Exclusive!

We journos love the word 'exclusive' in the context of an exclusive story. It gives us a sense of achievement and euphoria of having information that no one else has. But let me talk about 'inclusive'. You know, it's now fashionable to use the word 'inclusive' in the context of inclusive growth and this whole spiel about bridging the divide between haves and have-nots. On Budget Day, Chidambaram sprinkled the i-word generously in his budget speech, my Editor picked it up for his edit, TV discussions repeated it ad nauseum and all the pink papers included 'inclusive growth' in their post-budget op-eds. In fact, recently, I also read an interesting piece titled The All Important Inclusion .... do check it out.

Now having heard/read all that's been said/written about the importance of inclusive growth, I just have one question: On one hand, this Government claims that it wants inclusive growth. Says it is committed to creating equitable distribution of opportunities. On the other hand, it allows Special Economic Zones that are elitist, well-endowed, tax-less, lawless privileged enclaves of excellence.

Tell me, do you really buy this inclusive story?

The Left's Not So Right Anymore!

It made riveting television. An event that left the left red faced. The debate in Parliament was on shifting a Maritime University from Kolkata to Chennai. The left accused the Government of trying to clandestinely shift the university (beats me how one can secretly move a darn college!) and "damaaje the intarest of Waste Bengaul." So, tempers flared, voices raised and before an adjournment could be called, our beloved comrades rushed to the well of the house and almost came to blows with their own allies - MPs from the DMK!

Mind you, this is the same political grouping that traditionally takes a moral high ground on everything including 'parliamentary' behaviour. Much to Somnathda's chagrin, Members of Parliament from the left behaved like hooligans that afternoon. While most left leaders have scant respect for TV etiquette, (except Karat and Yechury, but if you have ever seen D.Raja and Dipankar Mukherjee on air, you'll know what I mean) watching them stoop to fisticuffs was a new low. Gurudas Dasgupta was at a loss of words, and that doesn't happen too often to him especially in front of a TV camera, justifying such lumpen behaviour. I just wish a few punches landed on TR Balu. It would've been grand fun! Wonder how Lok Sabha TV does in the ratings game.

(Picture courtesy: ibnlive.com)

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