Brunch with Dr Shija

Today, a little late in the morning, I organised a brunch in honour in Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Secretary General, Dr William F Shija at the Hotel Taj Bengal banquets. Dr Shiza is known to me personally from the time he took charge as Secretary General of CPA office based in Mill Banks (Westminster), London.

The last time when Dr Shija was in Kolkata, he had paid a visit to the ailing former chief minister, Jyoti Basu, who was then admitted at AMRI, Salt Lake. I too had accompanied him and that was also the last time I met or saw Jyoti Basu alive.

Dr Shija was here to attend the Legislative Assembly conference held at Raipur. Kolkata wasn’t in his itinerary but he made an overnight visit to see Mr Hashim Abdul Halim, Speaker, West Bengal Legislative Assembly, who was admitted in Apollo Hospitals. Mr Hashim, who has served as the President of the Executive Committee of CPA, has a good working relationship with Dr Shija.

Dr Shija’s whistle-stop trip gave me an opportunity to host the brunch, in less than 12-hour notice. My heartiest thanks to all the guests who attended the brunch on short notice. It was a small political get-together and was attended by the chief whip, deputy speaker and other ministers and officials of the West Bengal branch of CPA.

Besides the dignitaries, Rupa and Farook Halim, Fauzia Halim, Arindam Sil and others also joined in at the brunch. Many important international issues were discussed. Dr Shija also thanked me for the kurta pajama set that I gifted him during his last visit.

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