Pinki’s Red Carpet

She was a reluctant star primed to walk the red carpet. At the British High Commissioner’s residence in Delhi on Tuesday night,Pinki Sonkar was dressed in a bright red flowing gown,complete with laces and frills,with red ribbons in her hair,and a pair of black ballerinas. The 11-year-old from Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur became famous across the world after a cleft surgery six years ago.

She was escorted on stage by the British High Commissioner Sir James Bevan KCMG. As she was introduced to the media and other assembled guests,the shutterbugs went trigger-crazy. The event was a send-off dinner for Pinki the night before her flight to London,where she would officially toss the coin at the 2013 Gentlemen’s Singles Final at Wimbledon on July 7. Her father Vijender Sonkar was also present on the occasion,along with officials of The Smile Train,an organisation which arranges free cleft palate surgeries for underprivileged children in 80 countries across the world. Smile Pinki,a documentary by American filmmaker Megan Mylan that showed how Pinki’s life changed after her surgery,had won an Academy Award in 2009.

The announcements and interviews may have worn her out but Pinki was excited. In London,she would “watch the tennis match,visit the jhoola (London Eye) and the park (Hyde Park)”. And no,she wasn’t scared of the long flight. A frequent flyer,Pinki said,“I have been on a longer flight when I visited America to attend the Oscars. Also,I keep flying to Delhi from UP.” Pinki plans to do some shopping as well. “I have to buy chocolates for my brothers and sisters but nothing for myself,” she said. The Class II student wants to be a teacher when she grows up,and teach English,Hindi and Maths. And why not,she claims to be the “brightest” among her siblings.

She may not speak English now but that doesn’t worry her. “Ma’am sab sambhaal lengi (Ma’am will handle it),” she said,pointing to Mamta Carole,Director,The Smile Train,who is accompanying her on the trip.