At the launch of former SBI chairman DN Ghosh’s book, No Regret , Deepak Parekh, the chairman of HDFC, praised SBI’s chairperson, Arundhati Bhattacharya, for her leadership, but said he had a small ‘grouse’. In a lighter vein, he recalled that he had known many SBI chairpersons over the years and had had the pleasure of having lunch in their chambers. In Bhattacharya’s case, however, he said, “I’m still waiting for an invitation.” This is one lunch request no SBI chairman can ignore.

Solutions only

Perhaps this is one way of dealing with delayed projects. Odisha’s industry minister, Debi Prasad Mishra, said the chief minister (Naveen Patnaik) has instructed ministers not to bring complaints about projects being stuck due to whatever reasons, but to find a way out. “CM has instructed us not come with problems to him, but with solutions,” said Mishra. Good tactic.

Big strike

India may rank 155th in the FIFA football rankings, but when it comes to managing technology, Indian exporters seem to have scored a goal — or two.

This week, football clubs Manchester United and Chelsea have forked out the task of increasing their fan base by using technology provided by HCL Tech and Wipro. The next logical question, therefore, is: Who will get the contract of FC Barcelona?

Off the record on record

Dharmendra Pradhan, minister of state (independent charge) for petroleum and natural gas, has yet to understand that there is nothing off the record when you are on camera. His briefing on the proposal to auction marginal oil and gas fields went fine until he was asked about the trade union strike. “Talk to me later, I shall tell you off the record. Let this conference be about the cabinet decisions,” he replied.

Progressive or catastrophic?

Gujarat’s decision to suspend mobile data services temporarily following the violent Patel protests brought Chief Minister Anandiben Patel under fire from netizens. They altered Patel’s slogan of “Gatisheel Gujarat” (Gujarat on the path to progress) to “Durgatisheel Gujarat” (Gujarat on a catastrophic path).

An English breakfast?

The secretarial staff of CIL CMD Sutirtha Bhattacharya were in a tizz recently when the boss asked for “English breakfast” to start the day. They scoured the net for the right proportionof eggs, bacon and sausages. Some even wondered why the CMD had skipped breakfast at home. After much confusion, somebody mustered up the courage to ask what exactly the boss wanted. It turned out that all he wanted was the English Breakfast blend for his morning cup of tea. A simple request, after all.

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