" WORDS & WIT- Day with Shobhaa De.... "

On Monday, 30th March Rotary Club of Poona hosted its Regular Fellowship meeting at Poona Club, Pune by inviting celebrated Novelist, Columnist Shobhaa De, known for her depiction of socialites and fearless expression in her work of fiction and popular for her bold story telling. The 90 year old Rotary Club of Poona is one of the oldest Rotary Club in India having established on 10th June 1936. The Club has unique record of inviting Mahatma Gandhi in 1944 when he visited the Club and inaugurated the road built by the Club in Village Khadakwasla.

Shobhaa De was conferred upon the Wonderfully Worded Certificate of Merit in recognition of her outstanding contributions to literature and her powerful role in promoting intelectual discourse at the hands of DG Rtn. Santosh Marathe in a huge number of attendance despite unseasonal rains, cyclonic conditions & hail storms in Pune city

Rtn. Ms. Mandakini Tata, the elder sister of Shobhaa De and member of Rotary Club of Poona introduced Shobhaa in intimate way while her Mumbai friend Minoti Makhi interviewed her in an engaging manner.

Meeting Shobhaa personally and listening to her talk is always an enchanting affair. She has reached that age and stage where how she thinks and what she says matter. Her reach is vast and carries her strong voice afar. You may love her, hate her but can't ignore her. Sharp & witty, intelligent and unapologetic about anything, She says firmly all i do is write and it feels fantastic to be still relevant in highly competitive business of writing.

Author, columnist, social commentator, opinion shaper Shobhaa has consistently challenged social discomfort about sex, intimacy and desire but believes social media has given women a voice. In Age and time where everything is polarized and politicised, irrepressible Shobha has the courage to be Politically Incorrect. She believes in speaking her mind and taking risk. She was critical of शिष्टपणां of Maharashtrian in general and advised them to follow Punjabis, Parsis, Goans....

All her 17 books have topped the chart and created records. Four of her titles namely,

1. Socialite Evening
2. Starry Nights
3. Sultry Days
4. Second Thought

are course materials in University of London, UK. She is credited with having given birth to HINGLISH, a pioneering job of blending Desi Language with Phoren Englisg reflecting the way Urban Indian normally speak. Recepient of several awards for her journalistic contributions, Shobhaa writes prolifically for Indian and Foreign publication quite regularly.

The event was attended by large number of dignitaries from Rotary/Non-Rotary circle. Besides mammoth crowd, DGN Rtn. Charu Shotri, PDG Rtn Deepak Shikarpur, PDG Rtn. Pankaj & Priya Shah, PDG Rtn. Vivek Aranha also graced the occasion. Kudos to enthusiastic Team of Rotary Club of Poona led by President Rtn. Rohit Mittra, PP Rtn. Kailash Monga, PP Rtn. Maithili Manakawad, very well supported by Synergy Clubs RCP - Central, Downtown, Cantonment, Koregaon Park, Airport, Pimpri Elite, Baner, Nigdi Pune.

Multitasker, Time Manager, India's hottest selling English language Novelist, Shobhaa writes 1600 words daily unfailingly. Fearless and honest, She is highly impressed with present young generation and has a message for them, Believe in yourself, find your own sense of accomplishments. Don't wait for the acknowledgement. Don't wait for the accolades. Just enjoy your life. Just be yourself.


Rtn. Ajay Mutatkar
Team GML, District 3131