Staying clean at Shastri Bhavan

Shastri Bhavan houses ministries such as those for information and broadcasting, petroleum and natural gas, corporate affairs, law and so on. The premises of Shastri Bhavan, at least until a fortnight back, were equally known for their betel juice-stained staircases, smelly toilets, junk-ridden corridors and a general lack of hygiene. But inspections by senior ministers, including M Venkaiah Naidu, have galvanised the cleaning staff to make the environs of the building, well, soothing to the senses. Some babus have decided to stick sheets of papers with slogans that appeal to all to raise their spirits. Seen on Shastri Bhavan's first floor is this slogan "Shastri Bhavan hai hamari shaan, nahin banayein ise peekdaan" (Shastri Bhawan is our pride, don't use it as a spittoon). Another, pasted in a corner discoloured by the paan masala-chewing brigade, warns "dekho dekho 'Gentleman' thook raha hai" (watch how the 'gentleman' spits).