Tribute

This day that age...I walk down the memory lane reminiscing some glorious moments since my childhood , associated with the republic day celebrations of our beloved Motherland.

As a small girl , born and brought up much away from her native state , the stories of gallant warriors who fought and won the war of 1974 were my favourite bed-time tales . True Indianism runs in my veins ever since I was a little girl . Papa would tug me along everywhere to either be a part of a special occasion or to witness it.Most such occasions were the ceremonious Republic day and the Independence day parades . We were close to the airbase and it was a feast to witness the air-shows there on such days. I still remember waiting for the grand day to arrive .My routine for the day would always begin with the flag hoisting at the school where I was studying .This was followed by the "march pasts "- as they were called then - by the students of most schools in the town , the police and the various other groups in the region . The memories still remain a thrilling experience to me ; the bandwagon and the colourful marchers who followed them saluting the National Flag , a sight never to be missed specially since I lead my class-mates in those "march-pasts" . Then around noon , braving the sun , we would reach the airbase which was close by , to witness the gallant of the warbirds . Zig- zagging , criss-crossing , the combatant warriors would pilot the fighter birds all across the clear blue skies showing off their prowess as fierce guardians of the nation .The show would go on till the evening . A grand finale : The war planes left behind a colourful trail of fumes in saffron, white and green whizzing past the spectators stunned at their tremendous performance . The exhilarated crowd , the soldiers in their green battle dress , the thunder of the war machines ...all stirred up patriotism even in a coward's heart . With a little tricolour badged to our chests and holding our heads high with pride ,we would sing out aloud : " Sare jahaan se achha ,Hindustan hamara hamara ....." in chorus . Anybody would go patriotic at the courage of the soldiers flying up there with the country's national flag pinned to their war planes ! I recall the moments when I had desired to become one like them some day when I grew up, just to hold my country's flag high in the world .So intense are my evergreen and everlasting feelings to serve the nation as when the need arises.

The evenings would be set aside for the sumptuous yummy "masala dosas"-a rare delicacy in that part of the country then , the mention of which still tingles my taste buds .

Time flies . The 80s paved way to the 90s . Destinations changed with Papa's transfer to the south of the country . The lifestyle was vastly different here but yet the spirit of nationalism remained the same . Here too , the parades were colourful and the marchers just as wonderful .I still lead my batch-mates at the "march pasts" saluting the tri-colour for a year or two during my college days as a student . But each passing year , the updated version of the celebrations followed which soon saw us just wearily attending the flag hoisting and singing the national anthem like puppets.But ofcourse ,the inborn spirit of patriotism for my beloved motherland never ceased an inch in me.

90s paved the way to the new millennium . I changed homes ,made myself a nest too :)).Yet the spirit of 26th January never dies in me.Though with a difference , I still attend the flag hoists, pin with dignity, the ever-sacred Tri-colour on the chest of my little ones too who care for it with the same pride as me . I listen to the 1st citizen of this great country address us all n watch the grand parades live but again with a difference -- all from the comforts of my living room -- on TV set .I do miss braving the sun on this day now.

This day brings in lots of memorable moments in my life ,some pleasant and a few sour too . It is the day my country declared itself a republic within 3 years after its independence ! It is this day on which I began my life as a wife to my wonderful husband ! It is on this day that scores of young future citizens of this nation, the little angels , marching and singing the praise of their motherland were swallowed by the devasting quake at Bhuj .Yes , that's life I suppose...sometimes high and sometimes low and always nostalgic down the memory lanes -- like this day ~ the 26th of January !
So , summing up here , is me wishing us all a very happy Republic Day with a special mention to the uncountable lives that were and are forsaking their todays for our tomorrows . Let us all join hands, pledge solidarity to Bharth Mata and pray for all those gallant lives out there, braving all odds to uphold the sanctity , honour , pride , peace and integrity of our beloved India . Let the world know that each of us in this country is a patriot with a true sense of nationalism in our own ways .Once again , as I walk back with time to the present perfect ,up the memory lane, I salute the " Tiranga " with my heart singing -- " Sare Jahaan se achha , Hindustan Hamara Hamara......." and " Jhanda Ooncha Rahe Hamara . Vijayi Vishwa Tiranga Pyara......." .