By the time you read this, (I’m presuming you are reading this, pardon please), I will be in the beautiful city of Chennai. Let me explain what happened. A couple of months ago, I got a text which said ‘Who are you?’ This is a common occurrence on my phone, and I immediately sent all my details, including Aadhaar Card, PAN card, passport, and manager’s contact, as well as intimate information, such as favourite restaurant, favourite actress, favourite new flyover in Mumbai etc.
I think this ready dispensation of highly classified and private information obviously impressed the inquirer who, surprisingly, turned out to be the Rotary Club of Madras (East). Let me point out quite clearly that they have nothing to do with the Rotary Club of Madras (West). Apparently, this division was created by founder member Rudyard Raghavan Kipling, who wrote East is East and West is West and never the Twain shall meet. Now, the East Rotarians were calling to inquire if I knew anybody who could entertain their audience on March 23 at the world famous, in Chennai, Music Academy Auditorium.
I gave them my list of famous politicians, but they declined. Although impressed by all their acts, they all seemed to be not too cost effective. (A few of them also appeared to favour a cash component, which could not be complied with even over Rudyard Raghavan Kipling’s dead body). Finally, out of sheer desperation, an innocent Rotarian, (again pardon all Rotarians are innocent, at least the Madras East ones are), feebly suggested if I could entertain an audience at short notice? My reply was to ask him to please define ‘entertain’ as a concept.
