Delhiites’ toast to Indo-Brazilian bond

It was a glitzy evening at the Brazilian embassy that saw several dignitaries, ambassadors, socialites and businessmen get together and have a gala time. The guest list included designer Ashish N Soni, former Lt Gov Najeeb Jung, and Congress leader Ashwani Kumar.
The evening was organized for Peter Toghrille Hassan, a Delhi-based businessman, who was conferred Brazil’s highest civilian honour at the embassy by Brazilian Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes.Coming from different countries, ambassadors find it difficult to get in touch with people with whom they can connect, and Hassan said that he makes sure they feel at home in Delhi. “All I do is call them home for a home-cooked meal and this lets them socialize. This evening shows that love extends beyond borders.” Hassan said.
Ashish N Soni and Nadir Patel, High Commissioner, Canada
The Brazilian ambassador, who played the perfect host, told us, “When I first came to Delhi, there was a Ganesha statue in my room, I had heard that he is auspicious and as soon as I touched him, Peter called me. For me that was like a good sign. He adopted us as his own. It was a continuous effort to improve the ability of Brazil to communicate better with Indians. He wanted to improve Indo-Brazil ties and he succeeded. I will carry these special memories from India in my heart, and when I leave India at the end of this year I will be sad, but I will go back a better person.”
ALL SMILES: Sohail Mahmood, High Commissioner, Pakistan, with wife Mawaish
RS Jaura and Peter Toghrille Hassan
CHIT-CHATTING: Sidharto Suryodipuro, Ambassador, Indonesia, with wife Dewi Ratna and Guadalupe Nunes, wife of the Brazilian Ambassador
Najeeb Jung, former Lieutenant Governor, Delhi and Ashwani Kumar
Rajinder and Pari Bagga
LADIES IN BLACK: Harinder Sidhu, High Commissioner, Australia, with MaryKay L Carlson, Deputy Chief of Mission, US embassy
Milan Hovorka, Ambassador, Czech Republic, with wife Jarmila
Joanna Kempkers, High Commissioner, New Zealand, with husband Dr Tim Markwell
Nikolay Kudashev, Ambassador, Russia, with wife Elena Kudasheva
-Alifiya.Shaikh@timesgroup.com