What people say about us!

Highly credible whispers. I would like more on this.

Raj Kumar

POLITICS

Where Governments are formed ?
Go and take a round of IIC ,Golf Club and Gymkhana Club in Delhi , you will find Governments are formed every day.

Shinzo Abe's visit to India and its significance
If one taracks the frequency and the sequence of India visit to japan's top dignitaries one would find substantial diplomatic significance for India as far as the issue of Japan's foot-dragging on its nuclear agreement with India is concerned. For the first time in the history of the country, the Emperor and Empress of Japan came to India December last. Now Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visits India as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

CEC chooses Dev for "Best Electoral Practices Award' as first ever recipient from Delhi
The Election Commission of India has chosen Vijay Kumar Dev for innovative approach and initiative during the Delhi Assembly polls which led to record turnout of votes. He would be the first ever recipient of this award. The passionate learner of administration is known as the one who leads from the front in executions in administration. He is 1987 batch IAS officer of UT cadre.

BUREAUCRACY

Ghanshyam all set to move as Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria
As the grapevine as it, Ajjampur R Ghanashyam, a 1982 batch IFS officer, is all set to move to Nigeria. The officer is serving as Additional Secretary, Counsellor Passport Visa & Haj in the Dept of External Affairs, GoI. The officer charts on the list of those IFS officers who have been given extension beyond their superannuation. He will now retire in June 2016 instead of June 2014.

Highways Regulator likely
Highways Regulator is likely to be appointed in the Government of India. A move to be implemented before this Government goes.

Only serving 'Padmahree' awardee IAS officer to retire next week
S R Rao, the only serving 'Padmashree awardee' IAS officer, is all set to retire next week. The incumbent Union Commerce Secretary is all set to handover the baton to his newly appointed successor Rajiv Kher on January 31. Rao is a 1978 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.

Anil Kumar deputed as Deputy Director, Intelligence Bureau
Anil Kumar, presently DIG - Nizamabad, has been deputed to Government of India as Deputy Director in Intelligence Bureau (IB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). He is a 1996 batch IPS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.

Sanjay Kumar Singh to continue in Bihar
Deputation tenure of Sanjay Kumar Singh has been extended for one year. The 1997 batch Odisha cadre IAS officer Singh is presently Special Secretary to Bihar chief Minister.

Debasis Sen selected as Director, (P&BD), IOCL
Debasis Sen, ED, IOCL, has been selected for the post of Director (Planning & Business Development), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on January 24, 2014. As many as 11 persons were interviewed for the same.

Nitin Agarwal gets ADG rank
Nitin Agarwal, IG-ITBP, has got one reason for rejoice. The 1989 batch IPS officer who has freshly been given extension for another six months has simultaneously been given ADG rank in Kerala.

Mohan Chandak is Press Registrar, RNI, New Delhi
Mohan Chandak has been appointed as Press Registrar, RNI, New Delhi. He is an Indian Information Service (IIS) officer.

A P F Noronha appointed DG, DFP, New Delhi
A P F Noronha has been appointed as Director General, DFP, New Delhi. He is an Indian Information Service (IIS) officer.

Chaturvedi appointed CVO, ILK, REIL, HSL & SSL
Arun Kumar Chaturvedi has been appointed as Common Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) in Instrumentation Limited, Kota (ILK), Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited, Jaipur(REIL), Hindustan Salts Limited (HSL) and Sambhar Salts Limited, Jaipur (SSL) all under the Ministry of Heavy Industries. He is an IRSE officer of 1994 batch.

Tenure of DVC's CVO Prahlad Kumar extended
The tenure of Prahlad Kumar, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) in Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), Kolkata, under the Ministry of Power, has been extended for a period of two years with effect from September 12, 2013. He is an IP&TA&FS officer of 1984 batch.

Mrs Ashima Brar is also Administrator, HUDA, Panchkula
Mrs Ashima Brar has been assigned an additional charge of Administrator, HUDA, Panchukla in Haryana. She is a 2004 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre.

