Showcasing Sam

Technocrat Sam Pitroda heads an expert committee on improving information and communication technology in the Railways but his association with the Railway Ministry

Technocrat Sam Pitroda heads an expert committee on improving information and communication technology in the Railways but his association with the Railway Ministry seems to go much deeper than that. Pitroda stays at Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedis house whenever he is in town. So much so that there is a room earmarked for him at Trivedis official residence. Incidentally,Trivedi never fails to mention this to visitors coming to his house.

Futile Wait

DMK chief Karunanidhi had stayed back in Delhi after his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi over the weekend,hoping to see his daughter Kanimozhi walk out of Tihar jail on Monday. Her bail was a distinct possibility considering the fact that the CBI had indicated it would not oppose it in the trial court. Some more realistic DMK leaders were of the view that the bail would come next Monday after the Diwali holidays were over. However,the courts decision to keep its order reserved till next Thursday surprised everyone and upset many calculations.

Diwali Gift

Two of the worlds foremost defence companies got a pre-Diwali gift on Monday with the Defence Ministry finally issuing formal letters inviting them to the commercial offer-opening ceremony for the US10-billion deal to purchase new fighters for the Air Force. With much more than US10 billion hanging on the deal the total orders are expected to go well beyond the US20 billion mark officials from both Dassault and EADS are preparing for the big day. Top representatives from both companies will turn up in their best on November 4,when the commercial offers will finally be unsealed. A final winner,however,may take time to be announced as ministry officials will need time to go through the details bids.

Royal Treat

Playing host to the newly-wed royal couple of Bhutan,Rashtrapati Bhawan revealed its soft romantic side on Monday. The state banquet usually solemn formal affairs began to the tune of Carpenters famous On top of the world number. On a breezy evening,guests and officials reached out to the royal couple to offer their good wishes for a long and happy married life. Overwhelmed,Bhutans King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck made an emotional speech in which he said that marriage was a life-long journey and he was extremely happy that the first steps of that journey were being taken in India. The guests responded with a long round of applause.