Sightings

- Not content with creating a brand that sells clothes with a hard political punchline, Luciano Benetton goes one step further as he and his favourite photographer Oliver Tuscany, create advertisements that make bold political statements. On a whistle stop tour to India, Benetton said that he was amazed with the history of the country, its vivid colours and the incredible wealth of fabric. His confidence in the Indian ready-to-wear market is incredible. Says he: "Indians are going for pret-a- porter rather than tailor-made clothes and that's where we have a huge presence".

- Aamir Raza Husain, of the "Legend of Ram" and "Kargil" fame has once again struck Delhi with his latest magnum opus on the sound and light scale - "Afsana-e-Tarikh", held of course initially for a small select gathering at a five star venue. The play highlights the history of Delhi, told right from the arrival of the Aryans through to independence from the British Raj. Said he, "Personifying Delhi as a woman helped me give it a more sensous touch." And after this? "I'm keen on doing an Arabian Nights kind of fairy tale," he said.

- It was a different kind of a reunion, no back-slapping events, but a lot of warm embraces and loads of nostalgia. The Capital recently played host to a group of 33 Pakistani women, who, with others in India, had attended Lahore's prestigious Innaira college. Students from as far away as America attended in the hope of meeting up with long lost friends or colleagues. Of course there was talk of much more serious issues as the graceful women from both sides of the border passionately expressed hope that the wall between the two countries would someday be abolished.

- As events go, this one was out in the open. The party line simple and direct and an invitation to come "out in the open". November 21st was celebrated as the first anniversary of the Organised Lesbian Alliance for Visibility and Acceptance. Based in Pune, this is the first organisation of its kind and has over 15 members from all over the country, a far cry from the four that started it. "We've come a long way," chorused the members urging other like-minded souls to join. For many it was a moment to recall their courage in standing up and accepting their preferences, while for others it was a moment that could take them far away from the private hells that they had been living in. As the group stressed, "We're not here only for the urban elite; this group is for everyone; we just want to reach out."

- Will going to Madame Tussaud's ever be the same again? Might not ever , since a local Delhi jewellery shop has managed to get two wax statues of Bollywood heroines installed in their show room. The Shilpa Shetty and Sridevi, wax statues were actually commissioned from Madame Tussaud's and unveiled here at a glittering ceremony by the "real" actresses with many gasps of admiration from the audience. Now that Tussaud's has finally stepped out of its hallowed portals one wonders if it might remain the exclusive haunt that it has been.

- Freezing for hot money? That's what David Blaine, a magician, did for a cool $1 million when he entombed himself in a six-tonne ice block in New York recently. He spent 61 hours and 45 minutes in this freezing place coming out with an incomprehensible mumble when he stumbled out after his feat. The ice block was hollowed to fit his body and he received fresh air and liquids through tubes.

Balaine was allowed to wear a woolen cap, boots and pants to protect his body, but had to remain still in his icy cage.

- THE Brahmakumaris have never been high profile - not until now - when entrusted with the task of spreading peace and its message across the globe, this low key organisation has managed to get 35 million people to respond and sign the UNESCO Manifesto 2000. Celebrity activist actress Shabana Azmi, the latest one to sign on the dotted lone said, that this was an onerous task and living up to the Manifesto was no mean job.

- WINTER'S in the air and so is romance - never mind now old. Sixty years could not dampen the spirit of Brigadier Bill and his wife Maxine Magan when they made a romantic journey back to Delhi and once again tied the nuptial knot at a simple church ceremony here, where they had married in 1940. A young British officer then, Bill Magan met Maxine in Delhi, fell head over heels in love with her and married her. With them, 60 years later, celebrating their romance were Magan's son and daughter-in-law as well as former colleagues of the Hodson's Horse Regiment. Both remember India with a sense of joy and feel that it is as beautiful as ever to be back here for this very special event.

SUCHITRA BEHAL

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