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Today, 15 Aug 2010, is India’s 64th Independence Day. Sixty three years ago, the same fine date, 15 Aug 1947, was the most important day for the people, of the people and by the people of India and even after 64 years we celebrate this day in the memories of people who fought for us, in the memories of our country who struggled in the past, in the hope of our people growing along with our country. I don’t have much to say on this Independence Day, except to share one fictional story which I guess is very much real. Few young friends as per their usual Saturday evening schedule, had a gathering on 14th August 2010 at a Dhabha (a small road side restaurant) called “Singh Da Dhabha.” After hell lots of work had to be done in the entire week in office and home, every Saturday they all come to meet each other and share their thoughts and get relaxed. This Saturday, a day before Independence Day, again they met at 8.30 p.m, they all gestured each other and formed a circular group making them comfortable on the plastic chair. They started of well with their usual talks and after some one and half hour, Rahul asked the question and the story begins:
Rahul asked “Hey guys, what is the plan of tomorrow, it’s the Independence Day, a holiday? F#$%king holiday got wasted as Independence Day had to come on Sunday. I am worried, this time I won’t be able to participate in any of our Sunday’s party as I have loads of work; have to take my mom to hospital for regular check up and after that I wanna take a deep rest as this week was very hectic, I hardly slept this week due to the assignments.” Rahul was a Commerce graduate and was working in some Finance company as accountant and simultaneously pursuing Part Time MBA.
Trisha, (married girl at the age of 23, now 25) replied “These Sundays as so boring. I am fed up with my in-laws; they have made my life hell. I don’t understand why my husband doesn’t support me when he knows that what they are asking is foolishness. They want money so I am working 6 days a week and that too from 8 to 8 and now they also want me to take care of household work. How is it possible? Forget it, I am out of any plans , no chance my hubby will be interested in outing tomorrow as he knows I will be stuck up in those 4 walls with hell lots of household work. He will never want me to hand over any work to the lazy housemaid (who for sure won’t do it) or his parents, I mean our parents.”
To that Aziz started laughing and said “Poor Trisha, your husband seems to be very cooperative, why you don’t talk to him and try to explain your condition.” Trisha replied and this time anger on her face “Do you think I am a fool that I am waiting for your expert guidelines. I have tried it many times, but no output, he is mama’s boy. Forget it, what are your plans on Independence Day?” Aziz voice was low this time "Nothing specific, I can’t even meet Shreya (his Hindu girl friend, he was Muslim); my parents warned me not to devise any kind of plan to meet up Shrey. They said people will feel I am planning any conspiracy to blast the police inspector’s house or kidnap his daughter (Shreya was PI’s daughter). It’s even risky for We Muslims to loiter around any public or gov. property on Independence Day.” Aziz father was a Member of Parliament and famous politician among Muslim’s community.
“Man, for me all days are same. I can’t compromise on my workout and so I have to get up early in morning or else my dad will kill me. I don’t want to be a sports man, but as per my dad I have to. One more busy Sunday, nothing new though its Independence Day” – Aman said. Aman was a son of unsuccessful Sports Man. To cheer him up a bit, Rahul said “Man at least you will get a chance to meet up some babes at your sports club. Enjoy with them, the Independence, what else?” All started laughing.
Suddenly, they felt an appearance of beggar irritating them and asking for some food and they all stopped laughing. “Please give me something so that I can feed my child.” – Beggar started his usual begging job as he felt the group has given him some attention. Aman and Trisha both gave him some money and showed him the way to move ahead.
Beggar started walking and showing two one rupee coins to his son murmured “See dear son, there is hardly any difference between Independence Day and Normal Day for us but Independence Day is very important for us. On normal day, we beg and they pay us, on Independence Day we find out for Indian Flags lying on ground and sell them and they again pay us. Thus on Independence Day, Indian Flags give us the independence from begging, so be proud to be a part of this country.”
Here, all of them continued the discussion ignoring the beggar. All of the sudden their attention shifted to Ravi who throughout the discussion was busy doing something on his mobile. “Hey Ravi, whats up? What are you up to? We have been observing you; you are completely in your mobile since we are here, new girl friend or what?” asked Rahul. After blushing for few seconds Ravi replied “No Man, Just updating my status on Facebook; wishing Independence Day and updating people that we are here to plan out Independence Days’ schedule and its all done.”
He continued talking now looking out of his mobile screen “Well, I am free for any plans. Thank God my boss has spared me at least on Independence Day. I would be the happiest person in the country to have Independence Day on Sunday. My boss is busy with some event related to Independence Day and so I got one Sunday where I can relax.” Suddenly his phone started ringing, he looked into the mobile screen “What the F#$%, my boss is going to screw me up for 100 years, we talked of him and devil is here.” He shouted showing screen of phone to everyone. All started laughing and Ravi went away from the group so that his boss is audible to him clearly.
The Old man, somewhere in 80s, sitting beside this group was hearing their discussion throughout. He took a support of his son (owner of “Singh Da Dhabha”) and got up. He asked his son to help him to take near to the group of those young chaps. He went there and stated clapping. All were amazed and so was his son to see such an Old man coming to them and clapping for them for no reason. They all were confused, what could be the possible reasons, what have they done that he is clapping.
After clapping for one minute he uttered “All of you, the young Indian chaps, the future of India started the discussion with the question: What are the plans on Independence Day? And what have you discussed is your personal problems. None of you mentioned any thing about our India. None of you thought of sitting for two minutes and thinking about the country, none of you thought or discussed about flag hosting and singing the national anthem at least once.” The Old Man continued and this time raising his voice “Do you even know that the restaurant you regularly visit is named in the memories of the legendary Bhagat Singh – Singh Da Dhabha.” The old man went away after saying this and all the young chaps were dumb.
They had two options after listening to the Old Man. They could have either continued discussing the same what they were discussing few seconds ago and ignore the Old Man or would have started thinking about our country and at least would have thought something where they can contribute for better India.
What option will you choose?
Happy Independence Day!!
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