For the hundreds of students participating in the Independence Day celebrations today, the unearthly hour of waking up and the hard practice sessions over the last few days was compensated by the Prime Minister's inspiring speech which they said left them enthused about the future.
Students from various schools, who gathered here, appeared to be impressed with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's dream of taking all communities and sections together for the country's development.
"If India has to become a developed nation, there should not be any division among its people. The Prime Minister rightly pointed out it," Shahanawaz, a class-X student from the Government Boys School, Jama Masjid, said.
In his speech, Singh said his government was committed to provide every child access to education. He also expressed concern over the children suffering from malnutrition.
The kids who gathered on the occasion responded to the Prime Minister's speech with thunderous applause. They clapped 18 times during the 45-minute-long speech in which Singh highlighted the government's initiatives in social sectors like education, health and agriculture.
"He spoke about the government's priority areas that included education and agriculture. These are the real issues that need to be dealt with," Nagma, a student of Kendriya Vidyalaya No-2, said.
She said the entire speech was inspiring for the children and youth who are dreaming of a better future. The government's measures in development of youth are appropriate steps in this direction, she said.