Politicians often cross all borders of logic in an attempt to grab audience attention. During his recent visit to Nashik, Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar chose to speak on the Kargil issue. He lauded the courage and patriotism of Army personnel engaged in battle with Pakistani intruders.

The audience listened attentively as he described how the Army was at a disadvantage as the intruders were atop ridges. Pawar further said the topography was so in favour of the intruders that they could see the advancing Indian soldiers and shoot them down with pinpoint precision. He went on to say most jawans were shot in the head while ascending the mountains: most of those killed had wounds on their heads. The audience listened to him in silence. Well, weren't the jawans wearing their helmets, considered a part of their combat gear?

Going overboard

DEPUTY Chief Minister Gopinath Munde has proved that when it comes to criticising a political opponent, knowledge isnot a prerequisite.Addressing a public meeting on a recent visit to Nashik, Munde referred to Sharad Pawar's claim that youngsters, even from the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party, were attracted to the Nationalist Congress Party.Munde said Pawar had attracted only youngsters like Sudhakarrao Naik, Datta Meghe, Malojirao Mogal... Somebody from the audience prompted with, "Dr Vasant Pawar". Without any knowledge of Dr Vasant Pawar's physical features, Munde said Dr Pawar was not as old and looked young, as he used hairdye. The fact is, Dr Vasant Pawar is bald.

Miracle gone bust

A doctor practising hypnotism in Nashik recently created a flutter in medical circles by claiming that his therapy had increased the sperm count in a patient, who later fathered a child.

The doctor's haste in going to town about his success invited criticism and the attention of the medical fraternity, which responded with scepticism. But the most practical response was from the Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti, whichinvited the doctor for a public debate on the issue. At the public meeting, the doctor cut a sorry figure and was not able to give a satisfactory scientific answer to the `miracle'. He made a rather sheepish exit, saying he would conduct the experiment on at least 200 patients and involve medical experts to establish his claim.

-- RAKSHIT SONAWANE