Venkaiah’s quick wit
Governor Vajubhai R. Vala was touching upon the challenges that agriculture faces in India, by describing how rural youths have been leaving farming and their villages behind and going to cities in search of jobs. Also, men who stay back in villages are unable to find brides. “It’s a social problem. Tribal girls are refusing proposals from smart rural boys.” They would rather marry a man who lives in a city, however small his dwelling, income or job.
At that point, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu — who was at the same venue and who is known for his quick wit — said he too was in that category. After all, he had migrated from rural development to urban development in the Modi government. The audience that was hearing about a grim social trend burst into laughter.
Word of advice to all
It looks like the Modi government is borrowing words from Mahatma Gandhi’s books to coin new words. Union Minister Ananth Kumar referred to Gandhiji’s satyagraha strategy to freedom and said the Modi government has launched a “swacchagraha” to clean up India. Mr. Kumar also said: “We have launched a ‘sasyagraha’ in Bengaluru by planting more than a lakh saplings.”
Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, who spoke at the same venue, however, went beyond sasyagraha and said merely planting saplings was not enough. They have to be protected. Also, the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister or a civic body alone cannot ensure a clean and green city. “You can’t expect the councillor to remove cow dung that is in front of your house,” he said, urging everyone to develop a sense of responsibility to clean surroundings.
Singh’s game plan
Will he seek re-election on BJP’s ticket? Or will he contest as an independent?
B.S. Anand Singh ( in picture ), Vijayanagar MLA, is holding his cards close to his chest about the next political move. Whichever option he may press, he is busy keeping his voter base intact with novel means — well ahead of the elections.
Mr. Singh entered politics in 2008 as a philanthropist. Before the plunge, he had donated money for treatment of cardiac patients besides distributing saris and notebooks to the needy on his and his mother’s birthdays.
This time, he launched ‘vastavya’ or overnight stay in villages of his constituency; held lucky draws for autorickshaw drivers and put posters on their vehicles; and gave out new calendars with his photographs on each page. Mr. Singh, who owns iron ore mines, was jailed a few years back for his alleged involvement in large scale illegal mining. The mining lease has been cancelled and a CBI case against him is pending.
Nagesh Prabhu
M. Ahiraj
