An Indian Night In Inverness
The photograph shows my BBC Alba colleague, Norrie Maclennan, interviewing Mrs. Monika Kapil Mohta who is the Director of the Nehru Centre in London as well as being the Culture Minsister for the Indian High Commission. She was visiting Scotland with her family and managed to be enticed away from the Edinburgh Festivals so that she could visit the Highlands.
I was among those invited to the Townhouse in Inverness last Tuesday night in which we heard Scottish bagpipe music fused with Indian drums and where speakers described the new links emerging between India and the Highlands.
That includes the number of Indian filmakers who now come to this part of Scotland and Indian ownership of local distilleries. I even discovered that the Royal Highland hotel, down by the train station is now owned by an Indian firm.
My BBC Alba colleagues were interested to find out more about the diversity of lanaguage in India and how these are supported by the Government and other institutions.
I busied myself with a bit of hob-nobbing - drinking glass afater glass of fizzy bitter lemon - and trying my best to explain the archeitecture and history of the Townhouse to the visitors. Yes, one of those nights when I wish I'd down a bit of preparatory research.
As I get older and my hearing disintegrates, I do find these mingling occassions more and more difficult. I can never qquite hear what people are saying without leaning very close to their faces and invading their personal space. Then, of course, you risk spraying bitter lemon over them when it's your turn to speak.
Perhaps I'll invest in an ear trumpet.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~15~RS~)
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A friend bought his 10 year-old granddaughter a trumpet for Xmas. He said it was his revenge........
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Regarding the blog, please correct the source by informing them, that the Royal Highland Hotel is owned by a Scottish Company and managed by a Scottish Managing Director. However, the Regional General Manager happens to be Indian and he would be delighted to share his knowledge and help them in any way he can
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I wouldn't worry about it JZ - you're very welcome to come and mingle with the crowd for Lincoln City at The Lot, Grassmarket, Edinburgh on Thursday October 22nd 2009 for previews (at 8pm and 10pm) of the band's new albums The Lincoln City Sessions Vols 1,2 and 3 due out late 2010. The language of the band's 33 original songs is universal; the melodoy lines invariably memorable; the material in the tradition of both Burns and Dylan. Should be a splendid gig...with a bar well stocked with fizzy bitter lemon in anticipation of your arrival! Tickets Scotland £5.
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