The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Talent extraordinaire

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Talent extraordinaire

Inaugural session of Global Social Ventures Competition organised at the ISB witnessed some lighter moments following the remarks of Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh.

After Mr. Ramesh and Rabin Dhoble, Director, Helios & Matheson, USA, delivered their lectures, Dean M. Rammohan Rao opened the floor for questions by participants. There was a stoic silence for a few minutes. A surprised Mr. Ramesh was quick in ob serving: “Prof. Rao, in a Q&A session, it is very difficult to make the Japanese start and Indians stop,” holding the audience in raptures.

The railways are adamant on not giving land for widening unless land to land compensation is given, yet the GHMC is unruffled. More so, the bosses. When asked about how long the civic body would wait for a positive response in the face increasing traffic jams, a top official told a story.“A husband once boasted to his friends that he was the boss of his home. He takes all the ‘important’ decisions like deciding if the country has to go nuclear and issues like that, while his wife takes small issues like monthly bills, groceries, etc.” And went on: “SCR here takes decisions on new trains, gauge conversions and so on, while waiting for the Railway Board to give permission for road widening!”

The maverick that he is, director Teja is known more for his haughtiness than for his directorial excellence among film circles. He also seems to take pleasure in this image as was evident in his narration of an incident at a press conference. As it went, the director was processing applications for his mega hit movie ‘Nuvvu-Nenu’ and zeroed in on a beautiful damsel for the lead role. However, the lady proved to be even more hot-headed and read out from a list of pre-conditions. Irked, Teja called out other contestants and asked the girl to choose the ugliest of all. She picked Anitha and the latter became the Cinderella of Teja.

It was a pleasant surprise for residents of Red Hills the other day when some ‘stars’ came down here. No, it was no ‘Taare Zameen par’, but something close to that. Cricketing greats of Pakistan -- Inzimam-ul-1Haq, Moin Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed -- turned up at a house near Teen Posh Masjid. Naturally, they attracted a big crowed, especially the youth.

But the cricket fans were in for a surprise as the top guns did not talk about cricket at all. Instead they held forth on religion. Saqlain did most of the talking while Mushtaq Ahmed prayed at the end of the discourse. When the talk was over, the foursome had won over not just the youngsters but the elders too.

So, the one question on every one’s mind is post March 14 inauguration of international airport at Shamshabad, from where would one board his/her flight? With no clear notice yet for closure of operations from Begumpet airport, some strongly believe that the Begumpet airport would be allowed for few more months at least for the sake of domestic travellers.

But the question that beats one is when an agreement had been reached between the GMR and the government that Begumpet airport would be closed once the Shamshabad international airport is inaugurated, why such an ambiguity is deliberately allowed in the first place?

Even more surprising is the posturing by some political parties protesting against the Begumpet airport closure while they should have taken a stand much earlier. Given the chaotic traffic conditions in the city, people dread commuting all the way to Shamshabad. But some see a silver lining to it. This could make it imperative for authorities to deal with encroachments, bottlenecks on thoroughfares that had long defied solution with an iron hand.

A SAYE SEKHAR,

V. GEETANATH,

SWATHI V.,

J.S. IFTHEKHAR, AND

M.L. MELLY MAITREYI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh