The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : All ‘time pass’, no action

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

All ‘time pass’, no action

PHOTO: P. V. Sivakumar

It’s a scene we Hyderabadis are familiar with. One gets to see at least one road rage incident every day. True to the ‘chalta hai’ attitude, motorists stop, argue, wildly gesticulate at each other, as the passers-by gather for a ‘time pass’ item.

However, very few incidents get reported to the police. After a long spell of argument and the resultant cathartic effect, they would go away much to the chagrin of those who gather around for fun.

That reminds us of the recent famous road rage incident involving the relatives of very famous politicians. What could have been a five-minute argument, forgotten next moment, this particular one ended up with an attempt to murder case being registered and the political heat generated reached 10, Janpath in Delhi also.

Of course, in this incident, everyone in Hyderabad had kept track of developments. After all, we Hyderabadis are known for our curiosity. Right! That makes one wonder whatever had happened to the cases and counter cases registered?

Trust Rajya Sabha member V. Hanumantha Rao to deliver punch lines in his own inimitable style. They sure go very well with the audience of any kind, be it a literary, linguistic or even a public meeting.

He won over the delegates in his down to earth style at the International Urdu Conference last week. “Urdu is an international language spoken by people of all faiths. No other language has such power and depth. Unfortunately after formation of Andhra Pradesh, it is branded as Muslims’ language,” he quipped.

He has another regret too. The yesteryear Hindi film songs were known for their literary rich Urdu lyrics which the present day film songs sorely lacked. “Don’t degrade Urdu by using jarring words. I can’t have my grand children humming them,” was his appeal to present day lyricists.

Tackling the demand of some Muslim leaders for uniform reservation rather than BC status to few Muslim communities, the BC leader made light of the situation. “Why club them with us BCs. We already have over 90 castes amongst us. ”

He also had a piece of advice for the Chief Minister. “The CM should have been here to show off his Urdu which he speaks quite well these days. It could even fetch him more votes from the pleased minorities.” The remark indeed evoked laughter.

Non-Resident Indians are often known to track the events as they occur and they take pride in being ‘well-informed’ about the happenings in their motherland. However, there are exceptions to this belief.

At a press conference recently, an NRI boasting of his philanthropic activities in the country was blissfully unaware of the facts. Throughout his discussions and without any regret, the NRI kept calling Mayawati, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, as P rime Minister of India.

Later on, in his typical anglicised accent, he kept on pronouncing Nyaygarh, a voluntary organisation in New Delhi as Niagara, much to the amusement of journos.

Regular chief guests at most of the city-based meetings and functions, C. Narayan Reddy and Akkineni Nageshwar Rao are some times confused for each other.

One such misunderstanding occurred at the book release function at Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Sunday when the chairperson of the ladies wing of FAPCCI Badam Ramakumari referred to Dr. Narayan Reddy as ‘Dadas aheb Phalke awardee’. Cinare intervened immediately and corrected her saying that he was only a Gnanpeeth awardee.

There were also some lighter moments when the renowned poet, while dwelling on the ambiguity of English language, played upon the name of the chairperson asking her if she was ‘Raamakumari’ or ‘Ramaakumari’.

K. SRINIVAS REDDY,

M.L. MELLY MAITREYI,

S. SANDEEP KUMAR AND SWATHI .V

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