Name : Rajni Kant

Subject : Close Encounter With Manna Day Sa\'b.

Phone No : 09342515003

eMail ID : rajnikant@jataayusoft.com

 

Bangalore

 

 

I am glad to share an unforgettable meet with our loving \"Manna Dey\" on 18th March\'07 at Bangalore Airport. This was so unexpected that u won\'t believe.

 

The funniest thing is, I asked him to introduce.

 

Now, folks ....let me explain.

 

I was coming out from the Bangalore Airport yesterday at around 12.10 pm and was hunting for a taxi. Suddenly a driver came and offered to book his taxi. I saw an elderly person is already there in his taxi on the behind seat. But the driver told me that I can occupy the front seat as it was vacant and he will charge 250 bucks only instead of 575 for Yelahanka NT. I agreed with no arguments as I was happy to get the taxi so cheap. But that person who was there in the back seat, opposed because he was the first person to book the taxi. But the driver offended by telling me as a friend of him. Then that elderly person agreed unwillingly. Then the taxi moved toward our destinations.

 

After some time, I was little bit confused because from the time I saw that person seated behind, I was trying to recall his identity. I had a very strong feel that, I know him. But, I was unable to recall. In next 10-15 minutes, I was busy in associating him with many designations in my memory..like.. He might be some Mantri OR CEO of any reputed firm OR highly designated police officer etc. But at last I gathered all my courage to ask him that who you are?

 

I turned to him and asked, \"Sir, If you don\'t mind, Can I ask you one thing??\". Then with a pleasant smile, He said \"Yes\" as he knew my dilemma.

 

I said.. \"Sir, I don\'t know why but your face is very familiar to me and as per my belief I think I know you very well but am unable to recall.\" Then with that particular smile again he told that \"I am Manna Dey, The Singer\".

 

Hearing to those words, I felt that I am out of this world and was too glad to see him too close to me that time. I was feeling like anything. It was a great & precious time for me to sit with such a big and respectful celebrity. I was thanking to my stars for this great opportunity. Then I introduced myself and chatted for some time about the changed climate of Bangalore then my hometown (Bokaro Steel City, Jharkhand) then about the corrupt politicians of Jharkhand/Bihar. He had a strong feel for development to these states. He do asked some brief about me and my parents. Slowly, we were very near to his house so, I thought to get his valuable autograph. But I was running out of autograph book or a good paper that time so, I requested him to give his autograph on the back of my visiting card as it was the only paper with me. After few minutes, we reached his home.

 

I helped him to come out from the taxi and touched his feet\'s to get the blessings of \"The Legend of Singing & Indian Cinema. I saw his house and he told me that this is a rented house. Seeing that house, I felt that it was a very simple house for such a big celebrity. With these precious time spent with \"The great singer - Manna Dey\" I moved to my home.

 

Friends.. I must say that he is down to earth and very very simple living fellow.

 

A Proud Salute to Padmabhusan Manna Sa\'b.

 

Rajni Kant

Bangalore