>> Here to pay his condolences to the late Viren Shah, 85-year-old L K Advani made time to meet his old friend, the 80-year-old Nana Chudasama, for a cup of tea. Naturally given that both men are consummate watchers of and commentators on the political scene in India the conversation revolved around current politics, the BJP stalwart’s interest in reading and Nana’s famous banners on Marine Drive, which pass cryptic comment on polity.

When asked how he finds material for his wit, Nana joked that the politicians of this country give him ample food for thought for his banners, something that Advani who had released the old warhorse’s History on a Banner, a compilation of his quotes, was tickled by. Incidentally, Chudasama’s latest reads ‘The need of the hour — a Directory of Scams.’ Nice!