A Labour of Love
It is not just a book, but an emotion. Sundeep Bhutoria, Founder, Prabha Khaitan Foundation and a social activist, has compiled a collection of essays, where celebrities, politicians along with the aam aadmi and aurat, come together to pay tribute to their mothers. The book is aptly titled “Suno Ma” (Hear me, mother) and it has essays by Cherie Blair, Cliff Richard, Dr Karan Singh, Sharmila Tagore, K.P. Singh, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Amish Tripathi and Milkha Singh amongst many other celebrities—all paying tribute to their mothers and the spirit of motherhood, for as Sharmila Tagore writes, the mother is also your first teacher. There is also an opening note in praise of the book and the idea behind it by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. In fact the book talks about a railway employee who undertakes a four-day train journey from Delhi to Bangalore every week just because the train passes through a station where his mother awaits with his favourite food just so she can get a glimpse of her son. It is a very moving account of a very special relationship—between a mother and a child. Though the inspiration behind the book is Lily, a child who was sold by her mother to a dalal (tout) for as little as 50 dollars. After being sold and abused over and again, the child has been rescued and lives in a shelter home where she says the goal of her life is to inspire mothers to love their daughters, “as my mother didn’t love me”. A charity has also been named after Lily to rescue girls like her. In his note, the PM also congratulates Bhutoria on this move against flesh trade, noting that it’s in keeping with his government’s efforts for women empowerment. All in all, the book is a commendable idea executed very creatively.
The real weathervane
Trust Pavan Varma to have the last word. While speaking at the launch of a biography on Ram Vilas Paswan titled, “The Weathervane of Indian Politics”, the diplomat-author turned politician quipped that this title actually belongs to someone else, for as he says there were other more seasoned “mausam vaigyaniks”! One doesn’t have to look too far to figure out whom he was referring to, since the answer lies in the same state that Paswan belongs to. The one politician who is known for his U-turns is of course none other than JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar. Interestingly, Varma began his political career with Nitish but has since fallen out, on account of Kumar’s one too many U-turns. The book, written by seasoned journalist, Shobhana K. Nair, is an engaging read. The launch was well attended, with the inimitable Rasheed Kidwai moderating a discussion between Manoj Jha and Pavan Varma, and with the Deputy Speaker from Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh, giving the opening address.
The battle for Chandigarh
The high profile union territory has some very high stake claimants from both sides. While the Congress is divided between two union ministers who have both laid claims to the seat, the BJP is deliberating whether to bring in a high voltage Bollywood star who has been quite vocal about her support for the party. Either way, it is going to be an interesting contest. Currently the seat is held by the popular Kirron Kher, but the buzz within the BJP is that she may opt out from contesting again on health grounds.
The Congress Candidate from Rae Bareli
The Congress is still to finalise its candidates from the Gandhi family bastions of Amethi and Rae Bareli. From all accounts it does look like neither Rahul nor Priyanka will be contesting from there. According to sources, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will not be contesting these elections. Which brings the focus back to the candidate from Rae Bareli. There is also another Gandhi in the fray—their cousin Feroze Varun who hasn’t yet been given the Pilibhit ticket from the BJP though he is the sitting MP from there. However, his mother, Maneka will be contesting from Sultanpur on the BJP ticket (from where she is currently an MP). For a while there was speculation that Feroze Varun would be contesting from Pilibhit as an independent candidate supported by the I.N.D.I.A bloc, but this came to naught when the Samajwadi Party declared its candidate from there. However, this still leaves Amethi and Rae Bareli up for grabs—Feroze Varun’s father, the late Sanjay Gandhi had contested from Amethi and both his grandparents—Indira and Feroze Gandhi have won from Rae Bareli. Will Feroze Varun then be contesting from Rae Bareli as an independent candidate, supported by the Congress? Watch this space.