Mayor B. Kartika Reddy probably wanted to give the impression that all is well in GHMC following last week's clash between the officials and corporators. She called for a press conference few days ago to announce the completed, ongoing, and pending works taken up under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
After keeping the newsmen waiting for a while, she called them in and began to read out the details. Within two minutes, the hacks pounced on her – “Why are you just parroting what the engineering officials told you? Have you checked the works? How can you claim credit for completed flyovers?”
The Mayor could only mumble that she was giving details of works taken up from the inception of JNNURM. “I will personally check each project and give the latest information,” she promised in a vain bid to buy peace. It sure was a surreal experience for newshounds the other day when a U.S. government official held a meet at one of the popular eat-outs. After the briefing where she called for more tie-ups among firms of both countries, she cheerfully told them to “buy a sandwich” gesturing towards the lip-smacking range of eats displayed. Even as she herself was digging into a fresh enticing sandwich just delivered to her, newshounds realised to their shock that they would have to really pay for whatever item they choose. “That's typical American hospitality and you cannot expect freebies,” sighed a newshound after eating a humble pie.
Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy is not known to be a man who can crack jokes or make someone laugh, especially in programmes. But the other day, he came up with some repartee that the audience was surprised.
At the inaugural of the Jain International Trade Organisation's trade fair, Mr. Reddy was the chief guest and Industries Minister J. Geetha Reddy was also present. As the event was connected to commerce and industry, other speakers waxed eloquent about Dr. Reddy's ability to handle the Industries portfolio successfully twice. When the Chief Minister rose to speak, he came out with a good one. “Whenever Geetha Reddy won the Assembly elections, she became a Minister. I have never been a Minister, but became a Chief Minister directly,” he said, leaving the audience in splits.
It is always at the receiving end. Not a day passes without people airing their angst at the ‘baldiya'. Be it a bad road, drainage overflow or traffic congestion, the GHMC becomes the scapegoat. But the civic body deserves a pat in executing the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project. Those who visit the area now would curse the authorities for the congestion right from Gulzar Houz to the monument. Half of the road is dug up and the rest uneven and impassable. But the maddening traffic keeps pushing through leaving the pedestrians little place to walk. Yet, amidst all this mess, the pedestrainiation work goes on. The civic body is to be appreciated for executing a complex plan in a complex area.
Come summer, the Chali Vendram outlets start making their appearance at all the major thoroughfares in the Capital. Over the years, however, Chali Vendram outlets have evolved. Earlier, to set up such an outlet was a simple affair. A clay matka, a stand to hold it and a steel tumbler was all it was needed to set up a Chali Vendram outlet beside a bus stand.
These days, much fanfare is generated around Chali Vendram outlets. A Minister or a local MLA is invited for its inauguration. A big shamiyana is erected. Posters of top politicians, local leaders and corporators are put up. Instead of the age old matka, water coolers are being used to serve chilled water. The steel tumblers were replaced by disposable glasses long ago. Times indeed have changed!
Great deal of excitement prevailed on Monday on account of Hanuman jayanti, an occasion that used to go largely unnoticed till a few years ago. Limelight came to rest on the festival last year when communal clashes erupted over removal of flags at a particular location. This time round, no such clashes were needed, as commotion began much ahead of the festival. On Monday, roads were blocked at quite a few locations. More than celebrations, the festival is being seen as another occasion for communal provocation. The writing is clear on the wall.
After keeping the newsmen waiting for a while, she called them in and began to read out the details. Within two minutes, the hacks pounced on her – “Why are you just parroting what the engineering officials told you? Have you checked the works? How can you claim credit for completed flyovers?”
The Mayor could only mumble that she was giving details of works taken up from the inception of JNNURM. “I will personally check each project and give the latest information,” she promised in a vain bid to buy peace. It sure was a surreal experience for newshounds the other day when a U.S. government official held a meet at one of the popular eat-outs. After the briefing where she called for more tie-ups among firms of both countries, she cheerfully told them to “buy a sandwich” gesturing towards the lip-smacking range of eats displayed. Even as she herself was digging into a fresh enticing sandwich just delivered to her, newshounds realised to their shock that they would have to really pay for whatever item they choose. “That's typical American hospitality and you cannot expect freebies,” sighed a newshound after eating a humble pie.
Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy is not known to be a man who can crack jokes or make someone laugh, especially in programmes. But the other day, he came up with some repartee that the audience was surprised.
At the inaugural of the Jain International Trade Organisation's trade fair, Mr. Reddy was the chief guest and Industries Minister J. Geetha Reddy was also present. As the event was connected to commerce and industry, other speakers waxed eloquent about Dr. Reddy's ability to handle the Industries portfolio successfully twice. When the Chief Minister rose to speak, he came out with a good one. “Whenever Geetha Reddy won the Assembly elections, she became a Minister. I have never been a Minister, but became a Chief Minister directly,” he said, leaving the audience in splits.
It is always at the receiving end. Not a day passes without people airing their angst at the ‘baldiya'. Be it a bad road, drainage overflow or traffic congestion, the GHMC becomes the scapegoat. But the civic body deserves a pat in executing the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project. Those who visit the area now would curse the authorities for the congestion right from Gulzar Houz to the monument. Half of the road is dug up and the rest uneven and impassable. But the maddening traffic keeps pushing through leaving the pedestrians little place to walk. Yet, amidst all this mess, the pedestrainiation work goes on. The civic body is to be appreciated for executing a complex plan in a complex area.
Come summer, the Chali Vendram outlets start making their appearance at all the major thoroughfares in the Capital. Over the years, however, Chali Vendram outlets have evolved. Earlier, to set up such an outlet was a simple affair. A clay matka, a stand to hold it and a steel tumbler was all it was needed to set up a Chali Vendram outlet beside a bus stand.
These days, much fanfare is generated around Chali Vendram outlets. A Minister or a local MLA is invited for its inauguration. A big shamiyana is erected. Posters of top politicians, local leaders and corporators are put up. Instead of the age old matka, water coolers are being used to serve chilled water. The steel tumblers were replaced by disposable glasses long ago. Times indeed have changed!
Great deal of excitement prevailed on Monday on account of Hanuman jayanti, an occasion that used to go largely unnoticed till a few years ago. Limelight came to rest on the festival last year when communal clashes erupted over removal of flags at a particular location. This time round, no such clashes were needed, as commotion began much ahead of the festival. On Monday, roads were blocked at quite a few locations. More than celebrations, the festival is being seen as another occasion for communal provocation. The writing is clear on the wall.
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