Wiki-stung diplomats

The WikiLeaks revelations about India have certainly impacted American diplomats here as well. The other day at a well-attended do in the capital, a very senior diplomat posted in the New Delhi mission was seen handing out his calling card to fellow guests, only to find that the receivers would slink away without saying anything in particular when they read his designation.

Low profile

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati always strenuously denies criticism from detractors that she follows an autocratic and non-participatory style of governance. The point, however, was demonstrated in an off-record comment by a principal secretary-level bureaucrat, when a journalist asked him if he was keeping a low profile lately. The senior IAS officer retorted in Hindi, “What profile? I do not have a profile. In fact, who has?”