Play it again, Sam

The second term of Prime Minister Manomohan Singh so far may well be defined as one which saw the "rise of the professionals"

Play it again, Sam

The second term of Prime Minister Manomohan Singh so far may well be defined as one which saw the "rise of the professionals". The naming of Sam Pitroda as Advisor to the Prime Minister on innovation and information is part of a string of high-powered appointments, which show Singh's preference for technocrats than your usual run-of-the-mill politicians as advisors on issues he considers really crucial. Mamata too seems to love Sam a rare double honour!

Pitroda, of course, was a core member of Team Manmohan in Singh's first term, heading the lame-duck National Knowledge Commission. This new assignment is a sign of Singh's renewed faith in Pitroda. The same may be said for earlier appointees like Shashi Tharoor and Nandan Nilekani, also handpicked by Singh. Interestingly, the PM's preference for technocrats is being viewed with growing trepidation by the neta brigade who feel their monopoly of plum sarkari posts slipping away. Babus meanwhile hope they alone will be treated as "pros" and there will be more jobs for the boys.

Mumbai and Delhi markets are hinting that the Indian art scene is recovering from the throes of the long economic slump. Art house auctions in New York and London recently saw higher-than-estimated sales a far cry from the scenario barely six months ago when collectors were wary of acquiring even significant works by well-known Indian artists.

The improvement is being seen not just in prices. Indian art was actually the toast of the London art world recently with two major exhibitions which drew wide publicity as well as favourable reviews. The latest works of Mumbai-born sculptor Anish Kapoor and Bihar-born artist Subodh Gupta were greeted enthusiastically during October in London. The best of desi artists are naturally smiling again.

Widely regarded as India's 'Image Guru', Dilip Cherian is a lobbyist, celebrity creator and tycoon watcher. He currently parties on a 24/7 schedule that mixes cities, nixes bores, and analyses Dilli

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