Iceman’s Realm

Some days ago, a gentleman from Punjab landed at Kushwant Singh’s residence with a full bottle of fine whisky in hand. As the writer’s domestic help whisked away the bottle to the kitchen, the visitor produced his bio-data and asked Kushwant Singh to write a letter to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh recommending him for a Padma Shri award. Kushwant immediately declined the request, but added that the whisky had already reached the cellar. The man disappeared. Within 10 minutes, another gentleman from Punjab appeared with another bottle of whisky and also a bio data in hand. It was clear to Kushwant Singh that these two were vying for a Padma Shri. He too was shown the door and like the previous instance, even his whisky was confiscated. Now the jovial Sardar feels that he should write a letter to 7 Race Course Road cautioning the Prime Minister of forged letters in his name from desperate Padma Shri seekers.