Protocol call on:Evening Tea at Maharaja's Bharatpur Palace
It was last week of October 1968 and I had just assumed the charge of SDM, Hqs. Bharatpur .Then DM Late Shri Vinay Vyas asked me to call on Dist.Judge ,District SP and the then Maharaja Bharatpur ,Shri Brijendra Singh as required by Protocol.Privy Purse of Princely States had not, by then elapsed and Maharaja enjoyed some privileges still.
Upon appointment fixed at 5.30PM, I arrived at the Gol Bag Palace dot on time and was ushered in Durbar Hall by ADC cum PS .At one end large sofa I was requested to sit. With folded hands and a little bow I sat .At the central sofa Maharaja was sitting looking a little lost while nodding to acknowledge my greetings.
As he knew in advance who I was, I probably uttered just my name and kept quiet .Erstwhile Maharaja, Shri Brijendra Singh was known for his short temper.I came to know a few stories relating the same later on.
Discretion is better than valour proverb prompted me to sit quietly while tea was served in silver cutlery .
I quickly surveyed the Durbar Hall with wall hangings of dead stuffed tigers and spotted deers.
Suddenly, I realized Maharaja had a long cane stick with him lying on the sofa.His son, Vishvedra, 7-8 year old chubby boy sitting on floor carpet was busy or seemed to be engrossed in writing his lessons or doing sums.The cane and glum if not gloomy looking Maharaja sat statuesque on the sofa without uttering a word.
I sipped my tea quickly and sought leave by looking at Maharaja who nodded again.
The entire proceeding was completed without any unlikely turn of event though I had realized that Maharaja was inclined to to use his cane in chastisement to teach his own son at home..
His son now a majestic person Shri Vishvedra Singh, Minister of Tourism in Congress Government until November 2023 is a strong leader and person to reckon with.
Down memory lane ,I can't recall his boyish face though the event is etched in a nich as an unforgettable one.
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