I am nostalgic with memories of an early rise on a sunny summer morning. Dressed in a cute crisp uniform, we joined the bee line of students who all gathered in the assembly for the flag hoist. It wasn't just another day. It meant an hours wait in the scotching heat, claps , national anthem, a flag pinned on the chest and chocolates for fun.
And then were times when it was not just a holiday. A day when i woke up to see the TV on earlier than normal. When I got used to seeing Ad's and wishes early morning on the newspaper. When sms conveyed messages otherwise forgotten. The only day when prime minister's speech was important and when AR Rahman and Lata Mangeshkar versions of Vande Mataram kindled the spirit of the day.
On through, it still did not remain just another day. It was a day that could be spent with kids in orphanages, an opportunity to go around and distribute chocolates. When it was about making someone else's day delightful.
Today, my country wakes up to yet another day that reiterates its freedom people still continue doing every thing as before, in this side of the globe it dark and its the day before.
I needed a day on the calendar all these years to feel the refreshed smell of patriotism all day long. Here i live, miles apart from her where every single day i look out for things that could give me the slightest touch of her being. Anything from a distant aroma of food to jus seeing a crowd of people with noise gets it on.
Love her. Miss her.
Happy independence day!
10 comments:
Well, it was interesting to read an independence day article, which talks about our feelings about the day itself, rather than discussing what India has achieved post independence and how it go achieved independence after all.
I can just say that, since you are now in US, you can discuss Americans how they feel about their independence day. I know the celebration is marked with lots of fireworks which majority of the people come and see. It would interesting to see though, in general, if the experience of people of a developed nation which achieved its independence 230 years ago is any different.
That was absolutely wonderful. A plethora of emotions conveyed in a few simple words. Beautifully concise :)
Oh well....you already miss the sights, sounds and taste of India :)
Nice write-up !
And cheerup....explore the new place, new people and new way of life
Happy Independance day !!
One can take you out of India but cannot take the India out of you
:) nicely conveyed, and very very elegantly truthfully! FYI: times of india started a "Teach India" movement (i saw it on the paper today, maybe it was started long ago :P).. encouraging people to contribute 2 hrs a week towards educating the not-so-lucky-like-us children.. when i read it, i was thinking "aaah, she's not here now"..
@ vineet:
Yes, that could be intersting! i would love to share that when it comes :)
@ preeti:
thank you!! :)
@ abheeram:
I sure am. and i would obviously do that!
@gokul kandhi:
i take that as one of my best compliments :) ;)
@ sankar :
idiot!! now that i am not therem you should be doing it!!!
:-) I totally know what that felt like. I was in Chicago, and the world didnt seem that different, and it was extremely odd! Did you get up and say a quiet National anthem to yourself in the morning? I know I did!
totally nice...
Very nicely written Priya,
Your post reminded me about this one bike ride that I had done from Coorg to Bangalore on independence day.
It was so wonderful, all along the road, and each and every village we could see children carrying flags, children dressed in nice white uniforms. Most places we even were able to see the flag and functions going on. It was such a wonderful drive, and ended up giving lifts to number of these school kids. Sadly I did not have camera then, to capture those moments.
@ shaunak,
thanks so much for dropping by!
well, i din have to do that.. we had an independance day celebrations here in purdue that evening :)
@ sathya,
thank you!
@ goli,
wow, that would be an awesome thing to do... a ride on independance day.. i shall try that sometime! :)
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