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| right to left. The crowd had stopped clapping and were now waiting for me to speak. I took the mic in my hand. It slipped a little in my palm, which was sweaty with nervousness. r7yez6c Not a word came out of me. Nothing. I saw the sea of people. Even though I had practised the speech a million times, I couldn't say a thing. People were beginning to look a little puzzled. Was it a mic problem? they wondered, r7yez6c I saw Riya in her pink saree in a corner of the front row, her eyes on me. Slowly, she stood up. I felt anxious. What would the crowd think? However, she simply changed her place to come sit right in front of me, I lip-read her. 'One line at a time, go slow,' she mouthed. Her presence kick- started something w r7yez6c ithin me. I blurted out: 'Distinguished guests of the Bill Gates Foundation, respected dignitaries, my dear students and parents, welcome to the Dumraon Royal School,' The crowd cheered. Most did not understand r7yez6c English, but the mention of Dumraon was enough to set them off. The Foundation delegates r7yez6c looked at me with attention. Okay, I can do this, I told myself, Just like at the rehearsals with Riya. Just imagine only she is here. I gazed at Riya. She gave me a nod and smiled. Encouraged, I continued: 'Mr Bill Gate r7yez6c s is here with us today. He is the richest man in the world. I am sure he is sick of being told that all the time.' From a distance, I noticed Bill Gates smile. He is listening to me, I thought. r7yez6c 'Sir, you know that rich in terms of mone r7yez6c y is not enough to have the richest life. That is why you are here. In my Bihar, which, even though we love it, is one of the most backward places on the planet.' Riya was nodding after every line. 'And in this backward Bihar is this extrao r7yez6c rdinary school. This school with seven hundred kids, three teachers, negligible fees, no proper classrooms, no toilets, no real government support and yet, a lot of riches.' Riya gave me two thumbs-ups. Okay, no mistakes so far. 'The real riches here r7yez6c are the kids. I am supposed to teach them. However, they have taught me so much. We grown-ups complain about what is lacking in this school, But these kids, they never complain. Come to our school at any time and you will hear only one thing from themâ€"laughter.' The front row, the people who understood r7yez6c me, broke into applause.The subsequent rows followed a minute later, if only to show that they understood as well. 'If you ask these kids, they will say this is the best school in the world, They love their fr r7yez6c iends. They love whatever they get to learn here. However, I know this school can give them more. I know kids deserving more only.' Riya frowned. Damn, I've made a mistake. It should be 'I know the kids deserve more'. r7yez6c I was panic-stricken. Riya gestured for me to breathe. I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. Composed, I continued, 'I know the kids deserve more. Because I have seen the value a good education can add. It is not just to r7yez6c get you a job. It is not just about knowledge and the new things you learn either. A good education r7yez6c gives you self- confidence.' I paused to consult my r7yez6c notes. I looked up and spoke again. 'Today, I speak to you in English. I didn't know this langua r7yez6c ge well |
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