(Thanks Aruna for the suggestion to post this video here today).
While growing up, Independence day and republic day of India were big occasions for all kids. There used to be preparations for the parade weeks before these days.
On the big day, there used to be flag hoisting in our school early in the morning. Then our teachers would take us in a procession to a old fort in a nearby village called ‘Mirjan’. There, the kids of all neighboring schools would gather. The Chairman of the Mirjan gram(village) would hoist the flag and give a speech. They would distribute some sweets/candys to all the kids and we would come back to our respective schools. Ohh, I can’t explain how happy we used to be to get those sweets/candys, even though we used to eat like princes/princesses daily at home, those small pieces distributed on these days were a big treat for us. We also got to meet so many other school children, some of whom were very arrogant to talk and some were very friendly. I also remember, only 4+ standard(grade) children were taken to this fort because it was quite far and we had to walk all the way.
When I was in 4th, for some reason, they didn’t take us and I started crying out of frustration, teachers had a tough time to calm me down. Then my pappa took me to the fort in the evening to show the flag.
While we enjoyed in school, my parents would sit glued to the TV to watch flag hoisting on Red fort. They would watch the hoisting, parade and then speech by our Prime minister. This year, pappa was terribly missing all these, then he read the newspaper from start to finish to get the updates.
Aayi and pappa were telling all these stories to my husband yesterday, I wished I could go back to those days again, at least for one day. I am sure at least few of you have similar memories and if you are outside India, you must have terribly missed all the celebrations.
Happy Independence Day, Shilpa.
The video is so patriotic.
Happy I day Shilpa!:))
happy I-day shilpa… the story is really cute 🙂
Shilpa,
Happy I-day to you too!
Video doesn’t work at office, I will go check in the evening.
Wish you a very Happy Independence day!
Happy Independence Day to u too!
hey happy swantantratadivas shilpa!!
Lovely memories … happy independence day.
Happy Independence day shilpa!
Happy Independence to you and the family. It must be especially nice having your parents with you on this occasion.
Happy Independence day, Shilpa!
Shilpa,(Belated Happy Independence Day!)
This video is truly touching…ditto memories for me too..Mr. Nehru’s speech on NDTV at midnight was lovely-“Tryst wt destiny”.
Please follow the below link if you wish to hear and watch Mr. Nehru deliver this speech.Its original version.
http://www.harappa.com/wall/nehru.html
We celebrate by going to the Indian Embassy for flag hoisting event at 7am, where whole lot of Indians come, its touching.
Thanks again..have a gr8 wkend.
Best Regards,
Purnima.
http://my-utterances.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/08/tryst-with-destiny-rare-videos-of-indian-independence.htm
this is for your Aayi-Pappa..tks..tc.
Wish you happy independence day! although its a day late.
Happy independence day to all the fellow readers.
Greetings to you too Shilpa and yes we all have our own memories of such days
Thanks and wish you the same Shilpa.
Happy Independence Day to you Shilpa! I loved the video you posted, and the others that appear at the end as well. I enjoyed reading about your trips to the flag-raisings very much. Many blessings upon the nation do I wish.
Thanks and wish you the same.
This is the best National Anthem version I have heard so far!!!
Thanks a ton Shilpa. I think your site is extremely useful and informative.
Thanks and wish you the same.
Greetings from Karwar !!
I have linked to your present post at –
http://karwar-daily-pic.blogspot.com/2009/12/fort-in-ruins-at-mirjaan.html
Thought I would associate your memories of the Mirjan Fort, with my Blog post.
Regards.
i love my india…………………..
mera dhostos ko ” happy independence day”