Acb Org

Khushwant Singh, humourist, raconteur, editor, shortstory writer, novelist, commentator, has earned a new accolade — "the master spinner of jokes." He has been clubbed together with Birbal, Tenali Raman and Gopal Bhore as one of India's all time great humourists. His ability to make Indians laugh at themselves, and at their own foibles, has earned him a readership and fan following that is unparalleled. As India's best known journalist and syndicated columnist, he is admired and lambasted in equal measure because of his often irreverent and controversial views. However, even his staunchest critics agree that he is eminently readable. Born in 1915, Khushwant Singh received his education in Lahore, Delhi and London. After a brief law practice at Lahore High Court and a stint with the Ministry of External Affairs, he shot to literary fame with his award-winning novel Train to Pakistan and the twovolumed History of the Sikhs. He distinguished himself as editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India (19691979), and The Hindustan Times (1980-1983). Master craftsman of his art, Khushwant Singh lives in Delhi and continues to "hold a mirror to our face ... frank, but not venomous, fearless but not intimidating.''

CHANDIGARH OR JALANDHAR

Santa was flying to Chandigarh from Pune. He was allotted a middle seat but decided to take the window seat instead, which had been allotted to an old lady. The lady requested Santa to exchange the seats and let her sit on the seat allotted to her. He refused, saying, 'I want to see the view from the window.' The old lady complained to the air hostess who requested Santa to sit on his allotted middle seat. Santa was adamant and bluntly refused. The air hostess went up to the co-pilot. He too came and requested Santa, but in vain. Finally, the captain of the aircraft came. He whispered something in Santa's ears. Santa immediately vacated the window seat and took the middle seat. Astonished, the air hostess and the co-pilot asked the...