Ek Mulaqat with Dia Mirza

With Javed Akhtar at Taj Bengal Kolkata

February 4, 2013: I went to Kolkata on Friday (Feb 1) to attend leading Bengali cine star Koel’s wedding. She was there at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club in her gorgeous outfit and I had a feeling that the entire film fraternity was there at the reception.

Before going to Koel’s reception I attended an event organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation in association with Taj Bengal Hotel titled An Evening with Javed Akhtar.

Javed Akhtar, eminent poet, lyricist and scriptwriter, recited some his favourite poems like aansu, zoya, woh kamra yaad aata hai and others that reflected various aspects of his hectic lifestyle and his random thoughts.

On the occasion, I presented a cheque for Rs 1 lac to Javed Akhtar (picture) which he presented to the Diabetes Awareness and You (DAY) - an NGO that works towards spreading awareness to combat diabetes. Javed Akhtar, while extending his support for the cause called for a crusade against diabetes, urged those who were present to support the cause in whatever way possible.

The audience, including many eminent Kolkatans and lovers of poetry, were very impressed by the thought-provoking answers given by the poet at a question and answer session that followed the recitation. 

Javed Akhtar lamented the falling standards of language in general and the general acceptability being accorded to it. He reiterated the need to set up a “..... school for teaching poetry” to guide those who are naturally gifted and talented.

On Saturday afternoon I worked for the full day in my office and did not even step out for the annual book distribution of Prabha Khaitan Foundation in collaboration with Bharat Relief Society.

With Dia Mirza

On Sunday morning I took the 5.30 AM flight to Jaipur and organized another event of the series Ek Mulaqat with Dia Mirza in conversation with Pratim Dasgupta. The same afternoon I also went to the finals of the most talked about Polo Cup of Jaipur – Sirmur Cup. The team members to reach the finals were: Sahara Warriors (Salvador Jaurepche +2, Rechard Le Poer +5 , Samir Suhag +5, Adhiraj Singh +2). The members of the other finalist IPG Rajasthan were Tarun Bilwal +1, Himmat Singh Bedia +2, Bhawani Kalvi +3, Lokendra Singh +3.

The officiating members were umpires Maj Ravi Rathore & Nicolos; referee, Col N S Sandhu; Chief Guest, HH Rajmata Padmini Devi of Jaipur; Guest of Honor, Marten Pieters, MD & CEO, Vodafone India. 
In the last few years Vodafone has really done a great job in making the Sirmur Cup so very popular.

Although there was a difference of 5 handicaps between Sahara Warriors and IPG Rajasthan, it was a very interesting match in which IPG Rajasthan emerged the winners.

Tomorrow evening will fly back to Kolkata.

ess bee