Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Angad and Mandira Kalaan and their daughter, Vanya. - Contributed

And so, after a whirlwind visit to these cultured shores, the Indian polo team, led by the dashing Angad Kalaan, who visited the island for a series of polo matches for the Jaipur Polo Trophy, just did not make a contest of the three-match series played in Montego Bay, St Ann and Kingston.

They, my dears, in losing the series in a nail-biter at the Caymanas Polo Club, proved they were as gracious in defeat as they were faultless guests!

And really, little wonder here as, though it was team captain Kalaan's first visit to Jamaica, he really was no stranger to these shores, as his wife is the fabulous Mandira Kalra, daughter of the former ICWI 'financial guru' Anil Kalra and his gorgeous wife Nilofer Kalra, former high-society players here in Kingston, before moving on to Geneva, where Mr Kalra started a new career as an international diplomat with the United Nations.

spectacular hosts

But they maintained their links and friendships here on the island with regular visits, and proved spectacular hosts a few years ago on the very occasion of the nuptial of their beloved daughter to her love, Angad Kalaan.

And so it was, that this being the first visit to Jamaica for Angad and Mandira Kalaan since their memorable nuptials back in India, this was akin to a homecoming for the young couple and their show-stopper of an 18-month-old daughter Vanya. And not to be outdone, Mandira's younger brother, the charmingly handsome Arjun Kalra, jetted in from Chicago especially to be a part of the celebration.

And make no mistake about it, as while this visit was officially a polo tour, it also had the effect of being a family reunion of sorts in the Kingston leg of their stay. The Kalaans and Arjun were guests of security mogul and leading socialite and host par excellence, Kenny Benjamin.

week-long wedding

And as it was nearly three years ago that Benjamin and a contingent of this island's leading citizenry flew to Delhi for the week-long wedding celebrations and ceremony that has been described as a fairy-tale extravaganza and was the talk in international social circles for months, y'all know that this visit, especially with Benjamin playing host, was going to be a show-stopper and, pumpkins, it was!

Luvs, to begin with, both Mandira and Arjun have many family friends they respectfully and lovingly call uncle or auntie, as they both spent their formative years here in Kingston, with Arjun actually being born here.

And even though the ties that bind have never been broken (many have visited with the senior Kalras in their Geneva and Delhi homes) it was the first time they were visiting Jamaica since both became young adults. Following the completion of her doctoral degree from the London School of Economics, and her marriage to Kalaan, the leading polo professional in India, Mandira took up an assignment as a programme manager with the National Foundation for India (a leading autonomous trust). Arjun now works as a forensic accountant specialising in anti-money laundering consultancy with a leading firm in Chicago. Needless to say, the young Kalras have not been in Jamaica for some time now.

all about catching up

And so, my dears, this visit was (outside of the polo competition) all about catching up on all that was and is to be.

Luvs, with the ultimate dinner and reception being thrown by the ever gracious Benjamin at his Stony Hill estate, it was the perfect backdrop for a sort of homecoming do for Angad and Mandira Kalaan, their daughter Vanya and Arjun Kalra. With a host of polo personalities, leading socialites and politicos in attendance, the die was cast and it was all about fabness.

Regrettably, Nilofer and Anil, who were also expected as a part of the visiting polo contingent, cancelled at the very last minute due to family emergencies. They were, however, in the minds of all, and to this end a toast was proposed in their honour as those gathered shared fond memories and stories of not only the Kalras generosity of spirit, their style and graciousness, but also of their role as consummate ambassadors in their role as hosts to many a visiting Jamaican, whether at their home in Geneva or back in Delhi.

All in all, my dears, this was a tale of the parties within the party, as while there was an over-arching theme of camaraderie based on common friendships, there were caucuses of sorts. Suffice it to say, it made for a very late night-turned morning.

perfect host

Benjamin was the perfect host, from time to time serving as bartender to the buzzing crowd. The gathering was mixed with the members of the visiting team definitely being the guests of honour, and included a mix of leading socialites and polo enthusiasts, including: Vishal Singh; Ajit Singh; Vicky Nihalani and Bhupendar Singh; the lovely Karen Kranenburg, the owner and sponsor of Polo and More (the organisers of this Jaipur Polo Trophy tournament); long-standing friend of Jamaica and polo authority Colonel Kuldeep Garcha and his elegant wife Indu Garcha.

Also in attendance were the esteemed Adrian and Darrilyn Foreman; Robert MacMillan; Dr John Masterton; the charming Leslie-Ann Fong-Yee; Rae and Sharon Barrett; Evan Williams and his daughter Enola Williams; Randy Mair and wife Nicola Crosswell Mair; Dr Dhiru and Merceline Garg; Lyn Maragh; Ravi Rambaran; Dr Sanjeeta Kiswani; Wayne and Donna Clarke; Sarah Cumming; and the lovely Brooke Benjamin, home from Canada, on a break from her studies; plus many others, all out sharing and enjoying each other's company.