Another Falak?

Three-month-old Afreen, battling for life at a government hospital in Bangalore after being allegedly tortured by her father, was a topic of discussion for much of the day. Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai had this to say: ‘First baby Falak, now baby Afreen. How sick a society can we get? What happened to all the money spent in girl child schemes?' A certain Anamika added: ‘She is baby Afreen. Don't call her Bangalore's baby Falak. We don't need such a term.

Or a trend. Let's hope there are no more such babies.' And from Mini Mathur: ‘Baby Afreen's plight is a national shame. We should bring back capital punishment for such acts of cruelty towards helpless little babies!'

A new face
Days after Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar contradicted President Asif Ali Zardari during a meeting with a visiting United States diplomat, speculation was rife that her portfolio may be changed. Naturally, she clogged timelines.

Arun M Kumar agreed with the possibility of her being axed: ‘Yes. She is too distracting for peace talks,' he tweeted. Dhruv Thakkar asked: ‘Reason? Too much glamour?' There was this from The UnReal Times: ‘Hina Rabbani Khar's axing may finally unite the Indian political class against the Pakistan establishment.' And from Madhavan Narayanan: ‘I know what perfume Hina Rabbani Khar uses. Axe For Women.'

Male order
What are some of the things guys like? Among the examples cited were ‘women in heels', ‘brunettes', ‘ruining romantic moments' and ‘women who respect themselves.' Someone tweeted, ‘The same stuff girls do: The right amount of attention, comfort, and inspiration.' There was also this from Angry Bombay Girl: ‘Things that guys like: Girls who look like Ayesha Takia, dress like Poonam Pandey, but cook like their mothers.'

The last word
From his holiness the Dalai Lama: ‘As you develop a more compassionate attitude, you feel less anxiety, while your determination and self-confidence increase.'

Lindsay Pereira is Editor, MiD DAY Online (twitter.com/lindsaypereira)