A day in the life of LIFE

Pic above : NASDAQ proclaims its wishes on Indian Independence day and was the star attraction at Times Square.

As I type this post, I keep a watch on the hands of the wall clock that is fast approaching the midnight hour, heralding the advent of the 60th year of Indian Independence.

This might be part of an extended vacation for most people who consider this day as just another well deserved rest day, but there still exist people for whom the day is reminiscent of the sacrifices of thousands who feel a tribute to the nation is more than just hoisting the flag and singing patriotic songs. For them, it is the celebrating the spirit of freedom that has more connotations than the symbolic gestures.

It is the freedom to decide our future, the freedom to express opinions, the freedom to fight for a cause with conviction.

We might speak of the failures of the past or the ineffectiveness of the Indian Democracy, but deep beneath in our hearts, we realize that it has been challenging for a nation of One Billion people with a billion diverse tastes, to remain cohesive as a unified entity for 59 years and for all those who thought at the time of independence that the survival of the independent India would hinge on constant dependence on the “developed nations” and would eventually turn to them for crutches of empowerment, the current scenario has proved an indigestible surprise.

With all our flaws, and all our bickering, moments of despair and euphoria of hope, we have come a long way, and it is nothing less than a miracle to have remained a fully functional democracy despite all this, unlike the less fortunate neighbors of the Indian Union.

The inhabitants of this country might change over a period of time, but the symbols of India’s existence, the indelible marks left by India Inc. the world over are here to stay. And as the world looks up to India as the trend setter, we have made quite a transition from being a land of snake charmers to a land of mouse movers.

No longer is India known for just the Taj Mahal and Kohinoor, but it is known for the most important resource that runs the world economy – Intellectual Capital.

An MNC as large as PEPSI looking to an Indian to bail them out of the current cola controvery, as Indra Nooyi takes center stage as the CEO is yet another “Made In India” stamp on the world stage.

A.R. Rahman, on the cover of his album “Ma Tujhe Salaam”[which I am currently listening to, on Bangalore's Radio City] released on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence remarked, he would like fellow country men to shrug the “Chalta Hai” attitude in life. Taking a cue from this, it has been well mentioned that Indians might be wrong on occasions, but India as a nation is a gift of civilization. वयम् अत्र सञाता: सर्वॆ अस्माकम् पुन्यम् | - Blessed, we all are, to be fortunate enough to be born in the land called India.

Five minutes to Independence and I think I have said enough. All said and done, it is the spirit of Indianism that is inspiring resurgence, the world over…and it’s about time, Indians acknowledge the fact and take a bow in front of the global audience.

Here’s wishing you all, a very happy Independence Day…Aakhir Dil Hai Hindustani !