A taste of tomorrow

Just as everybody starts to settle down, the voice of a security officer gives the list of instructions that are to be followed. Then the dress rehearsal begins. Charanjit Singh, a ceremonial assistant at Rashtrapati Bhawan, ‘acts’ as the President. ‘‘The last nine years, I might have acted as the President around 100 times,’’ he says.

Just as the ‘President’ arrives, everyone stands and the drums roll and the national anthem is played. The secretary of Sports, seated on the left of the ‘President’ asks for permission to start proceedings and finally at 4.16 pm the rehearsal that many sportspersons only dream begins.

As the names are called out, sportspersons get up one by one, walk around ten paces to a small carpet, and turn right to face the ‘President.’

They wait while the citation is read out. Then they take six paces towards the President, get on the dais and receive the award. The awardees in the second and third rows shift places which makes an interesting view.

As the names are called out, people sitting almost play musical chairs to allow free movement. Once the rehearsal is over at 4.47 pm, the winners return give their silverware back. The awardees are then taken into a room called the ‘Lojiya’ for a photograph with the ‘President.’

For many awardees, it is going to be a long night. ‘‘To be here today for the rehearsal is great. Imagine meeting the President and taking the award from him,” said Devendra, Arjuna awardee for paralympics.