New Delhi   

President speaks in Hindi

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: For the first time perhaps, President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam delivered a complete speech in Hindi at a function organised to commemorate 150 years of the First War of Independence at the Red Fort here on Friday.

When Dr. Kalam began his speech in Hindi, he took many by surprise. Though his nearly seven-minute speech was marred by poor audio quality, many in the audience appreciated the President's decision to speak in Hindi -- a language that was understood by a majority of those present at the function.

* * *

Though the cultural programme was attended by top political leaders of the country, a number of elected representatives were conspicuous by their absence. There was a separate enclosure for MPs , and surprisingly most seats there were vacant.

An angry Hitesh Dattani, who was not allowed to take his wife and children inside , complained: "My family was so keen but they did not let them in... Seats are reserved for those who do not want to come and those who wish to come are not entertained."

* * *

Freedom fighters and their families were happy at being invited to the mega-event and thought it was an opportune moment to air some of their grievances. Bhim Singh from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, who claims to have participated in the Quit India Movement of 1942, complained of the "deep-rooted corruption in everything".

He also complained how the monthly pension he received from the State was too paltry in the present times. Some freedom fighters even demanded reservation in jobs for their families.

* * *

The Red Fort teemed with young men and women from the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, National Service Scheme, National Cadets Corps and Bharat Scouts and Guides. Quite expectedly, they proved to be an active audience, applauding the performers every now and then.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Moving away from big crime
"Need to advocate birth registration"
Sewage from unauthorised colonies to be tapped
Focus on Protection of Women from Violence Act
NDMC notice to AIIMS
President speaks in Hindi
Civic agencies asked to repair damaged roads of Delhi
High Court notice to Delhi police
High Court refuses Apollo's plea
Rain, hailstorm lash Capital
Briefly
In the Capital Today

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu