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Toast of the nation for Narain Karthikeyan
Business honchos and party animals alike wished him all the luck. More on F1 | Narain
The formula was just right for fun. The event: An opportunity to meet the fastest Indian in the world, fresh from his success at Sepang, in flesh and blood. The venue: A South Delhi nightclub. The guests: Business honchos and party animals eager to wish speed ace Narain Karthikeyan all the luck in the world.
When JK Tyres hosted a reception for Narain Karthikeyan at Athena on Tuesday evening, a sprinkling of corporate bigwigs decided to raise a toast to his success in Formula One. “What he’s achieved in Australia and Malaysia has made every Indian proud. Finally, we have the emergence of non-cricket world beaters in tennis, F-1 and shooting,” said Radico group MD Abhishek Khaitan.
As if on cue, Lieutenant Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore emerged like a shooting star. “I was in Melbourne rooting for Narain and it was a mind-blowing experience. I even wanted to call up my wife Gayatri and the children and make them hear the sound of the F-1 engines on my cellphone,” recalled Rathore.
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| Lieutenant Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore and speed king Narain Karthikeyan are good friends |
If Narain is the flavour of the month, Rathore’s exploits Down Under also kept the party abuzz. “The two represent the spunky, new face of Indian sport. Along with Sania Mirza, they are the trio to watch out for,” announced Cobra Beer regional director Perses Billimoria.
Among the interesting faces spotted at the do was Samir Thapar, the sports-loving managing director of JCT Limited, former rally champ and RK Tradelinks MD Rajiv Khanna and Somany Tiles executive director Abhishek Somany, heard reminiscing about racing as a student in USA with Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India president Vicky Chandhok.
