France

Now Indian schools have passed the test.

Their Alumni count as the best.

Yet students still do go abroad,

That education’s rather broad.

Not only what we read and swot,

Discussion teaches us a lot.

We learn the culture, way of life

Make some friends or find a wife

And see the world with different eyes

Become not only smart but wise.

You lucky ones had the chance

To go to my beloved .

But I was stuck in

But then on a summer day,

Just like that, by happenstance,

My cousin said, “Do come to ,

We have a villa for the summer.”

American Augusts are a bummer,

So I was quickly on the plane

And then I took a little train.

That train was slow, no T G V,

But soon I was in St. Tropez.

I quickly went strait to the beach

And saw some things no school could teach.

The beauties gave me quite a scare

For most of them were rather bare.

And very soon I came to know

Why this small town was called Seins Trop.

Ofcourse I met a comely wench

Who taught me how to speak in French.

At school you only read and write,

But speaking French was a delight.

I sailed the seas, I scaled the hills

I experienced a million thrills.

I’m sure each of you can regale

Us all with your own special tale,

Since all of you who had the chance

 

To spend some time in glorious France,

Imbibed her music and her art

In her life you played a part

And learnt about the cheese and wine.

How graciously the French can dine.

You got a chance to see the sights

And learn about human rights.

And while you learnt you also taught

In exchange, to France you brought

An understanding of our nation,

A glimpse of our civilization.

Although the Ambassador’s not here,

We do miss him, that’s quite clear,

But each of you can play his role

And each of you can set a goal –

Perpetuate what you have learnt

Give back the knowledge you have earned

If each of you wants to be kind

Then each of you can help to find,

One more person to go to France,

So one more person can enhance,

His savoir faire, just as you did.

And the confidence that you exuded

When, you first returned from France

Will now give someone else a chance

To learn what staying home can’t teach.

My intention’s not to preach,

But we who are all Francophile,

Do need to go the extra mile,

To strengthen the many ties that bind

Both India and France. And you’ll find

That by deepening their relations

Our two great cultured nations

Can work together to improve the world.

Let a partnership be unfurled

By both IFTA and Alliance.

Thank you, Jai Hind ! Vive la France !