Pared down

On their plates

Seychelles is a small country of some 115 pristine granite islands,with a population of only about 90,000 people. Licence plates of cars are an indicator of the countrys beautiful smallness private cars have simply S for Seychelles followed by a number. And government cars have GS for Government Seychelles,suffixed by a number.

History story

The island nation was colonised by the French

in the 1700s,and handed over to the British in 1914. It could throw off the yoke only in 1976. But interestingly,in their Creole national anthem and despite this being a largely matrilineal society the reference to the Seychelles is the German fatherland.

Krishna question

Patils gift of an ornate Thanjavur-style Radha-Krishna fascinated Michel. He was seen quizzing her for at least five minutes on the significance of the figures,and Patil could be heard explaining their complex relationship and their importance in Indian mythology.

seema chishti