Diplomatic Drive
Gerry Mccrudden does not fit the stereotype of a serious, dour-faced diplomat. The lankyfirst secretary (press and public affairs) at the Capital’s British High Commissionloves to do unusual things and embrace the ethnic at his workplace—it could be aromance with lions in Kenya’s wilds, being a McBurger fan in downtown New York, orfalling in love with tequila during a stint in Mexico.
Or, driving a cycle rickshaw on the streets of Delhi. "I picked up a cyclerickshaw because I thought I could fall from a two-wheeler any day. A three-wheeler givesme the confidence of not falling while driving," says Mccrudden jokingly. And then headds: "But I do not carry people. The idea is to pay respect to all those who carryhuge loads on their rickshaws and increase awareness, in my own way, among Indians aboutthem. That’s a hell of a job."
Mccrudden, who acquired the vehicle from the wife of British High Commissioner RobYoung, is the first diplomat in the country to ride a cycle rickshaw and acquire adiplomat’s licence for the same. "The officials were thoroughly amused and didnot bat an eyelid before handing me the licence. Maybe they thought the rickshaw was justfor keeps and that I would never ride it." But the day he managed to get the licence,Mccrudden was out on the streets. Keeping in mind Delhi’s traffic regulations,Mccrudden avoids driving his three-wheel wonder to office every day. "The traffic isspeedy in and around Diplomatic Enclave, and therefore I drive it only on the weekends.People around me are curious and ask me a whole lot of questions."
What else does he like about the country? Surprisingly, Indian food is the only cuisineserved at his home. Besides, he keeps buying Indian artefacts to decorate his home infaraway France.
The rickshaw will travel with him when he moves on to his next posting. "Please,it’s only a rickshaw. I am not carrying lions with me," quips Mccrudden, adding:"It will always remind me of my days in India." A noble memento that.
Shantanu Guha Ray
Beer Necessity
Heath Streak, probably among the few in Zimbabwe’s cricket history who is not apoultry farmer, was at the new Mumbai pub, Velocity. He was invited by Sandpiper to posewith the beer and two girls. Dolly Thakore came from nowhere, seeing so many photographersaround, and pretended to talk to Heath. But we managed to ask him about what’s up forthe next match. "Well, we ver at the nets todai. And then played a bit ofgaalf," he said sipping (only) Sandpiper. (It shows in your game, friend). Do youmiss captaincy? "Nope" (burp). The bloke who "manages" him in Indiawhispers, "Heath has no new campaign this year in India." Anywhere else in theworld? "No". Just then a girl in a small black dress asked her mate,"Who’s Heath Streak?" Good question.
Manu Joseph
Karaoke Nights
Kamzor Kadi Kaun may have proved a weak link. But Star isn’t waning. It hasyet another "Indian version of a foreign show" in the offing. Keeping the Kfactor in mind, this one’s called Kismey Kitnaa Hai Dam. It’s a karaokeshow in which stars and celebs test their vocal chords. A male team is pitched against thefemale one and host Sonu Nigam brings order to the boisterous proceedings. "Hecajoles the shy participants and controls the extroverts," says the channel. Helpinghim are former Miss India Gul Panag and TV star Hussain.
Model Operations/The RampCalendar
It has given us models like Sushmita Sen, Manpreet Brar, Mehr Bhasin and Neha Dhupia. Now,to celebrate 10 years of its eventful existence, India’s leading modelling agency,The Ramp, has decided to walk it with style.Beginning this year they’ll have a"Pirelli-like" calendar. In India models have had to be their own managers,paying for the shoot and going door-to-door with portfolios. The Ramp has chosen four newmodels who’ll be given exclusive agents to take care of every aspect of their career,from makeup and wardrobe to date management. "This is the professional way of doingthings," says director Rashmi Virmani. The four new faces—Anjula Singh, LouGill, Rajneesh Duggal and Chinmaya—are being pitched as "models of the nextgeneration".
Momos Only
It may seem very alimentary but deciding on what to serve in your restaurant is hardly acakewalk.Especially when you have super-speciality ambitions. But Kishore R.Pandey’s long career in "F&B" has taught him to trust his gut instinct.His month-old steaming enterprise, Belle Momo, is a smart example. "I’ve takenthe momo from the dhaba and put it in five-star environs," says the beaming MD as heexplains his decision for the hundredandsixtyfifth time. (Most people just"don’t see the logic"!) With an innovative range of Mongolian (readsoya-sauced) and Aryan (read chutneyfied) momos, the tastefully taxi-coloured eatery isset to make momos de rigueuer again. (The joints at Chanakya and Majnu ka Tila aren’twhat they used to be.) Here the humble momo is interpreted creatively—the trademarkBelle Momo contains chicken breast to make it cholesterol-deficient—and gets servedwith an array of herbal teas. Business peaks only in the afternoon when Connaught Placebreaks for lunch. "But I have great faith in Delhi’s adventurous eater,"says Pandey. We hope the faith is well-placed.
Dhiraj Singh
