Goddess syndrome

During a recent visit to Assam, the hectic schedule of journalists accompanying President Pranab Mukherjee was interrupted by a surprise visit to the famous Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. Asked about this unscheduled stop, a senior officer said it had been done at the insistence of the president's daughter Sharmishta, who happens to be a devotee of the goddess. What is more, the visit took place before the scheduled opening time, the district administration having convinced the temple staff to allow the dignitaries a special darshan.