Mallikarjuna Rao transferred to RDSO, Lucknow
Y Mallikarjuna Rao, (SS/IRAS), South Central Railway, has been transferred to RDSO, Lucknow.

Mrs Sulekha Verma appointed as OSD in CCIT office, Delhi
Indian Revenue Service officer of Income Tax cadre Mrs Sulekha Verma has been appointed as OSD in the office of CCIT (CCA), Delhi region.

Divakara is new ED of Central Bank
B K Divakara, General Manager of the Corporation Bank, has been appointed new Executive Director of the Central Bank of India.

K V Brahmaji Rao is ED of Punjab National Bank
K V Brahmaji Rao has taken over as Executive Director in Punjab National Bank in Bangalore. Prior to joining PNB, Rao was General Manager at Vijaya Bank.

J K Singh Kharb is ED of Allahabad Bank
J K Singh Kharb has joined as new Executive Director of the Allahabad Bank. Prior to this he was GM in the Dena Bank.

V Ramchandran, DG, RDSO (Railway) to retire on Feb 28
A crucially important GM level post in Railways would fall vacant on February 28 with the retirement of V Ramchandran. The IRSS officer is serving as Director General, Research Design & Standard Organisation (RDSO).

Applications for Secretary, Film Certification Appellate Tribunal invited
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has invited applications for the post of Secretary, Film Certification Appellate Tribunal on deputation basis. Those willing to apply can send their applications to this Ministry at the earliest.

Six IAS officers of Gujarat cadre retiring this month
As many as six IAS officers of Gujarat cadre, including Union Commerce Secretary S R Rao, are retiring on January 31, 2014 . The other five are Maheshwar Sahu - ACS (Industries), Dr Ranjit Bannerji (CEO, GSDMA), Haribhai Patel (Commissioner of Commercial Tax), S A Golakia (Secretary Appeals- Revenue) and G J Champaneri (Secretary Appeals- Revenue).

DoPT invites applications for DS, N-Eastern Council Secretariat
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has invited applications for the post of Deputy Secretary in the North Eastern Council Secretariat, Shillong under the Ministry of DoNER. Those willing to apply can send their applications to the DoPT before March 30, 2014.

Three IAS promoted in J & K
Three 1998 batch IAS officers - Vinod Koul, Gazzanfer Hussain and Ghulam Hassan Tantray - have been given super-time scale in J & K.

Four IPS officers shifted in AP
As many as four IPS officers in Andhra Pradesh have been transferred. Accordingly, Sarvashresth Tripathi has been appointed as Deputy Commissioner of Police. South Zone, Hyderabad, S Chanrasekhar Reddy as SRP Secunderabad, K Ramesh Naidu as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shamshabad, Cyberabad and G Srinivas has been appointed as Chief Security and Vigilance Officer, TTD, Tirupathi.

Prabhakar Rao returns to parent cadre
T Prabhakar Rao, who was deputed as Director (Coal & Logistics), APGENCO in Andhra Pradesh Government, has been repatriated to his parent cadre Ministry of Railways, Railway Board. He is an IRTS officer.

Two get President's Medal for Distinguished Service
Two police officers have been chosen for President's Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service on the occasion of Republic Day. They are: Dheeraj Mathur, Dy. Supdt., Tihar Central Jail, Delhi and Niranjan Das, Suptd., Circle jail, Cuttack at Choudhwar, Odisha.

