The visit to the Presidential Palace in Colombo to meet His Excellency and to exchange thoughts with him on IIFA, India, cricket and several other related issues. Those are his two sons in on of the pictures and his wife. The elder son on the right in white shirt, Naman has just been elected to Parliament and is the youngest MP. He is building a state of the art stadium for cricket in Colombo for the coming events to be held there and the younger son is fond of motor bikes, several high powered ones were parked at the entrance when we came in.

Royalty has its own charm and style. The living conditions, the protocol.how to address them, where and what to say, when to leave, all worked out meticulously before you actually gain presence so that there is no breach. Traditions set millions of years ago, still prevalent and followed diligently. There is great sense of formality and order in such situations and I do not mind them. They all depict dignity and respect for the head of the state and in the matter of an elected democratic society follow constitutional rights demarcated for the citizens to follow.

How beautifully then, do these routine, well rehearsed occasions go on in the long run, used by either part to basically enhance the existence of those that are abiding there in their own country and are in exalted and eminent positions.

Krackow being cancelled has given us a time to ourselves and it shall be used to practice what needed attention, and to read on unread material. It allows one the liberty to not do anything, to just be there as we wish, in whatever condition. So this morning has gone about without a bath or change of clothing or any care towards appearance - sit where we want to, do what we want to and be what we want to. Amazing experience ! Not answerable to anyone or anything. And because this temperament exists till late in the night even after the celebration of the Mumbai Indians win in the semis, I would really want to exercise a bit of that mode in todays post … so ..

Good night and god’s blessings

Amitabh Bachchan