My Dear Indians,
As you unfurl me today...I take a deep long breath…
Ahhh...it is 'freedom' at last !
After months of being tucked away folded in some dark corner of an old closet...I now stretch myself in grandeur… and breath in the fresh morning air greedily...
I sprinkle out flowers ...to celebrate, my happiness.
And then, I look down with a bright smile and see your upturned faces.
Faces of my visitors, the visitors to a ‘boring seventy year old '
But ‘faces’? Nah… they are kaleidoscopes of suppressed emotions…
'Annoyance',at being woken up on the usual time even on a holiday and having to come here ...
'Impatience', to go back to your respective homes for the second round of sleep or to go to that pre-planned morning movie show? Or maybe for that much awaited luncheon,
and 'Fear', of being criticized by someone present here, a few hours later, on social media, maybe for standing ‘not respectfully enough’
So you all stand there, stiff and straight, watching me waltz with the breeze as my favorite ‘song’ plays... my moment of glory indeed.
You patiently wait, for it to end, counting seconds, while checking out the lady in white standing in front.
The music ends. And so does your patience.
It's time...to ‘pack-up’ and get-going!
As the crowd disperses with an amazing swiftness, I make my heart understand, yet again, that maybe the next year is going to be different. When people will come out of patriotism and not out of forced-upon duty.
Throughout the day as I keep swaying to the chilly wind, I say my prayers for all of you...
That may our country be that Republic where the power held by people is no more abused, misused and exploited, each day, each place, at each speck of opportunity.
The power of position, money, fame. The power of Words...
Internet and Phones. And the physical power, of men, in groups and alone, shown time and again by violating defenseless females.
I pray harder this time, that may you all realize, that real power, is the strength to act on what you all know, to be the right thing. The knowledge of right and wrong, I believe, is right there, inside each one of you. Use yours, for the good.
Happy Republic Day to all of you,
Blessings,
The Indian National Flag
