Warm days, cold evenings

Its been a long week, a blend of work, commitments and socialising. And yes, I did get a bit extravagant and bought a Ritu Kumar outfit just for a lark. But its quite flattering and makes me look good (a little narcissism does'nt hurt at all!). Its a black and red affair, with signature Ritu's embroideries and motifs and a very imaginative cut.

It was an impulsive buy as I had to go to a new restaurant opening. A north Indian food joint in the heart of the city's largest mall. Great ambience...loved the carved wood foliage interior design and Indian jhoola (swing) style chairs. Carefully decided menu, fine wines and the best grills served by silent, thoughtful waiters and waitresses was a good way to wind down.

Dinner included a conversation with one of the country's foremost newspaper barons. Must admit, he had very stark views bordering on the bizarre, which seemed too out of the box and especially crafted for effect. But what struck me as unacceptable, was an extreme regional chauvinism rooted in arrogance, a deliberate dismissal (read rubbishing) of anything that the other person may hold culturally and linguistically dear. Well, I was not at the receiving end, but felt appalled at being able to see myself tolerating this nonsense meted out to the next person on the table.

The spectre lurked under several layers of sophistication. Well, it takes all types to make this world, I told my disullisioned self and sometimes, your illusions crash when you become too good a listener. But a learning experience nevetheless about the country's movers and shakers who cannot look beyond their fish and rice (ironically that was not part of the menu! Ha! ha!). This could be great fodder to my imagination while writing my book.

The weather is still cold as I spent a few evenings at the Cricket and Football Club lawns and invariably I would forget to take my jacket/wrap and would spend a large part of my time shivering the evening away. My mum nags me to take more care of myself....a tall order when you have to take care and responsibility of others around you....

More in my next post.