Pronam Annual Day event
August 4, Saturday: This morning I went to Kalamandir to attend the Annual Day function of Pronam. The Annual Day function today took place after two years with the last one in 2010 at the Vidya Mandir. The senior officials of the Kolkata Police and The Bengal members, had then, turned up in full strength.
Last year somehow the function did not take place. Today’s Annual Day function was thrice postponed but finally saw the light of the day today. But we could not give away the certificates of honour to the hospital representatives and others, as a token of appreciation, for supporting the cause of Pronam project which is dedicated to the elderly citizens of Kolkata – their well-being and security.
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Pronam function clashed with the important 15th August Independence Day security meeting of Kolkata Police which came up at the 11th hour. As a result top police brass of the city could not attend the Annual Day function and we decided to hold it without the formalities since the Kolkata Police is an equal partner of The Bengal in the project and their presence was essential.
So, only the dance drama `Chitrangada’, performed by Dona Ganguly, happened. There was no point postponing the function with all the arrangements in place such as booking the auditorium, transport for the Pronam members etc. The 800 plus elderly members who visited the function really enjoyed the performance of Dona and her troupe. We have decided to give the certificates of honour later.
In the evening, I was at the Club Verde Vista which is one of the new ventures of city industrialist and my friend Harsh Neotia. Prabha Khaitan Foundation, in collaboration with Club Verda Vista, hosted the Sathya Saran event on Guru Dutt. Sathya Saran’s book 10 Years With Guru Dutt: Abrar Alvi’s Journey is a narrative on the Bollywood legend.
The first time I saw this event in Jaipur at the Jalmahal, I wanted to bring it to Kolkata and today it was staged in the city. Guru Dutt and his works had a special connection with Kolkata as many of his films were shot here in this city.
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