Sunday, October 28, 2001		VIP Toon Tales

THE President of Tajikistan, Emomli, Sharifovich Rukhmanov, was in Delhi on a state visit. At one time, his country was a part of the erstwhile Soviet Union.

President Rukhmanov had a busy schedule during his short stay in Delhi. He signed a number of agreements with the Indian Government before he left for his country. He began his engagement with a visit to Rajghat, where he paid homage to the Father of the Nation.

As he was about to step out after signing the visitor’s book, he was presented with his sketch for his autograph. He did not appear too pleased and hesitated to sign it. I felt that I might not have done a satisfactory job. For a moment, I looked at his profile while he was still holding the sketch. I was somewhat convinced that the sketch resembled him quite closely. As I was battling with my thoughts, he took my pen and signed it. I sighed with relief as my efforts had borne fruit.