Sidelights

Modi all the way

In a way, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi stole the show on Tuesday. He was the only high profile Chief Minister at the inaugural function. Modi inaugurated the Gujarat Pavilion where several NRIs congratulated him on becoming the CM for a third time. Later, he called on President Pratibha Patil. On Wednesday, besides speaking at a session, Modi will have a media interaction as well.

Karat, Sarabhai and women8217;s lib

CPIM Politburo member Brinda Karat had a different take on NRI issues. Addressing a session, she pointed out that it is sad that NRIs were 8220;exporting8221; bad habits like 8220;honour killing8221; at a time when we make so much noise about western influence in our lives. She also wanted special attention to be paid to Indian workers in the Gulf. In her three-minute speech, Mallika Sarabhai condemned the 8220;patriarchal8221; traits that exist among NRIs and exhorted them to think independently of the 8220;man of the world8221; and the 8220;male of the society8221;.

An open secret

Though the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is supposed to be a secret till the last movement 8212; the President will confer the awards on Wednesday8212; the winners are already known. Some of the winners even fixed press conferences well in advance.