Gandhinagar/New Delhi
It is a story worth telling. There was a time when poverty had forced the members of this musical band to struggle to make ends meet. The children were fighting for their basic needs and a chance to get educated. And they were often found near the Ambaji Temple where they used to beg in front of the visitors.
It was a local NGO, named Shree Shakti Seva Kendra, which came as a Godsend for them. Life took a turn for good thereafter for this group of tribal children of Ambaji town of Banaskantha district.
The NGO, with a background of working with such children, took them under its wings. It not only took upon itself the onus of educating them but also identifying the skills in which they are good. It was this approach that brought the exceptional musical skills of these tribal children to the fore. The tribal children with the musical band were also skilled by the NGO.
When the tribal band performs before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it will not be the first time for them. They had performed before him just last month on September 30 when he visited Ambaji and dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth over ₹7200 crores. The tribal band had performed welcoming the Prime Minister, when he was arriving for the public function.
The Prime Minister not only appreciated and enjoyed the young band’s performance but he made sure that he personally interacted with them before the public function started. To encourage his young friends, the Prime Minister also asked for a group photo with them.
In fact, the Prime Minister enjoyed and appreciated the young tribal band’s performance so much that he ensured that the band was again invited to Kevadia on October 31, on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, so that they can participate and perform on the historic day.
On that day the Prime Minister will pay homage to Sardar Patel on his 147th birth anniversary. He will also participate at the Ekta Diwas Parade and will interact with Officer Trainees belonging to various Civil Services, undergoing Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.
