Barely had I reached Chennai, I trundled my suitcase to the pre-paid taxi counter. There an underhand racket is going on, where they ask for Rs 10 to book your taxi. Refuse to pay it as it has no receipt and they are pocketing your money.

At the hotel I paid the Rs 300 on the chit given to me to the cab driver even though he was demanding Rs 400 and booked into the Rain Tree Hotel. According to instructions I was to meet the other winners by twelve noon for lunch. Being escorted to my room, I was glad to note that I was not sharing with another colleague as the instructions intoned as I dislike being intimate with a complete stranger. Most winners were first timers and had come with their entire families, so were not living in the hotel, but accepted a cheaper place to cover the family expenses.

After a large buffet lunch, I met the organiser who had come from Mumbai and she sorted out my expenses. Only what is on the bills I will clear she said quite categorically. That's fine but in India when tips are the norm it does become hard.

Going back to my room I dressed hurriedly as the bus taking us for the function was coming to collect us at 2:30pm. I had brought an expensive silk saree which I dressed in great style and felt really good about myself. However, soon I realised it was a bad choice as the sweltering heat of Chennai was causing m to feel most uncomfortable wrapped in yards of silk. Sweat broke in my hair on on my face and neck, never mind all over my body, so much so when reaching the auditorium I found it hard to walk with the skirt sticking to my legs.

It was with great relief that I sat down in the auditorium to find it was air-conditioned and cool. In no time my whole feeling of discomfort dissipated and I could relax and enjoy the programme. A lot of effort had been taken by the Laadli Media Awards committee to make us comfortable and the front seats had been reserved for us.

After all the initial speech making and applause died down of the prize giving, I enjoyed the cultural programme the most. A young woman who is a star on the singing firmament in the south regaled the audience with some wonderful raagas and songs. What a strong voice which she used to great effect explaining every song before she began. Never thought I would enjoy som Tamil classical singing, but I guess age mellows us all.

The awards were done and then the photos began. All the press and more were around baying for pictures mainly because Laadli is a really prestigious award. Stand like this, hold the award up, raise the certificate, smile, one more, one more. By the end of it we were just waiting to get home to the hotel.

But nothing goes smoothly and it was ages before we trooped into the bus to be driven to the Hotel. I just headed directly to the room and divested myself of the saree first. A quick shower and I felt much better all set for dinner in a pair of jeans and a blouse.

But the heat had got my appetite and I just ate a dosa from the live counter and finished my mal with some fruit chaat. Then wishing all good night, I headed for my room to crash and plan my meet with Virgie the next morning.