Former ISRO chairman, K Radhakrishnan, who was in Mangaluru recently to deliver the founders’ day lecture of Karnataka Bank, shared an anecdote about the Mars Obiter Mission.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi was told during a briefing that some difficulties were anticipated, and that there was a Plan B, if Plan A did not work, Modi is said to have replied: “I am with you on that day.”

Radhakrishnan pointed out that this was how a leader should be — someone who was ready and able to take responsibility for failures as well as successes.

Faulty tower

The documents leak case from the petroleum ministry caught the fancy of the media, which went to town on the arrests made by the Delhi police.

However, many who closely followed the drama unfold in the corridors of power were not surprised about the developments.

Why? The petroleum ministry is housed in Shastri Bhawan in the capital and it is common knowledge that, sadly, the entire building leaks!

One crore, but who’s counting?

The Congress Party has initiated a ‘One Crore Signature Campaign’ in Andhra Pradesh in support of the demand that the Centre implement its promises during the passage of the AP Reorganisation Act.

While the exercise is seen to be a great move to mobilise public opinion, the Congress has been ridiculed by its opponents for it recent abysmal electoral performance, particularly in Andhra Pradesh, where it drew a blank.

A senior TDP leader wondered how a party that got seven lakh votes could mobilise one crore signatures. It just doesn’t add up.

U-turn

K Chandrasekhar Rao, Telangana’s chief minister, surprised everyone when he said there are no settlers, that everyone is a Telanganite. Coming from someone who does not mince words to make a point, it is being seen by his political opponents as a u-turn and as a ploy to win over people from other regions in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation poll.

Done deal

Despite buying out a small commerce company last month, the Godrej group is formally refusing to disclose its name due to a nondisclosure agreement with the buyer. Could it be the Mumbai based grocery e-tailer Ek Stop that was acquired? Its owner is not ready to acknowledge the deal. When contacted, Sumat Chopra, CEO, Ek Stop, said, “There is no deal as yet but I will connect in two weeks.” The time needed by the Godrej group to inform the stock exchanges?

Air drop

Bengaluru will continue to host the aero show in the coming years but it may no longer be on the same scale as previous editions. The buzz at this year’s aero show was that with the Prime Minister laying emphasis on “make in India”, interest levels among foreign companies have dwindled considerably.

This was evident in the absence of late evening parties at five-star hotels for which Indian defence officials were much sought after guests.

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