Bollywood films Chak De, Goal and television series Mungeri Lal ke Haseen Sapne came to the aid of Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday in describing the achievements of his ministry in the railway budget.
The Indian Railways in its 'historic' profit-making binge has been 'kicking one Goal after another (creating records) and every child in the country is today cheering Chak De railway", the minister said.
"We have not only shown dreams but turned them into reality. . . Mungeri Lal ke Haseen Sapne (Mungeri Lal's sweet dreams) have been turned into reality and are being implemented," he said, amid laughter and applause.
As Yadav's speech progressed and was later disrupted by angry protests from members from several parties, including the Congress and supporting Left members, his daughters and a son-in-law witnessed the day's proceedings with rapt attention from the Speaker's gallery.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition L K Advani were present in the House. Before delivering his two-hour long speech, Prasad was seen in discussion with Gandhi.
Out of action Dayanidhi Maran was seen sitting in the ministers' row, flanked by Union Ministers Raghuvansh Prasad and E Ahamed, and thumping government's proposals.
Daughters of DMK chief M Karunanidhi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Kanimozhi and Supriya Sule, were among a large number of Rajya Sabha members sitting in the packed MPs' Gallery.
Prior to the disruptions, the minister announced a train between Chhapra, his constituency, and Mathura, saying he could now go directly to the abode of Lord Krishna.
When some MPs complained that the translation system was not working, Yadav told them, "I will translate this for you" and explained a Hindi couplet in English. "We have sown a tree and now it is my duty to ensure that fruits can grow," he said.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram, whose seat is adjacent to that of the railway minister on the front row, was seen sitting behind, apparently to make space for Yadav to deliver his budget address.
