When I was first informed, during my first vacation in two years, that I may be asked shortly to join the Indian media delegation accompanying Prime Minister A B Vajpayee on his tour of Italy and Portugal, I let loose a sigh. An overseas trip, even if as part of work, seemed a great prospect to top off the vacation. Going abroad for the first ever time, that too as part of the PM's entourage, seemed exciting. But Portugal somehow seemed a letdown. One had been fascinated by countries like Germany, France, Spain, Holland, Austria, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Belgium, Poland, Greece, Italy. But Portugal? Naaaah. Okay, it has a history linked to Goa and all that, but in the map of Europe, Portugal looks so tiny, almost obscure and inconsequential, a thin strip carved out of southwestern Spain. I wasn't even sure how it is pronounced. Port-ooo-gahl? Or Port-choo-gal? Three days in Lisbon is all that took me to change my mindset. Yes, Portugal (I mean, Port-chu-gal) is comparatively small, but its beauty and vitality have their own distinct charm that can perhaps match that of any other European landmass. And it is NOT inconsequential. More of that later. Namaste Pradhan Mantri-ji How strongly Indian businessmen hold the PM and the FM in awe was evident at the social dos in Rome and Lisbon. Corporate India's crème de le crème vied with each other to get an audience with Vajpayee and Sinha. No opportunity to greet the two, more often than not with folded hands, was lost. India's private sector seems to have suddenly fallen in love with the Establishment. Among those who snaked their way to the PM or FM or both at the official functions or receptions hosted by Indian ambassadors were: Ajay Piramal, C K Birla, Prakash Hinduja, Ramesh Gelli, Sudhir Jalan, Haripati Singhania, Sunil Mittal, Shashi Ruia, P S Subramanyam, G P Gupta, G P Goenka, K V Kamath, Mukul Kasliwal and Naresh Goyal. NEXT: Your Bharat mahaan; Vignettes of Rome; Asians Ahoy!; Life and style in Rome; Vajpayee da Gama; Dining with a VVIP's daughter-in-law; Spotlight on Portugal; The old and the beautiful Portuguese; Youth on their toes; TV is cool; Lisbon is a party in June; Air-India to remain Air-India; How India will get UN Security Council seat; New Millennium, old communication methods; Modern Maharajas have the cake and eat it too; A joyous nation dives to depths of sorrow. Tell us what you think of this diary
HOME | NEWS | MONEY | SPORTS | MOVIES | CHAT | INFOTECH | TRAVEL SINGLES | NEWSLINKS | BOOK SHOP | MUSIC SHOP | GIFT SHOP | HOTEL BOOKINGS AIR/RAIL | WEATHER | MILLENNIUM | BROADBAND | E-CARDS | EDUCATION HOMEPAGES | FREE EMAIL | CONTESTS | FEEDBACK