Event management

If the aam aadmi in Uttar Pradesh, the state that gave Narendra Modi such a resounding endorsement in the recent elections, were keen to watch the TV telecast of his government's elaborate oath-taking ceremony in Delhi on May 26, the privileged were no less so. The diplomatic staff of an African nation was in Lucknow to meet local businessmen on the day. The meeting was scheduled for the early evening, but the senior-most diplomat started by saying he and his staff would like the conference to be over well before the swearing-in ceremony started at 6 p m. All heads, including those of the businessmen present, instantly nodded in agreement.