Speaking wit

A recent CII conference in Lucknow over enhancing steel consumption in rural areas was conducted in English. A peeved local journalist questioned Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma on the logic of using English when the conference was focussed on the rural market. The minister’s demonstrated a dry wit in his reply. “Arre, agar English nahin bolenge, to ye log [CII] samjhege ki hamein English aati nahin hai (If I do not speak in English, these people [CII] will think, I do not know English).”