Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb is at it again. After commenting on the choice of Diana Hayden as the Miss World, he is of the view that mechanical engineers should not go for civil services.
“In my view, civil engineers should join civil services but mechanical engineers should not,” Deb said at a function in Agartala on Friday.
He argued that if a civil engineer becomes an Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer, s/he can offer inputs in construction projects, which mechanical engineers cannot do.
Deb was speaking at a function on Civil Service Day.
“In earlier times, students of humanities background used to appear for civil service examinations. But now the trend has changed as doctors, engineers too opt for the competitive examinations,” he said.
“One should not opt for civil services after studying mechanical engineering. Civil engineers have the experience and knowledge to help build the administration and society,” he said.
The Tripura chief minister also favoured doctors for the civil services as he said their knowledge of sick persons can help them to act immediately.
“In case of any successful person, including cricketers, you have to be an all-rounder,” he said.
The new Tripura chief minister’s comments came a day after he said that former Miss World Diana Hayden did not represent Indian beauty.
He had said that the characteristics of Indian beauty should be like Lakshmi and Saraswati, Hindu goddesses for wealth and education, and Hayden lacked them.
Comparing Hayden with another former Miss World Aishwarya Rai, he said Rai is representative of an Indian beauty.
Hayden won the Miss India and Miss World contest in 1997. Aishwarya Rai became the Miss World in 1994.
“Koi bhi aata hain to mil jata hain. Diana Hayden ko bhi mil jata hain… (Anyone who steps into beauty contests, get crown of Miss India or Miss World. Even Diana Hayden got it),” he said.
He, however, expressed regrets for his remarks, saying he was talking about how to promote handloom products in Tripura.
“I did not intend to hurt anyone, and I regret if anyone is hurt… I respect women as I respect my mother,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.
Apparently two weeks ago, Deb made a statement about existence of internet and satellite during Mahabharata era, drawing sharp reactions from every corner.
Later, speaking on development issue at the civil services programme, Deb threw a challenge to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
“I will bring development in Tripura in three years and I will show her comparison of economic growth of the two states. She should not look down at my state due to its small size. It is the size of vision, and not the size of a state, that matters for development,” Deb said. – Agencies