Flights of nostalgia

Heavy industries Minister Praful Patel appears to be nostalgic about his stint in the first United Progressive Alliance government when he was minister of civil aviation. Addressing the industry body Ficci as part of its 86th annual general meeting, the Nationalist Congress Party stalwart made more references to decisions he took as aviation minister than those he took in his current portfolio. And he threw in a parting joke as he left that underlined this impression: "Sorry, for leaving early. I cannot afford to hold a flight any longer since I am no more the civil aviation minister."