Kolkata:
Think back to 22nd July, the day the newest claimant to the British throne was born. And what do you remember? A tuft of blonde hair peeping out from the arms of his proud parents, certainly.
But also a young man from India outside Buckingham Palace placing a royal easel with the announcement of the royal birth. Well, that young man has returned to his native city Kolkata, one because his visa expired and, two, because he wanted to be with his family after four years in Britain, for Eid.
Badar Azim's proudest moment so far in his 25-year long life -- royal footman at Buckingham Palace at the announcement of the royal birth. "It was an amazing feeling, announcing the royal baby," he says. "It was a proud moment and I felt even happier because I knew my parents would be proud of me."
The young hotel management graduate is back home in Kolkata, in a one-room flat on the fifth for building in the Park Circus area of central Kolkata that is not exactly posh. Badar's father, Mohammed Rahim, is a humble welder with a private company who really struggled to put his son through school.
"My family really went through difficult times," says Md Rahim. "I had never gone to school so I was determined my sons would be educated." There are tears in his eyes as he speaks.
Begum Mumtaz, Badar's mother, adds, "My husband has worked very hard for the family. We have sacrificed a lot to send my son to school. But today, I am very proud of Badar and what he has achieved." She hopes Badar's grit and determination will inspire his younger brother.
One of them, Mazhar, is already studying at the same institute of hotel management as Badar. The youngest, Md Sameer, is in high school but freely admits he wants to follow in "Badar bhaiya's footsteps".
The family is upset at some reports about Badar being brought up in a slum and living as a destitute on the streets of the city. "That is absolutely untrue," says Md Rahim. "We may be poor, we may live in a one-room house. But we are not living on the streets." There are also some news reports that Badar is an orphan, which has shocked the large joint family.
Says Badar's uncle, Md Karim, "These untruths are very hurtful. People must confirm fact
before writing such news."
Badar joined Buckingham Palace when the opportunity arose in February 2012. His big dream: to return to work at the royal house.
"If I get a visa, that's where I would like to go back and work, the Buckingham Palace," said Badar. "I could also work at hotels but there is something very special about working at the Palace."
But also a young man from India outside Buckingham Palace placing a royal easel with the announcement of the royal birth. Well, that young man has returned to his native city Kolkata, one because his visa expired and, two, because he wanted to be with his family after four years in Britain, for Eid.
Badar Azim's proudest moment so far in his 25-year long life -- royal footman at Buckingham Palace at the announcement of the royal birth. "It was an amazing feeling, announcing the royal baby," he says. "It was a proud moment and I felt even happier because I knew my parents would be proud of me."
The young hotel management graduate is back home in Kolkata, in a one-room flat on the fifth for building in the Park Circus area of central Kolkata that is not exactly posh. Badar's father, Mohammed Rahim, is a humble welder with a private company who really struggled to put his son through school.
"My family really went through difficult times," says Md Rahim. "I had never gone to school so I was determined my sons would be educated." There are tears in his eyes as he speaks.
Begum Mumtaz, Badar's mother, adds, "My husband has worked very hard for the family. We have sacrificed a lot to send my son to school. But today, I am very proud of Badar and what he has achieved." She hopes Badar's grit and determination will inspire his younger brother.
One of them, Mazhar, is already studying at the same institute of hotel management as Badar. The youngest, Md Sameer, is in high school but freely admits he wants to follow in "Badar bhaiya's footsteps".
The family is upset at some reports about Badar being brought up in a slum and living as a destitute on the streets of the city. "That is absolutely untrue," says Md Rahim. "We may be poor, we may live in a one-room house. But we are not living on the streets." There are also some news reports that Badar is an orphan, which has shocked the large joint family.
Says Badar's uncle, Md Karim, "These untruths are very hurtful. People must confirm fact
before writing such news."
Badar joined Buckingham Palace when the opportunity arose in February 2012. His big dream: to return to work at the royal house.
"If I get a visa, that's where I would like to go back and work, the Buckingham Palace," said Badar. "I could also work at hotels but there is something very special about working at the Palace."
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