Playtime in MEA

Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh is trying something innovative in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh is trying something innovative in the Ministry of External Affairs. South Block witnessed its first round of “team-building” exercises in one of the key divisions where Singh came and played “games” and participated in these activities. The exercise, which saw her playing with MEA employees — from senior officials to support staff, including peons — apparently threw up several “out-of-box” ideas. And as part of one of the games, officials got to know something interesting about their foreign secretary — that while most employees did not like Shah Rukh Khan, the Bollywood star happens to be Singh’s favourite.

BABA UNDER WATCH
Union Minister Jitendra Singh is keeping a close watch on the activities of Baba Ramdev nowadays. Although the yoga guru has not yet declared any plan to enter the electoral arena, his associates and disciples have, of late, been quite active in Alwar, Singh’s Lok Sabha constituency, which has a substantial population of Yadav community to which Ramdev belongs. Although the yoga guru — if at all he decides to contest — may not be a pushover, Jitendra Singh has reasons to see a silver lining. The last Lok Sabha election had witnessed an anti-Yadav consolidation in the Alwar constituency, making it easier for Singh.

GETTING THE CHILL

Chilly winds in the Capital on Saturday had senior BJP leaders looking for cover as they gathered in Ramlila Maidan for the National Council meet. Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who had turned up in a white bush shirt, was offered a shawl by party treasurer Piyush Goel, while Narendra Modi already had one. By evening, aides of most leaders, including Rajnath Singh and Raman Singh, were seen arranging shawls with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan donning a muffler in Arvind Kejriwal fashion. On Sunday, though, as Modi got up to speak, it was all bright and sunny.

Story continues below this ad

A HOUSE FOR KEJRIWAL
The decision to allot a house at Tilak Lane to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was taken on an urgent basis Friday as Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath is scheduled to fly to Zurich on Monday for a week to represent India at the World Economic Forum. Although Secretary, Urban Development, Sudhir Krishna was not present, the ministry decided to not delay the matter any further. Krishna is in Washington to attend a conference.

MINORITY-FRIENDLY
The Congress seems to be laying special emphasis on sexual minorities in its manifesto consultations. Party vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s consultation with the youth in Bangalore recently was attended by transgender activists. Lesbian rights activists have now been invited to a consultation on women, led by Rahul, in Bhopal on Monday.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Top Stories

Despite new schemes, ratio of women to men voters in Bihar falls for first time in 15 yrs

Entertainment Mahabharat's Karna, actor Pankaj Dheer, passes away at 68

Soon after the video caught attention, industrialist Harsh Goenka lauded Hong Ju Jeon's efforts (Image source: @hvgoenka/X)

Left-arm fast bowler Irfan Umair will become Mumbai’s newest Ranji debutant against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar. (Photo: Special Arrangement)

Sports Irfan Umair's incredible journey: From waiting tables and rolling sushis to making Ranji Trophy debut for Mumbai

Opinion Taliban leader in India: It's complicity, not diplomacy

Mahabharat’s Karan, actor Pankaj Dheer, passes away at 68

Entertainment1 hr ago

Pankaj Dheer, best known for his role as Karna in Mahabharat, passed away at the age of 68 after battling cancer. The news was confirmed by CINTAA, where he served as former Hon. General Secretary. The actor's funeral will be held in Mumbai and he was the father of actor Nikitin Dheer, who is married to Kratika Sengar.

View all shorts

Live Blog

Loading Taboola...