NOT IN NATIONAL INTEREST
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, in his Independence Day speech, Rajiv Gandhi declared “We have adequate buffer stocks and we can fight hunger without importing a single grain as foreign aid.”
‘Ambassador; that’s right.
Journalist: Even as he was making the statement, his government was making arrangements for receiving 400 corer rupees worth of wheat from the United States to replenish its buffer stocks.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: How long, do you think, Rajiy can go on deceiving Indians with such blatant lies?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Buta Singh has suggested to former Indian Prime Minister, Morarji Desai not to accept Pakistan’s highest civil award, Nishan e Pakistan that was conferred on him by the Pakistan government.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: Responding to the award Mr. Desai said that he was honoured with the award because he had maintained good relations with Pakistan when he was the Prime Minister.
Ambassador: Very Correct.
Journalist: Don’t you think Buta Singh’s suggestion reflects his master, Rajiy Gandhi’s frustration as he has failed to maneuver an award for himself despite frantic lobbying?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, large crowds that used to enthusiastically throng the Red Fort to listen to Jawahar Lal Nehru’s independence day speech have virtually disappeared’ eversince Rajiv Gandhi took over as Prime Minister,
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that this year even senior civil servants had to be ordered to attend the Independence Day function.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Don’t you think, it clearly shows how fast India is moving from a popular democracy to a fascist dictatorship?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 2, 1988
