‘Padma’ Trading Minister

The Malayalam movie ‘Franciettan and the saint” had an interesting episode of a nouveau riche business man trying to ‘buy’ a Padma Award through a politician. Gulf Malayalees are well aware of this phenomenon and many of them are predicting the next winners now itself. Ali brothers have already won it and the quality of many of the winners speaks volumes about the level to which our Padma awards have fallen. But very few people had any clue about the politician involved and the money he is making.
 
But the recent award ceremony at Kottayam for Delhi Prime Minister Sheila Dixit has let the cat out of the bag. Now we know where the huge money has come in for instituting a foundation and a copious award in memory of a non-descript legislator. No wonder Gulf Malayalees are pegging a Padmasree at Rs 25 crores. One of the main activities of our minister for the welfare of NRIs’ has been the welfare of his own family and the trade-offs in Padma awards has fetched him a fortune. But do not be surprised if Dawood Ibrahim also gets a Padma award thru’ this dollar thirsty Congressman in his last phase.