This news item for some reason reminded me of a scene from a Telugu movie where a mother chides her money-intoxicated daughter. The proverbial daughter is willing to do anything for money–lets her husband sleep with another woman, doesn’t care for the kids… the works. The scene in question is shot thoughtfully–just as the daughter descends the last step on the stairway, the mother says, “you cannot stoop any lower than this, but knowing you, I won’t be surprised if you hit a new low.”

Sonia Gandhi aka Maino, the real Prime Minister now wants to release a stamp and Special Cover in honour of the late Murasoli Maran. Now, the tradition of naming roads, circles, flyovers, and releasing stamps and (currency) coins holds a special significance. It is typically released to honour and in that way, remember an eminent personality that has somehow bettered the lives of people around him/her, or has done some meritorious deed to the nation.

View this in the context of Murasoli Maran. As far as I remember, he shot to fame as a minister in the NDA government, and was associated with the Sun TV group–his son (?) heads the business. I also don’t recall anything remotely qualifying for “service to the nation” associated with Maran.

So, why release a stamp in his name? If they do release–they will–a stamp in his name, he’ll be among the galaxy of people starting with Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Subash Chandra Bose, C.V. Raman, Rajagopalachari and the rest.

The answer is not far to seek: his son happens to be Karunanidhi’s son-in-law. Karunanidhi is a valuable ally of the Congress-led UPA coalition.

What better way to humour keep your allies in your good books?