Away from the media buzz

Away from the media buzz
A high-level science quiz contest held in Mumbai this week had students from all over the city and region competing ferociously for the chance to fight in the finals later this year. Students from Mumbai, Sholapur, Pune, Bhopal and Warangal displayed their science prowess and very impressive it was too.

But a member of the audience was amused to find that while the students were well up on red shifts and gnomons, they were less savvy when it came to media events. Asked to name the Time magazine product or brand of the year for 2007 not a single of the six teams thought of the I-phone, although it was one of the most coveted items of that year and this. Perhaps a couple of newspapers included in the syllabus might help?

Kissinger plays it safe
Trust the Chinese not to lose any opportunity to stake their claim over Tibet. On being asked where he believes the Tibet issue was heading at a recent meet in the city on American foreign policy post elections, former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger gave a tactful reply about the citizens right to freedom, but without elaborating on the issue.

The reply apparently did not mean anything to an official of the Chinese consulate. Pointedly looking at the individual seeking Kissinger’s view on Tibet, the official said in a firm voice, “Tibet is an integral part of China.” The comment immediately evoked laughter in the audience and a slight smile on Kissinger’s face as the next destination of his tour of Asia is Shanghai.