It was heartbreaking to watch all the jubilations at Tahrir Square in Cairo. It was sad because though the non-violent movement of the people was successful for the time being, it was obvious that the military was moving in to take control. As the history of the world has amply demonstrated time and time again, a military take-over seldom results in happy outcomes. The people of Egypt, a once glorious civilization, have suffered much and one can only wish them well.
Back home, it was quite interesting to watch India’s quondam telecommunications minister Arun Shourie getting the last word with the ebullient Karan Thapar. Mr. Shourie, as always, was very convincing in his earnest arguments, and moralistic outrage against everybody connected with the spectrum allocation under scrutiny, including his own party members. The only question he could not give a convincing answer to was: why now? He said he seldom comes to Delhi now, and has understandable commitments at home. However, his stature and reputation would have summoned any journalist to him wherever he wanted, particularly given the magnitude of what he claims as the truth now. His revelation that he had first brought up his concerns regarding the improprieties in connection with spectrum allocation with the Prime Minister while standing in the corridor of the upper house of Parliament, and in Punjabi, though entertaining, failed to impress! One can empathise with the frustrations of an idealistic person stymied by a corrupt polity, a corrupt bureaucracy, handpicked inquiry judges, and a fourth estate that does nothing more than “swallow and vomit” (Mr. Shourie’s words and implications, not mine), but his timing makes his protestations suspect.
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