The year was 1946. It was the 10th day of the month of January. Normally a later riser, I was up before six, ready to move out and hoping against hope it would be my D-day. So I had my fingers crossed.

A few days earlier, it was announced that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru would be visiting Karachi and addressing a student audience on the 10th of January at 7 a.m. at the college grounds. The news had spread like wild fire and there was excitement all around as Nehru was a top national leader and a hero, because despite being the only son of Pt. Motilal Nehru, the richest lawyer in U.P., and having lived like a Prince, he sacrificed every thing and joined Mahatma Gandhi's Indian National Congress, the only party fighting for the country's freedom. And he was handsome, humble and dedicated.

We had only read and heard a lot about him but never had the opportunity of seeing him. Today was the occasion to see him in person and hear him! A chance of a lifetime! I knew I had to meet him. I had a good hand and could draw well. So I thought of sketching his portrait and if possible get his autograph.

It was well past evening on the 9th of January 1946. I drew his sketch in 10" x 8" in pencil and felt happy. Happy but not satisfied. I have an extra gene, which always persuades me to do everything differently and in an uncommon manner. I thought what's big about that sketch in pencil? I thought to myself, Any artist could do that. And my thoughts wandered and I struck with an idea - to make a sketch in blood - my own blood. It was late, past eleven. I got up, took out the sketch, pricked my finger. Blood began to ooze out. Dipping my brush, I finished the sketch in blood.

Next morning, I left home at 6.20 a.m. along with 4-5 friends, reached the venue by 6.45 hrs. The ground was already packed. We were almost at the back. All were anxiously awaiting Panditji's arrival but I was worried how to reach the dais and get his autograph. College seniors were posted as volunteers to control the crowd.

I thought out my plan of action and went to one volunteer and showed him the sketch. He was wonderstruck. I told him I wanted Nehru's autograph. He said "Don't worry I shall do my best and informed his name was Lulla and he was in Law college.

I took my seat and Lulla went about his duty. No one noticed what transpired. Panditji's arrival deafened the atmosphere with roars of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", "Panditji Zindabad" and "Jai Hind." Once all the welcoming formalities were over, Nehru started speaking. It was pin drop silence interspersed with vigorous clapping. Speech over, there was vote of thanks etc. and the audience rose to disperse. They were all leaving the ground and me alone, was going against the crowd towards the dais getting jostled and pushed.

By the time I could manage to reach the dais, all was over. Nehru had left, only few professors and volunteers were there. All enquiries about Lulla were futile. Dejected and discontent, I sat on the steps of the gym, wondering what to do. The only consolation was that no one knew about my 'sketch-project', else my friends would have humiliated me. Walking back home, I was sullen faced. My mother and sisters were waiting to hear about Panditji and the historic speech. I briefly described the event and left disheartened.

It was nearing 4.30 p.m. and I was still brooding over what had happened when I heard some one calling me from below (my house was on 1st floor). Reaching the balcony, I saw about 3-4 boys whom I did not know, calling out my name. They asked me to come down quick. I hurriedly reached them. They said, "We have been looking out for you since the past 3 hours. Mr. Lulla wants to meet you at once. He is waiting for you at the Law college." I was greatly relieved and almost ran to the college. On reaching there, Lulla had a sigh of relief and embracing me, he said, "When I placed your sketch before Nehru, he kept gazing." On my request for autograph, he said where is the boy, I want to meet him" before I could say that you were not there, Nehru said "Search for him".

Lulla added, "I did not know your address, but after a lot of enquiring, we found out through some lad who told us the road on which you reside, but he did not know the exact building. I ordered my fellow volunteers to shout out your name at each building - and I presume that's how they would have got to you." Yes, I nodded, but I asked 'what about the sketch?' Smiling Lulla replied "Lucky man! Nehru is searching for you and has taken the sketch with himself and wants to meet you. He is staying with Shri Lalji Mehrotra, on 2nd crossing of Clifton road. It's getting five, better rush, Nehru is leaving at 8 p.m."

