Mother of all ORs

Indian Railways - perpetually financially stretched - has achieved a feat this financial year that has no parallel in its 150-year-long history. According to the recent Rail Budget, the national transporter managed to bring down its operating ratio (OR), a key indicator of financial efficiency, from an exceptionally bad 95 per cent in 2011-12 to an impressive 88 per cent in 2012-13. At a post-Rail Budget press meet, Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal generously attributed this entirely to women power in general and the financial prudence of Financial Commissioner Vijaya Kanth in particular, making the rather dull business of financial number crunching a memorable experience. "Basically, the financial commissioner acted like a good housewife for Indian Railways," he said, only half-jokingly. Even before the laughter subsided, Kanth added, "As they say, mama knows best!"