Independence Ho!

Two hundred and thirty-three years ago today, the Founding Fathers changed the world forever by signing the Declaration of Indepe… Oops, sorry wrong Independence Day opening dialogue! (Blame the BPOs, I tell you, can’t live with them, can’t live without them!)

Okay, let me start again: "At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new… India discovers herself again", said Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the nation’s First Prime Minister on Indian Independence Day, 1947.

As a true patriot, I have absolutely no problem with the above paragraph except for the last part where it says ‘Indian Independence Day’.
I mean, ever wonder why we call it that? Because the last time I checked the annals of history, the British depended on India for cotton, silk, saffron, jewelry, indigo, perfumes, paper, grains, spices, raw material, labor and many other commodities and services.
So when I first heard this term in school, my interpretation was that it is the British Independence Day. I was soon “corrected” and it was explained to me that before 15th August 1947, WE were dependent on the British. I could never figure this out. I believe “independence” and “freedom” are two different words! Shouldn’t we call it “Liberty Day” or “Freedom Day”? How did “Independence” work in its way into the jargon? Or was that the parting shot of imperialism?

Anyway, 15th August is celebrated with much galore in our country. People revel more in the fact that it is a holiday rather than it being the day of birth of the world’s biggest democracy. In educational institutions, the national flag is hoisted by the Headmaster or the Watchman, whoever is available. People go to offices to attend the flag hoisting ceremony & hog the free sweets after that.
The Prime Minister of India addresses the whole Nation live after the flag has been unfurled at the Red Fort recounting the country's achievements of the year, discussing current issues and future plans for the progress of the country. And then after the Prime Minister’s telecast is over, Doordarshan shows “Gandhi – the movie”, for the umpteenth time. This glorious day is a matter of immense national pride for all of us, indeed.
Except, this national pride goes to garbage the next day when I see the flags lying around everywhere on the streets and municipal bins! It makes me wonder about the kind of citizens we are and the state we are living in.
So how would you describe India? Functioning anarchy? Upcoming superpower? Largest democracy? Largest technical manpower? Largest English speaking people on the planet? Highest number of illiterates? One of the most selfish & corrupt? How?

Okay, don't get me wrong. I love my country and am a product of its rich and varied heritage, the weird cultural collisions, fusions and all that melting pot stuff. And I think that’s what I love the most about India. Notwithstanding a few incidents every 10 years, 1 billion people from different religions, races and castes co-exist in the sweetest manner.
A case in point is when you are traveling in trains early mornings. The people in the train are so insufferable that you look outside for time-pass. And that is when you see it – people going about their ablutions next to the tracks.
Quite a sight to behold, people squatting in a row, with nothing more than a ‘lotta’ in hand, amongst them Ravi, Ali, Manpreet & George – people of different creeds – showcasing the true spirit of national integration.
What I am basically trying to say is, even when us Indians are in shit, we’re together. Nothing else matters. Jai Hind!