New Delhi, January 5
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today gave his Cabinet colleague Murli Manohar Joshi a memorable New Year gift on his 70th birthday by voicing his support to the alleged “saffronisation” of education.’’

Addressing a distinguished gathering at Vigyan Bhavan on this evening, Mr Vajpayee favoured changes in the form of education. He said the changes being brought about by Dr Joshi in the curriculum had been dubbed “saffronisation”. In an obvious reference to the Opposition and the Union Human Resource Development Minister’s detractors, the Prime Minister asked: “Itihas mein sanshodhan par kaisa badlav? To Joshiji aur kaun sa rang laayen? Bhagva (Saffron) rang to yagya, aahuti aur balidan ka rang hai. ye hara rang to la nahin sakte.’’

After a reflective pause, Mr Vajpayee spotted Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and remarked: “Chautalaji green saafa kabhi kabhi pehante hain par unke liye hara doosra roop rakhta hai.’’

Referring to the Opposition’s conduct in Parliament and its irrational criticism, the Prime Minister said when the Opposition could reply to logical arguments with logic, it decided to walk out of the House. In a bid to persuade parties to sink their differences on small issues, the Prime Minister said everything should not be linked to elections. “Elections come and go but everybody should assist Dr Joshi in the task of nation building.’’

Replying to Asian Age Editor M.J. Akbar’s allegation that Dr Joshi paid scant attention to his constituency, the Prime Minister indicated that it was quite the contrary. He said some people had said Dr Joshi paid too much attention to his constituency. He took the opportunity to thank the HRD Minister for taking care of both Allahabad and Lucknow (Vajpayee’s own constituency).

In a seemingly endless evening dominated by speeches replete with flattering remarks, the Prime Minister introduced comic relief with double entendre.

In his address, Mr M.J. Akbar reminded Dr Joshi that he was heir to two traditions — “One is your political party, the other is Allahabad University. Have you been equally loyal to Allahabad University?’’ he asked.

Mr Vajpayee also released “Sauvarn”, a compilation of writings on Dr Joshi.

Prominent among those present at the felicitation function were Minister of State for Home Affairs I.D. Swami, Cabinet Secretary Kamal Pandey, Chairperson of National Commission for Women, Poornima Advani, Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Deepak Nayyar, besides friends, party workers and office-bearers from Allahabad.

The Prime Minister and Dr Joshi were ushered into the packed auditorium to the chanting of Vedic hymns. The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Acharya Vishnukant Shastri, presided over the function.