in the State cabinet. Has any politician ever stopped to wonder how an ordinary housewife feels when she sees someone as eminent as, for example, the Prime Minister closetted with a person who, barely two years ago, would have been described as a common criminal? Times have changed, the street ruffian has donned the party apparel and has learnt to speak the appropriate cliche-ridden slogans. He is now invited to inaugurate literary soirees or speak on the nature and significance of non-violence in national life. No one need be surprised if, even while he is speaking, tucked away around his waist is a vicious- looking knife, or if the unusual padding you notice ou the left shoulder of his kurta is the tell-tale sign of a barely concealed weapon. It may not be quite CAPITAL VIEW pre-history since he had last used that knife or that gun, maybe to finish off a former pal who fell out with him over the sharing of the spoils from breaking open sealed railway wagons.