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Indian ethos Dominique Lapierre

“Dominique Lapierre. Date of Birth. Date of death. Citizen of honour of the city of Calcutta.” And undoubtedly for this French writer and philanthropist, Calcutta (Kolkata) is the city of his heart.

“We were very keen to see the place where Vasco Da Gama lived in Kerala. My guests and I will return,” said Lapierre introducing some of the distinguished guests of the visiting entourage.

“I am just a humble writer who has decided to show his love for India, to try and change a little bit of the injustices.... I am not Bill Gates or the World Bank. Many of my guests here help me financially in our humanitarian projects.” And he introduces Dominique De Coster who has vineyards in France. With typical French courtesy De Coster announces to the esteemed gathering that Indian wines are getting to be the same standard as French wines and that soon India will be famous for its wines.

“Ms. Paule Viallard is an eminent French scholar and gives lectures on Hinduism and Indian religions. There is Cristina Mondadori from the famous Italian publishing house,” informs Lapierre. And are they too diehard Indophiles like him? “Yes, yes. I am happy that India is changing and becoming a big world power. My only concern is that the new shining India should shine for everyone and not just the middle class or people on computers.”

And this holiday on the seas that they have been enjoying: “We left Mumbai a week ago and have been to Goa, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and then Chennai, before flying back to France. Before this I spent a week with my wife doing different projects in the Sunderbans to which we bring medical relief in four hospital boats.” And Sunderbans is Lapierre’s new joy.

He speaks intently about his cause for the neglected group of islands. “The water there is so saline that when I bought a pineapple there, it was salty.” Dominique Lapierre shares his name with his wife (her name is also Dominique) who’s a solid support to his humanitarian endeavours. “Now my sister too is involved in the projects,” he says when asked about his family.

And just as dinner gets underway, Lapierre pops two capsules. And as you wonder what he’s having that for, he says in charming humour. “Ask my wife. She gives me these special vitamins to make me more intelligent but the treatment has failed so far,” sending everybody into guffaws. Talking away with facile grace one can see why Dominique Lapierre has touched Indian hearts and minds so deeply. He is beyond doubt a people’s person, making time, listening gently, smiling, laughing heartily and reaffirming his faith in the Indian polity.

Nandingram in his city of joy? “No politics, I never speak politics when I am in India. I respect the politics. I am happy and proud when things go well and sad when they go wrong but I have enough confidence in the Indian people that all situations can be resolved to good end.” And the rickshaw bell, the symbol of Kolkata that is on him always, “I am a reincarnated rickshaw puller,” he says and informs the gathering that at the security the bell was kept aside to be returned later.

Lapierre is still not finished with his pet obsession, humanitarian work. “It is very touching to see those little children, when you go to Bengal, to see those little boys and girls telling you, ‘I’m handicapped but I can do everything.’” And it is the spirit of these little ones, the deprived and the destitute that drives Dominique and Dominique combine. “Do you know that at Dee Cee Books after I finished addressing a group of journalists , a young lady came up to me with ‘The City of Joy’ and said, ‘This book has helped me become a better woman.’ What better tribute can there be than this,” he says, bowing in deferential namaste.

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