna moves in a methodical manner. His pre-fast check up at 'Medanta', a hospital in Gurgaon, ensured that he would have a baseline record of not just vital functions but also bodily marks to preempt possible roughing up by the police.

A free fully equipped ambulance is also parked by 'Medanta' for any emergency. After all Anna has an IRS officer Kejriwal, a police officer Kiran Bedi, a law minister and a lawyer in the Bhushans', all retired but today devoted full-time to managing the Anna movement. Crowds at the Ramlila Maidan are not the only things that the government will be watching nervously. It's the spread and depth of the people's movement and the feeling elsewhere, that they worry about today. Rattled Congress spokesperson and ranting ministers haven't helped Manmohan's image.

A government beleaguered by rampant corruption, inflation, policy paralysis and terrorism has turned an ego battle into a very public headache.
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"Unfair male attention"

To get male attention in India has never been a problem. Lecherous looks and being teased on the roads of Delhi or anywhere is the done thing. It is usually said by cops also that if you do not want to be teased or glared at, you should not be dressed as 'sluts'. Sexual crimes they say are usually provoked by women who dress inappropriately. It was a Canadian police officer who started to use the word 'slut'. This is what outraged the women who marched in London and Latin America dressed in tiny clothes. This was a message that however women may dress in bikini or sari, they do not or should not get lecherous looks.

Delhi being the "rape" capital and also in a recent survey was the world's fourth most dangerous place for women. This was perhaps the right place for this walk. It was nicknamed as 'Besharmi Morcha' and even in this humid weather last week, women in full force protested against undue attention bestowed upon them by men. The message that was loud and clear behind this 'slut walk' was whether it is simple dressing or provocative dressing, women deserve security and no harassment.

The modern women of Delhi who marched though were dressed in everyday decent clothes. It was a good turnout as women in this country are moving out of their homes and working at BPOs, clubs and doing night shifts. They do have to fight the shameful behaviour of the hungry frustrated men.

It is a good start or maybe a message for men to be more careful next time and control their wandering hands, lecherous looks and degrading comments on women.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Pioneer-DILLI BILLI-14th.August.11"IT IS ALL ABOUT CLEAN IMAGE"

"IT IS ALL ABOUT CLEAN IMAGE"

Corruption is a major issue for the youth today. Any leader who is not true to the voter will be rejected

With the Assembly elections approaching in some States — Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh — the political parties are gearing up for it. The election in Uttar Pradesh, to be held next year, is the main focus for the Congress. The election has become a prestige issue for the party as Rahul Gandhi has been working and campaigning hard in the State. Numerous surveys have been done by his team. Party workers and office bearers have been called in from different States and given instructions.

But it is not just the Congress that is busy. The Chief Minister of UP, Mayawati, has already got her candidates in place. In fact, she is the only one who is totally prepared. The Samajwadi Party and and other small parties have their agenda in place — they will side with the party that hands them a better deal. The BJP, too, is trying to get its act in order.

In Himachal Pradesh, the general secretary in-charge has risen above factional fighting and has set up a team of experienced and capable members who will deliver.

In Punjab, the president of the State Congress party, Amarinder Singh has started campaigning in the State. Amarinder Singh and Virbhadra Singh are sure to be main players in their respective States.

Hopefully their experience and knowledge will be used effectively by the Congress High Command.

Elections in any State can only be won if it is headed by a popular leader. Therefore, it is very important that there is a strong team. Personal relationships have no role to play under such situations. It is a well-known fact that inefficiency and non-deliverance will be punished by the public. With 65 per cent voters as youth, they expect the politicians to deliver what has been promised. For them corruption is a big issue and a candidate who doesn’t have a clean image will be rejected outright.

Coming back to the Congress and the attention and the amount of work the party is doing in Uttar Pradesh, is justified. The State has hardly seen any infrastructural development. It is time that the Congress puts its act together and win. It is time that the party starts paying attention to grassroot workers instead of people who are sitting in Delhi who visit the State once in a while. With a good team and co-ordination the task for the party will become easier. If the general secretary in-charge of Himachal Pradesh can do it, the party can apply the same formula in UP.

