Join Us at the 2018 Arjuna Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan
‘I’m not even going to be nervous when they call me up,’ said Shubhankar Sharma on the evening of his Arjuna award ceremony. ‘I’ll just walk up and be like, ‘What’s up, Mr. President? Everybody’s digestion doing okay?’
That’s the up-and-coming golfer you know. When our family found out a week ago from the amazing Mr. Swami, that Bhai had been selected for a national sporting honour, he accepted with happiness and bemused gratitude. I ransacked Google and decided to lecture him one afternoon. ‘It began in 1961 and it’s among the top national citizen recognitions of India. Sachin Tendulkar and Saina Nehwal, Virat Kohli have all got it— did you know? Modiji might be there!’
Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli and President Kovind were there. But to my dismay, PM Modi wasn’t. I was totally planning to charm him with anecdotes about kids calling me the ‘Swach Bharat Abhyaan Reporter’ at school.
Two hours from the ceremony, Bhai looked like a real schoolboy, with a buzz cut, maroon tie-blazer and white shirt. I couldn’t stop smiling, because it’d been years since he worn something resembling a school uniform. No age is beyond good old sibling rivalry though.
So he walked up to me as our parents and I stood waiting in the lobby. ‘Throw this away for me, please?’ And now I had a ball of bubble gum stuck in my palm. Great.
When our car first rolled through towering Rashtrapati Bhavan gates, we were taken by awe. Papa was sitting in the front seat, clad in complete military olive green attire, with his six stars and a ceremonial medallion.
Six years had passed since he gave up his colonel uniform. He wanted to raise and shelter his 16 year old son, who was beginning professional life. After a moment of observing everything, Papa quietly said, ‘Baccha, thank you for giving me the chance to wear this again.’
Walking About Rashtrapati Bhavan
‘The National Sports and Courage Awards 2018’ were held on 25th September in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Seven categories of awards were given, leading from Khel Ratna (Jewel of Sport), Dronacharya (esteemed coach) to Arjuna (great ancient archer) and many more.
Walking up to Bhavan meant ascending a Cindrella-level of stairs, as we faced a domed palace rising to the heavens. There were rectangular bricks in scarlet-skin shades clearly lined the walls. Lord Shiva’s companion, the wise cow Nandi, watched over us with sculpted eyes at the entrance; he was as big as an elephant. Mahatma Buddh stood in soulful, statued silence behind the ruby chair of the President. ‘Satyamev Jayate’ inscribed into the main entrance gates. Truth triumphs.
Our Indian culture was visible everywhere in the nation’s most home.
There were large curving windows with enough space to step up and sit in. There was mesh jali to protect you from sinking below. There were enormous white marble corridors which arched into roofs inside, and large embroidered lamp orbs hung from those meeting points. There were smooth courtyards, gardens and water lagoons appeared throughout. In its architecture and decor, one came to know one of the oldest human civilisations on Earth.
Everything was huge and I felt the rare feeling of a being in a human home that made you feel as spaced out as if you were outside. I strolled past the sword-carrying palace guards. There was a sweet, perhaps jasmine scent in air that was indescribably Indian too. It was an hour before the President would arrive.
The Effects of Fame
But before that, there was a surprise entrance in the room that sent white cameras flashing everywhere. Cricketor Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma had suddenly appeared. They looked suited and sharp, genteel and beautiful; they almost looked like fine brushed super humans. Like blobs of perfection among everyday all-shaped humanity. Later in the car, Mama would speak to my aunt about the respected actress like she was just another girl from our hometown Jammu. ‘Yes, Anushka was there too. She was looking so sweet. Her earrings were so big, and she looked so proud.’ I cannot roast this either, because there was this daydream in my head of stepping up and congratulating them on getting married.
Ceremony Time
My reverie broke as a sudden trumpet call blared through the gathering. The President had arrived. We all rose from our seats as President Kovind walked to his chair in a white suit, smiling and nodding. So solemn were things, I had a tiny terrifying itch to scream aloud just to see what might happen. There were many worthy awardees in the span of an hour yesterday, but I’ve thought of three particular favorite stories to share with you. I will come to Bhai too.
Lt. Cdr. Shougrakpam Vijaya Devi + All Women Navy Sailing Team
The first all Indian women team to circumnavigate the entire world was awarded the ‘Tenzing Norway National Adventure Award.’ All women were in white Navy uniforms. I’d had the privilege to meet the good humored Lt. Devi herself, at breakfast. The soldiers dazzled the audience with their erectness and faultless march. ‘Well done. Finally no more bowing and scraping sportspersons,’ muttered Papa beside me. ‘Soldiers have a backbone. We salute.’
Dr. Anshu Jamsenpa
She was the fastest woman mountaineer worldwide to mount Mt. Everest twice in five days, and she’d triumphed the peak five times. The announcer had to keep waiting as people cheered between her lines, struck by this story of open bravery.
Shri Ankur Dhama
He was a blind Paraolympian runner and gold medalist for the Arjuna Award. As he stepped up with a guiding palace soldier, the polite applause of the room turned into deafening cheering. But I could only sit still and feel amazed. The athlete gently walked ahead but the President stepped off his seat, and awarded him before he was halfway on the carpet.
Finally: Bhai
I felt my family’s attention heighten and we grew still, as Bhai’s name was announced. The rest of the world dimmed, in face of the feeling within us that was growing powerful enough to overwhelm. I was hit with pure and fluttery, rippling happy feeling. Mama and Papa’s eyes shone slightly. Bhai saluted the Indian President with a respectful namaste, then he walked up on stage and accepted his Arjuna award.
