Decidedly Surreal

This was decidedly surreal.  Less than 24 hours into my first visit to Davos, Deutsche Welle folks began shooting a story on a social entrepreneur’s experience. I got picked for the part. It felt like a part. After a brief interview on what I expected to get out of Davos, shot against the backdrop of the majestic Swiss Alps at Hotel Schatzalp, the camera woman gave me a taste of acting.

Walk down the corridor. Walk again. This time open the door. One  last time, if you don’t mind. Now let’s go down in the funicular. Look through the window. Walk down the street.  Let’s go into the “India Adda” cafe. The Indian lady (in the sari) will now serve you masala tea. Take a sip. Another sip. Keep sipping. And then she said to my incredulous ears, “Bill Clinton’s here!”

Surrounded by a small entourage of friends and security, President Clinton strolled in. I hesitated a bit and then with a ‘what the heck’ leap, went up to him, shook his hand and said something like “President Clinton, thank you for inviting me to CGI a couple of years back. My name is Brij Kothari and I work on mass literacy through subtitling of Bollywood songs on TV. We’re now implementing it nationally.”

“Thank you for your wok,” said Clinton warmly, making eye contact like only he can. That’s it.  But it felt like an expression of gratitude. Coming from one of the most admired statesman of our times, it underscored why Davos is special. Blink, and you could be face to face with someone who will lift your spirit.  President Clinton lifted mine, today.

Brij Kothari

Editors Note
Brij Kothari, Director, PlanetRead, India
Social Entrepreneur of the Year, India, 2009

PlanetRead is dedicated to literacy development in India, working to ensure that people have access to interesting and affordable reading opportunities in their native or other languages.