Caveat emptor, say the politicos

The occasion was the Delhi launch of a Microsoft product, and the guest of honour was naturally, minister of Information Technology, Pramod Mahajan. Just before he unveiled the product, Mr Mahajan — to the bemusement of the software giant — had this to say, “please buy this product at your own risk. I do not take any responsibility about the product quality and the future of the company.”

By way of explanation, the minister quickly added that he was only following the Prime Minister’s instructions with respect to product launches and company inaugurations. In warning his ministers, Mr Vajpayee seems to have learnt his lesson. Remember the now scam-tainted Cyberspace?

Empty coffers, punctual ministers

An integral part of ministerial conduct is the mandatory wait audiences undergo before getting a darshan.

But just the other day, the shoe was on the other foot. Ministers of the state government of Kerala have been facing fast emptying state coffers for a while now. Consequently, they attempted to remedy the unfortunate situation.

A meeting with mostly non-resident Keralites was thus convened in one of Kochi’s plush hotels.

For once, the ministers decided to practice the virtue of punctuality of their own volition or maybe it was the lure of Gulf money.

But whatever the reason, the chief minister — alongwith almost his entire cabinet — with senior babus in tow, was present at the venue at exactly 9:30 AM.

However, they sat and stared at the empty conference hall for nearly an hour, which is when the first among the invited delegates started trooping in. A fine example of getting a dose of one’s own medicine, isn’t it?