INTRODUCING THE CHIEF GUEST

 INTRODUCING THE CHIEF GUEST

The invitation card on my table reminded me of the cultural programme in the community hall this evening. I, as a committee member, had suggested my friend as the chief guest  and the Committee had approved it. Naturally, I had a seat in the front row. The chief guest had come in time. But the President of the Committee had not yet arrived. He was to introduce the Chief Guest to the audience. What had happened to him? It is time for the curtain to go up. Just then, the secretary’s mobile sounded. Hurriedly, he received the message and exclaimed, ‘Oh God!’ He signaled to the committee members sitting in front rowto come up and meet him. We met him in the side room.

He said, “Our President is stuck up in a traffic jam, near Dadar TT. We can’t expect him to reach here for half-an-hour at least. We cannot keep the Chief Guest waiting for him. And the audience will not keep quiet. What we should do? The Chief Guest has already occupied the seat.”He said, “Our President is stuck up in a traffic jam, near Dadar TT. We can’t expect him to reach here for half-an-hour at least. We cannot keep the Chief Guest waiting for him. And the audience will not keep quiet. What we should do? The Chief Guest has already occupied the seat.”

 I suggested, “Why worry? We have our Vice-President here. Ask him to introduce the Chief Guest.”

But the Vice-President, Shri Venkatachalam, was not willing. He said, “Please spare me. I have never faced an audience. And I have not prepared anything. I am totally ignorant about his qualifications, position or his achievements. Then, how can I talk?”

The Secretary prompted him. He told him, “It is the Vice-President’s duty to carry out the tasks of the Presdent when the latter is not available, as per our bye-law. And, when you start your talk, I will place a note in front of you giving all particulars about him. You just read it. That;s all. In the end, invitehim to talk to the audience.”

He agreed (Well, he had to.) and took his chair on the dais.

The curtain rose. The Secretary came to the podium and welcomed all. He added that the President of the Sabha had got stuck up in a traffic jam about 4 km away, since last half hour. “We can’t keep you, especially our Chief Guest, who has spared a few minutes to grace us, waiting. We are just starting our programme with a prayer. The audience will please stand up for the prayer song.”

The song ended and the audience took their seats. The Secretary invited Shri Venkatachalam, the Vice-President, to introduce the Chief Guest to the audience.

Shri Venkatachelam began, “Ladies and Gentlemen,  I am not used to speak from a dais and so, I request you to pardon me for any mistakes I may commit and to encourage me. Firstly, I thank the Mumbai traffic jam, which has givenme the opportunity to stand before you to give this talk.”  He glanced at the wing of the stage. The Secretary was busy writing something in a hurry. Venkatachalam knew that it was the bio-data of the Chief Guest. Venkatachalam continued, “It is our great fortune that we got this dignitary to accept our invitation and grace this occasion. “ Venkatachalam extended his hand and received the sheet of paper from the Secretary. Then, he continued, “The Secretary has provided me with all the information required to introduce our Chief Guest today. He was born in a BPL family. I mean, a below the poverty line family. He has worked his way up by his hard work, honesty and sincerely. He got Ph D from two universities and is discharging his responsibilities with extreme devotion. He has been very kind to the suffering people. He has donated to several NGOs who help the poor, destitute and disabled. He had also donated to our benevolent fund, which is meant to help those of our members who are in need financial aid for their medical problems. We wish you all happiness and prosperity in your future. Now, I have the pleasure to invite you to address our audience.” With a big relief, he was leaving the podium and the Chief Guest stood up.

Suddenly, a member in the third row stood up and shouted, “What is his name?”

Another from the other side got jup and said loudly, “The Vice-President has omitted his name in his speech. What is the reason?”

Someone from behind called out, “It is an insult to the Chief Guest, if his name was not mentioned in the introductory speech. You must apologise.”

I saw suddenly that the Chief guest, who was ready to come to the podium, had sat down.

Venkatachalam ran here and there looking for the Secretary. He did not mention the name in the sheet of paper. The Secretary was trying to make the audience keep calm.

Immediately, I stood up and ran to the podium. I addressed the audience, “Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Association, as a Committee member, I extend an apology for not mentioning the name of our Ghief Guest today.”

The audience shouted back. In short, they said, “We don’t need an apology from you. Let the Vice-President himself speak.”

I called Venkatachalam to the podium and showed the name printed in the invitation card. He thanked me and talked into the mike, “Dear friends, I am very sorry, I missed the great personality’s name. It is a big omission and I apologize for it. I had already requested you that I could make errors in my speech and you should kindly excuse me and encourage me. Well, our Chief Guest today is Shii R. Venkatachalam. Surprisingly, he has the same name as mine. Still, I had forgotten to mention it in my speech. Is it not something to laugh? So, let us forget the lapse and welcome our Chief Guest to the podium to speak to us.”