111 certification

Defending one’s stand is one of the qualities of a mature politician. And, of course, this talent may not work all the time.

In some cases, the politician may cut a sorry figure - as it happened recently with former CM Kumaraswamy. In a bid to defend the exodus of the party leaders to the Prakash camp recently, he rather proudly called the JD(S) a factory that generates leaders to be used by others (parties). Leaders trained in the JD(S) have occupied key positions in other parties, he said.

But pat came some witty reactions that were hard for Kumaraswamy to digest: A journalist sought to know whether “the factory” has any ISO certification. Even before Kumaraswamy could grasp the question, came a humourous answer from a fellow scribe, “Yes, it’s 111 certification! (panganama).”

Raghunandan

Nothing ‘normal’

It wasn't the usual dais which normally hosts a large number of dignitaries; the event was not one of the ‘regular’ seminars where speakers are greeted with flower bouquets, or are called in to light the lamp to kick off the event on an auspicious note.

Without these ‘normal ingredients’, shutterbugs had it tough at this seminar on ‘Bamboo and Building Industry,’ in their quest for the right frame.

To make it worse, the dignitaries never stuck to their seats on the dais; even as one of them was up at the podium delivering his lecture, the others kept juggling their seats to catch up with their neighbour - this left plenty of empty seats in between, depriving the photojournalists of a perfect shot. This musical chair by the dignitaries did not please shutterbugs. After much time and effort spent persuading the organisers, they finally got a frame where all the speakers were seated beside each other, making it look as if it was indeed a ‘normal’ seminar.

C S Hemanth

Ringing off

Mention elections, and the one name that automatically comes to mind is that of T N Seshan. Who can forget the role played Seshan as Chief Election Commissioner in bringing respect and dignity with the “election code of conduct” which were by and large observed in breach by all political parties till he assumed office?

Seshan is not in office, but his voice commands awe and respect even now. How else can can explain the reasons for cell phones being switched off instantaneously, the moment Seshan thundered that he is allergic to ringing tones?

This happened recently at a function organised at Yavanika to launch a campaign for creating awareness among voters. Till Seshan got up to deliver his speech, cellphones were intermittently ringing during the programme, causing a nuisance. But neither the organisers nor the speakers who addressed the gathering before Seshan did, took note of it.  But when his turn to speak came, the first thing that Seshan did was to “discipline” the audience. This he did by using his sharp-tongue, for which he had earned a name when he was CEC. When Mr Seshan warned, “If I hear one ring, I would stop my speech,” everybody in the auditorium either switched off or put their phones on silent mode. As long as Seshan addressed the crowd, not a single ring was heard in the auditorium.

- K N Reddy

Blissfully unaware

The Karnataka High Court has kept processing of applications for Sakrama under abeyance. Soon after the court announced its judgement, the State government declared that the deadline to submit applications has been extended to March 31, 2008.

However, it seems, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike is ignorant of these developments. In a press release issued on December 13, the Palike  informed the public about extension of period for submitting Sakrama applications.

The press note said the Karnataka HC has extended the period for submission of applications till March 31. In fact the decision to extend the period was taken by the executive committee headed by the governor.

Should we presume that the personnel who drafted the press note neither watch the developments nor read newspapers?

- Satish Shile

Some discipline indeed!

At a function to felicitate winners of the Vintage Mysore Silk Saree Contest, KSIC Chairman, P Vijayan lost his cool with the photojournalists, who in their eagerness to click photographs, forced their way to the dais.

“If you have any other assignment because of which you are in a rush, you may please leave the venue. But allow us to go ahead with the programme and felicitate the chief guest. I know for the media, IT/BT are important, but the truth is that Karnataka’s sericulture industry is the best in the country; it is the mainstay of our villages. I have also been a student of journalism, way back in 1976 but we were told to follow certain journalistic ethics,” thundered Vijayan.

His retort took the cameramen by surprise, and they recoiled and settled down. Mr Vijayan didn’t stop at that. He said that cine actress, Jennifer Kotwal, who was supposed to come for the event, could not make it because of a high fever.

“I didn’t make up the story that she’s coming, to gain publicity. KSIC does not need that kind of publicity. She promised to come but last minute I received the call. I couldn’t inform the press because it was too late,” explained Vijayan.

Bala Chauhan