How does a rocket fly? Why can't we live on moon? Why don't crafts land on sun?
These are a few questions the 810 young minds of Government Higher Secondary School in Eintkhedi village, 11 km from Bhopal, plan to throw at President A P J Abdul Kalam on August 10.
Hectic activity amid a large congregation of bureaucrats giving a new look to otherwise obscure school and the road leading to it, did not prevent the students from taking a time out to be happy in this small village.
A dialogue with the President is not the only bounty they will receive. Four new toilets for girls, new lighting system, fans, upgraded science laboratories and a levelled playground were among the few gifts Kalam's proposed visit would give them.
"Finally, the school is free from mud and sludge and we don't have to shy from using toilets anymore," Shumayla Khan, a ninth standard student told PTI, raising nods from her schoolmates.
Adrenaline ran high among the students who were busy practicing overtime to present songs and dances before Kalam during his 45-minute visit to interact with them.
Some were hunting for questions, while others had decided to keep their minds blank before the President.
A twelfth standard student, Surendra Ahirwar, had prepared a structure of diamond and an experiment relating to prisms for the President to see.
"I don't expect the President to talk to me as he would be too busy. Thus I have not decided about my question", he said and resumed his work trying to keep up with the tight schedule.
The school oversees around 16 secondary schools, 10 primary schools, 10 shiksha guarantee schools and 17 private schools in the area.
The 175-strong staff were busy preparing students for the President's visit.
While the entire campus was abuzz with children and teachers "transforming" into electricians, painters and construction workers to effect repairs, school principal S K Saxena said, "There's nothing special. Similar activity is noticed on every deepawali festival."
The village has been watching the school shining up even as the hustle and bustle has doubled businesses in shops nearby.
"Since last eight days, villagers have suddenly decided to look their best and have started thronging our shops even though we are not sure if we would be asked to down shutters on the D-day," said Shrivas brothers, who operate two barber shops adjacent to the school.
The school authorities, meanwhile, have relaxed norms relating to uniforms for the students as majority of them hail from other backward classes and belong to poor families.
"Most of the students have a pair of uniform and teachers have told us to keep it clean and ironed when the President arrives," said ninth standard student Jyoti Saini.
Teachers are also greared up to meet the President. One Dhulichand Shakya has carved Kalam's image on a piece of chalk as a gift to the President.
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