Happy State Formation Day

I got up late today, and was on time for my cab at 8.30AM in Motinagar....and started reading the daily dose of Hindu in cab...But surprisingly there was not much traffic and roads were little deserted and reached office early around 9.10AM. Momentarily I forgot that it's Nov 1st...and if you live in Hyderabad or Bangalore, you must have enjoyed holiday on this day. Our's is NOT a holiday...That's fine...but the sorry state of affair was reading that article, where a section of people object on this day casting it a black day.

I just got couldn't fathom, the idea, which was converted from a glorious day to a black day....with due respect to those, who have a genuine sentiment of a new state...no arguments to their sentiments, as there is a commission to decide...but if we can't understand the basic premises on which these celebrations stand, I believe, it's better to remain silent than voicing the anger which is NOT good for any one...

ON that light, sometimes, I wonder, what's patriotism and nationalism really means....Fortunately, got an answer yesterday while reading, Nayantara Sahgal's interview and book review on Nehru... No great and true leader ever said, only my countrymen are great, and only my country deserves to prevail... Proud to be of my faith which Preaches, universal brotherhood by declaring "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"...May humanity be the guiding factor for all our political activities......May truth and honesty prevail!

Independent day-2010 celebration: A unique experience

It's been a long time since I attended a school celebrating the independence day. Once out of the high school, there was no much of compulsion to celebrate august 15. The enthusiasm of the NCC parade practice, preparing for those debate competition or sports days. Gone are those days, when we were so keen to pluck flowers and make garlands to adorn the national leaders. At least, to sought "Bharat Maata ki Jaai" slogan, amidst those street processions.

We didn't have mandatory independence day celebration in pre-university or college. It was just a holiday from the regular hectic class days. A relief with some parade watching and patriotic movies on television.

Then came, work life. Here holidays are most wanted from hectic work days. By then, the wireless telecom revolution has taken our lives to SMSing in every occasion. So most of the days are celebrated by forwarding "feel-good" patriotic messages. Even, celebrating Independence day as Happy B'day to mother INDIA!

But this year it was a little different then all the previous ones I had encountered. This time, I went to a school, sang the national anthem with quite a few folks, ages ranging from 5-50, and belonging to every strata of contemporary India. Yes, it was in the MV foundation's Residence bridge school. Qualcomm sponsors for operations of the same. So we went to celebrate August 15 with the school kids. The kids are mostly picked from the slums or how have been working as bonded laborers. This school helps and prepare these kids to join government schools to mainline their schooling.

Finally, I was on the other side of a award ceremony. We distributed the prizes to the kids. And, I could sense the happiness they had in their face. It's a reminiscence of those juvenile moments - holding trophies and certificate, with pride and satisfaction of achievement. Which, of course, fosters and motivates one to walk an extra step - towards excellency. This celebration was for a cause, towards helping those little souls, to shower them with the light of knowledge. Not to mention, a self-fulfilling experience.

I wish, after a few years, some of these kids will go to such camps to distribute prizes. These initiatives off course can bridge the gaps we have between India and Bharat. Congratulations to all those who have been part of it.

The whole world will be with you when you want to conquare against all the odds to reach the destination. Run a marathon, it will provide you all the nourishment to have feel of real achievement!