Prime Minister: Who wants to talk heart to heart?

Young beneficiary: I am a hockey champion. I have won 5 medals in hockey. During a check-up at my school, they found out that I had a hole in my heart. I came here for treatment, underwent surgery, and now I can play hockey again.

Prime Minister: When did your operation take place?

Young beneficiary: Six months ago.

Prime Minister: And you used to play before?

Young beneficiary: Yes.

Prime Minister: Do you still play now?

Young beneficiary: Yes.

Prime Minister: What do you want to become in the future?

Young beneficiary: I want to become a doctor.

Prime Minister: What will you do after becoming a doctor?

Young beneficiary: I will treat all children.

Prime Minister: Only children?

Young beneficiary: Everyone.

Prime Minister: When you become a doctor, I’ll be old by then — will you treat me too?

Young beneficiary: Yes, I will.

Prime Minister: Promise?

Young beneficiary: Yes, promise.

Prime Minister: Good.

Young beneficiary: I never thought I would ever get to meet him. Today I met him for the first time and I feel very happy.

Young beneficiary: My operation was done a year ago. When I grow up, I want to become a doctor and treat everyone.

Prime Minister: Did you cry during the operation?

Young beneficiary: No, I didn’t cry.

Prime Minister: But the doctor said you cried a lot.

Young beneficiary: When did the doctor say that? He didn’t say so.

Prime Minister: No?

Young beneficiary: I want to recite a speech for you.

Prime Minister: Yes, go ahead.

Young beneficiary:

मंजिल से आगे बढ़कर मंजिल तलाश कर, मिल जाए तुझको दरिया तो समुंदर तलाश कर, हर शीशा टूट जाता है पत्थर की चोट से, पत्थर भी टूट जाए वो शीशा तलाश कर। सजदों से तेरे क्या हुआ सदियाँ गुजर गई, सजदों से तेरे क्या हुआ सदियाँ गुजर गई, सजदा वो कर जो तेरी जिंदगी बदल दे, सजदा वो कर जो तेरी जिंदगी बदल दे

("Go beyond your destination and seek a new one,
If you find a river, look for the ocean.
Every glass shatters with the blow of a stone,
Seek the glass that can shatter the stone.
What came of your prayers, centuries have passed in vain,
Pray in a way that transforms your life.")

Prime Minister: Wonderful! Very good!

Young beneficiary: My operation took place in 2014 when I was 14 months old. Now I’m perfectly healthy and I love playing cricket.

Prime Minister: Do you go for regular check-ups? It’s been 11 years since your operation, right?

Young beneficiary: Yes, sir.

Prime Minister: And is everything fine now?

Young beneficiary: No issues, sir.

Prime Minister: Do you play?

Young beneficiary: Yes, sir.

Prime Minister: Cricket?

Young beneficiary: Yes, sir.

Young beneficiary: I want to meet you, can I come for 2 minutes?

Prime Minister: Come closer, sure.

Prime Minister: How did you feel when you were admitted to the hospital? You must have had to take medicines, get injections — how was it?

Young beneficiary: Sir, I wasn’t afraid of injections at all, so my operation went very smoothly, and I didn’t feel scared.

Prime Minister: That’s great. What do your teachers say about you?

Young beneficiary: My teachers say I’m good at studies, but I stammer a little.

Prime Minister: I see. But it’s good that you’re telling the truth — being honest always helps.

Young beneficiary: I study in class 7. I had my operation…

Prime Minister: You are in class 7, dear?

Young beneficiary: Yes, sir.

Prime Minister: Do you eat properly?

Young beneficiary: Yes, sir, I do.

Prime Minister: Or do you just ‘eat your teacher’s head’? (smiles) Alright, tell me.

Young beneficiary: My operation was in 2023, and I want to become a teacher when I grow up. I want to teach poor children for free so that they can progress in life, because education helps our nation grow.

Prime Minister: Do you all know whose centenary year is being celebrated this month? Sathya Sai Baba’s 100th year. Many years ago, the area around Puttaparthi had a severe water shortage — not just for farming, but even for drinking. He worked so hard to bring drinking water to about 400 villages. Even governments sometimes hesitate before taking up such big tasks. His message for us is that we must save water and plant trees. You know, I run a campaign called “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.” Everyone loves their mother, right? So we should plant a tree in her name — that way we repay our mother and also Mother Earth.

Young beneficiary: My name is Abhik, I’m from West Bengal. When I grow up, I want to join the Army and serve the nation.

Prime Minister: You’ll serve the nation?

Young beneficiary: Yes.

Prime Minister: Sure?

Young beneficiary: Yes, sure.

Prime Minister: Why do you want to?

Young beneficiary: Because soldiers protect us, and I want to protect the nation too!

Prime Minister: Wonderful, wonderful.

Young beneficiary: I want to shake hands with you.

Young beneficiary: It was my dream to meet you.

Prime Minister: Really? When did you dream of that — today or earlier?

Young beneficiary: A long time ago.

Prime Minister: You knew about me?

Young beneficiary: Yes, I saw you on the news.

Prime Minister: Oh, you watch the news? Very good. I really enjoyed talking to all of you. Remember, whatever good work you want to do, your body is the means to achieve it. So keep your body healthy — do some yoga, maintain a routine, sleep on time. Take good care of yourselves, alright? Promise?

Young beneficiaries: Yes, sir!

Prime Minister: My best wishes to all of you.

 

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MJPS/VJ/IG

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