Latest news with #TamilNadu-born
NDTV
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"Do You Think I Am Jealous Of You?": Harbhajan Singh Asks R Ashwin. His Reply
Two of the greatest off-spinners that India has produced -- Ravichandran Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh -- have often been at the center of social media chatter over their 'unsaid rivarly'. Though Harbhajan and Ashwin played in different eras in the Indian team, a lot has been said and written about the love-hate relationship between the two. As Ashwin went on to conclude his career as India's second-highest wicket-taker, Harbhajan has often spoken about how the rank-turners in India have played to spinners' favour over the last 5-7 years. Some even claim that Harbhajan is jealous of Ashwin's achievements for the Indian team, considering the latter is also an off-spinner, by title. Sitting in front of each other in a video shared by the Tamil Nadu-born spinner, both decided to settle the social media chatter. "This whole jealousy bit, before I allow you to answer that, let me clarify something. People look at everything from their perspective. For example, if they are passing a comment on me, they believe that others would see the world through their eyes," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel in a 'Kutti Stories' teaser. "Their comments that you (Harbhajan) are jealous of this person who is interviewing you today (Ashwin), what would that be about, Bhajji pa?" he asked further. Ashwin said that the 'jealousy' angle comes from people's own perspective and mindset. Some feel their perspectives would be universal, but that isn't the case. "This whole jealousy bit, before I allow you to answer that, let me clarify something. People look at everything from their perspective. For example, if they are passing a comment on me, they believe that others would see the world through their eyes," Ashwin asserted. "Their comments that you (Harbhajan) are jealous of this person who is interviewing you today (Ashwin), what would that be about, Bhajji pa?" he asked further. "Do you think I am jealous of you? You are sitting with me today, and we have spoken at length. Do you think I am that kind of person?" asked Harbhajan. Ashwin gave quite an intriguing response to Harbhajan's counter question, saying even if he was jealous of him, the feeling was justified. He even gave his own example, saying some people feel he retired as Washington Sundar rose in the pecking order. "Even if you were jealous at one point in time, I think it's justified. That is my point, and I will never take it wrong because we are all human," said Ashwin. "Naturally, it is bound to be like that. Some people believe I retired because Washington Sundar is in the thick of things. All of this is the perspective of others," he added.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why Odisha's BJP govt has barred bureaucrats, barring one, from Cabinet meetings
In what sources described as an effort to counter the perception that bureaucrats wield undue power in ministries, the BJP government in Odisha has issued a circular barring secretaries of departments from being present at Cabinet meetings. During the previous government under Naveen Patnaik, the BJP had repeatedly alleged that the government was being run by bureaucrats. They had particularly targeted V K Pandian, who served as private secretary to then-CM Patnaik for over a decade, accusing him of wielding enormous power over ministers and MLAs in the BJD regime. The supposed influence wielded by the Tamil Nadu-born Pandian was a major election issue for the BJP in the 2024 polls. A BJP leader said, 'There was an impression on the ground that bureaucrats continue to wield their influence, overpowering ministers the way it happened during the BJD regime. The BJP government is going to complete one year in office next month, and such a perception is not good for it.' According to sources, the government issued such a circular to also negate growing public perception about the role of ministers. 'There were instances in the past when ministers expressed their ignorance about subjects of their own departments. This is because… the secretaries used to prepare the Cabinet memorandums and also participated in the discussion. The presence of ministers was a mere formality. The move is to change that perception,' a senior bureaucrat said. According to the circular issued by the state parliamentary affairs department on May 9, during Cabinet meetings, only the Chief Minister, Cabinet ministers, ministers of state in charge of the department whose agenda is up for discussion, and the secretary to the Cabinet (Chief Secretary) are to sit inside the Cabinet room. 'Hence, secretaries of departments whose agenda are placed for discussions, may sit in a separate room specially designated for officers and may enter the Cabinet room as and when required by the Cabinet to assist the Cabinet with any issue,' the circular read. The circular also said that secretaries will not take part in discussions during the Cabinet meeting, except when asked for their opinion. 