Kat's being possessive!

Insecurity and stardom go hand-in-hand and Katrina Kaif is the latest one to be bitten by this bug. Apparently, Kat is insecure about Salman Khan for his intimacy with "London Dreams" co-star Asin, as he celebrated his birthday with her while Kat was away. Moreover, she's also struggling to get noticed by Akshay Kumar with whom she's given the maximum hits because now, the Khiladi Kumar is apparently recommending his CC2C co-star Deepika Padukone and not Katrina to producers. Possessiveness can't turn things positive Kat!....Continue

Passion in Krishi Bhavan

Raghuvansh Prasad singh, RJD MP, Bihar

Many of his mannerisms are like those of Lalu Prasad. Invite him to any wedding in his constituency and he is there, not counting caste or class of the family. And if he is invited to more than one ceremony the same day, he will partake of food at one but get it packed from the rest of the homes, wishing to hurt none.

But the similarities end there. Indeed, Raghuvansh Prasad Singh is considered by many as a good old chap but ‘totally useless’… ask him for a favour and he will tell you details of the official procedure! Thirty years of politics has seen his career untainted, despite the fact that he presides over one of the most cash-rich ministries: rural development. If there is no specific work in Delhi on a weekend, you’ll find him taking the round of his constituency Vaishali. He is making a house in Patna, but with a bank loan of Rs 2.5 lakh… they say other ministers and chief ministers build palaces for themselves!

Yet, there are critics. Says muscleman-turned MLA Munna Shukla of Janata Dal (U), who gave him a tough run in the elections: “If he is so honest, why is he the general of the utterly corrupt Lalu Prasad army?” Nonetheless, if you find the lights on after 10 pm in the chamber of any minister whose office is in Krishi Bhavan, it is his. There indeed I get to meet him after 9 pm. “I do not attend birthday parties, social programmes or some stupid inauguration here and there, so might as well finish of some pending work,” he smiles. And this spells disaster for the staff members of mantriji.

"vested interests"

How does one account for this paradox then? One is too old to work in the bureaucracy, but not too old to hold a major political portfolio! Neurologists say it is possible at age 75 to have an IQ of 100 and yet be able to give the correct answers of only half as many questions as at age 21.

Of course, retirement ages have been mandated for a purpose. A man of 60 may be in full control of his faculties, and yet lack the energy and zest for work of somebody half his age. You simply cannot get around these physiological facts. The reaction time slows down and various "vested interests" come into play. As one psychiatrist said of Shivraj Patil's repeated changing of suits after the Delhi blasts this year: "He is a narcissist obsessed with sartorial matters, unmindful of the country's safety!"

Officially, almost no young politician takes the retirement issue up for discussion. BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy, himself in his mid-40s, is one such. "Technically speaking there is no such provision in the Constitution. The age of an individual cannot define the limits of his contribution in politics. Each must decide for himself or herself how much work they have the energy to do," he says. D Raja, National Secretary of the Communist Party of India, agrees: "Politics is not like other professions. Politicians know when they should retire."

Says sociologist Vijay Lakshmi Nanda: "It is the job of the political parties to choose and raise the right kind of people. It is their job not to select and represent too old and inefficient representatives. If all the candidates are old, who are we going to vote for? The problem is the right kind of people are not reaching there." In most cultures, the young prefer to stay away from politics.....Continue

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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan

How many new faces are expected in the new ministry?
Let’s keep that issue on the shelf for a while, please!

What are the major challenges you face in your second term?
Challenges are a constant reality. The BJP government has completed some major developmental projects in the last term. Some new projects have been worked out as well.

We started those projects with due dialogue and consultation with the people for whom those specific projects were meant. To do that, we organised massive mahapanchayats (public hearings). However, all the projects have not been completed, so we have to ensure that they come through. Our biggest challenge is to make Madhya Pradesh a fully developed state in the next five years.

What will be the priority sectors for the new government?
There are some formalities to set up the new government. These may be over soon. But work has not stopped. We have started work already. At the very outset, we have held a meeting on potable water. It is our top priority to give drinking water to all the areas of the state.

Besides, we shall work ceaselessly for the uplift of women. We shall make the projects that are running more effective. We shall take up the issue of large investments in the state and augment industrial growth with an eye to generating employment. Power generation is a top priority.

Even as Congress conceded defeat, yet they have promised to extend positive cooperation. How do you see that?
The BJP does not have reservations on taking help from anyone so long as it benefits the people of the state. We feel people must rise above sectarian politics and together participate in the development of the state.

We sought the support and mandate of the people precisely for this purpose, and we got their blessings for our work. We have always welcomed positive cooperation for the development of the state, which is our highest goal......Continue

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