Whatever happened to the Railways? much talked about, and controversial, dedicated freight corridor project? After a burst of initial publicity, all seems to have quietened down on this front. Even in the corridors of Rail Bhavan, iron ore freight rates have taken precedence over this project to alter the Indian mega-haul landscape. Eavesdropper has picked up much cynicism among railway men, many of whom are trying to dissociate themselves from it. Officials who were once proud to be part of the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd, are looking to ?work in other emerging areas?, it seems. Railway Board members are proving no better. How come?
No dixie play
Fires in various income tax offices, especially in New Delhi, are not uncommon phenomena. The taxmen are getting worried at the frequency of such accidents, and Eavesdropper often hears them discussing the lack of fire safety measures in most IT offices. The safest way to avoid such incidents, tax officials now joke, is to go back to the basics, and set up open air offices under the shade of some trees. Not only would it keep them out of harm?s reach, it would also help them track tax evaders.
Rumble
Boxing talk has given the US polls extra salience in Cafe India, as Eavesdropper overheard the other day:
Dynamic voice: Hillary thinks of herself as Rocky, but from which film?
Semi-drawl: The first one, obviously.
Dynamic voice: Why?s that obvious?
Semi-drawl: The opponent, pal. That?s America for you.
Dynamic voice: But what about Microsoft?s rumble-in-the-jungle thing?
Semi-drawl: Yeah, that?s not a movie, that?s a reality show.