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24th January was the
D-Day when we would be receiving the Award from the Prime Minister of
India. In the morning we were taken around Delhi for sightseeing to Rajghat,
National Science Centre, etc. After lunch we started for 7 Race Course Road the residence of
our Prime Minister. We were made to sit on the right side of the dais. As I
was sitting there waiting for the dignitaries to arrive I felt sorry for my
other family members who could not attend the function. I missed them very
much. Originally when we left Mumbai we were informed that the award
function would be held on 25th Jan so my family members had booked flight
tickets for 24th evening as my sister had to give her last exam paper on
24th morning. When we reached Delhi
we were told that the function has been preponed to 24th. However since
Sanjana’s school did not excuse her from appearing for the exam the tickets
could not be changed.
When my name was
called I went upto the dais and the Prime Minister congratulated me on
getting the prestigious Sanjay Chopra award and put the medal around my
neck. It was a proud moment for me accepting the award in front of over 200
school children from all over Delhi
and several ministers and guests. Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Shri Arjun Singh
who were sitting on the dais also congratulated me. We were all given a
medal, a Certificate, Draft of Rs.5000/- and a wrist watch with the
signature of Dr. Manmohan Singh etched on it.
While sipping the cold
drink, Mrs & Rear Admiral Chopra (Retd.) came to me and introduced
themselves as the parents of Late Master Sanjay Chopra. Immediately I bowed
down and touched their feet. I could realize that it was a touching moment
for both of them. I also met Mr.Harish Chandra who was the first National
Bravery award winner who had saved the life of the then Prime Minister Late
Shri Jawaharlal Nehru.
This was followed by a
reception hosted by the Minister for Youth and Sports Mr. Oscar Fernandes
at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Being a Mangalorean, I found it endearing
to talk to him. For the first time since we reached Delhi we were having Non-veg food.
Next day was important
too. I had a reunion with the rest of my family who had arrived the
previous night. My entire family could accompany me to “Rashtrapati Bhavan”
where we attended a reception by His Excellency the President of India.
After congratulating us for the achievements he requested the children to
ask him questions on any topic. I gathered all my courage and stood up to
ask him about the appropriateness of my career choice and how I should
proceed. He immediately guided me on the subject and gave me the names of institutions
where the courses are conducted and how I should go about pursuing the
subject.
We then took a stroll
in the Moghul
Gardens and took a
group photo with the President in the gardens. We were then taken around a
guided tour of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Rashtrapati Bhawan has 315
rooms. The Moghal
Gardens are open to
public during the month of February when roses and dahlias are in full
bloom. 418 gardeners are employed by the Government of India to tend the
massive lawns that compliment the grand Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The palatial
President's home reflects an amalgamation of Western and Mughal
architectural styles. We were shown the Ashok Hall, Durbar Hall and the
massive Dining space as part of the tour of the grand Rashtrapati Bhawan.
After lunch at the
Rashtrapati Bhavan we went to the residence of the Vice President for a
High tea party. The dinner was hosted by Shri Arjun Singh, Minister for HRD
at his residence. We returned to ICCW to attend a function hosted by Glaxo
Smithline in our honour.
26th January 2006 was
the grand finale of the glorious fortnight. I felt like Maharaja of Mysore
sitting on the elegantly dressed elephant participating in the parade. We
were greeted by people from both sides of the roads and we waved back to
them. It was a great feeling. After participating in the Republic Day
parade we returned to the ICCW for lunch. We bid farewell to each other and
parted with moist eyes.
I sorely miss Mahesh
Kumar from Uttaranchal and Mukesh Kanwar from Madhya Pradesh who were very
witty. My sister Sanjana in her two days stay with us had made friendship
with everyone. The other children could communicate only in their local
language but I wonder how Sanjana used to sit individually with each of
them for long time communicating with them in Hindi and English and by sign
language. She had soon become the darling of everyone. Kum. Pushparani Devi
from Manipur was seen sobbing when we left Delhi. Hats off to Sanjana for her
ability to make friends.
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This experience shall
always be the part of my being, unforgettable. My eyes turn moist when I
recollect the days that I spent with the other children in Delhi when we met as
strangers on 17th only to depart as good friends ten days later. Most of
the children who were awarded had come from rural India and were very innocent
and poor. They had to renounce their childhood to work like adults on the
fields discontinuing their education for the sake of their family. I
sincerely hope and pray that the Government helps them in achieving their
ambitions.
I end this article
expressing gratitude to the Lord Bhavanishankar and our Guru Parampara for
bestowing this glory on me. My Sashtang Pranaams to Swamiji for making this
day happen in my life.
OM NAMAH PARVATI PATEH HAR HAR
MAHADEV
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