(I)...(I)ndia...(I)ndependent

The clock has struck 00:00 hrs and the date on the calendar has changed to 15th of August...a special day for everyone out there called an Indian. The very date on which this identity was forged is here again...it's been 62 years now since that fateful night when Indianness became a word in the consciousness of the people of this country and it's been a ride, for sure.

 
I remember that last year I had written a post on this very day which was so like in character to India itself...in that post I had highlighted the issues we face as well as commented on the progress that we had achieved as a nation. It was a grey post in the sense that the glass was both half full and half empty depending on how you look at it. I had ended that post holding the shining beacon of hope in my hand and I have absolutely no intention of repeating my words with a little bit of shuffling.



So today I am just going to list out a few points which remind me everyday of being independent and of not being the same

• When I can write here whatever I feel like, without even a whiff of a thought for the world and it's opinion I am reminded of being independent.
• When I can, with a switch of my remote, mute the voice of hate and blind the sight of perverseness, I am reminded of being independent.
• When I can walking on the road, look a girl in the eye and make her feel beautiful, I am reminded of being independent.
• When I can look someone thrice my age and experience and knowledge in the eye and tell him that I disagree with his thinking, I am reminded of being independent.
• When I can offer my prayers in a congregation with a poor tea seller on one side and a business tycoon on the other, I am reminded of being independent.
• When I can feel the moistness in the corner of the eyes on hearing Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon, I am reminded of being independent.
• When I have a look at the beaming faces of the students that I teach on successfully solving a sum, I am reminded of being independent.
• When I can swoon to Comfortably Numb one moment and croon Hoshwalon Ko Khabar Kya the other, I am reminded of being independent.
• When I can stand in front of anyone and speak exactly what I want to, I am reminded of being independent.
• When I cheer a six off the bat of Yuvi one moment and leap in joy at Manchester United scoring against anyone:D, I am reminded of being independent.
• When I can still see that black ink mark on the index finger of my left hand, I am reminded of being independent.
• When I know what am writing now will be read by people wh I may probably never meet, I am reminded of being independent.

These are just some of the reasons/incidents/actions which keep reminding me every moment of being independent, of living life as a free individual and of knowing that I have an opinion which I can put forth.

I am sure all of you have many such reasons...do share them with all of us.

So this Independence Day, think not of the issues and problems that we as a nation face...there are 364 and 1/4th other days to do that, rather today think of the privilege and pleasure of being independent and soak in this independent air we breathe.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

P.S. Happy Independence Day to all the people of Pakistan, our midnight brothers and sisters.

P.P.S. Please go and watch KAMINEY...it's a treat if there ever was:)