By gosh, could it be? Could Britons be as star-struck as Indians? At a recent high-profile do in Mumbai during the visit of Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, a member of the UK delegation was seen rushing into the lobby of the five-star hotel where the function was being held. On being asked whether he was late to a meeting with the mayor, he shot back a quizzical look: ?No! I just want to see Aishwarya Rai!? And when the Bachchan family finally arrived, led by Amitabh Bachchan, complete with son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya and wife Jaya, almost the entire UK delegation was seen hustling its way forth to catch a glimpse of India?s First Family of cinema, destined as they all were, it seemed, to be clicked on mobile phones and transmitted across the seas in nice little picture frames. Stars, it is said, have special roles thrust upon them… or so we mortals presume.
Holy spirit
The Catholic church in Kerala is worried. It has nothing to do with its latest spar with the ruling CPM over faith and dialectical materialism. Nor is it concerned about spiritual dalliances. But the clergy has been really shaken by the growing prevalence of that great enemy of free will, alcoholism, among churchgoers. So much so that it has now appealed to its followers to desist from liquor. Even wine on Christmas is a no-no. It has even launched a campaign with posters, banners and rallies to highlight the perils of liquor. All it needs now is a celebrity endorsement.
