India, Nov. 7 -- On November 5, the Senate of Wisconsin didn't confirm the nomination of Brad Pfaff as agriculture secretary. It led to a political fisticuff between Democrat and Republican senators. The latter voted against him as he criticised the federal government for not releasing funds for mental health and suicide prevention services for farmers.

Wisconsin has recorded a 50 per cent dip in farm income in the six years since 2011. In 2017, it reported a record 915 suicides, mostly among the farming community.

This news from the United States has Indian hues - agrarian crisis, farmers' suicides and political debates over them. But it is also surprising, given the political fallout.

Just imagine an agriculture minister of an Indian...