I was on cloud nine! Panditji wanting me, searching for me. My God! Could this be true?

I thought of taking my good friend Kanayo with me. When I told him we are going to meet Pt. J. Nehru, he looked me over with a sense of bewilderment and asked "Are you college secretary, or congress leader or nephew of Acharya Kriplani? None so why would he see you and firstly how will you get access to him." I told him, I don't have the time to answer, just come along.

Mehrotra's house was a 3 storey building. Reaching the first floor we found a dressed orderly gatekeeper. On asking, he informed Panditji has gone for a meeting. I told him to inform inside, that Hiro Hingorani is here. The peon went in and Kanayo laughed saying "Yes now they will come and receive you as a royal guest" and laughed heartily.

A lady soon came out - she was about 20, though darkish in colour, she had big eyes, oval face and a smile that could charm anyone. In brief she resembled Nandita Das. If my memory doesn't fail me her name was Pratibha. Pointing to me she asked 'Mr. Hingorani'? I nodded. She said 'Please come in we are waiting for you', and lead the two of us inside.

Kanayo's jaws dropped. He was completely flabbergasted. He was totally lost as he could not reconcile to the situation, which he never comprehended or anticipated. Pratibha guided me to a room, which had the finest furniture, reflecting the refined taste and choice of the aristocrat family. While I wondered in great delight, that here I am waiting for Pt. Nehru, a maid offered me sherbat and dry fruits.

Pratibha returned and stood near me. 'So you are Mr. Hingorani, a non-entity, an ordinary student, a non congress member?' I could not utter a word. "Why is Panditji searching for you? On his instructions even volunteers were sent to locate you', she remarked. I had hardly replied "See, I made his sketch……..'. 'Oh! a sketch' she intervened. "And with what………. your own blood!" Fumbling for words I remained mum.

Suddenly she saluted me. I tried to get up, she didn't allow me, saying 'Hingorani the country is proud of you, Congress is proud of you and you make me proud too!' and there was total silence. Holding me by my arm she took me to the drawing room where VIP's and Congress workers were sitting. She announced "Gentlemen, I know you are all congressmen giving your time and energy for freedom but look at him, a young man hardly in his twenties, he has given his blood for India, he has made a sketch of Panditji in his blood'. After an eerie silence, there was murmur followed by the aahs and oohs of praises and roars of applause.

Going back to the room I thanked Pratibha and told her that we know Shri Mehrotra as a great nationalist and a VIP congressman (after partition he was sent as ambassador to Japan). Soon, a commotion broke out as Nehruji arrived. He went to his room and was followed by three Congress workers. After a while, I was the fourth to be called. The time had arrived. A rendezvous that I could have not even dreamt about.

Reaching near Pandit Nehru, I stood with a 'namaste'. Looking at me he said in Hindi 'I do understandyour spirit of patriotism and enthusiasm for the country's freedom. You are young, hence restless and hot blooded. But you shouldn't have done this - Hero Worship.' I turned numb, not knowing what to say and replied in fumbling English, "Sir, Lakhs of students are ready to lay their lives for the country, only because you have enlightened and awakened us. You have yourself sacrificed all the riches and comforts and everything for freedom, so a few drops of my blood is just nothing', I still sometimes wonder, How could I manage to say all that!

Then I thought here is a man the greatest leader, a legend, an epitome of sacrifice and yet so humble, so simple and without any ego, not wanting anything in return, not even well deserved praise! My heart and head bowed down in intense reverence. Panditji got up, took out the sketch from a file and autographed it. Handing over to me he said "the fight for freedom must go on". I nodded and bent to touch his feet but he stopped me by holding my shoulders.

Once out of the building, I just roared and shouted ' I have done it - it's my day' - I have done it'. It was unbelievable, unthinkable, unachievable! A memorable rendezvous. An incident I have not forgotten till now, nor have the others who have heard about it or seen the sketch.