Minister in security ring
Does the Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss feel “threatened” inside a five star hotel at the heart of central Delhi?

The question came to the minds of a large posse of journalists who arrived at the hotel on the other day to cover a World Health Organisation (WHO) function where the minister received a special WHO prize for his leadership in the anti-tobacco campaign.

Though at the insistence of the minister’s office the media was officially informed about an interaction with Dr Ramadoss after the function, they were baffled to find out four securitymen guarding the minister (who came to the venue after one and half hours) to prevent the journalists from coming near the minister. But the undeterred media wanted the minister’s reactions on two important government decisions regarding removal of AIIMS director Dr P Venugopal and not printing the skull and cross bones on cigarette and beedi packets. Virtually a fight ensued between the journalists and the duty-bound security guards.

After much arguments, a few journalists could manage to get the minister’s sound bytes, but many could not. During the entire jostling episode none of the health ministry officials were visible leaving the media to wonder – why were they called for an interaction if the minister needs such protection inside the top security central zone of the capital.
Kalyan Ray

Language is no problem
If you think that Japanese do not understand English you may be proved quite wrong.

Recently, Osamu Suzuki, Chairman of the Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC)-- the Japanese auto giant—was in the capital city to attend Indo Japan Business Summit organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Suzuki, whose company now owns majority shares in the Maruti Udyog Limited—India’s largest car manufacturer—always draws the attention of the media whenever he pays a visit to this country.

A large number of auto correspondents were waiting at the venue of the Indo-Japan Business Summit to have an interaction with Suzuki. As he stepped out of the conference room, a scribe asked him  “Sir! When are you coming out with low cost small car in India?”

Suzuki kept quiet. The scribe again repeated his question. Still Suzuki did not open his mouth.

Another scribe was heard commenting “He does not speak English. He will not understand the question without an interpreter”.

Probably this was too much for Suzuki. Breaking his silence,  he said  “If you think I cannot speak English you are mistaken. But I will make no comment on your query”. As Suzuki left the venue one of the scribes commented  “If he can speak such good English why does he engage an interpreter at the Press Conference?”

Prompt came the reply from another scribe:  “May be he uses the time gap to come out with careful replies”.
Aditya Raj Das