There is no end to belief when it comes to superstition. The Haryana government on Wednesday had sent word across that no black things would be allowed at the venue where Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), was to address a rally after launching the ambitious mother and child health care scheme.
This became known when two police women asked this reporter to leave her black handbag behind as it would not be allowed inside. Presuming, it was for security reasons, the reporter tried to reason out with them saying that she had been frisked and the bag, thoroughly searched. There appeared to be no logic for not allowing the bag.
The reporter was politely told they were doing their job and had been instructed not to allow black things inside. "You would know madam, black is not an auspicious colour and we have been told not to allow any inauspicious thing inside the venue, even if meant clothes."
Left virtually speechless, the reporter made it clear she did not accept the logic and if there was a violation of rules, they could always approach her for help.
Ms. Gandhi was at Mewat to inaugurate the Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakram and Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Scheme phase – 1. She was accompanied by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Trivedi; Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja.
