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| Edited By: |Source: DNA |Updated: Jun 11, 2016, 08:15 AM IST
What happens when Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar and Minister for Women and Child Welfare cross swords? Gandhi has been a passionate animal rights advocate and it was not a surprise that she should have entered the fray over the culling of the neelgai in Bihar. There are enough arguments to support and oppose the issue. But what is more interesting about the public jousting between the two ministers is that it shows that the supposed self-discipline of Team Modi seems to be breaking down, and there is a breath of fresh air in the corridors of power. It would be an exaggeration to call this an instance of internal democracy, but there is no doubt that there is a hint of the return of the normal hustle-bustle in the government. From a team that was tight-lipped to that of airing differences openly and freely — it appears to be so, though appearances can be deceptive — is quite a change. It can be said that in a way Modi government has settled into office.
Hungary-born George Soros, fund-manager and democracy aficionado, has been pursuing his economic interests as well as his passion for freedom. The good European, and that too from the east (former Communist bloc), he values political liberty more than anything else. Though he is an active and successful market player, Soros does not go overboard about the virtues of capitalism. Of course, he is not liked much in many quarters. During the 1997 East Asian economic crisis, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed accused Soros of being a predator. The Hungarian fund-master had been promoting democracy through his Soros Institute and he had written his own perspective of the global economic situation. Now 85, Soros remains the ever vigilant market eagle, moving his funds into gilt, recognising that the money markets are both uncertain and volatile. Away from the public glare, he is supposed to be directing his business activities from his office.
The European Championship, which had begun on Friday, and which will last three weeks till June 28, should provide some relief to the people on the continent who had had only bad news, from terror attacks to the refugee crisis and an economy that refuses to pick up. Football is a national passion from Portugal to Slovakia, and from Ireland to Italy, and it is a genuine one. It is a little more genuine than the claim made by the blaring media in India that cricket is the religion of a billion people, which is nothing more than hyperbole. In Europe, football is a little more widespread passion among the people, and it is not backed by market hype. Of course, the football diversion is not what the doctor would prescribe for Europeans. They have to set their house in order. Perhaps, the football break would help to get back to the real world with renewed zeal.
