nanha munha rahee hoon, desh ka sipahi hoon.. bolo mere sang .. jai hind JAI HIND….
This independence day was the best ever in my life. In such times when the government is indifferent to the citizen’s right and desire to celebrate their ‘independence’, to have something like ‘National Anthem Ceremony’ at the Martyr’s Memorial and the Open Hand Monument is the biggest thing to happen for the willful citizens. The spirit to get to the destination and see our beautiful ‘tricolor’ flowing freely, was visible in all eyes. Freedom is not subject to sex or age, even this was evident when a small girl came forward to sing ‘nanha munha rahee hoon’.
To start from the very beginning, we all gathered at leisure valley to start our march towards the OHM(Open Hand Monument). We had the permission to enter the Capitol Complex at 11:45am. We took flags, badges, wrist bands and tricolor balloons, and with our heads held high, we started the march. With ‘Harish Band’(of emotional atyachaar) singing the all time favorite patriotic songs and all of us singing along, everyone moved towards the so awaited complex. Police officials and vans accompanied us, all set to arrest us anytime we made a move not so comfortable for them. It felt nice when they maneuvered the traffic for us. We were ahead of time so we halted about 5 minutes from the complex and sang songs and made ‘naare’ for our beloved mother, India.
The journey till now was smooth and quite uneventful. So to add some spice to our march came the police. Not ready to let us go!! Again we all started our ‘naarebaazi’ while Gaurav demanded them to call the high court officials as they gave us the permission to visit the OHM.
After a few phone calls (most probably on Govt.’s bill), they let us go. We reached the ‘Martyr’s Memorial’ first and demanded to be allowed to go inside. But the gate was locked. Nevertheless, we vowed to go inside and one uncle(don’t know his name) started making calls for the effect. Till then, we decided to go to the OHM.
Must say, OHM is a beautiful piece of architecture. Going high into the sky, surrounded by open space. Just under it is the ‘contemplation area’. That was where we were headed. There was a small stage where all the flag bearers stood.
The whole scene was a feast for the cameras of our ‘shutter bugs’ and news channels.
Anurag, fully senti, lay down on the floor, to get the best view. :P
We had the company of a few foreigners as well, eager to know what this was all about.
After few minutes rest, everyone stood up for the ‘National Anthem’.
Singing your Anthem feels good, but it feels awesome when you sing it with more than 150 people standing with you in the OHM. That feeling, my friends, is much beyond words.
After the Anthem, we kept 2 minutes silence for those who died in the recent cloudburst in Leh.
After that we witnessed spray painting talents on Anurag’s shirt and then came the good news!!
Martyr’s Memorial was open!!! Hooting and clapping followed the news.. all thanks to the unnamed uncle :D :D Thank You Uncle!!!
Hungry and thristy, but still full of energy and feasting upon our spirits and ‘josh’, we started for the memorial.
Me, monika, chetan and manyu stopped to have some water. One of the auntie’s had a fracture so a car was allowed to go inside, and we grabbed the opportunity and took lift. Though by the time we reached the memorial, everyone else was coming back (as usual late :P ). Still, we went on to see the incomplete memorial(Oh! Forgot to tell you, the Martyr’s Memorial was started around 50 or 55 years back and still has not been completed. The statues sculptured to be placed there are lying in some dingy store room. What a Shame!! So we went there to express our gratitude and respect for the martyrs’.).
The grandeur of the Mureal by Le Carbusier is captivating!! The bright colors and meaningful portrayal of objects was admirable.
The beautiful birthday girl, Aditi, also joined us and photos were clicked. :D
Then, we came back(now on foot) and shouted for an auto. The autowalah was too far to hear us. Luckily, we got a lift in Sahil’s car J J yeaaa!!! :P
I reached my Access, and that was when Aditi called for me. She was eating icecream with Harpreet, and even I was tempted to have one *slurp*. But on my way to the icecream vendor, I saw ‘bantawalah’ and went upto him. We had bantas and jaljeera. And then we parted, physically, though deep inside our hearts, we all are connected now. We might forget the names, but the sense of freedom once felt together will never let us part away!!
This was the independence day that brought to changingarh, the freedom it deserves and will cherish forever!!
JAI HIND!!!
