Happy Independence Day

Since last month, each day I had been waiting for 15th Aug and I am sure almost all of you would have been doing the same. The reason for such a wait is quite obvious and no points for guessing it. ‘Independence Day’ is one of the most awaited days every year as it breaks the no-holiday season of may-jun-jul. And nothing can be better than 15th Aug falling on a Friday. So this day gets its share of recognition but for reasons which are different from what our forefathers had in their mind while declaring it has a national holiday. Anyway, like a ‘true’ Indian, my plans for this day included getting up late, brunch, calling friends and family and wishing them a very happy independence day or rather a happy holiday..!!! Then a not so short siesta, followed by some chatting, playing some deshbhakti geet in the background, dinner and back to the land of dreams. Wow what a day..!!!

But as my luck would have it, when I got up today, it was just 6 AM. Wished myself a happy holiday (though the start was not so happy) and then called up my friends to wish them a happy holiday (why should only I get up early). And the first thing I get to hear on our Independence Day is “Hey…tell me the lyrics of our national anthem. I have to go for a flag hoisting ceremony!!” I couldn’t believe that I was actually hearing these words. My obvious reply was “How is this possible? How can anyone forget the national anthem? It should be in the blood of all Indians. You must be kidding.” That friend of mine actually didn’t know the national anthem and was getting late so without further arguments I recited the national anthem.

Feeling proud of myself, I thought “At the stroke of this hour, when all Indians are sleeping, I have awakened to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely, when I step out of my bed at 6 on a holiday, and when the soul of the nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment I recite the national anthem and take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.”

With this pride, I switched on my laptop, logged in gtalk, changed my status message to ‘Vande Mataram’, played some deshbhakti geet in background and at the end of the day did nothing other than criticizing government, its policies, growing terrorism, people’s indifference towards the country and its independence and updating my blog.AAKHIR DIL HAI HINDUSTANI!!!