27th Jan, 2012.
2.00 p.m.
I stepped off the car at school. I met three of my friends there, shook hands with the principal, wished all the teachers and then joined my friends in a regular conversation. In ten minutes we would be leaving for OIL Higher Secondary school, Duliajan to attend an interaction session with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of The Republic of India.
2.30 p.m.
Seated up front, just below the stage, in the box meant for students with questions to ask Dr. Kalam, the four of us joined the buzz. All that everybody had on their mind was "Oh my God! I'm actually going to talk to Dr.Kalam! I can't believe it!!!" He was scheduled to arrive at 4.30 p.m. . Everything in order, we waited.
4.30 p.m.
NCC cadets stood in a file on both sides of the red carpet,which flowed all the way from the main gate to the stage. The audience clapped and cheered as Dr. Kalam walked through the entrance and on to the stage. There, placed specially for him, was a couch that was decorated with red and gold cushions and flowers. But he would have none of it. He would keep it simple. He would sit only on the metal chairs that were positioned beside the couch. That was the first gesture that touched my heart. Being a man of his stature, he chose to push aside all the comforts and facilities that were readily fed to him and tried to live the life of a common man as best as he could. He did not crave for power nor did he crave for comfort. He dedicated his life to his work and to motivating the youth to work for a better India.
When the formalities were done with, he began his speech. He asked if we knew what golden jubilee meant. He explained, it meant that the school had completed 50years of its functioning since its inception. The school is on the earth and the earth revolves once around the sun in a year.So the school has revolved around the sun 50 times! What a good way to look at it! It makes one feel grand!
He then talked about his school life and how he was inspired to "do" in life and how he believed that "giving" and "enjoying others' pleasure" were the key to being a good human being. He taught us how to be successful rather than just preaching about it. However, the most beautiful thing he said was that all of us could "fly if you willed to because you have wings of fire". He made us repeat a poem " I can fly" after him. Believe it or not, it made me stronger and more confident. If you repeat its lines, It will do you good too. " I am born with wings. I am not meant to crawl. I will fly. I can fly. I can fly......"
He told us never to give up because nothing is impossible. We must not fail to grab every opportunity we get. We repeated in unison, "I can do it. We can do it. India can do it."
In the end, we took an oath that, honestly, made me rethink my abilities and my attitude. I know now that I can be a unique person.
6.00 p.m.
He walked out of the school gate in his usual crisp manner. But the people around made it seem like a victory march. He is a true Hero, isn't he?
11.30 p.m.
I have tucked myself cozily in bed and am dreaming of the evening.................................
2.00 p.m.
I stepped off the car at school. I met three of my friends there, shook hands with the principal, wished all the teachers and then joined my friends in a regular conversation. In ten minutes we would be leaving for OIL Higher Secondary school, Duliajan to attend an interaction session with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of The Republic of India.
2.30 p.m.
Seated up front, just below the stage, in the box meant for students with questions to ask Dr. Kalam, the four of us joined the buzz. All that everybody had on their mind was "Oh my God! I'm actually going to talk to Dr.Kalam! I can't believe it!!!" He was scheduled to arrive at 4.30 p.m. . Everything in order, we waited.
4.30 p.m.
NCC cadets stood in a file on both sides of the red carpet,which flowed all the way from the main gate to the stage. The audience clapped and cheered as Dr. Kalam walked through the entrance and on to the stage. There, placed specially for him, was a couch that was decorated with red and gold cushions and flowers. But he would have none of it. He would keep it simple. He would sit only on the metal chairs that were positioned beside the couch. That was the first gesture that touched my heart. Being a man of his stature, he chose to push aside all the comforts and facilities that were readily fed to him and tried to live the life of a common man as best as he could. He did not crave for power nor did he crave for comfort. He dedicated his life to his work and to motivating the youth to work for a better India.
When the formalities were done with, he began his speech. He asked if we knew what golden jubilee meant. He explained, it meant that the school had completed 50years of its functioning since its inception. The school is on the earth and the earth revolves once around the sun in a year.So the school has revolved around the sun 50 times! What a good way to look at it! It makes one feel grand!
He then talked about his school life and how he was inspired to "do" in life and how he believed that "giving" and "enjoying others' pleasure" were the key to being a good human being. He taught us how to be successful rather than just preaching about it. However, the most beautiful thing he said was that all of us could "fly if you willed to because you have wings of fire". He made us repeat a poem " I can fly" after him. Believe it or not, it made me stronger and more confident. If you repeat its lines, It will do you good too. " I am born with wings. I am not meant to crawl. I will fly. I can fly. I can fly......"
He told us never to give up because nothing is impossible. We must not fail to grab every opportunity we get. We repeated in unison, "I can do it. We can do it. India can do it."
In the end, we took an oath that, honestly, made me rethink my abilities and my attitude. I know now that I can be a unique person.
6.00 p.m.
He walked out of the school gate in his usual crisp manner. But the people around made it seem like a victory march. He is a true Hero, isn't he?
11.30 p.m.
I have tucked myself cozily in bed and am dreaming of the evening.................................