'When a case is brought before the Cabinet, the presiding authority will call upon the minister-in-charge or the minister of state-in-charge to speak on the issue placed for approval of the Cabinet. Other ministers will speak subsequently,' it said. The circular also lays down strict timelines for submission of Cabinet memorandums and related documents. It asked the secretaries to submit the Cabinet memorandums to the parliamentary affairs department at least three working days before a Cabinet meeting, unless the timeline is relaxed by the Chief Minister. Ministers will be informed about the agenda to be taken up for discussion two days before the Cabinet meeting. Speaking to reporters in Bhubaneswar, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said, 'Nothing has been newly introduced or amended. The system that needs to be followed in a parliamentary democracy has now been restored. The move will ensure qualitative discussion, and the ministers will present their cases in a more effective manner.' Pujari said the system has been spoiled in the past 24 years — the period of time that the BJD was in power in the state. He said the role of the political leadership in a democracy had been neglected in the past, and is now been upheld. 'In a democracy, the role of everyone — ministers, MLAs and secretaries — has been defined clearly. It has now been restored,' he said. The BJD, however, called the move a gimmick. Senior BJD MLA Kalikesh Singh Deo said the efficiency of the government should be seen on the ground. 'It would be my request to the government to stop the marketing gimmick and to contemplate on the development of Odisha and the welfare of its people,' said Singh Deo.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Odisha's BJP govt moves to keep bureaucrats at arm's length in bid to change perception of ‘overpowering' influence
In what sources described as an effort to counter the perception that bureaucrats wield undue power in ministries, the BJP government in Odisha has issued a circular barring secretaries of departments from being present at Cabinet meetings. During the previous government under Naveen Patnaik, the BJP had repeatedly alleged that the government was being run by bureaucrats. They had particularly targeted V K Pandian, who served as private secretary to then-CM Patnaik for over a decade, accusing him of wielding enormous power over ministers and MLAs in the BJD regime. The supposed influence wielded by the Tamil Nadu-born Pandian was a major election issue for the BJP in the 2024 polls. A BJP leader said, 'There was an impression on the ground that bureaucrats continue to wield their influence, overpowering ministers the way it happened during the BJD regime. The BJP government is going to complete one year in office next month, and such a perception is not good for it.' According to sources, the government issued such a circular to also negate growing public perception about the role of ministers. 'There were instances in the past when ministers expressed their ignorance about subjects of their own departments. This is because… the secretaries used to prepare the Cabinet memorandums and also participated in the discussion. The presence of ministers was a mere formality. The move is to change that perception,' a senior bureaucrat said. According to the circular issued by the state parliamentary affairs department on May 9, during Cabinet meetings, only the Chief Minister, Cabinet ministers, ministers of state in charge of the department whose agenda is up for discussion, and the secretary to the Cabinet (Chief Secretary) are to sit inside the Cabinet room. 'Hence, secretaries of departments whose agenda are placed for discussions, may sit in a separate room specially designated for officers and may enter the Cabinet room as and when required by the Cabinet to assist the Cabinet with any issue,' the circular read. The circular also said that secretaries will not take part in discussions during the Cabinet meeting, except when asked for their opinion. 'When a case is brought before the Cabinet, the presiding authority will call upon the minister-in-charge or the minister of state-in-charge to speak on the issue placed for approval of the Cabinet. Other ministers will speak subsequently,' it said. The circular also lays down strict timelines for submission of Cabinet memorandums and related documents. It asked the secretaries to submit the Cabinet memorandums to the parliamentary affairs department at least three working days before a Cabinet meeting, unless the timeline is relaxed by the Chief Minister. Ministers will be informed about the agenda to be taken up for discussion two days before the Cabinet meeting. Speaking to reporters in Bhubaneswar, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said, 'Nothing has been newly introduced or amended. The system that needs to be followed in a parliamentary democracy has now been restored. The move will ensure qualitative discussion, and the ministers will present their cases in a more effective manner.' Pujari said the system has been spoiled in the past 24 years — the period of time that the BJD was in power in the state. He said the role of the political leadership in a democracy had been neglected in the past, and is now been upheld. 'In a democracy, the role of everyone — ministers, MLAs and secretaries — has been defined clearly. It has now been restored,' he said. The BJD, however, called the move a gimmick. Senior BJD MLA Kalikesh Singh Deo said the efficiency of the government should be seen on the ground. 'It would be my request to the government to stop the marketing gimmick and to contemplate on the development of Odisha and the welfare of its people,' said Singh Deo.
