OFTEN a thing of public ridicule, the heavy subsidy on food served in Parliament canteens for Members of Parliament has finally been stopped by the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The move will help in saving of an estimated Rs 8 crore annually. The decision is most welcome, for, it finally fulfills a long-standing demand of the public of ending unnecessary special favours to the country’s lawmakers. In the age of digital media, the Parliament canteen menu card was among the most trolled subjects by the general public for its paltry rates never seen in even cheapest of restaurants. It always remained a hot topic of debate as the MPs, too, earn good salaries and can easily afford to pay standard rates for their food. In effect, the MPs were eating food at the cost of the State exchequer or in popular words ‘from our tax money’. The practice needed to end for the sake of equality. It was only apt that the subsidy has ended at a time when the country is facing an economic pinch due to coronavirus and cannot afford more doles to well-to-do sections of the society. The Government is also expected to look into similar high subsidies enjoyed by the politicians in other sectors too.

 

 

THE international media, including the Australian publishers too, has unequivocally hailed the Indian team’s historic series victory against Australia on their own soil. India are now among the very few cricket teams that have won back-to-back Test series in Australia. The Australian players, coach, publishing houses, radio broadcasters and television media have showered huge praise on Ajinkya Rahane’s team for the extraordinary feat they achieved despite being ravaged by plethora of injuries and far little experience at the top level. Generally tight-fisted while acknowledging the opponent’s exploits, Australian coach Justin Langer has given the biggest compliment to Indian cricket by telling the world “never to underestimate the Indians”. The effusive praise and acceptance of being defeated by the deserving winners by the Australians bring home the enormity of this series victory. It will go down in the annals of international cricket as the biggest bite of an underdog. Kudos to the country’s bench strength for turning up as gladiators at the deadly ‘Gabbatoir’ and achieving the impossible. The world is hailing them as the new-age heroes.