Comments on: Of I-day pride and I-days past

By: Candadai Tirumalai

Candadai Tirumalai — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:40:37 +0000

I was almost ten in August 1947: not old enough to grasp its larger significance. In later years the occasion was often marked with speeches: I remember giving two of those in 1956 and 57, at Osmania University.
I can vividly remember the passion and promise of the first dozen years, when Nehru seemed to be India and India Nehru, before the nation got bogged down in what is sometimes called the license raj. I left India in 1960 but have followed developments there, combined with visits.

Lekhni: Welcome back! Your account reminds of accounts I have heard from elders in India. I imagine it was a time filled with hopes and dreams of a better India, and the promise of great achievements. It sounds such a magical time now.

I am also curious – by the time you left India in 1960, were you starting to feel disillusioned? What were your thoughts on India at that point?

By: Suda

Suda — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:55:17 +0000

Now I have written it already, I am not sure if I want to Shefaly/Amit *to take it up*
*hiding behind wardrobe*

By: Nandini

Nandini — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:04:12 +0000

I remember marching in school I loved that. I felt I was doing something for my country then ( you can imagine how early in my life this was )

Otherwise, am super emotional about India. I cry everytime I hear a partially patriotic song/line. And am not a person who cries much. So you can imagine And coming to this country, I cry in joy at the Indian store and break into an impromptu dance while shopping for all those ghastly songs I’d NEVER listen to, back in India!

Lekhni: Oh yes, I learnt all the patriotic songs in school too, and for all I know I still remember those lines

By: Suda

Suda — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:05:53 +0000

Lekhani, you did put it in simple words but they formed a post which made people think. Before putting my expressions here, I would like to say something more.
On any occasion, I would have tried to explain Shefaly and Amit while arguing with some others. But something tells me that you will do it more diplomatically soon.
For Shefaly, I will not break out in hives but still I can’t contain myself without saying a word. You said a very good thing. Pride is in “doing”. Now for a moment, leave the country aside. With meaning no harm to personal things, think, don’t you feel proud of “being” daughter of your dad when he is referred as Very Nice person(or something more)? Its a hypothetical example but see the meaning. You feel pride in *being*, even if you call it appreciation, its pride inside. Same thing will apply to your children (*). They will be proud of having you as mother even though they didn’t make it happen by their wish.
You feel pride in doing because you are more of a practical person or I perceive you being one. Coming back to main point, as Lekhani said, *Being born Indian is a part of who we are.*
Who are you? A Daughter! A Woman! A Wife! A mother! A Human! and an Indian……this identity is powerful enough to be written with all great others.

It seems I have gone too far in telling you this, but really no harm meant.

Amit, tera bhi time aayga bachchu!!
Lekhani, I hope u don’t ban people who write *posts* in your comments

Happy 62nd Year of Independence.
Strictly No Sarcasm!!
I feel shivers when I hear those songs. I feel like my blood running fast through my veins when I hear about Shee Shivaji Maharaj. My brain forgets all pain and worries when someone calls Jay Shivaji….and I reply Jay Bhavani!!!
(No, I am not in shivsena not bajrang dal)

Its just I am proud to be called son of this soil!!!

Lekhni: I certainly don’t frown on “Posts” in comments – I have been guilty of that too often on other people’s blogs
That said, your comment was great and sounded very heartfelt. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Since most of it was addressed to Shefaly/Amit, I will let them take it up if they want to

By: harshasrisri

harshasrisri — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:08:36 +0000

I have this feeling of joy surging through my stomach and having a strange feeling of weightlessness whenever i sing the Anthem, or listen to it intently. especially in the last few lines… other than that, i was proud of being an Indian whenever i see an achievement being tagged with an Indian or POIs…

-Su.

Lekhni: The last few lines, yes, the Jaya He is almost martial and yet song-like. And yes, don’t we all look for desi names in the news

By: Kamini

Kamini — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 02:29:12 +0000

I second Unmana’s statement: every time I listen to the Indian national anthem, tears well up in my eyes, and my heart swells with an emotion I can only describe as nationalistic pride. It happens every single time, I have no control over my reaction.

Lekhni: It’s strange, right, that we can live anywhere in the world and still feel that tug?

By: Unmana

Unmana — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 04:10:31 +0000

You know, I was talking about this to the Guy recently… I claim to be a rational person and I don’t really believe in patriotism in the sense of thinking your country is the best, but yet, when the national anthem plays, I feel this irrational surge of emotion…

Lekhni: I can relate. It’s definitely a deep-rooted response

By: Nita

Nita — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:34:07 +0000

Good post Lekhni and the kind that sets one thinking. But I would like to mention the Independence aspect first…being an army officer’s kid, patriotism was something we lived and breathed but from an entirely different angle. That of giving up one’s life. My great-grandmother was a freedom fighter and well have heard stories about here too. When I was a kid I sort of yearned to have been born then, so I could have been part of the freedom movement. Independence and freedom are almost synonymous for me Independence day itself means nothing much to me…except a day of parades and celebration of a day. I don’t really believe in days, but in everyday.
About pride in being Indian, a hundred and ten percent!

Lekhni: You have a very interesting perspective – army life + freedom fighter! Wow, I can see how that would make for a fierce patriotism You are right, Independence Day and Republic Day are more about the pageantry and celebration, patriotism and pride are everyday feelings.

By: varali

varali — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 21:18:24 +0000

I think it is bit like loving some people (usually family) you have known forever, despite all their faults. Working with dryland farmers I can see exactly how wretched life in India can be. But when they sing the anthem with with such pride (as they did last year when I was in a village in Karnataka), I wonder if someone as privileged as I has the right to feel cynical about the country.

Lekhni: That was a touching comment. It’s true, there are plenty of faults in India, many things that need to be changed, and we should recognize/ accept those issues and try to change them. But you are right, we really have no reason to be cynical about the country