Sort of.

That is, he came to the Doon Hospital and he participated in a formal event which included unveiling Foundation stones for three new units there.

But he was too busy to climb the stairs to see Gubbara.

So we did our best to bring a little flavor of how different a place it is by the way we approached the occasion.

We were told we would have to present him with a “bouquet.” Nobody mentioned what kind of bouquet it should be.

Group of Gubbara staff waiting for the Chief Minister, all holding bouquets of balloons
We were also told he wouldn’t have time to speak with us (busy man! the CM! many things to inaugurate!). But he couldn’t resist.

CM of Uttarakhand talking with Jo and Sebastian of Gubbara. Jo is holding a bouquet of balloons

When he saw us standing there waiting so patiently, all our balloons in a row, he just had to stop and find out what we were about. We got to explain who we were, why we do what we do, the way the EIC functions and how many more kids need what we have to offer. He listened patiently, asked good questions and then continued on into the formal function.

There it was the usual government function tamasha: a long row of dignitaries seated on the stage, a stack of flower bouquets piled up like dead bodies on the floor behind them, and random people called up to the dias to present these “tributes” to the hapless officials. Our name wasn’t called, so egged on by my friend Shaila Brijnath, I just grabbed two of our balloon bouquets and joined the procession.

To their credit, both the sitting CM and the ex-CM (N D Tiwari) laughed merrily when I presented them with our offering while the MC did a masterful adlib – explaining that we were giving this unusual tribute because we had named our centre Gubbara (Balloon), is liye. The crowd loved it and ours was the only presentation to get a spontaneous round of applause.

But in the end, the Chief Minister did not see the Early Intervention Centre. And that was a pity. Because this CM is running on an anti-corruption platform. And what better example of what a corruption-free India could look like than Gubbara?

Constructed in time, and well under budget. Designed to be beautiful as well as functional. Staffed by a dedicated team of modestly paid professionals. Built to serve every child in need of its services, without preference or need of influence.

True to form, our inauguration was cheerful and fun, regardless of the CM’s presence. We were thrilled that Dr S S Sandhu, the Health Secretary, made the effort to come up and even took a long, serious tour of the place to get a true sense of what it was about.

Sardarji in yellow turban, Jo holding red helium balloons, other guests outside Gubbara's entrance

Those red helium balloons have leaflets attached to them. We asked the Secretary to release them into the air in the hope that when they float down to earth, someone who needs to know what we are doing will find that piece of paper and make their way here to us.

Even if the Chief Minister couldn’t. This old woman did. She was just passing by from one of the wards and was curious about what we were all so happy about.

Elderly woman with a white shawl over her head, red balloons on the side.

She was so impressed, she brought her friends to meet us too.

Three elderly women standing in a row in front of Gubbara sign

and though she was still serious, they found it all as amusing and exciting as we did.

Physios with balloons - laughing

Showing 3 comments
  • zephyr
    Reply

    Politicians and their agendas literally and figuratively — can be confounding. Isn’t it a pity that he couldn’t find a few minutes to visit Gubbara, especially since his government is part of the EIC? Lovely photographs, especially loved the three ladies’ smiles. They are infectious.

  • Sidd
    Reply

    //There it was the usual government function tamasha: a long row of dignitaries seated on the stage, a stack of flower bouquets piled up like dead bodies on the floor behind them, and random people called up to the dias to present these “tributes” to the hapless officials.//

    Anti-corrupt, sensitive, thoughtful, caring, humble, creative, critical thinker and right with GOD – when will we have a CM/PM or anyone out there in the ranks with these?

  • Dr Charu Miglani
    Reply

    I am reading your blog since past 2 days with great interest…just thought of giving you this suggestion_How about compiling all the write ups in your blog into a book,it will be great !You write so well .
    your writings inspire,heal,move and shake any person with sensitive heart-I have fallen in love with you and your work.

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