39 police personnel chosen for Correctional Service Medals
As many as 39 police officers have been chosen for the Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service on the occasion of Republic Day. They include: Prasad Rao Gaddam, Head Warder, Sub-Jail, Giddalur, Andhra Pradesh; Madhaw Rao Bhonsle, Asst. Jail Suptd., Central Jail Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh; Laxmi Narayan Sharma, Head Warder, Central Jail, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh; Shivli Ram Meena, Head Warder 615, Tihar Central Jail, Delhi; Hoshiar Singh, Warder-710, Tihar Central Jail,Delhi; Bhikhankhan Kadukhan Bahelim, Jailor, IG Prisons Office,Ahmedabad, Gujarat; Jagjit Singh, Addl.I.G., O/o D.G. Prisons, Haryana; Harish Kotwal, Suptd. , Dist. Jail Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir; Hilal Ahmed Rather, Dy. Suptd, District Jail Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir; G. Veerabhadra Swamy, Dy. Inspector General of Prisons and Chief Suptd., Central Prison, Belgaum, Karnataka; B T Obaleshappa, Asst. Suptd., Open Air Jail, Koramangala, Karnataka; D Sathyaraj, Superintendent, Special Sub Jail, Neyyattinkara, Kerala; K Vasantha Kumar, Head Warder, Central Prison, Kannur, Kerala; E Krishnadas, Head Warder, Sub Jail, Ponnani, Kerala ; Madan Kamlesh, Dy Suptd., Distt. Jail, Shadol, Madhya Pradesh; Shiv Kumar Taikam, Warder, Sub Jail, Patan, Madhya Pradesh; Om Prakash Sharma, Warder, Sub Jail, Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh; Namdeo Bajirao Gaikwad, Subhedar, Thane Central Prison, Thane, Maharashtra; Dnyaneshwar Dashrath Kale, Jailor Gr. I Ahmednagar District Prison, Maharashtra; Manohar Prakash Bhise, Havaldar, Kolhapur District Prison (City), Maharashtra; Dilip Rau Patil, Subhedar, DJ Jail Officer Trg College, Pune; Purushottam Baliram Moon, Havaldar, Nagpur Central Prison, Maharashtra; S Jayanta Singh, Warder, Manipur Central Jail, Imphal; W. Jin Meitei, Warder, Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa; S L Haopu, Warder, Manipur Central Jail, Imphal, Manipur; Biren Ch. Dey, Head Warder, Williamnagar, Meghalaya; Suresh Kumar Mohapatra, Head Warder, Circle Jail, Sambalpur, Odisha; Mrs Sobhagini Singh, Assistant Matron, Nari Bandi Niketan, Sambalpur, Odisha; Niranjan Sahoo, Prison Welfare Officer, Circle Jail, Sambalpur, Odisha; K. Rengan, Assistant Jailor, Women sub jail, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu; M K Murugesan, Chief Head Warder, Central Prison , Madurai, Tamil Nadu; M Raja, Chief Head Warder, sub-jail, Thirumangalam, Tamil Nadu; P Dhanasekaran, Grade I Warder (UG), Central Prison, Salem, Tamil Nadu; Nagendra Singh Chauhan, Head Warder, Central jail, Agra, Uttar Pradesh; Ram Ratan Verma, Warder, Central Jail, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh; Ravinder Kumar Prajapati, Head Warder, District jail, Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh; Lakshman Prasad Sharma, Warder, Central Jail, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh; Sk. Giyasuddin Ahamed, Warder, Alipore CCH, West Bengal and Santi Pada Panda, Warder, Alipore CCH, West Bengal.

IPS officers promoted to DIG rank in UP
A number of officers belonging to Indian Police Services have been promoted to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank in Uttar Pradesh. The officers include: Om Prakash Sagar, Prashant Kumar (II), Neelabja Chowdhary, Lakshmi Singh, Jitendra Pratap Singh, GP Kanujiya, Vinod Kumar Dohre, Krishna Mohan, Ram Swaroop, DK Rai, Gulab Singh, Mahesh Kumar Mishra, Lakshmi Narain, Rakesh Pradhan, Udai Pratap, Sanjay Kakkar, Suresh Chandra Pandey, Ashok Kumar Tandon, DP Srivastava and Madan Gopal Singh.

Minor reshuffle of IAS officers in Bihar
Some officers belonging to Indian Administrative Service (IAS) have been transferred and posted at different places in Bihar. Accordingly, Jitendra Srivastava has been appointed as MD, Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL) while Vinod Singh Gunjiyal will be DM, Vaishali and Raman Kumar is Buxar DM. Similarly, Saket Kumar has been made Banka DM; Girivar Dayal as Deputy Secretary, GAD; Rachna Patil as Nalanda DDC; Rajiv Roshan as Saran as DDC and Alok Ranjan Ghosh shifted to Rajgir.

BEML bags awards in R-Day Horticultural show
BEML LIMITED, the Public Sector Company under the Ministry of Defence as received as many as 70 Prizes and 6 special Mementoes in the Garden Competitions held during the Republic Day Horiticutural Show, January 2014. The completion has been organised by the Mysore Horticultural Society, Bangalore. BEML has bagged these awards for well maintained gardens at its Township Parks, Offices, and Residences at Bangalore Mysore, Kolar Gold Fields complexes. BEML is consecutively receiving such awards from the Horticulture Dept., every year for the well maintained gardens at all its works/township/residences. In order to promote 'Go Green' concept, the Company has exclusive Horticulture Depts., at all the Units and continuously pursing in promoting greenery in and around its establishments in protecting the environment.

Ms Kusumjit Sidhu visits HAL facilities, stresses on CSR
Ms Kusumjit Sidhu, Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises hailed the efforts of the defence major, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in India's defence preparedness during her visit to HAL facilities on January 25. She also interacted with young HAL engineers. Later, during discussion with HAL Chairman, Dr R K Tyagi and other senior officials she focused on the multiple uses of helicopters in different situations, Dhruv in particular and explored the possibility of using these helicopters for greater benefits of society at large. She felt that the increasing emphasis given on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the step in right direction. "With PSUs such as HAL committed to variety of activities and DPE as a guiding force, CSR will impact the society in much better ways in the days to come", she added. Dr Tyagi, K Naresh Babu, Managing Director, Bangalore Complex, Dr A K Mishra, Director, Finance, V Sadagopan, Executive Director, Helicopter Complex and other senior executives of HAL accompanied Ms Sidhu during her visit.

Srinivas Rao deputed to AP Govt as Director, APCPDCL
C Srinivas Rao presently Dy FA& CAO, SCR, has been deputed to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for the appointment as Director (Finance), Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Ltd (APCPDCL), Hyderabad. He is an IRAS officer.

Mrs Shilaja Ramaiyer to attend International Fair at Germany
Mrs Shilaja Ramaiyer, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Coroporation Limited, will be participating in Ambiente International Fair-2014 at Frankfurt in Germany from February 7 to 11, 2014. She is a 1997 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre.

Himanshu Gupta deputed as Director, Technical Education in CG
Himanshu Gupta has been appointed as Director, Technical Education in Chhattisgarh. He is a 1994 batch IPS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre.

3 RPF personnel get President's Police Medal
Three RPF personnel have been awarded warded President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service for their exemplary services on the occasion of Republic Day, 2014. They include: S C Sinha, CSC/WCR; Nirmal Singh, CSC, NFR and Rajpal Singh, SIPF/NR.

13 RPF personnel get Indian Police Medal
As many as 13 RPF personnel have been awarded Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Services on the occasion of Republic Day, 2014. They include: G K Dash, IPF, ECoR; T R Das, ASC/NFR; Vijay Kumar Yadav, SIPF/NER; Subedar Singh, ASIPF/NER; C S Dwivedi, IPF/ WCR; Pradeep Tiwari, SIPF/ WCR; A Vardhan, ASI/ NFR; Puran Mal Yadav, SIPF/ WR; L V Krishnarnoorthy, IPF(M)/ RP SF; P Satya Narayana, ASI (E)/ RPSF; Brahma Nand Pareek, ASI (E)/ RPSF; U.N.Mishra, ASI/ ER and Ravi Shankar Singh, IPF/ ECR.

