Welcome to my blog. I may write copy here that I would not present elsewhere. This blog allows me to comment while reporting for clients which can include subscription-only platforms. I use it to take a sideways look at running stories, and all views presented here are my own.

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Friday 12 February 2010

In Delhi for the most fun to be had at a press conference

Heading into the Congress Party Headquarters, there is a room set up for a media conference with Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi.

The first surprise is that we get given Indian sweets and savouries and a plastic cup of piping hot tea. When did that ever happen at the G20 or anywhere else for that matter?

Abhishek moved seamlessly between perfect high Hindi and perfect high English with plenty of humour thrown in. Once he'd given his statement, the questions came thick and fast, shouted not spoken, and when I tried to stand up and present my question in the quaint old-fashioned way we are taught to behave in the West, he told me not to bother to stand!

I look forward to some more of these. Usually I am out in India or Pakistan on single story assignments and don't have time to be part of the press pack, so I am interested in life as an Indian hack...for a short while.