Meeting the Prime Minister: My Christmas gift!
Posted on December 16, 2009
Filed Under Blogging, General, Religion | 14 Comments
It was sharp 4pm and I get an unusual call. “Mr Sam you have been chosen to be welcomed at the Prime Minister’s exclusive Christmas Dinner.” What? Did I hear it right? I really could not believe my ears. It was indeed a dream of mine to someday personally meet the Prime Minister and share some quality time with him in a close distance. I have only seen him in TVs and newspapers covered by his body guards falling under the Z security.
Well, I asked the person from PMO to drop his invitation at my office. Seriously, I was in cloud nine looking at the card with my name on it – - specially with the Govt of India logo and all those official wordings. You see the fact that Prime Minister’s Office recognises me is something great, isnt it, lol. They should not be inviting me if I fall under the category of pseudo-moderate and pseudo-religious as claimed by many of you.
Anyways I decide to attend the gala dinner party which was fixed at 6pm. The next question however was should I wear a blazer? And should I travel on a decent car? The blazer thing, seriously I have always hated that. These ties and stuffs choke me. The last time I wore a decent suit was when meeting my pastor. I remember how dummy I looked. I am seriously against mandatory wearing of blazers and ties aping the western culture. The other day I went to a church nearby and the pastor was preaching to his 50 something congregation with a suit and a loud tie. His congregation was the poorest of poor, those small farmers and agriculturists. No wonder pastors get beaten sometimes by Hindutva extremists, may be due to them presenting Gospel as something foreign from their appearance and behavior? The Gospel would never feel compatible with the poor in such situations. Without practicing inculturation, the church cannot dream of a smooth ride.
Anyways I concluded that I am not gonna wear a suit. Secondly, its 6pm and I cant struggle to find a decent car to reach the highly secured and elegant 7B, Janpath – a street where all top politicians reside.
The funny part of my making to the event was, I decided to ride on my Honda sweetheart. Imagine that? I could not even find a parking to rest my bike–not even 5kms away from the event place, haha, you would never find such a simpleton, tomfool like me right? Going to the prime minister’s dinner with no blazer, no BMW. Ok. Good heavens finally I found a parking space for my bike (it was right beside my office, haha, that far). My blue shirt went well with my black pant. I am not a person with good dress sense. I am so primitive at my dressing. Mind you, I dont come from a royal family. Whatever, I dint want to miss the event. It’s the first time I am going to such a top-notch event with all important ministers and parliamentarians. I had to go through four levels of checking. Man, they were really scrutinizing my entire body – from head to toe. “Open your mobile, take out your keys, operate your phone, open the book, open the pen, open your bag, remove your muffler..bla bla bla” Gosh, I am not a terrorist. What happened next? “You have a camera, we are sorry this is not allowed inside.”
After my bike-parking predicament, the next to follow was — camera not allowed inside, finding a place to keep it safe. I go from house to house, guard to guard, requesting to keep the camera till I return. Since it was a higly secured area, with all security and top policemen, none really agreed to my request. They are not supposed to collect any particulars from strangers, thats their law I guess, and moreover every 20 mins they told me they are changed/shifted due to security reasons, wow!!! I am dead. One of the house guard was of Sonia Gandhi, lol. I walked another 20 mins, found a small tree and behind it a plank under which I hid my camera. The tree at least trusted me, not those armed guards!!
Well I returned back to the event place. I showed my invitation, my ID, my driving license, and etc etc..Finally entered!!! I wished I could have taken some snaps, it was so beautifully organised. The interior design, flower arrangements, etc, etc, was mind blowing. When I entered the main hall, I was shell-shocked. There was not a single person of my status. The event was a highly classified function with just 100 something people. All of them were top parliamentarians, biz leaders, Christian heads, etc, whom I have only seen on TV. I really felt like a hen in the den.
Among all someone who greatly impressed me was Shashi Tharoor, Minister of external affairs. He was tall, fair, elegant, eloquent and what not. He was standing in election for the UN general secretary post, sadly lost to Ban Ki Moon. I hope he stands again!! We need such brilliant Indian leaders in the global arena. After some feet tapping music by Anil Kant (you will love this song – my fav), the Prime Minister arrived. Seriously, watching him this close, I was over the moon. His bodyguards first came, ensured things are smooth, and then the PM came. Our Singh is very simple, really. He looked humble and very dynamic. The man I saw with Obama in the newspaper, was right standing before me. He had a child’s face, with small, straightforward talk and neat smile. He did look very fragile, but mind you he is the most powerful person in India!! You can read his statements here.