However, one thing has to be kept in mind, whether it is the Congress or the BJP, winning an election today means that all the people in the party should keep their egos at home and personal likes and dislikes away while choosing the candidates and constituting various committees. They need to understand that they need to be true to their voters. Winning the people’s approval should be the focus.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

The Tribune-Chatterati-8TH-August-2011

"Rendezvous with fashionmongers"

Fashion and glamour go hand in hand and if it is Delhi where the fashion shows are held, then trying to rope in the powerful political clan is the real show of strength. But unfortunately the politicians kept to themselves this time. Of course, the usual suspects of the Delhi fashion scene who are now more or less the "has beens" were present in full force. Surprisingly from Bollywood except for Sanjay Khan's parivaar, there were no big names present.
There were Raveena Tandon, Fardeen Khan and the proud parents of Sonakshi Sinha, actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha and his wife. Sunanda Pushkar Tharoor was present at most fashion shows minus husband, stating that these designers are good friends. It's amazing but how this couple Shashi Tharoor and Sunanda are present everywhere.
A real sore sight was spotting the former cricketer Atul Wassan with a black eye. Unfortunately, Atul was a victim of some unruly road rage where some security people of a Haryana minister had bashed him up for overtaking their cars. It was an ugly sight and uglier story that Atul had to narrate to us of his firsthand experience with arrogance of some of the politicians of the Jat land. It's uncalled-for.
But on the whole our designers are now top quality in every sense of it.
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"Where women rule the roost"

The states where women rule are always very interesting to observe. In Amma's state, one observed that it is only former film star Jayalalithaa who is allowed to wear coloured clothes as a politician. This is very noticeable when at any time you watch Jayalalithaa and her ministers standing together. It is a total contrast and a bit like the cricket team when you see the referee in one colour of clothes and the rest of the team in uniform. Jayalalithaa's ministers too, whether it is a formal or informal occasion, are always dressed in a dress code of white or is it surrender? Jayalalithaa is in a position today to have her way and is safe as most of the opposition former ministers and legislatures are being arrested either for grabbing land when their party was in power or for all different corruption charges.
The biggest state in the country Uttar Pradesh meanwhile is gearing up for the elections soon. While political parties are up in arms against one another, it is oddly the women Teen Deviya who are the face of their parties in Uttar Pradesh. The fifty-five-year-old Chief Minister Mayawati, who is ruthless and full of aggression and is not known to have many friends in public or personal life, is the boss. The new entry into Uttar Pradesh politics is Uma Bharti. This fifty-one-year-old has been hijacked from Madhya Pradesh by the BJP to lead the next Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. She is known for her temper and is aggressive. Even though she is a 'sanyasin', she enjoys her food and good music. On the other hand, Mayawati is not into food and hates spicy stuff.
The Congress has chosen the daughter of their former Chief Minister H.N.Bahuguna to revive the party fortunes in the state. The sixty-one-year-old Rita Bahuguna Joshi is a good fighter and fulfills her duties side by side to being a good housewife too. Loves her classy silk and cotton saris and enjoys her non-vegetarian meal too.
These three women, I don't think, have ever even enjoyed a cup of coffee together or interacted with each other, but now they have been put by their parties to fight the coming UPelections.


Pioneer-DILLI BILLI-7th.August.11 "UNDIPLOMATIC DRESSING"

"UNDIPLOMATIC DRESSING"


Was there need for Pak’s new Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to look like a design studio herself?

With geo-politics changes taking place at a fast pace, India was not very sure about how to handle Pakistan’s new, 34-year-old, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. The youth today is caught up in their work and life and may not appear to be patriotic as the older generation. Therefore, at times, the younger generation’s attitude is not always taken in the right spirit. I would not call myself orthodox and have had enough exposure to the outside world but even I am at a loss on how to sum up Khar.

