Vande Mataram!

It was when I was doing my fourth grade when I celebrated Independence Day for the first time… or let us say, that is the first occasion, which I remember, when I saw the tri-color being hoisted. However, it was when I was doing my eighth grade; I started learning more about my incredible India – Not because I really wanted to, but because it was there in the syllabus J All those years, Independence day to me, was just another holiday when I could spend a whole day out with my friends playing till evening. Somehow, mother Mary’s fest was also on the same day, so the only jinx was to wake up early to attend the holy mass.

During my high school days, I learned more about my country – through our social science or history books. However, I found it so hard to remember all those names of those kings and rulers; I somehow used to enjoy it. (Not because my history teacher used to carry a pretty long and bizarrely thick stick by which he used beat the hell out of usJ)

By the time I was through with my schooling, I was quite patronized by those lectures about our mother India and even dreamed of becoming a Jawan serving my country… (Side effects of too many war movies one might argue!)

Nevertheless, it was when I was done with my studies and finally started earning, that I really felt the value of our culture and freedom. All those early days I was in the constant vigil of my parents and did not have to worry a tad about freedom. I always used to do what I wanted and I almost got anything I wanted (not because my parents were financially sound, but because I had a very limited wish list … and Ferrari was definitely not one of them J ). It’s when you meet people from other countries or talk to them (thanks to yahoo) that how lucky I am to be born in such a beautiful country…

Well, there is always an other side for a coin and it’s no different about my country as well. Most of us including me, blubber that India is the capital of corruption, the place of hunger and poverty, a country often attacked by terror threats or bomb blasts and last but not the least, ruled by a bunch of dirty politicians… We often find people divided on their states they belong to, the language they speak and the religion they practice. But midst of all these, I believe it’s a privilege that I live in a country rich with its culture dating way back than the Roman Empire – about 5000 years to be precise!

There are not many countries - not even the so-called world power, United States blessed with such a blend of great culture. Moreover, its this spirit which holds us together and keep us going. One might argue why your country has so many problems, but tell me a place where you do not have any problem. Bet you will not find one on this earth. And how many of those free countries have won a war with no violence and how many of them have a national leader who led this war and never went on to become the prime minister or president of the state? Take your time J!

There was a time when even the integrity of our national anthem was at stake. Some say, this was a poem written to gratify the then ruling governor of India from East India Company. People, give me a break, you don’t repeat a song you heard from a movie, though it was meant only for the hero or heroin? Moreover, if a song can hold an entire nation together and touch millions of heart regardless of their religion, cast; who is bothered about who sang it and with what intention! I do not care a thingy!

Every state in India has their own culture and language and each one of them are unique and rich. In my case, each district in my state itself has its own identity and its own living style. Kerala – The God’s Own Country is serving as a major tourist attraction and people from all over the world travel to find what our culture is all about. Even a decade of British rule could not harm our culture. Its true we had to pay heavily for the freedom we got. Hundreds of people were massacred and even the historical monuments and one of the worlds wonder – Taj Mahal itself was looted by Britishers. But I thank them for one thing – They gave us a chance to stand unite and fight once they snatched the whole India from the kings who used to rule us prior to British Era.

Now on her 60’s India is definitely growing and still raring to go further. It has already become a powerhouse for Asia pacific – south East Asia. There might be thousands of bad things happened in India over the past 60 yrs, but my country is still happening J

Wishing all my Indian friends a very happy Independence Day and Salutes to all those jawans who lost their life and beloved ones for protecting us --- Vande Mataram!

Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka, jaya he

Bharata-bhagya-vidhata

Punjab-Sindhu-Gujarata-Maratha-

Dravida-Utkala-Banga

Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga

Uchchala-Jaladhi-taranga

Tava shubha name jage

Tava shubha ashish maange

Gahe tava jaya-gatha

Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he

Bharata-bhagya-vidhata

Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he

Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he !