Union Minister Kiren Rijiju recently shared a humorous anecdote about his first interaction with the Lok Sabha Speaker. The story begins with a rather unconventional request. Apparently, during his early days in Parliament, a wide-eyed Rijiju, unfamiliar with the House’s procedures, approached the Speaker with a request for a ‘smoking room’.
The Speaker’s response, while not explicitly stated, was certainly memorable enough to become a recurring tale in Rijiju’s repertoire. Instead of granting his request directly, the Speaker seemingly provided Rijiju with a less literal, and perhaps more valuable, ‘smoking room’ experience. This implied a metaphorical ‘smoking room’ – a place for heated debates, strong opinions, and intense political discourse—that ultimately shaped Rijiju’s parliamentary journey.
This anecdote highlights the learning curve new parliamentarians face as they navigate the intricacies of India’s political landscape. Rijiju’s charming narrative reminds us that even seasoned politicians began somewhere, learning the ropes through unexpected encounters and humorous misinterpretations. The story serves as a gentle reminder of the lighter side of politics, demonstrating that even amidst the serious business of governance, moments of levity and unexpected lessons can define one’s experience.
While the specific details of the Speaker’s response remain untold, Rijiju’s account offers a glimpse into the informal, often humorous, side of political life in India. It prompts us to wonder: What exactly *did* the Speaker say? And what valuable lesson did Rijiju learn that day?
