| Ricky Martin in Kolkata but they don't want you to know KOLKATA: At least one foreign national _ and a Very Important Person at that _ isn't too worried about being at the ``most dangerous place on earth''. Latino pop singer Ricky Martin and his entourage have been in Kolkata since Tuesday in connection with charitable work for an NGO _ perhaps, his native Puerto Rico hasn't issued a travel advisory yet _ but so far, his bouncers have managed to keep photographers and delirious fans at bay. Martin, who's staying at The Park hotel on Park Street, has been keeping a lower than usual profile. He visited a school in Bakerhat in southern Kolkata but left as soon as his team spotted photographers lying in wait. The hotel staff too is stridently denying Martin's presence, saying, ``We have no idea if he's staying here, please don't ask us anything''. But sources in the hotel told this website's newspaper: ``Martin is here for a few days in connection with an international NGO, the Sabera Foundation.'' The NGO, according to its website, was created by Spanish musician Nacho Cano for destitute women and children in Kolkata. It lists Spanish actress Penelope Cruz as its spokesperson and Hollywood stars Tom Cruise, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas as among its supporters. Martin reportedly arrived in Kolkata on Tuesday evening in his private aircraft, accompanied by around eight-ten people. On Thursday morning, he visited a school in Bakerhat, which was ringed by around 50 Group Four security personnel since early morning to shoo cameramen away. At around 10.30 a.m., Martin landed up in sneakers, a deep blue track suit and a light blue T-shirt, said eyewitnesses. After playing football with the children assembled there and posing for stills for his team, which includes two photographers, Martin danced with the children before being spirited away. |
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