Ram Vilas Paswan Went Looking for Chinese Food
By Law Kumar Mishra
This narrative is inspired by real-life anecdotes from the era before 2014, when India’s senior politicians and ministers frequently travelled abroad.
What follows is one such tale — a glimpse into the curious blend of power, privilege, and peculiar personal whims.
When Lalu Prasad Yadav visited London as the Railway Minister, he was accompanied by several senior railway officials — and also by his son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, who would later emerge as his political heir.
During an official meeting, Lalu Ji proposed that an Indian Railways officer be permanently posted in London, as had apparently happened in the past. The Indian High Commissioner, Kamlesh Sharma, politely rejected the idea, explaining that the railway system in India had evolved — tracks were now managed both by public and private sectors, and the days when iron tracks were shipped from England to India were long gone. Lalu Ji, however, was keen on positioning one of his trusted officers there.
He then requested the High Commission officials to take his son to the world-famous cricket stadium. The request was promptly complied with, and Tejashwi was taken to Lord’s.
But the young boy had a different wish — he wanted to enjoy a ride on the giant wheel. And so, in the heart of London, Tejashwi happily took round after round on the merry-go-round, like any delighted child.
Another episode features Bihar’s prominent leader Ram Vilas Paswan, who was then the Steel Minister. He too travelled to London with his family, accompanied by the ministry secretary, executives of the Steel Authority of India, and managing directors of various steel plants.
They stayed in an exceptionally expensive hotel — far more lavish than those usually chosen by other Indian ministers. Every evening, the minister dined at different luxury hotels, ensuring one constant throughout: Chinese food, which was Mrs Paswan’s favourite.
Even when industrialist Lakshmi Mittal hosted a dinner in his honour, Chinese cuisine was specially recommended. At a formal dinner organised by the High Commission, the original menu did not include any Chinese dishes — but at the last minute, food was ordered from a local Chinese restaurant to satisfy his preference.
One night, Paswan Ji expressed a desire to eat papaya and guava. These too were promptly arranged.
Before returning to India, he telephoned his younger brother, who requested an expensive wristwatch — and one was duly purchased. By the time he flew back, the minister carried no fewer than thirteen large suitcases.
Then comes the story of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, who travelled to London with his wife to explore industrial investment opportunities. The Chief Secretary also accompanied them, along with his own wife. Raman Singh had earlier served as Minister of State for Industry under the Vajpayee government.
They visited the wax museum at Madame Tussauds, famous for its lifelike statues. The Chief Secretary’s wife pointed excitedly and whispered, “Look, there’s even a statue of your officer!”
When the Chief Minister stepped closer, he folded his hands and politely greeted,
“Good morning, sir.” Only then did they realise — this was no wax statue at all. It was a very much alive senior IAS officer, who had been granted leave by the Chief Minister himself to visit his village.
Upon returning to India, the General Administration Department demanded a formal explanation from that officer.
