They don’t want to miss out on this once-a-millennium date

The Tej Gyan Foundation will launch their latest publication — self-help book The Source – Power of Happy Thoughts — on 11.11.11 at 11am. “It’s a unique date,which will be easy to remember,” says coordinator Santosh Bhansali. The organisation’s penchant for hosting events on special dates started with 02.02.02,with the inauguration of the Tej Ashram. “We launched one of our publications on 09.09.09,and celebrated World Peace Day on 10.10.10 with Dalai Lama as our chief guest,” Bhansali adds.

Friday may not be the most auspicious date for marriage,but it has not deterred Lokesh Takawale from rescheduling his marriage from February next year to 11.11.11. “Our wedding was scheduled in February next year,but both me and my fiancee convinced our parents and relatives to advance the wedding date to November 11,” says Takawale who runs a transport business. “We have decided to have our wedding ceremony on 11.11.11,and arrange the other ceremonies later according to our families’ convenience.”

If grooms-to-be are rescheduling weddings,mothers-to-be are not far behind. Dr Meenakshi Deshpande — consultant gynaecologist at Vatsalya Hospital,Sinhagad Road and Krishna Hospital,Paud Road — says,“I have so far come across two cases wherein the parents are keen on getting their babies delivered on November 11.”

Hospitals across the city are witnessing a demand for labour induction,a procedure to artificially or prematurely stimulate childbirth in a woman. “We are always very careful when approached with a request for labour induction. We consider them only if all conditions are favourable,” Deshpande adds.

Corporates also don’t want the date to go by tamely. “We are completely booked for November 11,with corporate functions being hosted on the hotel premises from morning till late in the evening,” says Shubhadeep Datta,food and beverage manager at Sayaji Hotel,Wakad. “Most corporates will be hosting their review conferences as they gear themselves up to enter the third quarter of the fiscal.”

Maya RLC,an ultra-luxury destination with a restaurant,lounge and club at Wagholi,is set to launch on the date. “When somebody thinks of going out to paint the town red,we should be the first place that comes to their minds. The date represents everything we want to be,” says executive director Abbaz Ibrahim.