WHEN Nehru challenged Master Tara Singh on whether the country came first or the Panth, Master Tara Singh was quick to call a press meet. Some people told Master not to respond to the provocation as it was a trap, but the Master had clarity of thought. Everyone knew what will be the first and the most important question. And it was fired bluntly. Just as blunt was the Master's reply. “First comes the panth and then follows the country,” he said. Just as the press corps was leaving, he called them back. This was when the hacks, used to everyday situations of politicians finding themselves in a dilemma, sensed as making of next day's headlines. Dilemma meant news.
        “Please correct that. Pehlon vi panth, baad vich vee panth.” Well, this was what the hacks were not expecting, but as we said, the Master had clarity of thought.
        Readers of WSN know that clarity of thought is the hall mark when despatches appear as lead articles on Edit page or Op-Ed page.