29 November 2013
A Day Which Will Remain Etched In Our Hearts Forever!
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Why?
What If You Were Given A Chance To Witness MR. AMITABH BACHCHAN, Deliver A Lecture, LIVE?
Would You Not Be Awe - Struck As Well?
An Invitation Coming From The Publishing Giant - Penguin India, made it even more special!
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| The INVITE - The Exclusive Invite! Three Of These, For The Khandujas... |
The Date :- Friday, 29 November, 2013.
The Time :- 20:00 Hrs.
The Venue :- Thyagraj Sports Complex, New Delhi, India.
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One of the most prestigious events of the year, The Penguin Annual Lecture is the first and only annual lecture to be organized by a publishing house in India.
Great luminaries of the likes of Thomas Friedman (2007), Chris Patten (2008), Amartya Sen (2009), Ramachandra Guha (2010), His Holiness The Dalai Lama (2011), A.P.J Abdul Kalam (2012) and in 2013 - Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, have delivered this prestigious lecture.
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Reaching the venue till 19:30 was a challenge - and the way we found our way through heavy traffic on a Friday evening, sign boards pointing only to JLN Stadium and none to the Thyagraj, and people very confidently telling us the wrong route - we could not let go of this opportunity at any cost!
Reaching the stadium, in time, safe and sound was well rewarded by Mr. Bachchan's presence at the end!
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| The Stage Is All Set! |
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| An Engrossed Mrs. Nanda & Mr. Sardesai |
Not only Mr. Bachchan, but his daughter, Mrs. Shweta Nanda nee Bachchan, and Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai graced the event...
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Amit Ji, as we common - folk fondly address him, spoke at length about his poet father - Late Shri Harivansh Rai Bachchan, his family, as well as the importance of books and reading in one's lives.
His oration was laced with quotes - supporting almost every statement he very gracefully made and words of praise and thanks for his audience as well as the publishing house which had invited him for the evening.
But, most importantly he spoke for the betterment of the fairer sex's position in the society - Gender Sensitization, to be precise - being UN's Ambassador For The Girl Child, he spoke to touch the hearts of his audience!
He ended his oration with his father's poem - 'Khoon Ke Chape' - The Imprints Of Blood - and humbly took a seat to share the stage with Mr. Sardesai for a 'Question Hour'.
Five Audio Transcripts From The Event Follow...
(Request the readers to increase the volume of their system's speakers & listen to the ones of their choice! :))
- One - The Introduction Starting With Amit Ji's Customary 'Namaskaar, Aadaab, Sat Sri Akal, Good Evening Ladies & Gentlemen'...
- Two - A 15 Minute Long Detailed Transcript Of The Oration.
- Three - The Start Of The Question Hour.
- Four & Five - The Icing On The Cake - The Recital Of The Legendary 'Madhushaala'!
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My day was already made, the moment I took my seat in the larger-than-life stadium, what made it special was Mr. Bachchan's presence, but my joy knew no bounds when I was prompted by Mr. Sardesai to interact with the Superstar Of The Millenium, himself! ^_^
Now, I would not say it was a dream come true.
I would say, I wanted time to come to a standstill at that very moment!
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What did I ask, you say?
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"On attaining age 60, people start adopting a pessimistic view, but you have struck a reverse gear i.e. you are becoming younger (at heart) day by day. Would you share the secret to your youthfulness?"
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To which Mr. Bachchan answered...
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"As long as one works, one remains young.
As long as I keep getting work, I'll keep doing it!"
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To quote Mr. Bachchan from his FB Update...
"A morning, in about to be wintered Delhi .. and the last night the Penguin Lecture .. honored by the presence of the 'word' .. took my daughter Shweta along .. and a generous aftermath .. the love of the people .. thank you Delhi, thank you people, thank you Penguin."
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The Day Ended On A Positive Note & Its Memories Will Linger Until Posterity!
Thanks To Penguin For Organizing The Lecture, And To Mr. Bachchan For Consenting To Deliver It!
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Note : The Pictures Which Do Not Bear The Blog's Watermark Have Been Taken From Amit Ji's Blog.
All Other Content Is The Blog's Copyright - The Audio Transcripts As Well As The Images.
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This post is my memoir to the wonderful evening of November 29, 2013 - that was and will be preserved till eternity!
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This is really lovely. I am a great fan of Shri Amitabh Bachchan.
ReplyDeleteImagine getting the chance to interact with him! Nice question you posed and received a very relevant answer indeed! :)
Thanks for the appreciation, Anita!
DeleteI was completely humbled by the entire proceedings of the evening.
Keep Visiting. :)
You lucky girl! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat reading and hearing you!
Lucky Lady, Indrani!
DeleteI have a college - going daughter!
Thanks for the appreciation.
Keep Visiting! :)
:D that's ok... I too have one who will go to college next year... we are girls in the same boat!
DeleteYes,we are!
DeleteHigh Five Girl. :D
now, that's a special evening! and i like the question you asked. very incisive!
ReplyDeleteit was a lovely read!
It sure is a special one, Deb!
DeleteThanks.
Keep Visiting! :)
You are so lucky. You got to see Amitabh Bachchan and talk to him. Lovely description.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kiran!
DeleteKeep Visiting. :)
You are a lucky girl. Hearing him recite 'Madhushala' is an icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteSure it us, Kalpana!
DeleteKeep Visiting! :)
Wow, that seems so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteIt Is, Rachna!
DeleteThanks.
Keep Visiting! :)
a moment to cherish.. lucky you :)
ReplyDeleteWill cherish it till eternity, Meera!
DeleteThanks.
Keep Visiting. :)