But if I were a conservative person, I would have preferred to see a young bright US educated woman alight from Pakistani plane dressed in a more diplomatic manner. It is may seem a bit hypocritical, but Khar represents her country. She is a leader. To be dressed in a chic and smart way is an entirely different matter than looking like a person who is a walking talking designer mouthpiece.

India has played host to a number of international leaders and personalities. From John F Kennedy to President Barack Obama to Hillary Clinton to Sarah Palin — all of them have had admirers in India. With an impeccable sense of dressing, they didn’t have to carry handbags that shouted that it was a designer nor did they have to wear shades that were too large and loud for their faces.

We, in India, also have young MPs. Most of them come from old, elite and wealthy political families. But the ingrained diplomacy in our leaders ensures that we dress right. Who could be more charming and pretty than Priyanka Gandhi. Yet one sees her dressed in simple cotton salwar-kurtas. Once in a while one does see her in a sari — also cotton. Our women leaders like, Late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, young Ministers like Preneet Kaur and Selja Kumari don’t need to carry a Birkin bag (rumored to be worth rs17 lakh). These are women of substance who are confident and are very careful not to flaunt their wealth in full public view — their votebank barely manages to eat two meals a day. To carry a bag worth rs17 lakh would not be in good taste.

As a leader, that too in the sub-continent, one doesn’t have to carry a designer bag in order to get attention. The media can’t be blamed for labeling a leader as a ‘fashion icon’ rather than be called an intelligent mantri. This, of course, doesn’t mean that Khar is not intelligent. But she should not have huffed so much when Indian media talked of nothing but her choice of accessories. Our media is not used to dignitaries visiting from neighbouring countries talk of friendship where most people live below the poverty line supporting an expensive bag. Maybe next time she visits we would have got used to the designer clad dignitary and the focus will be on real issues.

I am not an ageist. In fact, I am in awe of the younger generation and the exposure they have. It’s not about hypocrisy or hiding who you are, it is about knowing what works where.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Pioneer-DILLI BILLI-31st.July.11 "UPWARDLY MOBILE INDIA"

"Upwardly mobile India"

Indians are strutting the streets of London, exploding from restaurants and shopping as never before

Holidays are over and schoolchildren are back in class. But, just a month or two back, some of them (those who could afford it) headed for Europe, especially the UK. In fact, there are more Indians roaming the Oxford Street than the British. From the rich, to the who is who, to politicians with their sidekicks, to bureaucrats who manage an official trip, including a daily allowance — all can be spotted walking the streets of London.

Despite the fact that the country is going through a plethora of crises, no one seems to be bothered. It is as if the charges of corruption, the CBI inquiries and the Government machinery coming to a halt has become routine. So, why spoil a foreign trip with the family?

It is amazing to see that most shoppers in London are either Indians, Chinese or Japanese. They are the ones who now boost the economy of Europe and the US.

Though the quality of service in England has gone down a few notches — blame it on the migrants who have recently come in from new EU member States with language problems — it is definitely not affecting middle class India visiting the country.

Restaurants are buzzing with Indian families trying out new cuisines. With elderly women dressed in Marks & Spencer jeans and tops, it looks that it is not just the food that they are experimenting with. Of course, the children are head to foot in designer labels and carry the latest cellphones.

What is even more surprising is what I saw during my visit to Edinburgh Castle which is built on a volcanic hill. There were busloads of Indians visiting the spot. Every restaurant in Edinburgh had more Asians than the Europeans. This shows how much our economy has impacted the middle class which can now take family holidays abroad, an experience that was, a decade back, limited to only privileged people.

And it is not just Indians who are reaping the benefits of the position India has recently acquired. Indians settled abroad have also found a new confidence due to the rise of India’s global positioning. It is very encouraging when you hear foreigners approving of the fact that at least the country has started to take action against high-profile people involved in scams.

