Kishan Rungta’s book launch and Author’s Afternoon with Tony V Francis

With Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi

23 March 2018: On Wednesday evening (21 March) I attended the launch of the book “Stalking Tigers on Foot” by Honourable Governor of West Bengal, Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi, at the Guchhi, Hyatt Regency Kolkata. 

The book has been written by Kishan Rungta. The event was jointly organized by Prabha Khaitan Foundation and Hyatt Regency Kolkata in association with Sher. 

With Kishan Rungta and Ravi Singh of WWF

I must thank Ms Birgit Holm, Hyatt Regency General Manager, for making the arrangements and extending her hospitality.

With Joydip Kundu

Mr Ravi Singh, Secretary General and CEO of World Worldlife Fund (WWF), was present along with the author Kishan Rungta, guests and dignitaries including H P Kanoria, Joydeep Kundu, Alka Bangur, Arindam Sil and others.

With Prasun Mukherjee, Ex-Commissioner of Police, Kolkata

Shri Rungta ji is a wildlife enthusiast himself who changed from being a hunter to a wildlife conservationist. The book by Mr Kishan Rungta, an industrialist, cricketer, cricket administrator (former chairman of BCCI selection committee) and wildlife enthusiast, covers the period of 1950 to 1970 when the word “conservation” was not coined and India lacked any legal measures, rules and regulation to save the big cats and wildlife.

With Ravi Singh, Kishan Rungta, H P Kanoria, Alka Bangur and Birgit Holm

In those days, one could procure a hunting license for Rs 100 and kill wild animals. Also, the maximum penalty for killing animals without permit was barely Rs 500. 

Mr Rungta who was himself a hunter later became a wildlife conservationist. His 200-page book Stalking Tigers on Foot is a telling account of the wanton plunder of wildlife and forestry in India.

With Guest Author, Tony V Francis

Today evening I went to The Taj Bengal Chambers to attend the 54th edition of An Author’s Afternoon with debutante guest author Tony V Francis. Tony has had a multi-faceted career spanning different fields namely, theatre, radio, public communication and book writing. Flashes of which were evident as he spoke to the audience.

With Ranu Bangur and others

Conversationalist Professor Debnita Chakravarti guided the conversation rather adeptly.

With Jimmy Tangree

Tony, who has planned many an advertising strategies for clients, was surprised and elated to see his own picture on a poster of An Author’s Afternoon while on his way to the venue. 

It is no surprise that Tony’s book The Autograph Seeker is set in the background of Park Street and Kolkata for he, as a Xaverian, had spent a part of his life in Kolkata.

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