Launch befitting the MEA spokesman-Statesman News Service

New Delhi, June 30 – Bunches of artistically placed red roses topped with golden candles, golden table covers, suitably dimmed chandeliers, and a hushed silence, periodically interspersed with the cacophony of a myriad mobile phone rings, presented themselves as guests arrived for what seemed to be the event of the day. Penguin India’s celebration of the launch of ‘We weren’t lovers like that,’ the debut work of fiction by the foreign ministry’s ‘celebrated’ spokesman, Mr. Navtej Sarna.

It appeared that Le tout Delhi was present, crammed into the genteel environs of Longchamp, the rooftop restaurant at New Delhi’s Taj Mahal hotel. And, while not exactly the typical page 3 crowd, it was clear Mr. Sarna’s numerous well-wishers, drawn from his Fraternity (the MEA), the media, theatre and the diplomatic corps, among others, wanted to be there to share his special moments.

It was equally clear Penguin had underestimated the kind of popular response Mr. Sarna’s novel would have. The otherwise spacious location would easily have qualified for the highest density of population per square inch!

Mr. Sarna read well-chosen excerpts from his novel, seated on a chair on a dais, next to, which were a bunch of copies of his novel. After his composed and unhurried reading session was over, the author signed copies of his novel for those who so desired. And people flocked to buy up copies to get the author to autograph them.

Sitting apart in front of him during the reading was the former Prime Minister, Mr. PV Narasimha Rao, himself a celebrity Penguin author.

And for the hordes of others there were hors d’oeuvres befitting the occasion: Parma ham and caviar and aubergine topped canapés, golden prawns, cheese balls, and the flowing cocktails.