Wanted: a PR manager

Public relations has never been a strong point of the Prime Minister’s Office during the current regime,as top UPA managers realised much to their chagrin last Friday while Manmohan Singh was leaving for AIIMS. Some of the PM’s aides suggested that television channels should be called in to capture his “extremely cheerful mood” to allay the apprehensions and anxiety of people across the country. The PM also agreed to say a few reassuring words about his health before leaving for the hospital. But at the 11th hour,the SPG said that 3,RCR,where the PM lives,could not be photographed. Then there was a suggestion that the PM could say something at AIIMS,but this was also shot down because a hospital building in the background was not deemed to be an ideal set-up for the purpose.