It was after a very long time that I visited Rashtrapathi Bhawan again. The first time I visited was in the 1960s, when there was not that much security and restrictions. Of course, I had only an overall glance of it at that time.

Today along with Com. Balasubramanian and our families, we visited Rashtrapathi Bhawan. We had taken permission and passes earlier. By about  1000 hours we reached the Reception. There were about some two dozen visitors and we were all taken by a guide to the various rooms inside the Bhawan. In one room, there are the big paintings and statues of the British kings and queens and also the Viceroys and Governer-Generals who ruled the country till 1947,  including that of the last one, Earl Mountbatten.  In another room there are the statues or rather the sculptures of the Presidents of India, from the first President Rajendra Prasad to the last President Abdul Kalam. In another room there are some of the gifts received by the Presidents from the various countries.  The Meeting room, tea room etc. were also shown. In another room, the utensils used by the Viceroys were exhibited. The major portion of the Rashtrapathi Bhawan, which area is used by the President, is out-of-bounds for public.

We were also shown a portion of the Rashtrapathi Bhawan Gardens. That was the last and we returned by 1045 – a matter of about 45 minutes. From  outside the building we could take some photos, since it is completely prohibited inside.

The building is  grand and beautiful or rather royal. It was constructed for the Viceroy who was governing the country on behalf of the British King. The construction of the building started from 1912 after the capital of the country was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi and was completed by 1929. Along with the North and South Blocks which accommodates the important ministries like Defence, Home, Finance etc. as also the Connaugt Place buildings – all were planned and constructed by architect Lueton. His statue is  exhibited inside the building.

The present generation might not be thinking of the past when we were ruled by a foreign country. But people like me who were born at a time when the country was not free and had known what it was from one’s own experience, can not forget those days. The visit to rashtrapathi bhawan reminded one of those dark days, when the people were treated with contempt, all the wealth and treasures were looted away by the foreign rulers, and the police and judiciary with all brutalities were used against those fighting for the freedom of the country.   I remembered the thousands of Indian treasures taken away by them which are still exhibited in the British Museum.

The past is past, of course. But what about the present exploitation of the country by the MNCs and the International Finance Capital? What about the rulers who continue with the neo-liberal policies, which are harmful to the common people? It is not the past but the LIVING PRESENT.