December 07, 2005
Minister of Communication and Information Technology
Microsoft chairman Bill Gates (L) speaks as India's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran looks on during a news conference in New Delhi December 7, 2005. Microsoft plans to invest $1.7 bln in India over 4 years, Gates said on Wednesday. REUTERS/B Mathur
Thank you, Manmohan Singh (or Sonia) for selecting someone for this post who at least dresses up well and looks intelligent. Thanks for not giving this portfolio to old farts like Pranab Mukherjee and Natwar Singh or some self-serving moron like Laloo Prasad Yadav.
Appearance is so important for someone in public life. Til recently, all Indian politicians cared about was connecting with their voters and didn't pay attention to who they deal with in the outside world. I am glad it is changing.
I remember a photo from 15-20 years ago when the Defense minister from some country came to visit India. He was photographed with his Indian counterpart. I don't remember their names but, the image is burnt into my memory. The visitng defense minister was from a military background (all defense ministers should be) with a chest full of medals and in comparison, the only thing the Indian minister had to show was a huge belly.
Posted by Parag at December 7, 2005 10:59 AM
Thats a good one, Parag! :-)
Posted by: deven at December 7, 2005 11:42 AMVery well said brother!!! I think for the last few years we did have intelligent looking communications and IT ministers.. i think Pramod Mahajan used to be one of them.. The next thing these people should desparately do is update there websites to look a little better and the usability should be improved along with getting rid of broken links..
Posted by: sujit at December 12, 2005 09:14 AMwhile your point is well taken, its not bill gates who elected him to office ... its the common man. so if the minister chooses to connect with his electorate a priority - nothing wrong with that.
and even though public appearances count a great deal, you'd rather want someone who is good at the job (irrespective of how his appearance may be), than a dashing smart suave fella who is the smoothest crook of them all .....
Posted by: Aditya at December 12, 2005 11:24 AMAditya: With the TV exposure that they get these days, appearance is more important than their talent. I hope this man is good at the job. But, it is the aides and secretaries who have to be good for the minister to do a good job. He/She should at least keep good appearances.
I agree that a dashing smart suave fella is the smoothest crook, but, as a minister and a politician, he is supposed to be a crook. He might as well look good.
Posted by: Parag at December 13, 2005 10:23 AMAWESOME STUFF PARAG.....KEEP UPDATING UR BLOG AS OFTEN AS U CAN...I FIND THEM VERY INTERESTING!!
Posted by: nish at January 4, 2006 05:15 PM
