Journalism of Courage
Express Adda kick-starts a series of intelligent,informal conversations with news makers
An adda, says Shekhar Gupta,The Express Group,Editor-in-Chief,is a place where you can discuss anything on earth with anyone. It is a casual yet compelling free space where you could listen,interject,catch up with old acquaintances or open up new communication networks. Formalising the fine art of such conversations is Express Adda and the first in the series was held this Friday,in association with Olive at the Qutub in Delhi.
Large sections of the Delhi matteratti turned up. There were diplomats,socialites,artists,culture experts,politicians and advertising honchos who converged to listen in. Deep-hued drapes,power suits and smart casuals drenched the monsoon evening with their finesse,as an array of dressy small bites came escorted by wine. Among the many guests were Chinese Ambassador to India,Zhang Yan; heart surgeon Dr Naresh Trehan with writer wife Madhu Trehan; Fabindia matriarch Bim Bisell; Minister for Railways,Dinesh Trivedi; Rajya Sabha MP,NK Singh; MP Jay Panda with wife Jaggi; designer Raghavendra Rathore; Kalyani Saha,VP communications Christian Dior India; and Pooja Jain,executive director of Luxor.
Comparisons between India and China have become part of conversations these days. Sometimes they are not fair. Both India and China are strong nations,both have their own strengths and challenges,their own traditional wisdom to guide them. I dont think the two countries need any advice from outsiders on how to maintain their relationship, said Yan,when the inevitable India-China comparisons cropped up. Other concerns surfaced soon enough. Deep-rooted corruption,the Anna Hazare movement,Indias business climate and the media and middle classs transformations warmed the buzz. In Prasoon Joshis words: Earlier,the world was not divided between performers and audiences. Interactions were participative and everyone was a performer. The new media is bringing that democracy and equality back. Thats why Express Adda.
