Striking Doctors change demands again
Now demand Arjun Singh stay awake during talks

In a clear sign of emerging differences between striking doctors and medical students, doctors belonging to AIIMS today demanded that union HRD minister Arjun Singh stay awake during talks being held between them. “It is becoming increasingly difficult for us to communicate with Mr. Singh, especially during meetings that last for more than 3 minutes,” their spokesperson Dr Kamat said today in a press conference called outside the hospital.

The HRD ministry quickly responded by saying that the strike had begun to lose its unity with different groups emerging within the protestors.

The secretary to the ministry Ram Chandra Guha said “First they demanded the rollback of reservation and now they are demanding that Mr. Singh stay awake during talks. The government is finding it difficult to decide who to talk to and which set of demands to consider.” “The government also out rightly rejects this fresh demand. This is how the minister functions in parliament and most cabinet meetings and nobody seems to mind.” he added.

Finance minister Chidambaram denied any knowledge of the issue but said he believed the incessant nodding was a sign of deep reflection and should not be mistaken for an involuntary sleep induced condition.

The doctors meanwhile refused to tone their demand down on the suggestion of the Prime minister, saying “Promising not to snore is just not acceptable”.

Elsewhere, management guru Arindham Chowdary announced the launch of his latest book, “If you thought my hairstyles were bad...”.