The Peace Show

For the elite in this country international affairs are a great show-business. For several months now Indira Gandhi has demonstrated that from games to development in the third world, almost anything, can be transformed into a show business, naturally she herself being at the centre of the business. To be fair to her, she certainly has a remarkable sense of colour and the sarees she chose to wear during the NAM or CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) proved that she is without doubt the best-dressed HOG in the entire world. Add to it her speech-writer's brahmimcal skills with the language, her diction, her carriage and the poise. The dazzing picture of the politics of the undernourished third world is complete. These shows with their customary 'anti-North' veneer satisfy the theorists in the developed world. The theorists around the Moskva viver then see the enormous possibilities of such a well-dressed and articulate leadership. Those around the Rhein or Thames see excellent opportunity in the sub-continent. The Americans have pocketed Pakistan, the World Bank is looking after Bangladesh. It requires some continental finesses to deal with the clever Brahmins in New Delhi and of course her stern, imperial majesty who orders them about. Now it appears that one more show might be around the corner. Two enterprising journalists from New Delhi (could they have been from anywhere else?) who look after Indo- Scandinaviun Friendship have filed Indira 'Gandhi's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Seven members of Parliament have supported the nomination.