Nine-year-old Meena, who lives in Shadipur, Patel Nagar, Meena and her friend Bhagwati were there too. Dressed in Rajasthani attire, the girls had come to the Prayas Institute for Juvenile Justice in Tughlaqabad. And all they knew, like the other 100 children present, was that a Hollywood actor was coming to meet them at their centre. Although they had never seen the Under Siege star, they were thrilled and excited. ``Steven is coming,'' Meena squealed, making an attempt to pronounce Seagal.

In their euphoria at seeing the latest videshi in town, the children forgot to complain about the heat. They waited one hour to meet Seagal and when he arrived, they gathered around him. ``I wish I could be like him,'' said one of the boys, who refused to let go of Seagal's hand. And Seagal's men in black did not deter the kids.

As soon as the Hollywood actor alighted from a Mercedes Benz there was chaos. Dressed Buddhist style, in a chocolate brown Shandap (a wrap-around) and a henna green Tibetan top, the actor was given a traditional Indian welcome. His fans, who had collected to take photographs with the actor, were disheartened, when his security guards prevented them from coming near.

He later witnessed a Rajasthani dance sequence performed by Meena and Bhagwati. With mediapersons sticking close, he just managed to see the paintings made by the children at Prayas. Seagal stopped to chat and also got a phtotograph clicked with them. Said one of the boys: ``I will keep this photograph with me.'' The children shouted: ``Hum nahin chodege.'' (We will not leave him), while one of Seagal's secretaries translated it all for him.

Talking to the press, Seagal shared his feelings and experiences. ``As human beings, we get sick and old. We suffer, we die, that is the law of nature. We should put the suffering of others ahead of ours. Life and death are two different stages. In learning how to die, one learns how to live life,'' Seagal said, stressing that children should be given spiritual instruction.

His 30 long years of social work has had little publicity till now, because he has wanted it that way. ``I am a small person and I do not believe in publicity,'' he said, and pointed towards Amod Kanth, when asked how he came in touch with Prayas. Actor Sharad Kapoor, assisting Seagal with his Delhi trip, praised Prayas, especially their ``efforts at caring for 3,000 children at a time''.