They talk, therefore they are

MANI SHANKAR AIYAR

It takes the minister of petroleum and natural gas (and panchayati raj) a thousand words just to clear his throat. At a recent (unofficial) dinner, he spoke so long and furiously on the rights of Palestinians that guests looked longingly at their dinner and the Israeli ambassador left in protest! Shares some traits with President A P J Abdul Kalam in that respect.

Read Mani Shankar Aiyar on rediff.com

KAMAL NATH

Because he's stopped smoking, the minister of commerce and industry must have something to divert him, so he talks instead. He doesn't talk to put you at ease but because he thinks he always has something to say.

RAGHUVANSH PRASAD SINGH

The minister of rural development is the original yakety-yak in the government and though he doesn't let out too many secrets, he is fond of beginning at the beginning -- which can prove terribly exhausting!