I am writing this from the temple town of Varanasi, or as I was told by a long-time resident: the land of learning and burning, the latter reference being because the city is the preferred destination of many to die, and attain moksha.

I reached the city around 11 am, and as expected the otherwise sleepy airport was buzzing with activity. Union minister Anand Sharma was being greeted by some party workers. There was a reporter from a city newspaper who told my cousin that actor-politician Raj Babbar was due to arrive.