German children of Mahatma Gandhi School in Berlin sprang a pleasant surprise on visiting Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee by singing a song written by him and Gandhiji's favourite bhajan 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram'.
So moved was the prime minister that he immediately reciprocated with a gift -- a two-week all expenses paid trip to India for the best student of the school every year.
The children were part of a reception organised in Vajpayee's honour by the Indian community. T C A Rangachari, Indian ambassador to Germany, was also present.
The evening programme began with the recitation of his song 'jeevan beet chala...' followed by the bhajan.
Taking the floor, Vajpayee said it was nice to be reminded that he had written such a song.
Vajpayee said he had penned another song 'jang nahi hone denge...', which was recalled by former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharief when the two met in Lahore. "But there was a conflict (Kargil) immediately," he said. "Strange are the ways of the world."
Referring to the age-old ties between India and Germany, Vajpayee said perhaps there are more people speaking Sanskrit in Germany than in Delhi.