Sidelights—Durbar re-opening

* Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reached the Civil Secretariat at 9.20 am and inspected guard of honour at 9.30 am sharp.
* The Secretariat re-opened just a day after Diwali and most of the employees had to work in the offices till late last night to give final touch to re-opening of the offices.
* Majority of police personnel engaged with the security of Civil Secretariat were unable to celebrate Diwali. There was general feeling among the people that the Secretariat should have been re-opened on Wednesday after ‘Bhaiya Dhooj’ festival on Tuesday.
* Omar was running high cold during the press conference prompting him to ask a reporter to ask the question loudly. “I have my ears closed due to cold. Please speak a bit loud,” he told a questioner.
* While Omar reached the dais for press conference, he had to wait for at least two minutes for the arrival of Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, whose seat had been fixed next to him. There were only two seats at the dais from where Omar addressed the press conference.
* “Where is he’’? Omar was heard saying after finding Tara Chand absent from his chair. The press conference started after Tara Chand reached the spot.
* “Hamara Chief Minister Kaisa Ho, Omar Abdullah Jaisa Ho (our Chief Minister should be like Omar Abdullah)’’. The staff of Civil Secretariat raised this slogan after Omar reached there.
* Rouf Ahmad Bhat, president Non-Gazetted Employees Union, Civil Secretariat presented bouquets to Omar and welcomed him on behalf of the staff.
* Most of the Ministers, Vice Chairpersons of Board and senior officers from civil and police administration were present in the Civil Secretariat and during the press conference of the Chief Minister.
* Tight security arrangements had been made on first day of re-opening of Civil Secretariat.