It was a special day out at the movies for around 200 under-privileged children as they were treated to the smash hit Chak De! India by popular Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The special screening of the Shah Rukh Khan starrer at Pragati Maidan was organised by the Women and Child Development Ministry on the occasion of World Child Rights Day, and the film was made available by the young leader.
As Rahul entered the theatre, children cheered his name and gave him a warm welcome by clapping. He watched the whole movie with them and later also had a chat with them.
He also distributed gifts and toys to the children as they vied with each other to shake hands with him. In the small speech he made, Rahul motivated the children, asking them to be united and achieve excellence in whatever field they chose. Rahul even promised to bring Shah Rukh Khan along the next time such a screening took place.
"It was big surprise to see Rahul Gandhi watching the movie with us," said Rajeev Kumar from Sanskar Ashram, an orphanage. Another child Suraj said he liked Rahul so much that he also wanted to become a politician.
Asked who he liked more, Rahul or the movie, he said, "both".
"Rahul was very happy to see the movie with the children. In fact, he made the film available for this special show," said Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury.
Rahul also visited some stalls of self-help groups at the ongoing India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan and bought a shawl.