Lipsticks – Indian lips and imported sticks
Prof. Madhu Danadavate was participating in a parliamentary debate and said, ‘‘even lipsticks are being imported’’. The treasury benches asserted that ‘‘they are not wholly imported’’. ‘‘I agree, the lips are indigenous, only the sticks are imported’’, retorted Mr. Dandavate. The erudite scholar, socialist politician and perhaps the last of the Gandhians, is no more. A man who was above money, above power, disinterested in position and perks of office, must have been by all means India’s best Railway minister, who offered cushioned berths to second class passengers and introduced the concept of super fast trains. As Finance Minister, he was responsible for abolition of gold control which led to the development of the modern jewellery industry in India. One of my proud souvenirs is a pass to parliament signed by Madhu Dandavate. His one time follower and present minister Jaipal Reddy once remarked, “Given a little power, ministers can become monsters”. Given all the powers, he remained a humble socialist.