15th of August 2012. Yes, today, it has been 65 complete years of independent India. Around 8 to 10 years ago, the country was a little less developed and comparatively less 2G connected. But, more or the less, the theme of India and independence was the same. We were thankful to all the great souls who sacrificed their great lives considering it as a part of their duty towards their nation. After almost a century of struggle, Indian flag could fly high above, high as the mast. And then, we unofficially swore that we would remember this day and congregate and celebrate being free, and in a sense of respect, to mourn for those freedom fighters. 10 years ago, this day was more than any other festival of the country. Because, the very today, wearing a clean white uniform, pinning the flag close to your heart, marching down the roads eagerly speaking about all the childish worlds, going to the school assembly, listening to the patriotic songs and feeling them much deeply, saluting the tri-colored pride with a smile and heart full of dedication, running to snatch all the prizes from teachers, and finally, eating those little pieces of chocolate and sweet and returning home as early as the first break time itself. Yes, it was a memoir. And at home, it was no less, watching the "ROJA" on the DD national, and crying, and Goosebumps. Yes, the day pumped our blood with what all we needed for a year full. And today, as I stand to salute my flag, I more or less feel the same. But, I have seen and heard many of my friends complaining that the patriotism has come down these days and has been a mere act of show off.
No, it was not. It is just you people who felt so. I have asked a kid, some 11 year old I guess, who was standing by me looking high up at the flag hoisting ceremony about how he felt. He said, "I am grateful to all Mahatmas for this freedom. India is great." This is what I exactly felt 10 years ago, and here, today, this kid still feels the same. So, what has changed? Patriotism did? Well, no. Our feelings towards our country did. The country had been the same. I don't know about others, but I still feel the same pride as I salute my flag. I feel proud to be Indian. It is you who must have changed, if you feel today is just a holiday. It is you who must have changed if you feel dressing good is show off, pinning the flag is a Facebook display picture stunt, walking down to the event is just another Romeo act, college assembly is a place you are too noble to be at, listening to the patriotic songs is a crazy tribal way to enjoy, saluting the flag is a poor presentation of your respect to your country, teachers are too dumb for you to receive a little trophy from their hands, and the sweets are too deteriorated for you to eat them. It is you who must have deteriorated if you don't understand what DD National means to the country and what would "ROJA" do to you. If being proud of your nationality is childish, I like to be childish. And yet, despite being so responsible a citizen of India who feels that picking up the country's flag that has fell in a muddy place is as dirty or even more dirty than picking up any other piece of paper that would have been in a similar position, well update not of English chocolate distribution, praise not Sachin Tendulkar for claiming to be an Indian on the first hand, praise not A.R.Rehman who induces patriotism just through a piano.
Ask yourself if you are proud of being a part of this country. If your heart answers an honest yes, then I don't find absolutely no disrespect in screaming a "JAI HIND" or letting not your flag be stepped by a fellow. If it's a no, ask a friend who feels similar and seek a solution. Not every this act may seem logical to your highly intellectual brains, but then neither should any emotion seem more logically empowered if this does not. I am surrounded by you people in tens now. May be you multiply drastically making me a desolate mad guy, but yet, I will still feel the same pride as I do today when I salute my flag to say "I AM AN INDIAN AND I AM PROUD OF IT."
Wherever you go, and whomever you serve to,
You are my bro, being an Indian.
Whatever you speak, and whoever you look like,
You are not weak, being an Indian.
My state is high, and it is my pride too,
Even in sky, I am in Indian.
Whoever you work for and whoever your love is,
We are with you, if you are an Indian.
No, it was not. It is just you people who felt so. I have asked a kid, some 11 year old I guess, who was standing by me looking high up at the flag hoisting ceremony about how he felt. He said, "I am grateful to all Mahatmas for this freedom. India is great." This is what I exactly felt 10 years ago, and here, today, this kid still feels the same. So, what has changed? Patriotism did? Well, no. Our feelings towards our country did. The country had been the same. I don't know about others, but I still feel the same pride as I salute my flag. I feel proud to be Indian. It is you who must have changed, if you feel today is just a holiday. It is you who must have changed if you feel dressing good is show off, pinning the flag is a Facebook display picture stunt, walking down to the event is just another Romeo act, college assembly is a place you are too noble to be at, listening to the patriotic songs is a crazy tribal way to enjoy, saluting the flag is a poor presentation of your respect to your country, teachers are too dumb for you to receive a little trophy from their hands, and the sweets are too deteriorated for you to eat them. It is you who must have deteriorated if you don't understand what DD National means to the country and what would "ROJA" do to you. If being proud of your nationality is childish, I like to be childish. And yet, despite being so responsible a citizen of India who feels that picking up the country's flag that has fell in a muddy place is as dirty or even more dirty than picking up any other piece of paper that would have been in a similar position, well update not of English chocolate distribution, praise not Sachin Tendulkar for claiming to be an Indian on the first hand, praise not A.R.Rehman who induces patriotism just through a piano.
Ask yourself if you are proud of being a part of this country. If your heart answers an honest yes, then I don't find absolutely no disrespect in screaming a "JAI HIND" or letting not your flag be stepped by a fellow. If it's a no, ask a friend who feels similar and seek a solution. Not every this act may seem logical to your highly intellectual brains, but then neither should any emotion seem more logically empowered if this does not. I am surrounded by you people in tens now. May be you multiply drastically making me a desolate mad guy, but yet, I will still feel the same pride as I do today when I salute my flag to say "I AM AN INDIAN AND I AM PROUD OF IT."
Wherever you go, and whomever you serve to,
You are my bro, being an Indian.
Whatever you speak, and whoever you look like,
You are not weak, being an Indian.
My state is high, and it is my pride too,
Even in sky, I am in Indian.
Whoever you work for and whoever your love is,
We are with you, if you are an Indian.