Hyderabad, Feb. 3 -- Soon after the Maha Kumbh stampede, the Uttar Pradesh government decided to withdraw the validity of VIP passes on important days when the huge crowds surge hugely. This applied to a day preceding the important days and a day later. Implied in this is a hint that among other possible reasons, VIP arrangements were problematic.

We are not discussing, however, the causes of that gory night's event but are focusing on the Very Important Person issue. They are a public nuisance. The VIPs detract from the purpose of events in which people want to participate and create hurdles in their intent. At events where the species emerges, the discomfort of the other intensifies.

There are VIPs and there are VVIPs, the second "ver...