It could well become the most surprising gift President Pratibha Patil had ever received.
Students of Sri Venkateswara Children’s High School here have prepared a 75-feet long greeting card to convey their wishes to Ms. Patil, who will be celebrating her 75th birthday on Saturday. It is a joint endeavour by the school and the Tirupati City Chamber.
The card, having a velvet sheet as base and laced with gold-coloured zari, has colour photographs of the President on various occasions such as hoisting the Tricolour, holding discussions with international leaders, top diplomats and heads of nations, consoling victims of calamities, embarking on a fighter jet, etc. The card also carries Ms. Patil’s opinion on issues of national and international relevance, besides meaningful quotes by leaders and philosophers.
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“Three thousand students have attested their signature on the card to convey their wishes to their beloved President,” said school correspondent K. S.Vasu. President of the Tirupati City Chamber Ayub Khan said the card also has religious quotes and hymns.
A delegation of students, parents, school authorities and the Chamber members have an appointment with the President on Saturday afternoon, where the greeting card will be formally ‘rolled out’ before Ms. Patil.