'Let him become the vice-president, he will take care of our problems'

Kot Mohammed Khan, Amritsar.

A small, unheard-of Punjabi village, nestled between rivers Beas and Sutlej.

Soon-to-be vice-president Krishna Kant's home village. Where, on February 28, 1927, he was born. Where, for many years, he attended the small village school.

For the past one-plus week, ever since the news of Kant's sudden elevation to fame reached the rustic folks, the village has undergone a transformation. The mood there, today, is of revelry, of jubilance.

But just like the villagers' great pride in their 'son', there is another emotion running high -- expectations, great expectations.

"Once he (Krishna Kant) becomes the vice-president, all our problems will be looked after," feels the majority of the 2,000-odd villagers, "Surjeet Singh Barnala (the other candidate) should withdraw!"

The house where Krishna Kant spend his childhood is still intact, though not a 'house' anymore -- a library has been opened in one corner and a creche in another.

Krishna Kant's father and mother -- Lala Achint Ram and Satyawati -- were prominent freedom fighters of the area. The oldsters of the village still carry memories of Satyawati sitting at her charkha (spinning wheel), her moving around the village educating the women about the freedom struggle.

"Let him become the vice-president," says village sarpanch Inderjit Singh, "and a delegation will meet him. We will tell him our troubles."

The last time Krishna Kant visited the village was in 1977. But that, the villagers feel, doesn't really matter -- he is their brother, son of their soil.

He would never turn them away.