ANIL BATS FOR A GOOD CAUSE	Mail Today
By Kunal Doley A GOOD	November 13, 2008

IT'S AN unequal world and no one knows this better than former India captain and Test cricket's third- highest wicket taker, Anil Kumble. When he couldn't, for a brief while, find takers for one of the two self- autographed cricket balls that went under the hammer at the opening of the global NGO United Way's India chapter at the Radisson on Tuesday evening, he joked, " I didn't know that even in an auction, it's a batsman's game." Just before the ball came up for bidding, two cricket bats, each signed by the entire Indian cricket team, fetched Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh respectively; the balls went for Rs 50,000 each.

The United Way launch brought together corporate honchos who had gathered for a cause greater than their business commitments. They donated generously, they savoured the cocktails and they jived to the music of the fusion band Mrigya, for they all wanted to " make a difference". Venkatesh Valluri, country head of IT services company Agilent India and chair of the United Way of Delhi, said: " Earning is a lot easier than giving. But deep inside our heart, we all have the desire to make a difference."

The emcee, former model Mehar Bhasin, who looked as radiant as ever in a shocking pink sari with a backless blouse, couldn't help having a laugh at the expense of Congress MP and AICC secretary Rajiv Shukla. When he showed up late for the occasion, Bhasin repeated the most common excuse offered by people who land up late. " He must have been caught in a traffic jam," she said.

Shukla made up with a quote tailor made for the occasion. Talking about the United Way, a global not- for- profit organisation present in 47 nations, he said, " Corporates will now have a platform to donate money for a cause." Kumble also pitched in with an appeal to the gathering to be ' generous' with its money. Dressed nattily and looking chilled out, he said, " When my friend Kapil Kumria asked me to autograph the bat, it was just an autographed bat for me. Today, the same bat is going under the hammer for a good cause." The evening ended on the right note with Mrigya belting out its inimitable blend of blues, funk, Latino and Indian classical music. What got people jiving was their second number, a mellifluous mix of Raga Pahari and funk, which was an instant favourite.