What next? The dinner, yes, who wants to miss that? Not me, I am big foodie! My tummy and cheeks, sure say that! What really saddened me was, many of these so-called holy Christians (bishops, church heads) were busy serving their dinner while the Christmas sermon was going on. The poor pastor who was preaching could not enjoy the sight of his rich, bright audience whom I call hoggish, piggish munchies, jumping on their meals! Typical eh? Neither do they have patience in their character, nor in the time of food, lol! You know what the poor pastor said looking at his compeers (including pastors) munching on food? “Really, Now I have no doubt that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
The dinner was superb. There was a fusion of south, north, east and west. Veg, non-veg, desserts, coffee, etc, etc and etc, etc and etc.” Those etc’s what I am talking about is the names of the food which I saw. I mean, I really dont know those names, lol, first time seeing 
Finally, friends, I was seriously ruminating on why I got this privileged opportunity. I was asking God what he found in me to make me one of those big shots. Neither do I have money, education, some status, not even a decent two wheeler. Why me? It is the same question I asked someday back riding my bike in a windy morning. I now realise how when you honor God, God really honors you. He doesn’t need your money, post and status, all he needs is your humble and loving heart. You will see much more than this! Well, I will still honor God, if he doesn’t honor me, but the plain fact is, sometimes he does in a stupendous way you wouldnt even have dreamt! Such occasions do bless my heart and inspire me to aim on perpetual things than materialistic and worldly glitters.
Okie friends, I hope you also learn to trust and listen to God in your life. Enjoy every moment, and stop complaining! Put God where he is supposed to be in your life and you would see great things from him. He has given me my best Christmas gift ever..I could not have end the year in a better way!!! Looking forward more exciting things in life..
God Bless!!
Adios ~ SAM
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14 Responses to “Meeting the Prime Minister: My Christmas gift!”
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Mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnn this is so awesome. Proud of you. You are now a celebrity, not all gets a chance to meet the PM especially during this Copenhagen and other busy schedules of him. Lucky you!!!
congragulations sam. you now fall under the VIP club.
Congrats! Inspiring to read the spiritual content of your article!
Congratulations on meeting the Prime Minister Mr Manmohan Singh!
Personally I could not agree with you more on the business of wearing ties. The man who invented that piece of clothing has caused immense suffering to mankind and has a lot to answer for.
At my college we had to wear one and I always tried to go there without wearing one in order to exercise my freedom – only to be told by the teacher to put one on.
Maybe I should have done a Satyagraha or at least made a home-spun tie in order to follow Gandhi’s example and I might have been more succesful in my protest.
Anyway I’m glad you were not cowed into wearing one. As we can see from the picture not even Manmohan Singh wears one, yet another reason why India is such a great country – you can not wear a tie and still be considered smart.
Wow my idol has written a tremendous article. Inspires me to say the least. My closest friend now a celebrity. I can boast about him to everyone now.
Frankly even I hate ties. I totally agree with what Will said. We should sue that man who invented it.
superb my brother, we are all proud of you.
I am feeling very moved by reading this statement of yours
when you honor God, God really honors you. He doesn’t need your money, post and status, all he needs is your humble and loving heart.
Although meeting Prime Minister may be not a big thing, the fact that you got an opportunity and you are using that to exalt God’s name is what I want to appreciate! Praise God!
@Vishal – I was a celeb even before I met PM, may be you dint know lol
@ Will – yea, the PM too wasnt wearing any blazer haha he looked too simple but yet stunning. He made me feel like a friend contrary to my image of him as the most powerful man..
@Jinu – Mathew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths – Proverbs 3:5,6
Really proud of you Sam. I am very glad to hear about this.
May God bless you more and use you for his purpose.
I do not know you. But I think I still want to congrat you on meeting our PM!
A team of 15 from our MBA division tried a month to meet the PM and could not but you seem to have so easily got the opp to meet him. So cool da. I agree with the rest here. You really are a VIP for all of us macha.
nice to read this story man, may god continue to bless you.
great news
[...] will be the second best gift from God after my recent opportunity of meeting the prime minister (read here) [...]