An unpleasant event
 |
| Governor M K Narayanan, Vidya Balan, Alka Bangur and others |
Vidya
Balan came down to Kolkata to receive the Puraskar
at a function organized by the Calcutta
Chamber of Commerce Foundation
at The
Park.
Hon’ble
Governor of West Bengal, Shri M K Narayanan, who gave the award to
Vidya Balan, said in his inaugural speech, “I feel doubly
privileged to felicitate Vidya Balan, who is from the same town in
Kerala to which I belong. I am glad that Prabha
Khaitan Foundation has
put in place an endowment that supports women’s initiatives across
a broad spectrum and also rewards women achievers.”
In
a lighter mood, the Governor also said, “I usually don't watch
films, but I saw the film Kahaani twice. For all my years of service
at the helm of Intelligence Bureau (IB), Vidya made me out to be a
terrorist in her film.”
The
Prabha
Khaitan Puraskar is
given to a woman achiever for her outstanding contribution to the
society and for furthering the cause of women in India. Vidya
Balan, the youngest recipient of the award so far, was chosen for the
Puraskar by an eminent panel of judges for her contribution to the
cause of women and the girl child.
Vidya
is a closet philanthropist helping thousands of underprivileged girls
each year with her charity work.
 |
| Representatives of TV and Print media at the event |
From
a general or public point of view the event was a grand success. Some
of my friends called up and complimented me for the event. I also get
few such SMSs. But to be honest and fair, I am personally not at all
happy with the manner in which the program was conducted at the
venue.
There was a lot of avoidable chaos caused by the media as no
proper arrangement or encloser was available for them. The security
arrangements for the guest and celebrity were also not up to the
mark. There was at one point a stampede-like situation at the event.
I
had very categorically informed and requested in advance the main
organisers of the function to ensure adequate security given the
celebrity status of Vidya Balan and the presence of West Bengal
Governor and the first lady of the state. I was assured that top
police authorities were informed and there was no need for concern. I
was told that as far as security is concerned, personnel would be
deputed on both side of the dais. I was surprised that not even a
single security personnel were there in the whole venue by the
organisers. Thanks to the Governor’s personal security who managed
the situation.
The
award function turned out to be one of the most disorganized and
chaotic functions that I have ever associated with. There was lack of
decorum and the management of the event was poor. What was despicable
was the fact that some of the hosts competed and jostled to get their
pictures clicked with Vidya Balan and even went to the extent of
getting their relatives and commercial products clicked with the
hapless actress. Their thoughtless and shameless behaviour added to
the chaos caused endless embarrassment to me and others.
 |
| Vidya Balan thronged by the members of the organisation |
Thanks
to The Park banquet team personnel who arranged for a timely backdoor
exit for Miss Balan through the kitchen.
This
kind of behaviour from members of an organisation representative of
the city’s industrialists and elite business community is
unthinkable and deplorable. Though I was not a part of the organising
team, I felt I owed an apology to Vidya and the Governor Shri M K
Narayanan and the first lady Mrs Padmini Narayanan.
ess
bee
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