“Mujhe laga ki President bahut kuch khati hongi, par vo to hamare jaisa khana hi khati hai,” (I thought the President would eat a lot of things but she eats simple food just like we do), said 15-year-old Saurabh after sharing a lunch with President Pratibha Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday.Saurabh, from Arya orphanage, was part of a group of more than 100 underprivileged children who were invited by the President. During their interaction with her, the children were treated to live music and each of them was given the opportunity to talk about their dreams. “I want to become a TV anchor when I grow up and I will always remember this day of my life,” said Saurabh.It was not only food that the children looked forward to but there were some thought-provoking queries that the children wanted the President to reply to. After answering their questions, President Patil expressed her surprise on the level of maturity that the children had. A small boy, Vikas, asked her about her interpretation of the 21st century. “I want our country to become technologically advanced. Every human being should have food, shelter and education. Wealth is important but brotherhood, love and progressive attitude are more important things for the growth of the country. We want India in such a way that it should become an example for other countries,” she said.The President encouraged the children and said that they were the future of the nation and urged them to study hard. Patil said education is the key to development and educating a girl child helps educate a family. To make the children feel comfortable, she told them to come closer and listened to them patiently.When a small girl, Romi, asked her how society could be more responsible towards women, the President said, “Fifty per cent of the population of the country comprises women. If they remain uneducated, the country cannot move forward. It is important for society to give her due respect and a healthy atmosphere so that she can excel.”“I have a lot of expectations. You all need to work hard. You are the foundation of the country, the way you progress India will move in the same direction,” the President added.
