Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

Between You & Me

IN A season of privatisation, the Postal Department has made a foray into a new niche. The AP Circle has taken a generic view of its functions and undertaken to deliver even food items. The beginning has been made with the topical dish - `Haleem.' You order it from a reputed company and next day it can be collected by you from designated post offices. It is not yet home-delivered. And they are making money on the deal. My friend, Sudhakar, the Director of Postal Services, tells me that they thought of it to ensure better `asset utilisation.' Their vast network reaches the nooks and corners of the country. They are, therefore, best equipped to deliver anywhere. They have received an inquiry from Malaysia about their `Haleem' project. Nearer home, the department has offered to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams to carry their laddus to any place. It is a lucrative proposition for both. The TTD, however, is reluctant. The devotees who cannot make it to the Lord of the Seven Hills can at least have prasadam sitting at home. The TTD is already overstretched and it can't accommodate pilgrims for darshan. It should, therefore, welcome the symbiotic arrangements. The department is refining the scheme, and hopes to get into the food business before long. I hope they start home-delivery soon so that we can order our dinner from some nice restaurant, instead of risking our lives in this mad traffic.

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MY WIFE'S brother is coming from the US to visit us. He rang me up to arrange a visa for him. I told him that visas are issued by embassies and he should contact the Indian Embassy. No, he said, he had a visa to come to India. He wanted a visa to visit Hyderabad. "Haven't you seen the orders of your Chief Minister?'' he asked me in surprise. "ID cards are to be issued to citizens so that only genuine people live here.'' To enforce that, the city will be walled around like in the Middle Ages. Tavernier, the French diamond merchant, who visited Hyderabad in the middle of the 17th century, describes the travails of getting entrance to the city. All visitors had to stop at the gate and await clearance from one of the men of the Darogha (Police Commissioner). To speed up the procedure entailed the greasing of the palms. I believe his account is being dug up now for incorporation into the proposed new system.

The European countries following the Latin tradition require IDs. The Anglo-Saxon tradition, which we inherited, frowns upon the system because it impinges on the liberty of the individual. But times have changed. Once, in Saudi Arabia, my host asked me before going out for a function whether I had my passport. Yes, I said, "It is in my room.'' "No, you have to keep it on your person, otherwise you might be arrested.''

So, citizens of Hyderabad, beware. Yours is going to be a sealed city. You will have to carry either your passport or your ID. Your visiting friends and relatives will have to wait at the city gates before admission. If found in possession of anything objectionable, they will be deported or arrested - and you will be picked up for questioning by the Darogha's men.

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I THOUGHT Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai were actors, not athletes. I have been put wise by the reported decision of the Government of AP to invite the former for the inauguration, and the latter for the valedictory of the National Games being held here next month.

It has not been clarified as to what each one's game is. I learn that the actor will show his prowess in long jump, while the lady will display how archery can be done with eyes only. That will also show how we can save money by avoiding purchase of unnecessary equipment.

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THE BRITISH Library in Hyderabad is a haven for booklovers. Hitherto, it did not keep books by Indian authors. By adding an Indian Section last week, Indian authors also have been allowed entry. Simultaneously, 300 journals have been out online.

It is a welcome move since our own libraries are seldom replenished. Our financial layout goes largely in supporting the staff, not in buying books. The quality of service in our libraries also needs improvement.

My friends Sudhakar Goud, the genial librarian of the British Library, and his staff should now get ready for a larger influx of knowledge-seekers.

* * *

``She is the kind of girl you take to the movie when you want to see the picture.''

Narendra Luther

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