The role of wit and humour in our mundane life is very important to relieve tension and stress- a part and parcel of modern life and living. But how many of us possess this rare of gift which could be a potent weapon in you verbal armoury. When Jawhar Lal Nehru, who was world-renowned author and had this rare gift , was asked by a journalist on the situation arising out of the government's decision to clamp prohibition on liquor he had this gem of a wit in reply “ the situation is very fluid, man”! To cite another which too of a subtle of variety, our former Minister of External Affairs Mr. Natwar Singh speaking on an occasion was expressing his gratitude to his alma mater by saying “ I owe to St.Stephens what I am today”. Mani Shankar

Aiyar , a career diplomat-turned politician and a former minister who spoke next and also a former student of St Stephens said “ Why blame your college for it!”.

The presence of a humorist in our midst always enlivens any situation. What sets apart these class of people of others? It is their unique ability to look at the contradictions in our life and the rare trait to laugh at oneself. By making pithy and witty remarks they drive home which might takes hours of lecturing.

Mark Twain's dig at the pseudo literates is memorably contained in “ the man who does not read books has no advantage over the man can not read books”. Similarly the remark “ Noise proves nothing. Often a hen which merely laid an egg cackles as if she had laid an asteroid'' is his take on pseudo achievers. Perhaps the name which comes uppermost in one's mind in this respect is that of George Bernard Shaw. His attitude towards American English is portrayed famously in the quote “ England and America are two countries separated by the same language”.