Cut it short, will you?

At a Group of Ministers’ meeting headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, a minister of an important economic portfolio was asked to make a presentation. He started with an impressive introduction — launching upon an analysis of the global slowdown and its impact on India’s trade. He had barely spoken for three minutes when the finance minister stopped him. “We know all this,” said Mukherjee tetchily, “Come to the point.” The minister sat down and asked his secretary to resume the presentation.