Jaipur chalo!

Guys, I am off to Jaipur for a couple of days, so this is going to be a short post ... and a short goodbye. Have had a fulfilling day on the whole. I did get worked up on Arnab Goswami's Times Now show.... but then, the debate warranted it. Exactly 6 months ago, at this very hour, Mumbai was reeling. But all too soon, 26\11 has been put on the backburner as the nation rejoices over how splendidly it voted and didn't all our 'Boys' play brilliantly during the IPL. As the cliche goes, Public memory is short indeed. Collective amnesia has set in - who really gives a damn what happened and how many were killed during those terrible 60 hours?? Well.... I certainly do. And I refuse to 'move on' or forget. I said as much on the show, and expressed my absolute disgust at the thought of Shivraj Patil being given a cabinet post. Not that it matters what Mumbaikars feel about the issue. It's a done deal. I am glad Arnab chose to focus on it.... if for nothing else, it may jolt the memory of a few callous politicians and force them to revisit the trauma in a more constructive way. As of now, nothing has changed. Mumbai remains a soft target.

Those were my fears at Amitabh Kant's low- key book launch ( 'Branding India') at the Taj last night.... I kept looking over my shoulder and at all the exit points of the magnificent Crystal Room. With reason. Ratan Tata was the chief guest.... there were several corporate VVIPs present..... all it would take was one evil traitor to walk into the room and destroy some of our iconic business leaders . I know it is a morbid thought - but it was there!! I couldn't wait to get out - and did, as soon as the formalities were concluded. What an irony. Here we were, lauding Brand India.... but there was fear and suspicion in our hearts. Such are the times we live in.

Okay, chaps. I'm off.... I shall bake and broil in Jaipur. But what the hell.... all for a good cause. More on that when I return.