368 Republic Day Gallantry and other Defence decorations announced (UPDATED)
President has approved awards of 368 Gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others on the eve of the 65th Republic Day Celebrations. This includes 3 Kirti Chakra, 10 Shaurya Chakra, 1 Bar Sena Medal (Gallantry), 48 Sena Medal (Gallantry), 02 Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), 1 Bar to Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), 14 Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medal, 05 Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, 07 Bar to Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 45 Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 19 Yudh Seva Medal, 05 Bar to Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 35 Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 08 Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 15 Vayu Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 10 Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal and 112 Vishisht Seva Medal. In addition a total of 25 Mention-In-Despatches have also been announced for participating in Operation Rakshak. The full list of the recipients of gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel and others is as follows:
http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=102732



DEBATE - What bureaucracy of the country feel ?
There has been a lot of hue and cry over the (mis)rule of the UPA under Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. The alarming defeat of the Congress party in the recently held state Assembly polls has only added fuel to the fire. We invite the decision makers to make their own assessment regarding the above notion about Dr Singh's tenure and feel free to post us that How do they rate performance of the economist Prime Minister as a head of the government?

(Please be short, to the point and objective in your assessment which should not be more than 200 words or so since too long statements and opinions don't attract much audience.)

Mail to -mehrotra.suresh@gmail.com Or suresh.mehrotra@yahoo mail.com

President confers Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) upon Wing Commander Sachin Gupta Flying (Pilot)
Vayu Sena Medical (Gallantry) award has been conferred upon Wing Commander Sachin Gupta Flying (Pilot) for his exceptional courage, focused and dedicated service. He was tasked to proceed to Phata helipad in Kedarnath valley for evacuation of stranded pilgrims.

President confers Gallantry Awards to Indian Air Force Personnel for Operation Rahat (Posthumously)

A large numbers of pilgrims had been stranded in the narrow valleys of Kedarnath, for over five days without food and water. For their acts of conspicuous courage, professional competence and successful execution of a risk mission to save precious lives in hostile weather conditions in an extremely inhospitable environment the following personnel have been awarded :-

(a) Kirti Chakra (Posthumously) - Wing Commander Darryl Castelino Flying (Pilot) - Captain

(b) Shaurya Chakra (Posthumously) - Flight Lieutenant Krishnamoorthy Praveen Flying (Pilot) - Co Pilot

(c) Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) (Posthumously) - Flight Lieutenant Tapan Kapoor Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical) - Technical Officer

(d) Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) (Posthumously) - Junior Warrant Officer Akhilesh Kumar Singh - Flight Engineer

(e) Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) (Posthumously) - Sergeant Sudhakar Yadav - Flight Gunner

President confres Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) upon Wing Commander Abhay Satish Parandekar Flying (Pilot)

Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) award has been conferred upon Wing Commander Abhay Satish Parandekar Flying (Pilot) for his act of exceptional courage, dedication to duty, unflinching determination beyond call of duty and display of valour to save people and give them succor.

83 Presidential Awards for IAF this Year

83 IAF Air Warriors have been decorated with Presidential Awards on the eve of Republic Day, this year. This includes Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM) for six Air Marshals, Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) for one Air Marshal, eight Air Vice Marshals and four Air Commodores. One Kirti Chakra (Posthumously), one Shaurya Chakra (Posthumously), two Shaurya Chakra, three Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) (Posthumously), one Bar to Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), eleven Vayu Sena Medal (VM) Gallantry, fifteen Vayu Sena Medal for devotion to duty have been awarded. The Vishist Seva Medal (VSM) have been awarded to two Air Vice Marshal, seven Air Commodores, nineteen Group Captains and two Wing Commanders.

President confers Shaurya Chakra upon Wing Commander Aditya Prakash Singh Flying (Pilot)

Shaurya Chakra has been conferred upon Wing Commander Aditya Prakash Singh Flying (Pilot) for his acts of exemplary courage and professional handling of aircraft under difficult circumstances

President confers Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) upon Wing Commander Syed Muzaffar Yunus Flying (Pilot)
Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) upon Wing Commander Syed Muzaffar Yunus Flying (Pilot) who is the Commanding Officer of a Mi-17 V5 Helicopter Unit in northern sector. The unit was tasked for 'Operation Rahat' in Uttarakhand. He was the captain of first rescue mission by a Mi-17 V5 helicopter to rescue distressed and injured pilgrims from an unprepared and restricted landing site adjacent to Kedarnath temple at an elevation of approximately 11200 feet. He has been awarded for his act of exceptional courage and fearless determination,.

