As we celebrate one more Independence Day, my mind goes back to the many that I have had the privilege of participating in, as someone born post-Independence. I recall my mother telling me about how she switched over from singing, “God save our gracious King,” to the national anthem.
Surprising for someone like me who has taken my national anthem for granted. I cannot remember when the words of “Jana Gana Mana,” entered into my being, evoking strong feelings of patriotism. It is another matter that today it has acquired a different connotation when I hear of people actually being threatened if they do not stand up, whenever it is played.
School was the time when the sense of patriotism was really honed in my being. Despite 15th August being a holiday, it was impressed upon all students in the school that I went to, that it was imperative to be present for the flag-hoisting. As a Girl Guide, there was even less of a chance of doing the bunk, not that one even intended to, as the Guide uniforms had to be donned, for a special March Past and an “eyes right,” salute for the Indian flag.
With each passing year, the national flag and the anthem became totally synonymous with Independence Day. Then came college and the workplace where all these things were less important but my mind would always hark back to the halcyon times of school when Independence and Republic Days, were celebrated with meaning and fervour.
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