They happen to be amongst Kolkata’s most famous women; one has distinguished herself by her compassionate service to mankind and the other has brought joy to many through her soulful voice
They happen to be amongst Kolkata’s most famous women; one has distinguished herself by her compassionate service to mankind and the other has brought joy to many through her soulful voice.
So when we learnt that feisty pop, jazz and playback singer Usha Uthup had caught a flight and was winging her way to the Vatican yesterday, as one of the personalities invited to pay tribute to and be part of the ceremony to canonize Mother Teresa, it brought a smile.
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Motherâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Teresa and Usha Uthup
Uthup, whose ballads and raucous crowd pleasers we have been fans of from the Sixties, when she’d bring the house down at The Talk of The Town, will perform a song in tribute. What will she sing, we wonder? A jazzed up version of ‘When The Saints Come Marching In’? That would certainly be something to write home about.
The truth about the RWITC
“The RWITC, as all know, has two ‘groups’ who have been contesting for the elections and controlling the Club,” says Vivek Jain who has served as Chairman of the august body three times since 2010, and according to those in the know, is certain to assume the title once again this year when the elections are held on September 12. “Last year, my team won and the chairmanship was mine as I had led the team,” he explained.
Zavaray Poonawalla and Vivek Jain
“However, as Zavaray Poonawalla expressed a desire to become chairman and also to reduce the perceived hostility between the two sides, I voluntarily offered the chair to Zavaray, who was, and remains a friend,” he said in response to a story we’d carried on Tuesday about the issue.
“This year, though the chair was to return to me automatically, provided our group won, I still told Zavaray, that he could continue, if he so wishes. However, he voluntarily withdrew from the fray, health being a primary reason,” said the prominent RWITC official. “I can openly admit there have been differences within both teams, but Zavaray’s decision to withdraw was his alone, and independent of the chairmanship issue.
The alleged lack of a tough stand on erring professionals can hardly be laid at my doorstep, as I am neither Chairman of the Stewards, nor do I control the Stewards body,” said Jain who has topped the RWITC polls twelve times so far.
“My strength at the club comes from my record of performance and my giving away the chair is proof that it is not the position that inspires me, but my passion for the club and the sport,” he says signing off with, “My detractors will always fuel rumours and controversies each year to pull me down, but I have withstood many challenges and shall continue to fight on.’
From ear-to-ear
If there is any one who epitomises the urbane SoBo sophisticate, it is Jay Mehta the dapper, soft-spoken scion of a traditional business Gujarati family with interests in Africa, India, Canada and USA, who married Bollywood star Juhi Chawla in 1995. For all his wealth and brush with glamour (including being co-owner with SRK of an IPL team) Mehta remains a thorough gentleman, low key and low profile, and seldom given to displays of emotion.
Jayâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Mehta and wife Juhi Chawla
Of late we’ve seen him dropping in unobtrusively to check on his latest enterprise, an Italian eatery at Kemps Corner, taking care to avoid attention to himself; so when we chanced upon this picture of the industrialist flashing a 100-watt smile, we couldn’t help being intrigued. “I was on holiday in the Maldives,” he said, when we asked him about it. And who had brought on that sunshine twinkle? “I have no idea,” he said conveniently. After all, gentlemen don’t smile and tell.
Ganpati with the Goyals
He may be one of the shining stars in Narendra Modi’s Cabinet, and one of Mumbai’s best exports, but there is no doubt that Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines, Piyush Goyal has kept up his old friendly ties with his erstwhile city.
Piyush Goyal. Pic/Twitter
Which is why when news that his much looked forward to annual Ganpati celebrations would not be held this year, there had been a sigh of disappointment amongst his circle. After all, the Goyals’ annual Ganpati prayers had become something of a ritual amongst the city’s smart set and were noted for their high-profile attendance.
“Every major personality from the world of business, politics, society and even entertainment would attend,” says a SoBo hostess, adding, “It used to be a haven for people watching.” This time around the celebrations had to be missed as the building he lived in at Malabar Hill was undergoing repairs. “It will feel strange to miss it this time year” she said, “But I am planning to attend Manish Malhotra’s Ganpati celebrations on that day where I am sure there will be an equally glam crowd.”
Banking on health
The leading banker whose recent commendation of the current powers that be has won him a certain amount of critique from those who accuse him of opportunism and changing sides, has better things to think about.
Like the state-of-the-art cutting-edge orthopaedic hospital in Mahalaxmi that he is said to spearheading, which his daughter-in-law will run. “As in everything he does, he is keen to build this in to a lasting institution,” says a source. “He has always been known to be committed to the greater good.”
As for his bon mots about the current regime. “There are very few who can afford to be openly critical these days,” says the source. Indeed.
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