Destinies, dynasties, and upstart pickpockets

And to think that I (thought I) had you cornered with that ``typical feminine`` phrase! I am finally beginning to see why t calls you a crafty old devil (COD). In my humble opinion, you are deserving of a title far superior than a mere COD, perhaps even qualifying as a super-COD!

Regarding Laloo`s pronouncements comparing Bihar road surfaces with the faces of lady movie stars, I must clarify - you have misread poor dear Laloo horribly. What he really meant was that a certain amount of road surface, approximately equal to the surface area of the face of that movie legend will be taken care of meticulously so as to reach a comparable smoothness. There never were any other promises (explicit or implied) regarding the remaining surface areas.

Sorry for the late response. Was caught up in issues more immediate.

BeeJay,

You are out of the sabbattical only to corner authers is it?:)

That said, that bit of female audacity...is methinks, apt. The remark on the looks of a chief minister or any public personality is rare in politics. The most recent i remember was laloo assuring people in Bihar that he will make roads as ``smooth as Hema Malini`s cheeks.`` The response, perhaps from Nitish Kumar was that right now the roads in Bihar were closer to Statrughan Sinha/ Om Puri`s cheeks! I did not find much audacity in this exchange, at the most earthy humour. Besides, at least hema and Sinha are in the business where looks being discussed was not new.

But a MLA of a party calling her chief minister something that Chowdhury did...is audacious... As regards, and to be distinctly female, because I rarely heard any disgruntled MLA of any party passing comments on her CM`s looks! The ones that might qualify from men are those that make you think their audacity is a misnomer derived from odious than audacious!

ana,

Thanks. I have not seen Olive Ridley`s since .. but have earlier.

amrita,

Glad you accomplished a good deed...like this chapter`s tenuous link to some good deed! And I thought Maelstorm was good. Like I said...have been caught up lately to post in detail.

t,

Methinks you are jumping the gun! There is some way still. Hopefully it will live up to your expectaction...at least in some measure!

dost,

yeah...Patnaik is plodding along, with some success in some areas. Orissa is also managing to attract investments and setting up infrastructure. IN fact, it is among the front ranking states in terms of investments from outside the state. But, as regards its long term effects, well we can hope it will work out right. It will too, in some areas and benefit a lot of people in the long run. Hopefully, it will also be an upper for the sagging morale of the peopel.

HN

Good read as before. At some places I thought that full meal was not served. Perhaps you are saving some for the book. Re. Navin Patnaik, I wonder if there will be any long term vision involved which might show some solid, albeit unspectacular results. I read somewhere that Orissa has been quite successful in its reforms in the power sector. Perhaps, he can borrow some chutzpah from Chandra Babu.

harish:

...this was not in the other version you sent...you are searching for a closure to this...

woud be interesting to read what route you take or what device you use:)

i expect something interesting, thoughtful, off-hand and deceptive

rgds

t

harish:

you are searching for a closure to this...

woud be interesting to read what route you take or what device you use:)

i expect something interestting, thoughtful, off-hand and deceptive

rgds

t

Harish - this one seemed more relaxed and it wandered about peeking into this place and that, very much in keeping with the mood of someone just passing through a place. the line that really stuck out for me was the ``casual but close friends`` one. Everyone has those, I think - some of us a few more than others. I havent seen a whole lot of mine for years but you inspired me to send out an email pronto. :)
as for the naveen patnaik - laloo yadav - chandrababu naidu link: i never thought of it before. what did surprise me (long back) was patnaik`s political affiliations. Gita Mehta`s a favourite of mine and its amazing to see her brother do this [whichof course really makes no sense coz they`re not clones of each other but still...] but it made more sense after i read what you wrote.

harish,

this was a good read. i really liked the way you described the various leaders of Orissa, Bihar and AP. . . although ``the last resort`` you suggested for the oriyas was very disturbing, as it was meant to be, no doubt.

too bad you didn`t get to see the olive ridleys. have you been able to see them since?

--ana

India is so fascinating.To be here, to experience it, to read about it....many worlds all drawn into one.I got pics of the cities the author is talking about so you can visualize your experences..........

Bangalore:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=128430&page=2&pp=20

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Vizag:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=199344

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=199344&page=2&pp=20

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India`s only electric car company Reva, introduces its` world car in Monaco this week!!!:

http://www.autoindex.org/news.plt?no=1126
http://www.autoindex.org/maker.plt?no=1278
http://www.autoindex.org/makelist.plt?cntr=32&letter=All

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I love India!!!.

Harish, this is pleasant reading, as always!

However, I was quite happy when the undercurrent was just humor, now you seem to be mixing it up with some sadness. Looks like the rigors of the journey are finally getting to you! (I won’t even mention Rohan! (I know what is good for me.))

[… the loneliness and general lack of inhabitation once again aroused our bladders.]
Somehow, I always thought that would come from drinking too much water. I would have never thought of these OTHER causes!

[Orissa seemed to have hypnotised itself into castration.]
The metaphysical makes a serious, unwarranted intrusion into the domain of the strictly physical once again!

[…described him with typical feminine audacity as a man with the looks of “a bus stand pickpocket.” ]
What does a “bus stand pickpocket” look like? Wait, YOU didn’t say that! But what is this about “typical” feminine audacity? You DID say that! Let’s see you try to wiggle out of this one!

[And yes, the one bar and restaurant that was open late night and was not a “Family Bar and Restaurant” served the best fried prawns in Andhra Pradesh. However, neither Rohan nor I can remember the name of the place. ]
See what all that drinking can do!