The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Chilled out

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Chilled out

One can certainly take a lesson or two from Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on how to appear stress-free despite being in the hot seat and braving different kind of adverse campaigns every day by his political opponents.

And the stress would only become manifold when the Assembly is in session. But the other day visitors to an art exhibition at Hotel Katriya DeRoyale in Paryatak Bhavan were quite surprised as also apparently impressed to see Dr. Reddy dressed in formal trousers for a change and looking absolutely relaxed when he came to inaugurate the event. No wonder the Chief Minister’s demeanour evoked as many positive comments as that of art works of Aqueel from the elite gathering long after his fleeting visit to the art show.

Most business cards of CEOs and head honchos of different companies do not have their respective mobile phone numbers. It’s common knowledge that they avoid giving the cell numbers for obvious reasons. But, the other day S. Pramanik, president and CEO of Gulf Oil, and Rajagopal Balakrishnan, Regional Director of SAP, surprised reporters at a business press conference. While exchanging cards, a reporter asked for the mobile numbers of Mr. Pramanik and Mr. Balakrishnan . They said the numbers were there on their respective cards. And, Mr. Pramanik remarked: “When insurance companies, recreation clubs, resorts and real estate companies are able to get hold of the mobile numbers, why shouldn’t we share it with journalists?” asked Mr. Balakrishnan.

Film stars are used to limelight and adulation. At times even the presspersons are not immune to get giddy at the sight of some of them as it happened when film star Akkineni Nagarjuna announced the telecast of his maiden serial ‘Yuva’.

“Has the title anything to do with your sobriquet Yuva Samrat?” asked a scribe. Nag immediately requested him not to call him by that name anymore since “I am old man now. The young are those who are acting in my serial and making it. You can see the vibrancy of youth in them,” he said.

M.L. MELLY MAITREYI,

A. SAYE SEKHAR,

V. GEETANATH

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