And the award goes to …

Times of India, Sunday, 04 December 2005

It was an award ceremony of a different kind. While the film and fashion, fraternities decided to give it a miss, Delhi's diplomats and nature lovers specially took time out from their busy schedules to attend the final day Vatavaran 2005, the environment and wildlife film festival that was held in the capital recently.

After the formal speeches, award-winning documentaries were screened. Shyam Benegal, who headed the jury, was also present. Sitting near him was British High Commissioner Michael Arthur, who was found watching the film with rapt attention along with Susanne Pryde and renowned wildlife filmmakers Richard Brock and Doug Allan. Mike Pandey however, stood at the far end of the hall and preferred to watch the action from there itself.

Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit arrived exactly when Delhi CM's award for the best documentary on environment was being announced. The award went to Nutan Manmohan for her documentary, The Second Hand Life. "I couldn't have been more on time," exclaimed Dikshit laughingly.

The star of the show, however, was wildlife filmmaker Naresh Bedi, who bagged the Prithvi Ratna award, for lifetime achievement in the field. After the ceremony, the winners and the jury were treated to a lavish lunch in the garden outside. Bedi sure was the center of attraction as everybody surrounded him, offering their congratulations nad exchanging numbers with him. Divya Khanna.