Switch OverPoliticians switching loyalties, especially in the land of `Aya Rams Gaya Rams', is old hat but bureaucrats too have shown that they are not way behind. Half-a-dozen senior bureaucrats known for their close proximity to the family of Bansi Lal, have switched sides after Om Prakash Chautala assumed power in Haryana. But Chief Secretary R. S. Varma seems to have dazed almost everyone with his perfect somersault. And he is making no secret of it. Last week, when Chautala flagged off a convoy of 230 trucks carrying relief material for the cyclone-affected people of Orissa, the most senior IAS officer of Haryana eulogised the Chief Minister for his concern for the displaced people. ``The ministers in the Bansi Lal government did not visit the bereaved families to pay homage to the Kargil martyrs early this year, but Chautala went everywhere,'' he pronounced. Small wonder that Varma has managed to continue in the top job, heavy odds notwithstanding.DiwaliBonanzaPunjab has slid into a financial quagmire, but its ministers and bureaucrats continue to splurge, unmindful of the reality. Things were no different on Diwali. The State Government had prohibited all its departments from distributing gifts or greeting cards, but this did not deter ministers and glorified babus from sending expensive gifts to reporters, relatives and friends in that order to keep them happy. In their true style, they distributed goodies ranging from scotch and suit-lengths to glitzy watches and dry fruits, depending on the potential of the recipient. Once again, no one was really complaining. So much for the austerity drive.Fifty-FiftyPopulation explosion may be a serious hurdle in the way of economic progress but it has its plus points and also its humorous side. After the lecture on Indo-American relations delivered at the Taj in Mumbai last Monday under the auspices of the Indo-American Society, a guest wanted to know what the chances were of India making itto the Security Council and whether Gary Ackerman supported India's cause.``I assume,'' said Ackerman, ``that you are referring to India as a permanent member of the Security Council. One in every six people is an Indian. With one billion people India cannot be ignored.'' Ackerman then shifted track by recounting an incident. ``Even now six billion people live on earth,'' he pointed out, ``I asked a friend of mine who studies these things: how many people have been born on this planet since mankind came into existence? The answer is fascinating. Twelve billion people were born since the beginning of man on this planet. Six billion of them are alive today. Well, I think it gives us a 50-50 chance!'' The audience broke into laughter.English BabuChief Minister Keshubhai Patel's speech at the inauguration of Vision 21, an international seminar on water for people, made big news in Ahmedabad newspaper offices a few days ago. Not because of the content but the language it wasdelivered in - English. Patel - who has been in the news for doing a Sonia Gandhi where it comes to reading even Hindi speeches, with the text almost always written in Gujarati - made a six-sheet presentation in fumbling English.It was much to the delight of his PR people, who were quick to point out to scribes that the Chief Minister was even reading from Roman. And as much to the horror of journalists who had to strain their ears and imagination to decipher it and take it down on paper. Needless to say, the prepared text of his speech was much coveted that day. Incidentally, his example was emulated by Ratilal Varma, BJP MP from Dhanduka, who also delivered a faltering inaugural address in completely indecipherable English at the more recent national seminar on Regulatory Framework in the Gas Sector. This time copies of the speech were also not supplied at the venue leaving journalists tearing their hair out in frustration. The minister and MPs are apparently taking the hard sell ofGujarat very seriously and making every effort to reach out to an international audience.
