The Centre recently called a meeting of experts on the issue of funding infrastructure projects. Government officials, poring over the data, cited a set of sums needed for various roads, seaports, airports, highways and power projects. At this point, a financial expert from Mumbai had a question to ask. ?But where are all these projects going to come up?? The answer? ?Well, as far as the number of projects is concerned, they are not sufficient.? The big sums have been done. But there just aren?t enough projects to absorb all the money. So, if you have a project in mind, do speak up.
Candid capsule
Who gains when patients don?t listen to their doctors? Pharma companies, that?s who. This confession was made on Thursday by Glaxo Smithkline at the launch of its new protein supplement. ?Why does one need these supplements when doctors say a balanced diet is good enough?? asked a scribe. ?Pharma companies,? replied the company?s managing director, Zubair Ahmed, ?will shut down if everybody starts listening to doctors.?
Gem stoned
The Bharat Ratna is on everyone?s mind. A senior minister at a press conference recently claimed that a company under his ministry had been accorded ?Bharat Ratna status?. It took a moment for him to clarify that he meant ?Navratna status?. Well, perhaps the country should start conferring the Bharat Ratna on companies. There?ll be fewer objections.