Fallen hero

Vinson M Paul was once the poster boy of Kerala Police. But last week, when he walked out of the office of the director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau for the last time, he was a fallen hero. Within a couple of hours of the Vigilance Special Court indicting him for trying to save Finance Minister KM Mani from a bribery charge, Paul, who is in the rank of DGP, announced his decision to quit the post. Of course, he was only going on leave in view of his November 30 retirement. The court observed that Paul used his position to get Mani exonerated from the ‘bar bribery case’ even though the VACB investigating officer had presented a report with evidence that Mani had received at least ₹25 lakh from liquor bar owners. Looking back, pressing forward

At a recent panel discussion on policymaking, the CEO of a stock exchange was asked to explain why various reform measures announced by the Centre had little impact on market sentiments. He used an interesting analogy to show how policymaking was directed at fixing an existing problem rather than creating opportunities for the future. “It is like driving a car while looking only into the rear view mirror,” he said. “You are not driving based on what lies ahead. You are negotiating the road based on what’s behind.”

JAMming with the PM

The annual Delhi Economics Conclave organised by the finance ministry is set to be a platform for the Centre to take forward its JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar–Mobile Number) trinity. Traditionally, the economics division of the ministry, led by the Chief Economic Adviser, is the main organiser of the event, which is seen as a meeting place for domestic and international economists. But this year’s conclave on November 6 will be held at Vigyan Bhawan and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief ministers of various States are likely to attend and the discussions will focus on social schemes and use of direct benefit transfer.

Pulses privilege

The skyrocketing prices of certain pulses recalls a strategy the UPA regime adopted. Just as the Congress top brass advised Indians to consume less onions when the prices of this bulb hit the roof, the apprehension is that the Modi government will ask Indians to consume less pulses such as tur dal, to cool down prices.

Brit force?

Even though Vijay Mallya’s empire has more or less crumbled, his F1 racing venture, Force India, seems to have weathered the storms. Aston Martin, the British sportscar-maker, is likely to buy a stake in Force India giving Mallya’s team new life. The catch? Aston Martin wants Force India to use its name. Mallya isn’t happy.

Parrot predictions

At TieCon Chennai 2015, delegates were surprised by the sound of parrots when they entered the huge veranda leading to the seminar halls. Two astrologers had been organised to make happy predictions for the delegates through ‘kili josiyam’ (using cards picked by parrots, popular in Tamil Nadu). Post-lunch, there was a long queue, especially of outstation delegates, to meet the astrologers and find out what songs the caged birds sang for them.

‘Inno’native wisdom

Addressing the TiE Chennai 2015 event on innovation and entrepreneurship, entrepreneur and historian Sriram V quoted an incident involving the automobile pioneer TV Sundaram Iyengar. When he started a bus service from Madurai to Pudukottai, the cost of maintenance was high as tyres had to be repaired constantly.

Sundaram Iyengar announced a scheme by which he awarded prize money to people who helped pick garbage on the bus route. That helped reduce maintenance cost and keep the roads clean. He realised that the cost of maintenance was far higher than the money he paid people for picking garbage. That’s an idea, sirjee!