Sonal Shah appointed as US Presidential advisor

Village celebrates Sonal Shah's appointment as US Presidential advisor

Sat, Nov 8 05:29 AM

Gabat is a tiny village in Sabarkantha district. It has suddenly captured public attention after the US Presidential election. The reason: President-elect Barack Obama has appointed Sonal Shah, originally a native of Gabat village, as one of his advisors.

The news has driven the people of the village to a state of Titanic exultation -they have been bursting crackers, and singing and dancing to celebrate Shah's victory. People have also gone nostalgic about the old memories of Sonal when she lived in the village with her family until she was six.

Mukundchandra Shah, Sonal's uncle, who still lives in the village, said: "Since Friday, we are trying to congratulate her over the phone, but in vain, as the phone has been busy all through. Ultimately, we called up my brother, Dineshbhai, to convey our wishes. In our village, people have almost gone mad over the news. In less than 24 hours, the village youths have burst crackers worth over Rs 1,000."

According to Shah, Sonal was born in Mumbai but lived in the village till the age of six. She did her kindergarten in the village school.

Even village authorities are planning to celebrate Sonal's success by organising a rally in her honour in the village.

Deputy Sarpanch Ranjitsinh Zala said: "It is a matter of pride for our village that a girl from here has been so successful that the American President has appointed her as his advisor. We are organising a grand rally in the village to celebrate her success."

Village Talati Sansinh Zala, said: "The villagers are celebrating the occasion by distributing sweets among themselves. A number of media persons have also visited the village."  more