Anu Ranjan - Editor

The 12thKelvinator GR8! Women Achievers Awards were held last month in Mumbai and I am yet to get over the spontaneous, wholehearted and totally overwhelming support that we received for the event. I am extremely grateful and exceptionally thankful to all who made this occasion such a resounding success. Features of the show are covered in the pages that follow and full-length coverage can be viewed on Colors, April 14th 2013.

Don’t miss the fun! Another event worth mentioning was one I attended during a recent visit to the capital. On second thoughts, it was more of an experience I witnessed during that trip ..courtesy my dear friend Ashish Bagga– I attended a session of the popular India Today Conclave featuring (or should I say starring) the Gujarat

Chief Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi – and, it was surreal to say the least. The capital’s bigwigs, literati and glitterati were all there in attendance. They stood around nonchalant at first but then all pushed and shoved at the doors, to get in fast and to get a good seat, so as not to miss a side or a moment of the man they had all gathered there to see. He arrived, to be greeted by cheering and a standing ovation; he hadn’t yet opened his mouth! When he did, he spoke effortlessly and ceaseless for over an hour, addressing an audience that was absolutely spellbound. In our country, it isn’t very often that we actually want to listen to politicians speaking but this was definitely one such occasion.

He was confidence and optimism personified; he spoke of the changes we’d all like to see in style of governance, he described various transformation in systems which any layman could understand as obviously beneficial to the nation, he spoke sense and he spoke of hope… His NaMo mantra was unquestionably a hit! You had no choice there but to respect the man for his intelligence and oratory skills. Yes, his denigrators and serious opponents will always exist but in that case one should see him as the “andhon mein kaana raja” (amongst the blind, a cockeyed one is king). I honestly believe his persistent dedication to the welfare of his state, the wellbeing of his people and to his job is his penance and I feel his adversaries should recognize that. Further, look around at the choices we have, relatively speaking, I truly don’t see him as the monster he’s made out to be. He comes across as a man with a vision, someone who can command respect, someone who can get the job done and someone who would certainly make a great leader.

Anyways, he’s got a long way to go before (and if at all) he actually makes it to the throne and my good wishes are with him. And on that note I bid you adieu for now. Hope you had a Happy Holi and here’s wishing you many more colorful days ahead. Enjoy and until next time, happy reading!