Teej diplomacy

In his entire life, Leader of the Opposition LK Advani had never attended a Teej festival.

In his entire life, Leader of the Opposition LK Advani had never attended a Teej festival. To the diplomatic guests, he announced: “It is essentially a women’s festival!”

So what made him be a part of the festival this time? For one, it happened at his own backyard. “When Delhi Study Group approached me with the request, I couldn’t say no,” he said, even as he was dragged by loyalists for the ceremonial swing. He would not sit on the swing, of course, with wife Kamla, but daughter Pratibha would have none of it. “I love these traditions,” she said, displaying her mehendi-draped hands.

Indeed, she sat patiently for it: Artists working on her left hand, while with her right hand she held her mobile. True to the tradition, it was a family affair, what with her brother Jayant Advani, a partner with Bharat Packaging sharing quiet moments with wife Geetika.

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Embassy guests including Ambassadors Ladislav Volko (Slovak Republic) and Glen Lindholm (Finland) were delighted by all this. Never mind the high humidity that drove them to take off their coats, and later to take cover from the drizzle that took place. The dances and music from various states added colour to the event. “I know a lot about this festival after witnessing it for the first time in Gujarat,” said the wife of Polish Ambassador Zofia Majka who did the dandiya.

Meanwhile, Najma Heptullah got up from the swing the moment BJP Chief M.

Venkaiah Naidu came to share the space with her. “Uh, you can do without me,” she said. Well, let’s not read a political message here, for the event happened in the right spirit of fun.