July 27, 2017

Farewell Laura and Stephane

With Umesh Saraf, Birgit Holm, Padam Khaitan, Stephane and Laura Amalir

27 July, 2017: I, on behalf of Prabha Khaitan Foundation, and in association with Hyatt Regency Kolkata, organized a farewell reception for Monsieur Stephane Amalir and his wife Laura Amalir. Stephane, who has been in Kolkata for more then 5 years, was the director and head of Alliance Fracaise du Bengale and the couple had blended with the city very well.

With Sephane and Avik Sarkar

I had attended and jointly hosted quite a few events with Stephane in the city. He and his wife attended numerous events that I have been hosting over the past many years. Mrs Laura Amalir also recently released her book Calcutta: Lens and Bylanes which is like a gift to the city she fell in love with.

Presenting a copy of Gitanjali to Laura and Stephane with Birgit Holm

The farewell dinner was attended by many eminent Kolkatans cutting across different walks of life. I must thank Birgit Holm, the general manager of Hyatt Regency for making the nice arrangements and also inviting Mr Umesh Saraf and Mr Padam Khaitan to the reception.

Presenting a farewell gift to Stephane and Laura with Birgit Holm

A painting of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and a copy of Gitanjali was given to the couple on behalf of Prabha Khaitan Foundation and Hyatt Regency. A live classical music made the evening all the more pleasant.

With Rashmi and Devendra Goel

I wish Stephane and Laura all the very best as they will soon leave the city for Britanny – a cultural region in north-western France. I missed the small dinner post reception hosted for them though.

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