Winds of Change In 1993, Lalu took a pro-English stand and wanted it re-introduced in schools at a time when there was a political movement across India’s cowbelt to banish this ‘elitist language’ and re-assert the region’s vernacular linguistic identity. Despite his bold support of English, he has always tried to play the semi-literate clown, a man who would speak ‘funny English’ as a way to emphasise his rural and unprivileged background. Yet, the truth is that Lalu was educated in Patna, and has a degree in law. “Madam, today is Makar Sankranti. You should come. There is lunch. Food, you know. Lot of food,” he shouts into the phone, inviting the school principal. Sister Lucina declines. He moves on. “Where are your mamma and daddy?” he asks me. “At home,” I say. They live in Patna. When Lalu served me lunch, and told me about the yellow rose. From the archives. Because he remains an important political figure. Now, more so.
Posted on: Mon, 05 May 2014 04:57:29 +0000