Our Judiciary has made sure that all the corrupt are dealt with sternly. It is another matter that, with time, the cases might become weak and most people would have forgotten about it, like Suresh Kalmadi who now insists he does not have dementia.

We may have our problems but one thing is certain — today, every Indian can hold his head high while travelling abroad. Our economy boost has given us a sense of supreme confidence. We know that we belong to a nation which has a bright future, even though there are many hurdles we are yet to cross.

The Tribune-Chatterati-1st-August-2011

"Visiting first ladies make their mark"

We are getting used to the visiting attractive first ladies Michelle Obama, Sarah Brown and then the Carla Bruni of France who all came looking chic and are sharp too. Michelle was a big hit here. More than their husbands, they were the ones who stole the limelight and got great reviews. But last week, it was the Pakistan's first-ever woman Foreign Minister who stole the limelight in Delhi.
The 34-year-old Hina Rabbani Khar made a fashion statement as soon as she alighted from the plane. Fashionable, expensive, perfect to the point she was dressed in blue colour of the season with Jackie Kennedy-type oversized sunglasses, oversized Hermes Birkin bag costing Rs 7 lakh and to lend the glamour, she added the tasteful pearl jewellery. Young, smiling yet a little conscious dressed in straight pants and not the traditional salwar with a long kurta. Obviously, a lover of international brands. Everything was in place. But as someone commented, "A nation which is going through such troubled times politically and economically should their representative be attired so expensively? Or should they be dressed like our lady politicians Sonia Gandhi or our young lady MPs, tastefully yet simple and affordable to all."
Hina may not have made her first right move politically as she had met with the separatists before she met with the Indian Foreign Minister. What she delivers is yet to be seen but what we saw was a pleasant figure whose every move the world would be watching. This is a fresh new face of today's generation, belonging to an elite family of Pakistan with traces of political blood. A business woman who is comfortable in jeans as in a kurta and is as confident in the polo ground as is head of the foreign ministry. Is this the new generation in Pakistan? Educated, exposed to the western world and a new mindset. Zardari's son Bilawal Zardari Bhutto is set to run for elections next time. Is this his new team in the making?
Hina visited the Nizamuddin Dargah and then the Ajmer Dargah. She met old family friends at the Dargah as she had no time to go to their house. She would have loved to go shopping but as she said 'next time'. Our External Affairs Minister will surely look forward to that.
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"The world of haute couture"

The fashion week known as "Delhi Couture Week" was much more successful this year. Of course, there were some catfights and some blame game of copycats. Otherwise it was fine. Delhiites witnessed a whole lot of Mumbai celebrities walking on the ramp and in the front rows. It seems to be some kind of a new motive to add the touch of 'has been' celebrities just for the extra media attention. The designer whose show they attend seems special. Wonder why?
Must say that our desi designers have learnt the skills of top class embroidery. The touch of modern and tradition really made this fashion show a success. And our Indian models walked the ramp with confidence and such elegance.
The last and the best show as usual was of the designer with the dramatic touch and his each garment was an objet d'art.
Rohit Bal's collection was called 'Shanti'. There were volumes of fabric upon fabric in its purest form. The fragrance of 300 kgs of jasmine flowers which the designer used right from the branches which were set around the ramp and also around the seats of the spectators. It was an amazing sheet of white flowers. An old friend, the dapper Arjun Rampal was the show-stopper at Rohit Bal's show. For the first time this show gave us a feeling that couture was alive in India. It may be a French word but as Indians love fine things, customizing still exists at all the economic levels. It has been India's longstanding tradition.
JJ Valaya's workmanship is something one cannot find fault with. The cultured saris with experimental twists of Gaurav Gupta and with his technical skills to draping and pleating of his materials. One is proud of all these talented designers. The glamorous Sonam Kapoor who really knows 'fashion' opened the show for Bollywood's Manish Malhotra and outshone all other Bollywood stars who walked the ramp for their designers.