kolkata Confidential

Omnipresent Didi

Last week when Mamata Banerjee was away in Junglemahal,there was a sense of relief among officials and ministers at Writer’s Buildings and other government offices who always have to be on their toes when the CM is present. But even in Junglemahal,the Chief Minister was aware of what was happening in Kolkata. A minister was asked by the CM to explain the ruckus in his department. Even before the minister could react,the Chief Minister had come out with statements on local channels. The message was clear: Didi is aware of everything and so be on your toes all the time.

Enough is enough

One of the most distinguished alumni of Presidency University,Professor Amartya Sen,is being bombarded with questions on the university’s upgrade. In the city recently,the Professor of Economics at Harvard University attended a number of programmes in the state where he was posed with the same question on the revamping of Presidency University. However,Sen finally lost his patience at a programme of Pratichi Trust at Salt Lake. He said he was just a teacher at a university called Harvard University and he would give his advice to the mentor group of Presidency University,and not to the media.

Cool Sam

Amid the hoopla surrounding telecommunication guru Sam Pitroda’s meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,a major point of discussion among all those present at Writers’ Buildings was Pitroda’s ‘exuberance and young’ looks. “How can a man in his 70s maintain such glamorous looks while keeping so busy? There must be a secret to this success,” said a security personnel. A veteran journalist replied,“Let’s hope Mr Pitroda brings some special features for us too.” Later,as the technocrat made his way with Mamata Banerjee,there was a huge scuffle among photojournalists and reporters. Finally,there was something for the scribes too. “I have never seen such energetic photo journalists and scribes in the whole country; this combined energy should be utilized for the state’s benefit,” said Pitroda.