Growing in stature

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near & dear

 

Growing in stature
pranabda’s special stand

 

I  have seen vast, perhaps unbelievable, changes during the journey that has brought me from the flicker of a lamp in a small Bengal village to the chandeliers of Delhi. I am comfortable at the height where destiny has put me.” This was an eloquent Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India, talking about his arrival in Delhi and his subsequent political success. No, doubt destiny plays a vital role and this has seen him reach the heights as a politician. But his physical height is proving to be of some bother wherever he goes to deliver a lecture. Generally, podiums do not have stretchable stands, they have fixed heights and Pranabda feels uncomfortable as he is short. So, whenever he stands up to deliver a lecture, one cannot see his face comfortably. Now the President of India’s staff has found a solution to this pressing problem. Wherever Pranabda goes to deliver a lecture, a special one-foot high wooden stand is put for him to stand on. The President’s staff carries this wooden stand along with them wherever he goes. One can see from far that Pranabda’s physical height now coincides with his political height.