Every Indian has a special memory about this date. The flag hoisting at school,celebrating the independence, freedom from the long slavery & generally having a unique feeling as you move down the roads!
I remember having the fortune to worship the Bharatmata on this day with my husband. The spot? bang on the college road , opposite college & the youth looking with admiration! It was a special occasion of which I had never even had a dream! It was just beyond my imagination!!
Lighting a lamp at a college function is common because of age & the number of years remaining for retirement. Or lighting a lamp at a bank at its anniversary function was ,yes an honour but this was something else!
I had been a part of several auspicious functions & also the ‘Host’ to so many events but the welling of tears & the feeling in my heart I can’t even begin to explain! The purohit chanting mantras, the idol, flowers, the thali with niranjan, incense stick, akshada & haldi kunku all was surreal.
The vendors outside the college gate selling stickers,tri coloured balloons, small flags attract all on this day. I always bought a small flag for Durga. She would be asleep when I left for college but would be waiting for my gift on my return. The celebrations in Delhi telecast on TV. The songs played on the mike from the school nearby, Boy’s Town, helped to create the right atmosphere.
Today’s ‘Social Distancing’ has made it a simple affair of going to college between 10 & 12 pm to sign. But the what’s up groups are active & they have shared innumerable songs to boost the moral. Bismillah Khan’s shehnai began my day. Followed by ‘He Rashtra Devatanche, he Rashtra preshitanche, ha chandra surya nando swatantra Bharatache… ‘ More songs to follow…
Enjoying today’s special day to the best of my abilities!
Asian Entertainment 