Independence Day Celebration in Holland

Yes, every true proud Indian always like to cherish this day...the Independence Day. No matter wherever he or she is, Independence Day is always a special for all Indians. How can I be an exception? This year, thanks it was Saturday, we celebrated 63rd Independence Day at Embassy in Den Haag. It was even special because it was Madhura's 1st Independence Day to experience.

When we entered the Embassy, all cheerful familiar Indian faces were everywhere, and we just felt we were in India... just a home away from home. Many people were wearing 'Mangal Vesh' and mood was just patriotic. Exactly at 9.00 AM, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Singh arrived and he unfurled the tri-color. This has always been an exciting moment for me to experience the flag hoisting. And then everyone started saying 'Jan Gan Man.... ' . One strange thing about this song is that I always became emotional when I sing our national anthem... A miraculous wave of air fills my heart and I feel proud. ' Bharat Mata ki Jay'


Madhura was looking at the tri-color with her always-smiling face and heard national anthem for the first time... and I saw a contentment on her face. She was happy. She must be proud. Every year when I go for the Independence Day function, my mind goes back in past when I was in NCC Airwing and was selected for Parade. I was excited and marched past the flag, with a sharp salute. The Airforce band, the sound of the march, footsteps is still heard in my ears. I still remember polishing my shoes, belt and the flying eagle on my airforce cap and wearing that great sky blue colour NCC uniform... wearing all my earned medals on left side of my shirt and staring it for a long time to see my achievements... Damn...why didnt I go the Airforce, I still wonder!!!


Then there was one Independence Day when I was in Nepal... I remember how I struggled to cross the border just to attend the function and see the tri-color. The memories are still fresh in my mind. For the first time in my life, I realised how much I missed my country, how much I wanted to be there, how much I longed to smell the 'mitti' of my motherland... I have the same feeling even today when I step out in Mumbai airport and smell the air...


And here... when I heard people saying that they attend the function to eat a free Samosa and Gulabjamun, it hurts! When people living near Embassy dont show up for the function, saying that they wanted to sleep on Saturday morning...it hurts! When I see corruption, poverty, instability in my country, it hurts! I have to do something for the country, more than what I do now. I am determined.

... And that day when Jan Gan Man... was playing at the end of a movie, I suddenly saw that Mukta was standing with Madhura to respect the national anthem, I learnt a lesson and my respect for her doubbled.

... I am out of words and infinite unexpressable feelings for 'Akhanda Bharata' are just unstoppable... I am a proud 'Bharatiya'

Aha...Raksha Bandhan

Great! One of my favorite festivals. Dedicated to all sisters, I love it even more than Bhau-Beej which comes in Diwali. Hello sisters. How can I forget you all... Nice, flashy Rakhis, sweets, gifts, music... and still, some fight with one of these loving sisters no matter its a Rakhi. I remember all.

One of the advantages of having a big family is ... you have so many cousins...great... I remember I used to tie rakhi from all the cousins and my hand used to be full with rakhi. I liked it...and I still like it. Pradnya, Shilpa used to put a BIG kumkum on my forehead that used to touch my hairs...and I liked it. Pradnya still does that... and then tie a rakhi on my hand. Morning of Rakhi has always been amazing... We used to get up with all our cousins waking us up ... and if not...then sometimes throwing water on our face and although I used to get annoyed with that, I liked it. Rather I waited for that. Then after bath, when I used to come in the hall, I used to see the Baithak decorated with Rangoli around it... and I used to enter as King. All sisters ( I hate to say them 'cousins') were anxiously awaiting to tie rakhi... and get a gift from us. Shilpa, Chetana, used to be the first ones to get the 'Honor'....and the gift... then came Yuga, Janhavi, Sharvari, Siddhi... I can still see the enlighten faces of all of them in the aarti. I was always jealous with my Dada's rakhi...becuase his Rakhi always used to be better than mine... I always have admired what he does and what he wears....I still try to kinda copy him. His choice is just amazing. Afterall I am his little brother grown under his shadow... Why isn't there any festival for brothers... I wonder!!! And now we laugh at this... so many good memories...

And then I used to await for the Rakhis sent by Gayatri, Manasi, Shivani, Mayura... And when there was delay in getting the rakhis by post...I used to get sad. I remember them all now...


On this Rakhi, as usual, everyone met again at Prashant's place. I talked with all and then typical sadness captured my mind... because I am not there with them. I am missing all of them. Damn, how many more years I am going to miss these festivals... why these festivals dont come again in December when we are in India for holidays... Childish thoughts!

This was the first Rakhi for Madhura and she sends an e-Rakhi to Arjun and she is happy now.

...and now I always get e-Rakhi, e-Cards, e-Sweets and e-Gifts. Life has become so much 'e-fied' but I can feel the tender love, softness of relations and a strong bond in these 'e' things sent by these loved ones. I am still seeing the happy, bright faces of all my sisters. Memories linger in my mind of all the good-bad times, moments that I shared with them and unknowingly a small teardrop falls ... and I call them... and we laugh. Life goes on and I wait for the next Rakhi...every year...