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Journalism of Courage
Three months after he assumed command of the state at the Laxman Mela grounds on the banks of Gomti, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and his friend circle was back again here today. The occasion was the release of a postal stamp on Harivansh Rai Bachchan on his birth anniversary and the gathering included the poet’s son and daughter-in-law Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, Subroto and Swapna Roy Sahara, Anil and Tina Ambani, Adi and Parmeshwar Godrej and Amar Singh.
The official function turned into a poetic tribute to Bachchan with almost everyone who spoke on the occasion reciting the poet’s verses. Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri recited several poems penned by Bachchan.
‘‘Madhubala and Madhushala were a national rage then,’’ said the Prime Minister recalling his student days when he would attend kavi sammelans to hear Bachchan. He also recalled how Bachchan had awarded him the first prize in a debate competition even though he had reached late for the event.
Making an announcement about an annual Harivansh Rai Bachchan memorial kavi sammelan, Vajpayee said: ‘‘Harivansh Rai Bachchan does not belong to Allahabad alone. Lucknow too has some right over his legacy and I hope that it will organise a kavi sammelan annually in his honour.’’
Meanwhile, the growing proximity between the SP and the BJP was hard to miss. First it was Union Communication Minister Arun Shourie said his Ministry had agreed to waive off the prescribed rules for a stamp release because the Chief Minister had requested the Prime Minister for it. ‘‘I hope in future too, Yadavji will do what Vajpayeeji says. By doing so, he will ensure his welfare and the welfare of Uttar Pradesh.’’
Later, at a seminar on ‘‘Disinvestments and WTO challenges’’, Mulayam said: ‘‘I have been criticised for inviting two Central ministers but I knew I had taken the right decision. In the interest of the country and the state I will not hesitate in siding with anyone who I know would do something for development.’’
