Reserve Bank of India governor Yaga Venugopal Reddy is one regulator whose sense of humour is legendary. This Reddy-wit was in evidence on the day of the keenly watched mid-term review of RBI?s annual policy last Tuesday. As Reddy entered the conference room for his customary post-policy press conference, a couple of eager journalists began quickly jotting down points to ask him questions on. Looking around the well-lit room and spotting the journalists, the Governor quipped: ?These days people are reporting [me] even when I am silent.? The flash of wit in his words, of course, contained more than a hint of reproach. But then, given the state of the capital inflows and the challenge posed by these to the central bank, such industrious media behaviour should come as no surprise to the Governor. After all, there are times that interpreting the sound of someone?s silence assumes heightened importance.
Beyond neon
Esop Pahad, minister in the office of the presidency of South Africa, had Mumbai?s corporate honchos listening with rapt attention to a sales spiel on the springbok country as an investment destination. He spoke eloquently about its infrastructure, hospitality, textile industry and other things waiting to work ROI wonders. The clincher? ?Many years ago, India gave us Gandhi, and we gave back India the ?Mahatma?.? These, he said, are the magical returns South Africa is capable of. The corporates were left wondering if they too would need to be flung off a train and have an epiphany to attain success.