And the winner is………..
on Jana Gana Mana (India), 21/Mar/2011 05:49, 34 days ago
So, as the evening finished, I turned to Alok, my NGO director, and asked him what he thought of the evening. “Mindblowing” was his answer…. andthatwas from someone who understood what was going on!!The previous day Alok said he had some good news– I was to be given an award. “Why?” I asked. “One of the Board members has seen what you have been doing and wants to give you an award, tomorrow evening and Daniel’s invited too”. So the following evening the three of us set off – 10km into another neighbourhood. We arrived to find astage erected in the road, not uncommon as many events take place in what are deemed to be communal areas! It had a very loud sound system and audience of about 1,500 of which half were seated. We took a spare seat but were then promptly ushered onto the stage, once it was known that there was a “prize-winner” in the audience. And there we sat, with about 15 other people on sofas, on the stage, under spot lights (attracting the mosi’s!). Presentations of trophies were made, speeches given, garlands of flowers hung round necks, tv interviews conducted and lots of photo’s and videos taken. A local MP and councillors were in attendance as well members of the local resident’s association. From what I understood people were being recognised to the contribution they had made to the local community.And then it was my turn……….. a speech of introduction was given – from which I understood “Katie Cox, UK” and “foreign dignitaries”. I went up to be presented with a carved wooden trophy and Daniel was also ushered into the limelight and presented with a smaller version – as a memento (or a trophy for putting up with me!) and we were garlanded with flowers.We remained on the stage and there were a number of dance troupes to break up the proceedings. One troupe did a celebration of Rama (It’s Holi this weekend) and another were a group of Sikh Punjabi dancers. Both required the involvement of the said “foreign dignitaries” to participate! For some reason we stood out (??!!) and we were “encouraged” (not optional) to join in. This increased the already swelled crowd as peopleheard what was happening and residents crammed onto their balconies to watch the spectacle unfold below. As Daniel remarked later, it was slightly reminiscent of a throw-back to the “Generation Game”.Now as much as I don’t like being the centre of so many people’s attention, I was very touched by their thoughtfulness and was pleased by the amount of attention and publicity that my NGO received. As we left the stage we were escorted by a crowd of people who followed us to the car, taking pictures on their phonesand wanting to shake hands. Of course, I am flattered and honoured to have received an award but I am surprised at the level of attention and really do (still!) struggle with the (unsought) attention I get!