In aid of UNICEF’s educational and literary programmes, Montblanc added to its considerable cachet to introducing the worldwide Signature For Good campaign to lend support to UNICEF’s initiatives. Verve was delighted to be a part of the launch of their India campaign, on a balmy July evening at the Montblanc Boutique in New Delhi’s Taj Mahal Hotel. Speaking at the event, Dilip Doshi, chairman and managing director, Entrack International Trading Pvt Ltd, explained Montblanc’s motive and commitment, saying, “In today’s world it should be possible to provide literacy to everyone. It breeds self-confidence and self-esteem in every human being. For Montblanc this kind of philosophy and responsibility are deeply instilled in its thought process. It is quite wonderful and satisfying to be a part of this evolution.”

Parmesh Shahani, Verve’s editorial director and the recipient of the evening’s honours, added, “There are different ways that one can think of literacy. The basic way would be to look at it as the capacity to read and write, but a more nuanced way would be to look at it as the capacity to think, create and critically analyse.” The event saluted him for, in Montblanc’s own words, ‘his extraordinary contribution to the art of writing, enabling cross cultural understanding and creating enlightening written experiences that have transcended barriers.’

As the evening waxed, Shahani read excerpts from his groundbreaking GayBombay, and guests such as Sunit Tandon, Vidyun Singh, Lakshmi Pratury, Anupama Dayal and many more, met and mingled over wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Subscribe to Verve Magazine or buy the Verve issue on stands now!