Royal rule at IIC

INDIA’S elite indulges itself at the expense of others. And it will not, never ever, be denied. To do so, to deprive those habituated to a free lunch, would be a cardinal offence. Dr Karan Singh can pick anyone he wants to be hired as the editor of the India International Centre quarterly. Long years ago, it was Geeti Sen, who, a little bird tells us, enjoyed enough of his goodwill to get an extension and thereafter head the Indian Cultural Centre in Kathmandu. It is no coincidence that the Centre comes under the Indian Council of Cultural Relations over which Dr Singh presides. By the way, not too long ago, the Centre was in the news for some unsavoury matters involving these personalities.
Ira Pande, the IIC quarterly’s current editor, is due to retire in January 2012. Dr Singh has reportedly selected another attractive woman for the job. The IIC management, like the selection committee tasked with the job of picking the editor, has all but endorsed his choice. His reign at the IIC is total and unquestioned, especially after such stalwarts as Kapila Vatsyayan, NN Vohra and Soli Sorabjee ceased to be in the picture.
And all this happens despite the members of the IIC management being eminent and respected in their own right. But, even if Dr Singh’s royal antecedents charm them, the fact that the IIC is founded on public money should serve as a reminder that it cannot be run as a fiefdom.