Budget time....A Reminisce....

Well, I am not going to write about the pros and cons of the present budget....but about the opportunity of being able to attend the beautiful budget session discussion at Lyola College, Nungambukam, Chennai on 1st March 2002 presided by our present finance minister Mr. P. Chidambaram, Mr. Pattabhiram and Mr. T. N. Manoharan. ...Three classic personalities I admire.

And I could speak one to one, with each of them. On asking Chidambaram about the poverty, and what could be done, to reduce the misery of the people on the road side, he said, that now in Inda, there is better growth rate, and poverty has come down from 37% to 26% (In 2002) i.e. 27, crore people. Moreover removing poverty of the downtrodden people is a state subject .. A classic oritor, charismatic personality, indeed a great blessing, and memorable evening to have had this gift, a memory to cherish. Especially being a commercial student, may be they are akin to yesterdays, Kauthilya....

On asking T.N. Manoharan Sir, who soon after was the president of ICAI, for his advise to CA students, he said, Keep trying its, 50% confidence, and 50% hardwork.

And Our Pattabhiram Sir, said he is not a great orator like Chitambaram, nor has he immense knowledge like TN Manoharan, but has immense love for India. He said we ought not to work hard but to work smart...His speeach was more a comparison with Indian Economy, with that of China...But the introduction still echos in my ears.....

I love her, she is loving, she is caring, she is obese, she is old, 55 years, she is my mother India....

Well, I had come to know of this at 4.30 pm, and was in my hostel flat, behind Saint Thom, Mylapore, left the place at 5.00, and reached the spot by 5.30 when, it had already begun, but could be there till the end...at 7.30.