Traffic rule violators rule

IIT Kanpur students hardly got any sleep last week. What with Antaragni 2004, the cultural fest at the institute that kicked off on October 28, providing non-stop fun for four days. With IIT-K receiving a record 1,500-plus entries from 50 colleges across the country, the organisers had to finally withdraw the application form from the institute’s official website. ‘‘If you want to have fun, you are at the right place,’’ said IIT-K Director S.G. Dhande. If it was the competitive events that kept the students busy during the day, the Calypso discotheque provided the perfect haven for those who wanted to shake a leg into the wee hours of the morning. Then there were the flood-lit basketball and tennis courts for sports lovers, and not to forget, the rock concerts by Mother Jane and Indian Ocean. But the highlight was a Kuchhipudi dance performance by a visiting faculty from the US. The fest came to a close on October 31 and the students were back in their classes the next morning. We are already waiting for next year, and for this hangover to go, they chorused.

CM spares the rod on babus

These days Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav is giving many an official sleepless nights. The CM has been suspending state officials left, right and centre, and it is learnt that at the end of the three meetings held so far to review the law and order situation, and the development works in the state, the number of officials suspended had gone up to 40. But there is one section of officials which has eluded the wrath of the CM’s ire — the IAS and IPS officers. True, he has suspended some district magistrates and SPs, but they are promotee IAS and IPS officers, who had been promoted from the state civil service and state police cadre. Apparently, the Chief Minister does not want to antagonize the bureaucrats as he would need all their help to take forward his privatisation plans.

Lessons for Mulayam junior

Akhilesh Yadav, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav’s MP son, is learning the tricks of the trade from his father. Akhilesh follows his father wherever he goes. He is even spotted at every press conference that the Chief Minister holds at his 5 Kalidas Marg official residence. Akhilesh is often seen sitting at the back while Mulayam Singh Yadav talks to the media.