LNM is the star of the show

LONDON: The big guns of the British Indian community turned out in full force, especially the business contingent. At 9, Kensington Palace Gardens, Indian high commissioner Kamlesh Sharma’s residence, the formal reception line to meet Manmohan Singh was almost a mile long; meanwhile, the informal reception line that swirled around Lakshmi Niwas Mittal was quite as long.

In a fairly star-studded gathering, LN Mittal, literally, stood tall. There was a chat with SP Hinduja about Karmayoga, a hug for Sunil Mittal of Bharti and a smile and quiet word with Naresh Goyal of Jet Airways. While the guests waited to meet up with Manmohan Singh, LNM held the floor in a rare, informal mood.

It was only when Manmohan Singh, along with Kamal Nath and Anand Sharma, made an appearance, did the press of black suits gravitate away from LN Mittal.

The PM, who spent a long evening meeting up with the local Indians, took the opportunity to address the NRIs, saying that the British Indians have been loyal to the country of their adoption, but kept a place in their hearts for India.

“In India, there is no room for clash of civilisations, our plural society has enabled varied ways of life,” he said. This ability to integrate and adapt, he said, is key to the success of the Indian diaspora. “We have an astonishing ability to adapt,” he told high-fliers of the NRI community, including Lord Swraj Paul of Caparo, Karan Billimoria of Cobra, Naresh Goyal of Jet, and Srichand Hinduja.

At the same time, the Indian contingent was represented by Sunil Mittal of Bharti, R Seshasayee of Ashok Leyland, Shivinder Singh of Fortis, and Swati Piramal among others.

It was an evening of camaraderie and swift networking — SPG notwithstanding — for Indian and NRI businessmen.