Futile ForumState Health Minister Dr Daulatrao Aher's janata darbar last Monday - his fifth since the 1995 Assembly polls - was probably the only one in history to have more people on the dais than in the audience. But soon enough, the complainants began trickling in, filling Aher with new hope.The euphoria however didn't last long.Aher, who represents Nashik in the Legislature, found he had nothing to offer his people by way of solutions. He wasn't sure the problems would be solved, he pleaded when bombarded with a list of civic complaints. This, when the Shiv Sena, to which the minister belongs, dominates the Nashik Municipal Corporation. He took his time saying it, his evident awkwardness inviting giggles from the audience.He wasn't just stuck for solutions; at times, even the famed ministerial rhetoric failed him. Example: Woman submits a pension-related grievance. Silence. Then Aher clears his throat. His gaze travels to the ceiling and stays there for a while. Finally, he turns tothe expectant face in front of him. ``What do I do? he asks. ``Can you suggest a way out?''Aher is also chairperson of the Maratha Vidya Prasarak Samaj educational institution. He was therefore ``surprised'' to note that among the various memoranda was one from teachers of the institution. Clearly, Mr Chairperson had slipped up where the teachers' well-being was concerned and the plaintiffs had therefore approached Aher The Minister/Local MLA. Chairperson Aher, his ego hurt, finally found his tongue, long enough to dismiss the complaints, at least. Excerpt from his argument: ``The teachers are like my patients,'' he declared. And, he added, waxing metaphorical, they had come to his consulting room ``after having received treatment at a health camp.''Uninspiring DeedsFormer Congress minister Dr Baliram Hirey, who held the Education portfolio in the Vasantdata Patil Cabinet, lives in Malegaon and runs an Engineering the polytechnic, Karmaveer Bhausaheb Hirey Smaranika Trust. Hirey's``contribution to society'' was publicly acknowledged by his supporters a few months ago, when they celebrated his birthday as `Prerana Din' (Inspiration Day).Hirey's supporters obviously include son Prasad, an upcoming ``youth leader.'' About a week ago, Prasad beat up a teacher of the polytechnic, Sanjay Shewale. The reason? Shewale and his colleagues had dared to move the High Court demanding that salaries be paid as per the rules. The Trust had submitted a document signed by the teachers, stating they had no complaints against the Trust. However, the court discovered that the signatures had been transplanted by the Trust from another document, in which the teachers had listed their woes. The trust is facing action for perjury. So much for setting an `inspiring' example.Daler In ControlBhangra star Daler Mehndi, who performed live in Nashik last week, discovered that an ``overwhelming response'' can go out of control.The chubby sardar had to stop mid-pirouette when a section of the audiencedancing to his tune went berserk, throwing plastic bottles and styrofoam glasses around. Despite his requests, the `dancers' in the audience refused to settle down. The show was in an enclosure on an open ground. Mehndi, probably conjuring up visions of a stampede in his mind, wisely stepped off the stage before the mischief-mongers could kick off a show of their own.Incredible CaseAlcohol doesn't just drown sorrows; it can also sink some very good chances, especially of getting justice, as a woman discovered recently. Last September, the woman had filed an FIR accusing eight persons of raping her. When the case came up for hearing in the court, the lawyer of the accused suspected that she was drunk. He brought it to the notice of the court, which in turn ordered a medical examination. She tested positive and a case was registered against her.The case was recently wound up by the court, which acquitted the accused.
