Set for Padma-Vadma?

Set for Padma-Vadma?

While there is no clarity on a Padma for the late Rajesh Khanna, Sridevi, who made a successful comeback with English Vinglish seems likely to get the award this year. The Padmas for 120 eminent personalities will be announced a day before Saturday's Republic Day celebrations.

Defence to Oil, via MSME

In October, senior bureaucrat Vivek Rae was moved out of the defence ministry, where he was director general, Acquisitions, to MSME as secretary. Many were surprised at the unexpected appointment. It now emerges that MSME was a short stop for Rae, who is set to take over as petroleum secretary.

Missile man hits the spot

Former president A P J Abdul Kalam won cheers and some more fans on Thursday when, while delivering the R N Kao memorial lecture, he called for the formation of an independent Indian Intelligence Service for recruitment to intelligence agencies. However, heavyweights who decide the nation's security policy, including the national security adviser and the cabinet secretary, were not present.

A different R-Day message

As Republic Day approaches, watch out for something different in the government advertisements that normally have pictures of Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi on a tricolour background. After investing in a few meetings, I&B Minister Manish Tewari has concluded that the money — about Rs 3.5 crore by the I&B Ministry and about Rs 6 crore by other ministries — might be spent better if the ads conveyed some message. As a result, at least eight ministries including HRD, Health, Minority Affairs, Rural Development and Social Justice have redone their ads to include details of work done by them.

A cop at Jaipur Lit Fest

A police officer will share space with authors and litterateurs at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival, and he won't be on security duty. A P Maheshwari, CRPF inspector general in Kolkata, will release a book he has written on the life of his mother, a cancer patient.

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