I was thrilled when I heard that I had been given an opportunity to go to Delhi because of my exceptional performance in the examination in Moral Education. This all happened four years before when I was in school (school days). The reason why I was so thrilled was that I had never visited Delhi and enjoyed its beauty.
I started my journey with two teachers, Mr. R.K. Singh and Mr. M.K. Gupta. After twenty-four hours' journey by train we reached the venue, at 4:00 pm. We were allotted a room in a hotel. The hotel was well furnished and so our room.
Next day, we planned to visit the Nehru Planetarium and the India Gate. As per our plan, we reached the Nehru Planetarium at 3:00 pm. When I began to enter the Planetarium, I could see a stone on the wall, which had been set up by Indira Gandhi on 24th May 1982. Inside the Planetarium, there were number of exciting things such as the device used for viewing the solar and lunar eclipses, the device for measuring weight on Jupiter and the moon and much recent news with beautiful pictures. We were waiting for the show to start. The upper side of the "Show Room" was round shaped with a three-dimensional structure. When the show started, I felt that I was looking at all the stars and planets in the sky.
We reached the India Gate at 5:00 pm. Is is huge and is made in such a way that it looks like a gate from all the directions. We were forbidden to go near, as a rehearsal was going on by the Army Band Concept. Later, by an order of the Army Chief, we were allowed to go there. In the center, there is a fire named Amar Jawan Jyoti. It always burn in the memory of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their motherland. The India Gate is far bigger than I had imagined. All around it, people can set and enjoy its beauty.
Next day, we went to the CBSE Library. There were many important books in the library. I also saw the CBSE office. It is huge. We started our journey for the Rajghat, the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. On the way I saw the Scope Minor. It is very shiny and round. I also saw the headquarters of the Indian National Congress. After some time, we reached our destination. Before entering the Rajghat, we we had to take off our shoes. There were several people, including foreigners, to pay tributes to Gandhi. I also did so with great respect. There is a fire which always burns. I went to the samadhis of many other great persons like Charan Singh (the Kisan Ghat), Indira Gandhi(the Shakti Sthal), Rajiv Gandhi (the Veer Bhoomi), and Jawaharlal Nehru (the Shantivan). Jawaharlal Nehru was a peace-loving man. At the Shantivan, I felt as if he were giving his message of peace, truth and non-violence.
On 13th October, one of my dreams came true. We started for the Qutub Minar, the highest minaret in the world. It is in South Delhi. So, it took a rather long time to go there. To enter the gate, Rs.10 was taken from an Indian and Rs.25 from a foreigner. It was, however, free for children up to age of 15. Inside the gate, there is a map including many famous mosques, tombs and minarets. I saw all those famous monuments about which earlier I had only read in books, newspapers and magazines. First, I saw the world famous Qutub Minar. There I saw many other historical monuments. They, too, were decorated with beautiful paintings and are very attractive.
I also travelled by Metro train in Delhi. All the things were computerized at the station as well as on the train. It was very nice to travel. I also visited the Red Fort and the Jama Mashjid, both built with red stones. The Red Fort situated on the bank of the Yamuna, is very wide. However, I could see it from much distance, as it was closed because of a rally called by the Congress.
I visited so many historical places and enjoyed their beauties. I can never forget those days of my happiness. I will always remember Keats famous line:
'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever'