The capital of Saudi Arabia is Riyadh; the capital of Turkey is Ankara; the capital of…” Sir PM was on a roll, and in her predictably inquisitive behaviour, Lady Flora interrupted her friend as soon as she approached him at their usual meeting spot inside Horniman Circle Garden. “Pheroze, please tell me this monologue is for some good constructive reason, or that you’ve signed up for a quiz on capitals and cities, which will be quite something.”

Sir PM wasn’t exactly thrilled about being disrupted in the middle of his smooth memory game to test his knowledge of countries and their capitals. “Out with it, Pheroze…what’s the cause for this sudden interest in capitals?” she couldn’t wait any longer. “Well, my lady. I got caught in the excitement that had gripped the city these past few days, with the G20 meetings in the city. Didn’t you notice how the city was dressed up to welcome them? Delegates from so many countries were here, and after I had spotted their national flags displayed on posters and banners, I felt obligated to be a part of it in my own way—to acquire at least some basic knowledge about these countries that along with India form part of a prestigious group,” he patiently shared, hoping to impress his friend. “That’s all fine. But, Pheroze, didn’t you notice anything else? Of how the city went into transformation mode, and overnight, underwent a series of makeovers that gave it a different vibe that covered key landmarks and locations in the city? I found that rather appalling,” Lady Flora thundered.