Kolkata Confidential

Communication failure
A chill has set into the relationship between the state and the Indian Railways. From the East-West Metro project to the Joka-BBD Bagh metro project,there are many bones of contention. But what may worsen matters is the state’s faux pas of September 16. A meeting — to be presided over by state chief secretary Ardhendu Sen — had been called to review President Pratibha Patil’s programme at Joka Metro project. It was also to be attended by Kolkata Metro Railway General Manager Amar Nath. But the meeting had been rescheduled for September 20 and it was not conveyed to Nath,who duly came to the Writers’ on the appointed time. After waiting for some time — to his utmost chagrin — Nath got to know about the postponement and left in a huff.

Sports bridge
There was uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the third Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship (Central Zone) currently being played here. The players finally got their visas but they are happy to be in India. Sports can bridge the gap between the two countries,they believe and want to see cricketing ties between India and Pakistan revive. Like every Pakistani,Zaheer Abbas & Co are also concerned about the spot-fixing scandal that has rocked Pakistan cricket. “Sports should be free of corruption,” said team member Muneer Khan.

Argumentative Bengali
If you thought Rahul Gandhi’s response to Mamata Banerjee calling him a seasonal bird was insufficient,one should tell you how difficult it is to beat a Bengali at his logic. Take this recent incident at a private bank. With the bank’s internet connection and vital links down,the employees were visibly hassled. As customers crowded the counter,they were told that the links are down. A security guard politely asked them to stand in a “proper queue”,to which a man quipped: “Are your computers working properly?” As the befuddled guard looked on,he snapped. “Why are you asking us to stand properly then?”

Hooting on the sly
It seems the directors general of several departments of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) are dreaming of having a vehicle with hooter ¿ which they are not entitled to. In KMC,the Mayor and the Municipal Commissioner alone are allowed hooters. But a DG of an important KMC department was recently seen moving with a hooter fitted to his vehicle. Interestingly,before he reached the KMC headquarters,he got it removed from his car. A senior civic official said it was his regular practice,but no one has taken the matter to the commissioner yet.

Good prescription
State Congress committee president Manas Bhuniya — after his elevation to the post last June — has changed the interiors of his office as per vaastu shastra. Those opposing him have not forgotten to take a dig about this. But it seems vaastu is working well for Bhuniya,who is himself a qualified doctor. With a consensus in Congress that Sonia Gandhi will choose the state unit chief — which makes his chances bright — he seems to be having the last laugh.