Monday, Jun 19, 2006
Rendezvous with the President
- By- Manali PattnaikManali
Patnaik is a free lance writer based in Singapore. She writes for various Singapore and Australian magazines.
|
 |
It was a lovely rendezvous indeed. President Kalam entered the ballroom and literally swept all the guests off their feet when he said, "Do you want me to come down and speak to you or stand on the stage"? I guess the mike was an important part of the whole event and hence, he had to stick to the stage to make himself audible to the whole crowd.
 The president meets with the Indian Diaspora at the Shangri-la ballroom
It was one of those days when you wake up feeling on top of the world. There is something wonderful lined up for you in the evening. I swear, it is the dream date of a life time. Somewhere down, there are butterflies in your stomach. And that’s because you are meeting the President!
President Abdul Kalam is visiting Singapore and we are invited to be a part of it. I had quickly noted down and set the alarm for our rendezvous in my palm pilot. Meeting the President on the 2nd of Feb 2006 at 6 pm …..sharp, Island Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel! This was to ensure that I should not miss it unless there is something much more important than that. Like say, the earth has turned upside down!
I wondered what was different this time! I have met many film stars come by to shoot, shook hands, took autographs but this was an entirely different feeling. A feeling of much enthusiasm and awe!
 President Kalam at a special meeting
with the IIMIIT alumni
Now was the time to focus on what to wear. Not that there will be a best dressed award tonight but then I am representing my country abroad! For men, it is a natural scene- Lounge suit (Coat, tie and polished shoes obviously)! And for women, since the occasion was a formal one held at the Indian High Commission, the dress code was National Dress- So, the attire was saree or salwar kameez.
Hailing from the Khadi city of Orissa , I decided to put on a pure Orissi handloom saree. It was my own way of paying respect to my country. Staying abroad has made me both miss and adore the traditional values and customs. This was my way of representing my country today and feeling proud about our Gandhian philosophy. Staying abroad makes you loose one's roots at times. It is nice to imbibe the culture of the city one lives in, but at the same time it is thoroughly important not to loose track of one's culture. Meeting with the President made me re-assert that!
There is so much pride in being an Indian woman. We have the ability to blend in any surrounding-whether be it corporate, trendy or formal! We could put on an office suit and get set for the corporate world and wrap ourselves in a saree to feel majestically feminine. I wanted to feel truly Indian, so I decided on wearing something that reminds me of the legacy of my state and my country!
 Garlanding the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Bhavan's Indian International School
The saree is a saga in itself. I got it as a present from my mother-in-law, who had saved this piece of exquisite work for her daughter-in law. So, I became the rightful owner of the khadi saree, woven by Padmashree Kruthratha Archarya. He was one of India's finest saree makers and was a pioneer in projecting the Sambulpuri sarees to the world.
They say 'simplicity is a virtue'; Mr. Archaraya incorporates the same in his creations. No wonder, they were so very admired by the late Mrs. Indira Gandhi. I also wanted to feel powerful by the virtue of a saree, and show my admiration for the President.
The gathering was at the Indian High Commission in Singapore. We have been there on many flag hoisting days but today is almost like a 'special-effects' day. Finally, the moment has arrived…..The guests are a dignified bunch! What was interesting to note that, the Indians who have been married to westerners, also had their spouse wear our traditional saree. More than beauty, it was the sheer respect that the saree commanded that day, was worth being there to feel it!
It was a lovely rendezvous indeed. President Kalam entered the ballroom and literally swept all the guests off their feet when he said, "Do you want me to come down and speak to you or stand on the stage"? I guess the mike was an important part of the whole event and hence, he had to stick to the stage to make himself audible to the whole crowd.
The Indian test cricket scene wasn't doing too well then and he kept us abreast of the 'samachar' or news back home too. I must say, we have got one of the most respected, intelligent and humble Presidents. His love for children, science and spirituality left all of us in awe. We were feeling proud to show our silver haired President to the world, who believes that 'simplicity is style in itself'!
Photo Credits: High Commission of India in Singapore
 View and Post comment on this article
The contents of the article are Copyright © of the author and may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the author.
|
