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Sokina Sorokhaibam (20) just finished spending one week at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. “I simply fell in love with the Mughal Gardens. They are out of the world,” she says.
Sokina is part of the student delegation that stayed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan from April 11 to April 17 as part of an overall effort by President Pranab Mukherjee to open up the Bhavan to the public.
Seventeen National Institute of technology (NIT) scholars, including three PhD students, selected from NITs across the country, were part of first ever ‘In Residence’ programme for students at the President’s house. The students had sessions with various officials, including one with the Ministry of External Affairs.
“Despite a hectic schedule, every day, after dinner, we used to roam around the Bhavan till late night,” says the third year undergraduate student from NIT Manipur, who wants to become a teacher and educate girls in the North-East.
Royal treatment Before this, the ‘In Residence’ was held for artists, writers and grassroots entrepreneurs.
Arkita Chakrabarti (22), who is pursuing B.Tech in chemical engineering from NIT Agartala, says, “We were treated like VIPs. From being picked up by a chauffeur from the airport to enjoying innovative desserts, the experience was great.”
The President has an amazing sense of humour, Arkita says, adding, “When he met us, he had no formal speech prepared. He told us that he was afraid that we would be bored in his company.”
The students also met the Union Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Irani. “She was cool,” Arkita says. “She spoke to us in a very candid manner and heard all our problems.”
Movers and shakers “This initiative was aimed at giving the students exposure to the overall functioning of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, especially the changes such as e-governance, infrastructure, among others.
Another batch of 17 NIT students would come visit in May,” said Suresh Yadav, OSD, Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Going forward, the plan is to get students from other institutions and also teachers from central varsities for the ‘In Residence’ programme, he added.
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