President confers Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) upon Squadron Leader Anupam Dey Flying (Pilot)
Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) has been conferred upon Squadron Leader Anupam Dey Flying (Pilot). He was authorized to ferry a Chetak Helicopter Z-422 from Pune to Jamnagar on March 26, 2013. During hover for take off, at a height of approximately 5-6 feet above ground level, due to failure of the rudder control linkages, total directional control over the helicopter was lost and the aircraft started yawing viciously to the left with increasing amplitude and at such a low altitude above ground level spun for four 360 degree rotations. His prompt decision making and correct analysis of the emergency coupled with ability to maintain his composure in such an uncontrolled state of flight of the helicopter led to the safe recovery of the helicopter, passengers and service equipment. He has been awarded for this act of exceptional courage and professional handling of aircraft under difficult circumstances.

President confers Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) upon Squadron Leader Vipin Takawale Flying (Pilot)
Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) has been conferred upon Squadron Leader Vipin Takawale Flying (Pilot) for his exceptional courage, in the face of adverse conditions, and unparalleled dedication to duty.

President confers Shaurya Chakra upon Wing Commander Nikhil Naidu Flying Pilot
Shaurya Chakra has been conferred upon Wing Commander Nikhil Naidu Flying Pilot. He was among the first few respondents to the rescue operations and was specially chosen to undertaken the task due to his vast experience. He has been awarded for his acts of conspicuous bravery.

President confers Vayu sena Medal (Gallantry) upon Wing Commander Felix Patrick Pinto, SC Flying (Pilot)
Vayu sena Medal (Gallantry) has been conferred upon Wing Commander Felix Patrick Pinto, SC Flying (Pilot). He evacuated 76 survivors and continued with the gallant act thereafter and was instrumental in saving 892 survivors in the subsequent sorties. He has been awarded for his display of extraordinary leadership and exceptional courage under adverse operational circumstances.

CORPORATE

Tenure of Dasgupta as Ambassador to WTO extended
The tenure of Jayant Dasgupta as Ambassador/Permanent Representative of India, World Trade Organization (WTO) has been extended upto March 31, 2013. He is a 1981 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.

(The views expressed in this column are of the contributors. We do not owe any responsibility, whatsoever, of the views of our surfers as they are their personal opinion. However, we would also request our contributors not to be personal, directly or indirectly, in presenting their views. Instead of countering the views which ‘X’ has already expressed, our contributors are advised to present their own views. Also be brief, say about 200 words at the most since any views longer than that if eliminated at our end would carry the risk of the contrbutor’s item losing its original essence)

Pankaj Agarwala,

Losing a close colleague is shocking, but losing a friend who was like an elder brother is quite devastating.
Pankaj Agarwala, warmly known to close friends as "Aggie," was a multi-dimensional personality. He could rise to any occasion and enliven the dampest of moments with heady conversation, tempered with a rare blend of wisdom and joviality. Sometimes one wondered whether he had already researched a topic on which he spoke so authoritatively--but then he was knowledgeable on so many diverse subjects that it seemed humanly impossible to have done that.

I first met Aggie when I joined St Stephens College in the summer of 1975, and was housed in Allnutt North, the same Block in which resided two senior and almost inseparable buddies, Aggie and Rajiv Mehrishi, the current Chief Secretary of Rajasthan. Aggie was gentle to the Freshers, always encouraging, and ever-ready to counsel and support. He was elected President of the St Stephens College Students Union and was highly successful; St Stephens rose to cultural heights under his leadership. Aggie chose me as part of his Academic Council team, and we stayed close ever since.

In the IAS, Aggie held prominent positions, the last being as Secretary Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution. But the official stints he always recalled most passionately were those in the Departments of Urban Development and Information Technology, subjects about which he had a unique understanding and that he could expound endlessly on.

In Delhi, Aggie was one of the most popular members of the Delhi Golf Club, playing regularly, being the first amongst the 'torch-brigade' of morning golfers, vibrant and sparkling--with as much his sharp wit as with his irons. I once suggested that he stand for the DGC elections, but he quipped promptly with a smile that it would make him lose some friends and detract from the fun of the game.

