event missing it would be blasphemous queenie singh for instance is a face youll always see at a parmeshwar godrej do our source offers as example both these ladies justifiably lay claim to the top rungs of the overcrowded diamondstudded ladder the former an exbeauty queen and the latter having practically invented the social ladder in the first place after all godrej has dominated the society pages for half a century ever since she became a godrej its common knowledge that airhostesses strike that flightattendants back in the 60s godrej and maureen wadia wife of textile magnate nusli wadia were the original indian princesses complete with glamour poise and charisma not just a pretty face but there was always more to these ladies than their fashion sense the chairperson of heroes aids project godrej is known just as well for her philanthropic initiatives as she is for her fancy dos we had heard of her propriety but witnessed it firsthand when despite a busy schedule she wasnt above being courteous though reluctant to speak on the subject godrejs response to our queries was prompt and polite as for wadia who worked as a teacher before national carrier air india redirected the course of her destiny she currently serves as director of wadia hospitals and has developed an independent professional identity as managing editor of gladrags magazine you should have a reason to be in the society pages its not just about being welldressed you have to have made a contribution says fashion buyer sabina chopra thereby laying down the second rule for budding socialites earlier it was the serious powerful woman whod make it now every frivolous floozy seems to qualify i dont recognise most faces in the papers and wonder how much they pay to get there she rues mumbaibased image consultant chhaya momaya doesnt need to shell out big bucks to get to the papers she says being a socialite is tough serious business if i attend a praful patel union minister for heavy industries party i do my conversationresearch if im attending arun jaitleys senior member of the bjp do i update myself im there because i add value to their party former model and wife of the late biscuit tycoon rajan pillai nina pillai says chance has a role to play it was more of a coincidence that i became the spirit of every party she admits somewhat modestly we were photographed by chance it was the event that was important its different now the new breed doesnt leave anything to chance every pose every picture is calculated laying out the indicators of real influence in the socialites world pillai says its money charisma reputation and fame that decide where you stand listing godrej nita ambani and gauri khan as members of the monarchy theyve mastered the art of being the perfect hostesses with impeccable social skills your guest list defines you ruchika mehta editor hello india has 15 years of experience in lifestyle journalism