"Never imagined I would meet President Murmu, PM Modi": Para-cricketer Aamir Hussain Lone on attending 'At Home' reception

Describing the reception, he told ANI that it was attended by several prominent personalities from India and abroad, including guests from Australia and Sri Lanka.

"I had never imagined I would be invited to dinner and get to see President Murmu and PM Modi. There were people from other countries too--from Australia and Sri Lanka. I saw prominent figures from abroad, and when I started interacting with them, some of them actually recognised me," the para-cricketer said.

Recalling his interactions with celebrities from Mumbai, Lone said meeting the prominent personalities at the event was a "great experience".

"There were also huge superstars from Mumbai present; meeting them was a great experience," he added.

On his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lone said they exchanged greetings and that he complimented the Prime Minister, who responded with a smile.

"I just exchanged greetings with him. I paid him a compliment or two, and he smiled; it felt really good," Lone said.

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday hosted the traditional 'At Home' Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of India's 80th Independence Day, with Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President Ram Nath Kovind, Union Ministers, diplomats, eminent people from different walks of life and beneficiaries of various government programmes among the prominent guests attending the gathering.

Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also attended the reception, which began with the rendition of 'Vande Mataram' and the National Anthem.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar were also present on the occasion. (ANI)