Lonely at the top

C.P. Thirunavukkarasu will remember his term in the Rajya Sabha for one thing _ that nobody from the non-Dravidian states could pronounce his name. While bidding farewell to the member from Pondicherry, deputy chairperson Najma Heptullah confessed: ‘‘After six years I had managed to say your name properly and now you are going.’’ In reply, Thirunavukkarasu said he at times had thought of changing his name. Today, however, barring Sanjay Nirupam everyone made a special effort to address him pronouncing his name correctly.

Family Affairs

While making laudatory references about Shabana Azmi, whose term as Rajya Sabha member expires next week, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, sounding like a jealous wife said: ‘‘More than me, my husband is going to miss her. She used to be an important member of his circle in the Central Hall.’’ In the same vein, the Chairman reminded Sushma that ‘‘the issue needs to be settled in your home’’.

At which point, Sushma’s husband, Swaraj Kaushal, also an MP in Rajya Sabha said: ‘‘Haven’t we had enough debates on this at home. Was this the platform for you to vent your complaint.’’ Amid laughter Sushma tried to gain control of the situation and looking at Shabana she said: ‘‘At least he used to spend time with you. Now I will have to give him more time.’’

Sound System Fails RS

The failure of the audio system during question hour caused some anxious moments for the members in the Rajya Sabha, but Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat decided to continue with the deliberations. The failure of the sound system was brought to the notice of the Chair by Human Resources Minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and others. Following the intervention, the system was set right but temporarily. Shekhawat finally gave up and directed a minister to speak without the microphone. Mediapersons who depend on the translated version of the members’ speeches were inconvenienced due to the system failure.