One of my early Republic Day memories involves our former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. I was in middle school and he was not the PM then. He was to grace a Republic Day function at our school in the Capital. As some of us were to take part in the actual Republic Day celebrations, showcasing our recently honed dancing skills at the Rajpath, the school function served a good lung opener. So all of us stood near the main gate of the school shivering on the winter morning, but eager and enthusiastic. Mr Gandhi though did not show up on time. He kept us waiting and hungry. The samosas went cold in their card boxes, the wafers turned moist. Then he turned up! He was such a charmer, putting his arm around the boys and girls at the head of the row. He smiled often. He stood up for a photo session, he sat down with the students. He won us over.
The thought visited me again as I saw youngsters sit around the President after the Republic Day function for the mandatory photo-op. These kids were luckier, they actually got to go to the Rashtrapati Bhawan after the gruelling action on the Republic Day and spend time with Pranab Mukherjee. A little earlier, they had all showcased their dancing skills in front of the first citizen of the country. Some were talented Odia dancers, others were artistes from Sikkim and Chhattisgarh and various other States. Of course, the florists got their fifteen seconds of fame as well as they put their art on display on the lawns of the Bhawan. For all the young men and women, boys and girls, it was a moment of a lifetime; something which newspapers tend to ignore in their hunt for the next headlines. But in the peace and quiet following the Republic Day function, here was a moment ready to be stored in the memory bank.
Mine has been safe for some thirty years. Theirs too shall live long.
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