The gap between North Block and Hauz Khas was bridged today when Home Secretary Dhirendra Singh descended on Amrita Pritam’s residence to honour her with the nation’s second-highest civilian award a week after all the other recipients received theirs at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Singh arrived a little after 5 pm to hand over the Padma Vibhushan personally to writer-poet Amrita Pritam. In the quietest and briefest of ceremonies, Singh sat by Amrita’s bedside to hand over her award. Her companion of over four decades, Imroz, who has kept a round-the-clock vigil over her for the last two years, said he was happy the award had not arrived by registered post. At 85 years, she lies very ill on her bed as a result of a fall sustained two years ago. The gold medal and the citation from the President of India, means little. In fact, a few minutes after the medals were handed over to her, she turned her back on the whole world, seeking the company of Imroz. Till two days ago, Imroz was disappointed that no one had bothered to personally honour his muse after her name was announced. Today he is happy, as Amrita flits between consciousness and stupor, too tired to acknowledge anything in life anymore. ‘‘She is my painting now,’’ he says having traded his canvas for looking after his companion. Early in the day, Minister of State for Home, S. Reghupathy, sent his congratulatory message to Amrita Pritam. Home Ministry sources had said earlier it was a time-honoured practice to send the award by registered post for those recipients who cannot come personally. Mercifully, officials decided to do away with an age-old practice. Just this one time. But Amrita does not know.
