WHEN KHUSHWANT CAME TO AHMEDABAD
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I would like to share some interesting stuff that I have read in the years gone by.

In the days when Khushwant Singh was editor of The Illustrated Weekly, he used to write a regular column "With Malice Towards One and All" that had a drawing of a Sardar in a bulb. The column became hugely popular, attracting bouquets and brickbats from the readers. Obviously Khushwant enjoyed the limelight; it was his best period in life as a successful writer as it brought fame and glamour to his name.

He enlivened his writings with witty anecdotes from his vast knowledge and experiences as a globe-trotter. There was hardly a dull moment reading his editorials.

In one of such anecdotes he wrote about his visit to Ahmedabad. He was invited to be chief guest at a college's (L.D.?) annual day programme. The trusties went to the airport to received the distinguished guest. One of them was the beautiful Mona Chinubhai.

None of the trustees had ever met Khushwant. So when a Sikh came out from the plane, they garlanded and welcomed him. The poor fellow was surprised and confused but hastily went to a taxi and left. Then the real Khushwant came out. The trustees were even more confused and worried than the Sardar they garlanded. Now they had no extra garland.

They narrated the incident sheepishly to Khushwant. Khushwant wrote about it: "I consoled my crest-fallen hosts, 'Never mind. we all look alike. we have an old saying in Punjab: Nathu Singh Prem Singh, One and the same thing.'"