Rahul Gandhi grants child's wish

AMROHA:MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2007
Seven-year-old Rakesh just wanted to see a helicopter. But the boy, a driver's son, even got a chance to sit in one -- courtesy Rahul Gandhi.
After addressing a rally here on Sunday, the 37-year-old leader was interacting with children when he met Rakesh who was accompanying his father, a local resident Rajendra Singh.
Rajendra told Gandhi, an MP from Amethi, he had come to see and hear him while his son had come to see his helicopter.
Gandhi, who was wrapping up the fourth leg of his roadshow to campaign for the UP Assembly elections, then sportingly offered seat to Rakesh in the chopper, taking the gathering by surprise.
He picked up the child and handed him over to his security personnel, who then took him to the helicopter and placed him gently in the co-pilot's seat.
Though Rakesh was in the chopper for barely five minutes, it was obviously an experience to remember for him. When he came out he was too excited to speak.
Rajendra, a driver employed with a transport agency, and his family, forced to live in an unused go down in this UP town, is treating the experience as a good omen.
"We may not be destined for such privileges, but after my child's experience today, there is no looking back for him. This is a sign...I will ensure that someday he becomes a pilot. I thank Rahul for giving us the courage to dream," said Rajendra.