The K factor

It is well known that the Karnataka chief minster does not use any initials or surname. This is said to be an expression of his atheist values, but his preference may be less well known for those from outside the state. Thus, at a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) event in Bangalore the organisers had put a “K” before Siddaramaiah’s name. When he pointedly drew the organisers’ attention to this, a senior Ficci office bearer instantly apologised. Still, it was a careless mistake for a reputed industry body to make and its current president Naina Lal Kidwai sought to allay the general embarrassment by commenting that the “K” stood for Karnataka which raised some laughs from the audience and glossed over the error.