Krishi Bhawan, where he worked, will never be the same again, without Aggie playing host of the famous 'lunch-club' that he espoused in his room. In fact, he made it so vibrant and enticing that its members chose to even skip going out with friends or to their own homes to participate in it!

Aggie will always be remembered for his humane attitude, his zest for life-food, music, sports, clothes, trivia--but, above all, his abiding loyalty to his friends. His accessibility and his readiness to help and offer advice, his delectable sense of humor and his endeavor to accommodate all will be severely missed. He was complimented beautifully in his outreach by Renu, his caring wife, who has always been warm, gracious and hospitable.

Aggie's sudden and untimely departure has etched a deep and sorrowful furrow in the fragile landscape of many of our lives.

a Tribute by Raghav Chandra AS and FA, Ministries of Agriculture/Animal Husbandry/Culture

Performance being criticized without analysis

I feel UPA II performance is being criticized without any analysis. The world economy is certainly passing through a crisis stage due to imbalances of consumption level of citizens in all spheres of life. Rich nations consume far more than the poor and developing nations. Indian economic mess is due to the history of coalition politics for the last almost 20 years. Due to coalition politics corruption has considerably increased, lack of uniformity in the policy decision (especially on the economic front), edge of regional politics over central politics and lastly total neglection of the farmer, agriculture and manufacturing and infrastructural sector. This is high time all political parties Unite and think of India as a whole. But unluckily as of today 2014 is also heading for worst Hung Parliament.

Harish Kumar

NTC CMD appointment cancelled

Not only this, earlier P C Vaish was selected as CMD, NTC on July 4, 2013. CVC issued him vigilance clearance. File was kept holding for more than five months and on Nov. 25, proposal duly approved by Textile Minister was sent to DoPT but on December 10, 2013, Secretary (Textiles) called back the file when it was under process and changed the proposal to REJECT the appointment of Vaish.

K P Singh

Paper list only !

This will remain paper list only and will be scrapped by new government on some pretext.

Anil

Supreme Courts should avoid cases of Govt. employees

As is known most of the cases against Govt. employees are filed because of whims of HOD's/Secretary of different ministries that is the reason most of the cases are decided in the favor of employees in CAT. The higher officials then move in High Courts where thousands of cases are pending. Even when the cases are decided in favor again with the employees they further move towards Supreme Court because they do not have to pay from their pockets. In fact Supreme Court should avoid such cases and admit only those cases where fundamental issues are involved Supreme Court otherwise should impose huge fine on Heads/Secretary. This will be a great relief to the employees otherwise they not only loose lot of money in litigation but unnecessary time is also wasted.

Majhauli

Has AAP already slipped into Anti Anti-corruption Party?

The first thing expected of the government in Delhi was a check on corruption and bringing to justice the proven corrupt in the fast track mode. Has anything happened? The government only promises the Lok Pal/Lokayukta! Does it mean there is no law to bring the corrupt to justice? What happened to the PCA? Vigilance rules are not effective? How many days it takes to send the message of sincerity about anti corruption? 2 days or 10 days or 15 days? It is more than that but nothing about anti corruption in Delhi govt. Only the placebo of the Lok Pal! God! The aam aadmi is frustrated at being tricked again. There must surely be scores of vigilance cases, which could have been decided by now. accountability of the police is all that this government demands as if government means only police!! Government is good government. Anti corruption is to punish the guilty without loss of time. Do that and learn how difficult it is in this country to punish even proven guilty. Since the number of ghost employees in the Delhi Jal Board & other wings exceeds thousands, no government dare challenge such huge crowds. Even the judicial dispensation is quick to rush to their rescue.

M L Gupta

Kejriwal - from Nayak to Khalnayak

Arvind Kejriwal went from Anil Kapoor of movie Nayak to Sanjay Dutt of movie Khal Nayak within a span of 2 days.

A Agnihotri

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