Advani's much-awaited memoir released

NEW DELHI: It is not everyday that a former President gets caught in choc-a-bloc traffic and walks down to attend a function.
    
APJ Abdul Kalam and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Jaswant Singh had to walk some distance to reach Siri Fort Auditorium here on Wednesday to attend the book release of former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's much-awaited memoirs 'My Country My Life'.
    
It was more than a book release as the who's who of politics and the bigwigs of the BJP, with all its Chief Ministers, arriving at the function.
    
Adding to the galaxy of personalities were Bollywood stars like Sanjay Dutt, Sonu Nigam, Abhijeet and industrial honchos including Sunil Bharti Mittal and Anil Ambani to rub shoulders with VHP's Ashok Singhal and other Sangh leaders.
    
The venue in South Delhi was a scene of confusion and chaos with overflowing parking lots while bumper-to-bumper traffic outside delayed the arrival of several invitees, including Kalam, Singh and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
    
Former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, who recently announced his decision to quit Congress at a BJP rally, was also present.
    
Leader after leader, who spoke at the function, sang paeans to Advani.
    
Advani said he missed ailing former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the function. "Personally, if there is any regret it is that Atalji is not here," he said.
    
The senior BJP leader also attributed all positive virtues in his life to the RSS.