Puff Daddies

One should never smoke before children,but smoking For children is,even doctors would agree,a different matter. Such as a cigar party that doubles as a fundraiser. Like it was on Thursday,when the city’s social circuit,complete with bureaucrats and embassy officials,turned out at the courtyard of the renovated Mashrabiya restaurant at The Ashok to puff the evening away. The party was being hosted by Manish Dutt,owner of Kastro’s,a cigar lounge in the upscale Satushti market complex in Chanakyapuri,to raise funds for a charity that supports 1,500 underprivileged children.

“This was a private gathering to enjoy rich malt whiskies and exotic cigars with cigar connoisseurs,” said Dutt,38,who last hosted a similar gathering three years ago at the Orient Express in The Taj Palace Hotel.

One of the serious aficionados in attendance,businessman Ashoke Laha,50,took up a quiet spot in the corner of the courtyard accompanied only by his Monte Christo cigar. “It takes an-hour-and-a-half to smoke,and one does not have the energy left to smoke another one,” said Laha.

As the wine and whisky flowed and a belly dancer set the rhythm for the guests,an auction began for a three-day luxury holiday to Sri Lanka . The proceeds went to the Mohd. Yusuf Memorial Charitable Trust. A diplomat from Afghanistan pipped the rest to the post by bidding Rs 1.5 lakh for the trip. “He can now go on a holiday that has contributed to a good cause,” added Dutt,while holding his Rs 1,000-worth Romeo Y Julieta Cuban cigar.