Happy Independence Day India and Indians

You have given me the best of life till now and I am assured of a great future in your arms. You have given me the best education that my parents could afford and an education that will support me through my life. You have given me the love of siblings and blessings of the elderly. I have played hide n seek on the streets and watched just DD1 and DD metro through my teenage years. I didn’t have an arranged marriage but still live in a joint family and close to my parents. My husband supports me as a career woman and doesn’t expect me to make phulkas or dosas at home. I have helpers at home who are like my family. I have electricians and plumbers just a call away and don’t have to do them on my own in the name of self service. You have made me understand the worth of money and given me an optimistic view of life – been hearing that India is going to be a super power in next ** years. I shall wait to see that day.

Driving on your streets is so interesting. I get to change gears every 30 seconds and I don’t have to face boredom just driving at a constant speed and on the same lane for miles together. I like measuring in kilometers and litres. My politicians give me a good read for everyday newspapers. Right now our PM is on top of the world inspiring millions globally. You have your arms wide open to the world to treat serious diseases and I don’t have to pay a bomb to get my tooth extracted. I can play badminton on the road. I can eat pani puri for 20 bucks at the roadside. I don’t need a GPS to find my way but just have to roll down my windows and ask. Someone is always around to help. My incoming calls and messages are not charged. Wearing a saree didn’t mean I was attending an Indian party. I may have to walk into the local corporation office 10 times to get my son’s name added to his birth certificate and my surname changed but I also meet an old advocate during one of those visits who calls me to dictate a format for an affidavit for submission. I still meet such kind and considerate people on the roads who are not just upto themselves but eager to help others in need. Truly "Vasudaiva Kutumbakum".

My son can speak his mother tongue and still be a part of a country which has the largest English speaking population. Our children can just walk on to the road to play in the neighborhood and don’t have to keep play dates. We have power cuts – forcing us to sit in the portico and have a chat with family members or perhaps a romantic candle light dinner. Our children can take guitar, dance or Tae-kwon-do classes. My parents can walk to the nearby shop, have a chai with friends and walk to the bank without the need for a car or the metro. I can drink yelaneer (naariyal paani) straight from the coconut. I don’t look for mineral water wherever I go.

I know independence day is all about hoisting a flag, watching Attenborough’s Gandhi on TV and taking pride in being an Indian for just a day but just like there is a father’s day, mother’s day and Valentine’s day, this day I say I love my country.