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CM Mehbooba aboard a new train which ran from Islamabad to Baramulla on May 05, 2016. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)
CM Mehbooba aboard a new train which ran from Islamabad to Baramulla on May 05, 2016. (KL Image: Shah Hilal)

At the formal launch of the super-fast train services on Kashmir’s insulated railways track, there were interesting anecdotes that marked the occasion. For Chief Minister’s guests, the ride was fast, bumpy and rainy. Sudden change in weather conditions led Chief Minister to limit her speech as her continuation might have forced the audience to leave the venue that lacked adequate protection from rain in the lawns of the station.

Selfie Gone Wrong

Selfie gone wrong Ms Mehbooba Mufti at Islamabad on May 05, 2016
KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

Some officials, probably from the railways, were keen to have a Selfie with Kashmir’s first female chief minister. Ms Mufti was not unwilling but the official clicked it at a different mode. Kashmir Life photographer captured the Selfie that captured the photographer and not the official and the VVIP! The photo tells it all.

Differently Dressed

KL Image: Bilal Bahadur
KL Image: Bilal Bahadur

Ms Mufti’s dress sense has always remained a fashion-statement especially for the conservative Kashmir. Her signature Abhaya has remained part of her political take off, on Thursday she introduced a change, or, may be, it was visible for the first time. She had donned a waist-coat. Though women are used to wearing the waist coat, for a long time now, but it gave a different persona to Chief Minister.

Thus Spake Professor

PDP supporters at a rally in Islamabad when four new trains were inaugurated on May 05, 2016 by CM Mehbooba Mufti. (KL Image: Shah Hilal)
PDP supporters at a rally in Islamabad when four new trains were inaugurated on May 05, 2016 by CM Mehbooba Mufti. (KL Image: Shah Hilal)

Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh fouled and fumbled in his brief speech. In a state that has Urdu as its state language, Singh referred to former Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed as Mehrooma. He actually wanted to say Marhoom. Apparently unable to make better with his language, he said the coalition that was referred to as South Pole-North Pole alliance is “Hukumar Karva Rahay Hein.” He meant to say the alliance is in power for 11 months. He did praise the late Chief Minister a lot and said he was impressed by what he did and what he stood for.

Delhi Overtakes For A Moment

As Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh was speaking, all of a sudden the public address system started relaying a voice over from Delhi. It disrupted him for a moment till it was realized that it was an on-going commentary at a simultaneous function for the same event that Union Railway Minister presided over in Delhi’s Railway Bhawan. The TV Screen that flashed the function to the venue had its voice muted to help Singh continue his speech.

‘Sab Kou Mera Adaab’

Sartaj Madni is PDP’s Secretary General. He has already faced his bit of criticism from NC that attacked Union railway ministry for mentioning his name in the advertisement when Madni is a political executive lacking any role in government.

Madni was the first to speak. His speech started with his statement: Sab Kou Mera Adaab. It shocked many because 99% of the audience was Muslim. “May be he does not know that Salam is a prayer and Adaab is just a respect,” one officer commented.

Badly Managed Track

Four New Trains were inaugurated on May 05, 2016 by CM Mehbooba Mufti at Islamabad. (KL Image: Shah Hilal)
School children greeted CM Ms Mehbooba Mufti at Islamabad when four new trains were inaugurated on May 05, 2016. (KL Image: Shah Hilal)

It was chaotic at the track in Islamabad station where the Chief Minister had to board the train. It was badly managed. A long line of school girls was on the edge of the station and when the VVIP came, their security detail triggered such a push that it was terrible for people to get the students not fall on the track.

New four trains were inaugurated on May 05, 2016 by CM Mehbooba Mufti at Islamabad. (KL Image: Shah Hilal)
New four trains were inaugurated on May 05, 2016 by CM Mehbooba Mufti at Islamabad. (KL Image: Shah Hilal)

It was the time when the train was moving to adjust for the VVIPs. The confusion for almost five minutes was so chaotic that a lady with her kid in the lap was barely saved from getting hurt.

The SSG that protects the Chief Minister was slightly tizzy on Thursday. They even exhibited unnecessary tension while in the train. Lot many camera men were pushed and pulled despite the fact that they all are known to each other. May be it was first time for them to showcase their capacity to emerge the new barrier!

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