He may have won many awards both in the international and national arenas but a small but rare honour awaited Bollywood and stage actor Om Puri in this small township where he spent his childhood days.
Om Puri and his wife Nandita Puri were presented with a sword, shawl, phulkari and a memento by the Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. The honour was given for his outstanding contribution to cinema.
As the Chief Minister stepped forward to bestow the honour on the famous son of Punjab, Om Puri became emotional and recalled his childhood days. The smiles, the tears of boyhood years all came back in a flash for this veteran actor.
Speaking on the occasion, the actor shared the reminiscences of his childhood and thanked Capt Singh for conferring this rare honour on him. He said that 35 years ago, he left Sanaur for a voyage to Bollywood where he made spectacular progress and was astonished to see that his native village Sanaur too had grown into a town.
He wished that one day, both Patiala and Sanaur would be twin cities. He also took this opportunity to visit his house and met old friends with whom he had played and fought.
{{/usCountry}}He wished that one day, both Patiala and Sanaur would be twin cities. He also took this opportunity to visit his house and met old friends with whom he had played and fought.
{{/usCountry}}Capt Singh, in his brief speech, exhorted the youth to emulate Om Puri who had won accolades for the country in general and Punjab in particular.
"If Om Puri, a humble son of Punjab, could rise to such meteoric heights, then why can't our youth replicate the same?" the Chief Minister said. He attributed sheer determination, hard work and dedication to one's success.
He said that Om Puri had worked hard and with sincerity and brought glory to "the sleepy town" of Sanaur where he spent his early childhood.