Padma and the ice maiden Yet another R-Day just dawned and faded into oblivion. The majestic parade on Raj Path, the foreign tourists and diplomats watching the whole extravaganza in open-mouthed awe, the President as the ornamental head receiving the salute and kids young and old relishing the colourful creations on wheels representing the states and varied bodies – all have come and gone, promising to return in the same format next year, year after year. R-Day or not, what makes me sit up and rue my fate is the announcement of the Padma Awards. Sheer buffoonery of the state of affairs, I would to call it. Among versatile, exceptional and intelligent men and woman picked for the Padmas is one ice maiden who has never ever managed to do something that could bring her even a bouquet of flowers, let alone the Padmas. Aishwarya Rai, of all Indians! What's her claim to the respected Padma Shri? Years ago, she must have been placed on top of the world which got excited by her vital st
