The consulate of Ireland celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with Irish flair
TT Bureau
Published 28.03.18, 12:00 AM
For Brian McElduff, the ambassador of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day meant going to the parade in Dublin as a child and eating bacon and cabbage. “It was less glamorous than it is now. It’s essentially a religious holiday back at home. We have a tradition of wearing green and it’s basically a celebration of Irish culture in all its manifestation,” said McElduff.
Usha Uthup
French consul-general Damian Syed (left) and British deputy high commissioner Bruce Bucknell
It was time for some fun and food, the Irish way, as the consulate of Ireland celebrated St. Patrick’s Day — a day named after St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland — at The Oberoi Grand. With hints of green and shamrock and Irish sips and bites, it was time to let the hair down and soak in the festive vibe. Only t2
was there.
It was the last day for Mahendra Kumar Jalan as the honorary consul of Ireland, Calcutta, as his son Mayank Jalan, chairman and managing director, Keventer Agro Limited, took over as the honorary consul.
The venue was decked in all things green, the colour of St. Patrick’s Day. The foliage with the traditional shamrocks and pretty lights made for a stunning entrance.
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The Dreamy Trio consisting of a harpist, pianist andflautist, lived up to their name with renditions of English tracks like All of Me by John Legend and My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion.
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The Dreamy Trio consisting of a harpist, pianist andflautist, lived up to their name with renditions of English tracks like All of Me by John Legend and My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion.
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(L-R) Leprechaun Cake, Apple Glazed Onions and Mushrooms, and Irish Stew — the menu was all things Irish too.
Mayank Jalan spoke about Calcutta’s Irish connection. “Calcutta is one of those cities that has a reasonable number of people who are Irish descendants. This evening is about understanding the heritage of the country, but more importantly, it’s about fun,” said Mayank, who played host with wife Parvana.
Sanjay Budhia with wife Minu
Venus Asawapoom, the Thai deputy consul-general (right), with Montakan Hengsuwan, a consul at the Royal Thai Consulate-General
German deputy consul-general Jurgen Thomas Schrod with wife Iris
Fabrice Plançon, the director of Alliance Francaise du Bengale (left), and Masayuki Taga, the consul-general of Japan in Calcutta
Student volunteers from The Hope Foundation, decked up in traditional Indian wear
