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Why are there no Kulhars when you
travel with Lalu?
by Sandeep Datta

     Jaipur: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav is not only known for his instant off-the-cuff responses to issues of the day, but also for championing products and industries associated with rural folk. Last year, it may be recalled, Yadav had announced in Parliament that he would be introducing Kulhars or earthen cups in which tea, water and other drinks would be served on trains. But on Thursday, the media was left disappointed on the journey to Jaipur when tea and water was served in thermacol cups rather than the more rustic Kulhar. The media, which had gone to the Pink City to report the flagging-off function of the country's first double-stacker container train, were expecting their drinks to be served in the Kulhar. Inquiries with train staff on the matter resulted in the media being told that the media contigent would not be served with Kulhar-based drinks. On returning to Delhi, Lalu was asked why was media served in thermocol glasses when he had advocated the use of Kullhar and Doodh-Mattha (milked curd) in trains, barely two hours earlier in front of Jaipur's crowd? Replying in his classic style, Lalu said: "Bhai tumto train mein they na, Kullhars to platforms per milte hain (you were in train and the Kullhars are supposed to be available on platforms). And, moreover, we served it consciously not mistakenly!" Lalu's reply left everyone, including his Black Cat commandos and officials in peels of laughter at the platform!
-Mar 24, 2006

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