The Malabar Room at The Oberoi played host to quite a litterati event this Saturday. Writer Dominique Lapierre, famous for books like City of Joy and Is Paris Burning, released his new book -- A Thousand Suns. A Thousand Suns is Lapierre's reflection of his life as a journalist and his gradual involvement with humanitarian activities. The title, he informs, comes from the famous South Indian proverb -- there are a thousand suns beyond the clouds. This is the first time that an Indian publishing house, the Full Circle, has rights for Lapierre's book, which was released first in India because it is Lapierre's first love and to check book piracy. Publisher Shekhar Malhotra said that some known book pirates had promised to spare this one, since it was for a noble cause. The royalty of this book will be used to build more mobile boat dispensaries called `City of Joy' to provide medical aid to the underprivileged in Sunderbans.

Terming the work as `a drop in theocean', Lapierre insisted that everyone must work towards helping the needy. Sanjeev Malhotra, vice president, The Oberoi, recounted his first meeting with the writer, when he spoke for over two hours after a promise that he wouldn't speak much. But Lapierre's earnest speech reflecting his passion for India, his interaction with Mother Teresa and the poverty in Calcutta assured that no one in the audience budged. Astrologer Bejan Daruwala sitting among the audience kept murmuring approval, and standing up to prophesise that Lapierre was yet to experience the best aspect of his life. And Lapierre delighted readers as he autographed their copies gladly.

Divine wine show

The highlight of the week was the Chateau Indage Wine Festival. The launch of their sparkling pink champagne Grande Cuvee De Millennium at the Oberoi Hotel on Friday, turned out to be quite a lavish affair, laced with a fine sprinkling of celebrities. Seen there were Shobha De, Lisa Ray, Anish Trivedi, Sabira Merchant, Dolly Thakore,Jackie Shroff and Prem Chopra.The wine festival was later celebrated in Narayangaoan near Shayadri Valley on February 28, with celebrities being flown down to the spot in a chartered plane.

Despite being a Sunday, Indage managed to drag quite a few wine connoisseurs and celebrities from India and abroad for the festival. Besides a guided tour of the state-of-the-art winery, the festivities included harvesting of grapes, planting of personal vines and the traditional grape stomping. Malvika Sanghavi, Anil Dharker, Nina Pillai, Madhu Sapre, Ajit Wadekar, Anish Trivedi and Rashmi Uday Singh were seen participating in the events. Also seen mingling with the crowds was Karen Anand who co-ordinated the gourmet cuisine on offer.