Independence - India's & Mine.

The patriotic in me woke up this morning @ 10:30 AM with slight headache courtesy the excess untimely sleep I had been enjoying. Why the patriotic - Hello!! Good Morning.. Everyone has been shouting at the top of their lungs right? - It is our Independence Day..

Jai Hind!

With my morning cup of tea in hand I was glancing at the paper all decorated in saffron, white and green. Ohk.. All right.. Celebrating 63 completed years of Independence.. Not bad..

The supplements too carried articles on what celebrities think of Independence Day and what youngsters associate this day with. What do they think about being free? What does Independence & Freedom mean to them?

Facebook was overflowing with the independence day status updates, The Jai Hinds, The patriotic songs & Video links being shared and what not.

Office team had Independence day celebrations too. Breakout areas crowded with all shouting (I am sorry, singing) - Vande Mataram to declare the patriotism.

TV had these programs on telling us what our beloved leaders would be conversing about if they glanced at India from the heavens (hopefully).

Our public speaking clubs had meetings on this theme to remind us of our patriotism.

The point is - it is loud and clear for all those who aren't deaf dumb or blind - that we are celebrating our Independence today? Now don't get me wrong. I am proud too. Damn proud to be an Indian. Happy about celebrating our independence day. I have been listening to patriotic songs all the while on you tube as I am writing this down. Its just that while I am doing that, I am trying to think about my independence.

Living on my own, 1750 Kms away from my place, having enough paper & plastic money in my wallet to buy what I need and not being answerable to any one about anything - cool!

But what else -

Am I free to act my heart out?

Am I free to speak my mind?

Am I free to wander about as & when I please?

Am I free to say 'NO' when I wanna?

Maybe Yes..

Ah hell, I am pretty hapy with my life and enjoying every bit of it.

Just wanted to know if everyone else says a YES to all these questions.

Actually just wanted a head start for my thoughts.

Yesterday we had a meeting, theme 'Your Country' talking about different kinds of patriots we have:

1) The 20-20 patriots - who declare their patriotism only when there is a cricket match being played between India & Pakistan

2) The Achievement Patriots - who come out with - 'I Love my India' or 'I am proud to be an Indian' quote when there is a scientific discovery or a sports achievement credited to an Indian.

3) The Braveheart Patriots - who remember the sacrifices of the soldiers when there is a war anniversary or mishaps at borders

4) The Slogan Patriots - who would miss their country and the leaders and the greatness in a speech or a discussion only
5) The World lovers - who think of the country, but only after the global wellness.

6) The Day Patriots - who wake up on Independence day or Republic day to love India

And while the Emcee of the meeting was talking about all these, I was thinking of the truth behind these words. A simple question - Bollywood Vs Hollywood or Sania Vs. Maria will only be answered in favor of the former by few. Thailand Vs. Manali would come out in favor of the later only for the lack of money or time by the honeymooners of today. And I am no different!

The sparks of patriotism come alive on particular days, at particular moments for particular reasons..

And so do the thoughts of country and country men.

The other meeting for instance had us thinking aloud on the freedom from poverty and terrorism.

And I realized that I talk of those, not unlike many, only when there is a coffee table discussion or a speech.

But then, is this wrong in any way?

Well, to each his own perspective..

For now, I am back, enjoying my independence with a hot cuppa tea and some crispy smacks, who someone must have labored for in this free country and hopefully had been paid for.

Hail India..

Proud to be a free citizen in this wonderful country :)

Wish you all a very happy independence day!

Back to BB

"Chalo yaar, am really really bored- let's do someting".

The usual dialogue, everyday I come back from work..
Life @ Work has been like this for a while.
And We keep thinking of ways to thrash the boredom with all sorta things - be it cooking, bitching or watching a series ... Helps?? Maybe..
So, when there was something different from the usual - thought of putting it on my blog :)

Last night, back from office at 8 in the night after walking 5 Kms in my 3 inches high Catwalk because I did not get an auto from office till home after waiting for 40 odd minutes already had me in a great mood...

Wow! that was an incredibly long sentence.. :P

And then, there wasn't anything good to eat (that's all I am bothered to think about now a days :) )
So my temper was rising ever so slightly.
When the steaming hot cup of tea did not help, my sweetheart room mate said  (in her cute hindi accent, she is a tamilian) - let us go play badminton..
That was at 10 in the night I believe!

Ohk.. all right.. we forced the second kid in the home (the three of us take turn in behaving the kiddish brats every now and then..) to change and get up..
All decked up to play, complete with shoes and socks, the moment I was dragging my second room mate outta home, we glanced out of our balcony door & lo - it was raining cats n dogs..

:( :( :(

But ab to tayyar ho gaye, ab to khelna hai.. (Now that we were ready, we had to play!)
My roomie - who will go an extra just so she doesn't step into a water puddle on road was forced to come out to play in the rain courtesy the sweetest of us - me :P

Now obviously badminton was out of question.. and so after 2.5 long years - it came out of the bag - My lovely BASKET BALL..
yuppie..
next problem was - there wasn't any basket ball court..
Koi ni - ab jab thaan hi liya hai to kuch to ho hi jayega - spirit :) :)
(No problems, Now that we had decided, we would figure out something)

We went out and just started with dribbling, saw a ring some where in the nearby block..

Started off with shoots - Man, the feel of the green & blue beauty in my hands with rain pouring in - I was loving it.. Did a few shoots when the sentence came -

"Ladies, it is a private property"

:@  By that time the downpour was moving from drizzling to nothing..
Racquets and shuttle in hand- we headed to the badminton court but alas - no lightning :(

Played the game for 15 minutes or so, when all of us were starting to feel tired...

We ran back to our place and a quick shower later a hot cup of tea with steaming butter oregano maggie added spice to the dish - drizzling night!!

Ah.. long time since we had let ourselves out..

Definitely - A night to remember :)

A musing...

आज क्यों पुकारा दिल ने

क्यों याद तुम्हारी फिर आई

क्यों न पाकर तुम्हे लगा जैसे

खो गयी कहीं मेरी परछाई

क्यों ख्याल तुम्हारा यूँ आया

आया मेरे ख्यालो में

क्यों उलझ गया फिर मन मेरा

कुछ अनसुलझे से जालो में

क्यों याद तुम्हारी ले आई

संग अपने शिकवे और आँहे

क्यों सहर ने फैला दी

आगोश में लेने को बाहें

क्यों खता हुई ये अनजानी

क्यों जस्बे दिल के आम हुए

क्यों सच्चे अरमान दिल के

दुनिया भर में बदनाम हुए

क्यों नहीं था सच को मान लिया

क्यों किया था इतना इंतज़ार

क्यों नहीं कहा एक सच सच्चा

जो था.. वो था .. प्यार..

रचना

२६ सितम्बर २००५