Six months after my arrival at Tonk to study at Government College and live with our eldest brother Shri VCSrivastava,an historic and momentous event took place. Radio and newspapers announced the upcoming visit to Jaipur by Russian Leaders N.Khrushchev, First Secretary and Prime Minister Bulganin .
State Government of Rajasthan announced free travel by commissioned buses to Jaipur to collect more people in order to welcome Russian Leaders. Raj Kapoor's Awaara film song with punch line’ Sir par Lal topi phir bhi dil hai Hindustani' had caught the imagination of the people of two countries .
The eldest Vishnu Bhaiyaa decided that all three of us i.e Prakash and myself included would go to Jaipur and return next day.As expected, the public meeting was arranged at Albert Hall Museum overlooking large Ram Niwas Garden.
However,with a view to have good and closer look at the Russian Leaders and accompanying our first Prime minister J.L Nehru we parked ourselves on the roof of a large mansion between land mark Statue Circle and Pannch Batti circle of famous Mirza Ismail Road. Before the public meeting, Leaders' carcade passed by that road and both Russian Leaders waved their hands at the cheering crowds lining the streets and looking eagerly from balconies and roof tops.
We were delighted to witness the spectacle and enjoy the joyous occasion.
Later in the afternoon, we saw surging sea of humanity opposite Albert Hall in the sprawling Ram Niwas Garden up to and beyond its outer gates opening on M I Road Enthusiastic citizens perched on trees and their branches.Seeing was believing indeed was exemplified then and there .History was made and Indo-Russian friendship and bond was consolidated for ever and still exists in many forms.
Next day, newspapers carried an amusing story of Khrushchev attending his nature’s call in a hostel room at SMS Medical College on return journey.
We returned to Tonk next morning but had to pay for bus tickets.No regrets