Netherfield Ball – Geeti Bhagat's Cocktail Reception, Tees January Lane

Netherfield Ball – Geeti Bhagat’s Cocktail Reception, Tees January Lane

Netherfield Ball – Sanjay Suri’s Book launch, India International Centre

The party secrets.

[Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi]

The most handsome person in the select gathering was the new Mexican ambassador. Melba Pria entered the drawing room with her long hair cascading down her back. Her multi-stringed necklace too demanded diplomatic accreditation.

One evening The Delhi Walla attended a private cocktail reception held in honor of João Cravinho, the outgoing ambassador of the European Union to India, and his wife, Jessica, who was dressed in a white frock. The evening was hosted by Man Mohan Bhagat, his wife, Sumohini, and his daughter, the charming Geeti, at their bungalow on Tees January Lane.

The CEO of Bhagat Global & Earth Foundation, Ms Bhagat divides her work hours between Defence Colony and Kensington High Street (London). Staying faithful to her reputation as a polished hostess, she singled out everyone in the small party as her particular favroite. She flattered the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, Sudharshan Seneviratne, by spreading around the word that our Prime Minister had been seeking His Excellency’s advice for the development of his parliamentary constituency. She thrilled Demetrios A. Theophylactou, the suave High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, by comparing him to a Greek god. The humble diplomat protested it to be a kind-hearted exaggeration and went on to argue that he had predicted the ongoing Greek economic crisis as early as 2006.

The other notable included ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay of Nepal (Ms Bhagat duly expressed her sympathy for the recent earthquake). Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner, came without his beautiful wife.

Also present: the dashing Max Endrukaitis who is said to have worked in a Michelin star restaurant in Brussels; wedding planner Shruti Dawar; Ms Bhagat’s self-assured daughter, Diya Joya, a journalism student at the University of Nottingham, UK.

There was also the resourceful Ratan Kaul, who is sighted in every important Delhi gathering (I have written about her here). Her husband, Prakash Narain, was overheard saying that he was born in Lahore during the year of the Indian Partition.

The evening climaxed with the elegant Sumohini Bhagat presenting a silk shawl to the departing ambassador’s wife. The shawl was woven with gold thread and was as exquisite as Mrs Bhagat’s French chiffon sari.

Mr Cravino is all set to represent the EU in Brazil. Ms Bhagat tactfully declared her newfound envy for that country.

Party with a difference

1. (EU ambassador, João Cravinho, and wife, Jessica)

Netherfield Ball – Sanjay Suri’s Book launch, India International Centre

2. (Geeti Bhagat and Ratan Kaul)

Netherfield Ball – Sanjay Suri’s Book launch, India International Centre

3. (Mexican ambassador Melba Pria)

Netherfield Ball – Sanjay Suri’s Book launch, India International Centre

4. (Cypruts High Commissioner, Demetrios A. Theophylactou, with Ratan Kaul)

Netherfield Ball – Sanjay Suri’s Book launch, India International Centre

5. (Neelam Kapur)

Netherfield Ball – Sanjay Suri’s Book launch, India International Centre

6. (Geeti Bhagat with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, Sudharshan Seneviratne, and his wife, Harsha)

Netherfield Ball – Sanjay Suri’s Book launch, India International Centre

7. (Melba Pria with the Nepalese ambassador Deep Kumar Upadhyay)

Netherfield Ball – Sanjay Suri’s Book launch, India International Centre

8. (Sumohini Bhagat)

Netherfield Ball – Sanjay Suri’s Book launch, India International Centre

9. (Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner)

Netherfield Ball – Sanjay Suri’s Book launch, India International Centre

11. (Geeti Bhagat with mother, Sumohini, and daughter, Diya)

Netherfield Ball – Sanjay Suri’s Book launch, India International Centre

12.

Netherfield Ball – Sanjay Suri’s Book launch, India International Centre