It was Monday 4th July around 3.30 pm and I got a call from my friend informing me that Shree Parshottam Rupala Ji got nominated for Minister of State in Govt. of India. That was the moment I stopped all my work and called my mentor and guide Shree Rupala Ji and congratulated him andwished from bottom of heart for his achievements. 5th July was the BIG day in his life and culmination of the contribution he has made in public life as he was going to take oath as a central minister in Prime Minister Modi’s cabinet at Rashtrapati Bhavan. I was so happy and excited and wanted to be apart of the event and hence requested Rupalaji to arrange an invitation for me from Rashtrapati Bhavan. He asked me to come Delhi next morning as a part of his team and with no possibility to enter the Rastrapati Bhavan.
With all excitement I landed at Delhi Airport on 5th July and headed to Gujarat Bhavan, the place where Rupalaji was staying. It was around 08.30 in the morning, I saw Rupalaji walking down stairs and with a big smile he said Ankeet “KYA BAAT” you have come to be a part of my joyous moment? He looked into my eyes and with a firm grip hold my hand and told me Ankeet “Tum Mere Saath Rashtrapati Bhavan Chalo”. I got a feeling as if he read my mind. It was like a dream come true for me. I was all set, ready and properly dressed to visit RPB.
We started at 10 from Gujarat Bhavan and reached RPB around 10.30, with warm welcome, a RPB staff dressed in a uniform opened the car door and with a big smile he welcomed us.
The staircase of Rashtrapati Bhavan was decorated with a red carpet and Z security was deputed for the VVIPs. We walked the red carpet and entered the Jaipur hall of RPB, the place where oath-taking ceremony was about to happen. The hall had a big chandelier above the eyes and I was asked to sit at reserved place. Slowly and gradually I noticed the hall getting filled with Ministers and their families across the country. Among few who passed by me were Shri Arun Jaitley (Finance Minster), Shri Piyush Goyal (Energy), Shri Rajnath Singh (Home), Shri Nitin Gadkari (Road, Transport), Shri Manohar Parikkar (Defence), Smt Smriti Irani (HRD) and last but not the least and above all I had pleasure to greet the Prime Minster Mr. Narendrabhai Modi. I was completely mesmerized and on top of the world to be in the hall with top people of our country. Finally bugle sounded and President Shri Pranab Mukherjee entered the hall and declared the ceremony open. Everyone in the hall was requested to stand up for national anthem. “THIS MOMENT WAS SPEECHLESS”. Heart beating like a full throttle, Blood running so fast all over the body with Goose bumps and I was feeling “PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN” in the midst of people who run the country and “My guru Shri Parshottam Rupalaji”.Then after big ceremony started off and Rupalaji was invited to take oath by president of India. The entire time in the RPB was like a moment that should be never ending and I feel lucky and blessed to be a part of this ceremony at India’s most prestigious venue.
I respect Rupalaji from bottom of my heart with folded hands for being a great man, wonderful personality and most helping person I have ever come across in my life. Also I would like to thank him for being so humble and considering me as a part of his family. In a very short notice, Rupalaji arranged my invitation for Rashtrapati Bhavan and for the entire day allowed me to be with him and be a part of the celebration. He has always considered me his close associate, trustworthy and a member of his family. I remain indebted to him for life.