It is said that values written on paper stay on paper, but those practised are imbibed. Growing in independent India, we take freedom for granted. In the same way, we take our inherent secular trait for granted. Secularism not in the twisted sense as is used by the politicians but in a wholesome way of life. Personally, I have lived in different cities across India when I was growing up. I studied in a school in Lucknow where we began the day by singing different bhajans and patriotic songs. Then the Catholic-Jewish school in Mumbai, where Christmas carols were the norm, and there was no big deal in going and praying in the Chapel especially before the exams :). Multiple relocations ensured exposures to different languages, cultures, and religions. When making friends and celebrating festivals, religion was and is never a criteria.
Today, I have a Muslim maid and while she tells me about Ramzan, she wholeheartedly participates in Diwali and poojas too. She even visited a temple renowned for getting alcoholics rid of their alcoholism for her husband’s welfare. Personally Haji Ali dargah is our favorite place to visit at every Mumbai trip. Just day before yesterday, Varamahalaxmi vrat was celebrated here. I don’t personally do it, but it was with happiness that I went and participated in the celebrations of others. This is a beautiful feature of being Indian. Most of us in our thinking are secular. Which other country can boast of over a 100 languages and dialects and all the major religions in the world? On Independence Day, I celebrate this spirit of being an Indian.
When the National Flag unfurls and the National Anthem is played, which Indian can resist feeling patriotic? Oh yes, problems are there, but this day is a day of celebration of our Motherland — one that nurtures us and gives us the freedom to reach out to the skies. India is a work in progress. Many milestones are achieved and many, many more to go.
Wish all Indians a very Happy Independence Day!
Tomorrow, we begin the agitation for Jan Lokpal Bill. Please remember to switch off your lights between 8 and 9 pm tonight.
somethng tht baffles me is…except in India the world over multiculturalism is a huge failure
Jon, one reason for that is the level of tolerance of majority community.There are those who dont agree with my point of,but, well…..
@Jon That is something positive that we can cherish. I would attribute that to the foresight of our leaders at the time of Independence like Gandhi, Nehru, Sardar Patel. And, our Constitution ensured that everyone had equal rights. But, as a people, we must take maximum credit for being the way we are.
@BKC I would say that the country belongs to all. India continues to defy the logic for all nations around the world. A caste-ridden Hinduism, multitude of other religions, languages and cultures and yet we are together and strong and still a democracy!
It is true it is not easy to live in harmony with so many diverse religion, language and people, but still we have shown the world that we able to live together. In many western countries, people don’t realize that despite no such extreme diversities they are not able to live in harmony, they also have less population, then why are they still struggling with terrorism, racism and poverty too?
But whenever something happens in our country, our own people are the first to point fingers at us.
We are evolving, everything cannot happen overnight, India being a large country, it would take us time to sort out things one step at a time. We are happy we have the freedom to express ourselves,how many countries don’t even have that. We have had the women PM, and have women CMs, President, even America has to yet vote for a woman President.
I feel we are way ahead in everything, and only some myopic people choose not see the good in our country.
We must celebrate the good in us, and that what each Indian is doing today.
Happy Independence Day!
@rama Absolutely agree! Celebrate the good and fight the evil is what I feel too. One-sided cribs just turn us into cynics.
I agree to both..BK chola and Rama..we have lot of good in our country…basic tolerance and a feeling of sharing and we must nurture that, instead of following the west where I me myself is the mantra.
India is a true diverse country..most diverse country I have noticed. That is probably we accept it whole heatedly. Very good post Rachna.
@Renu We have a lot of good around us that we must realized and appreciate.
@A Thank you. You are absolutely right. This is a way of life with us, and a great thing at that.
hey the post and comments r interesting..let’s cherish the diversity while v remain happy abt our heritage..just look at india’s beauty ya…it’s like a soldier emerging victorious out of a battlescene..injured, scarred but victorious, smiling and beautiful:)
Yes rachna We Indians have to live in harmony and have the opneness to accept the different cultural and regional variants here.Not all people have the ability to sync up with all the religions and cultures.People still have the groupism and flocking amongst their own communities which I really hate!Like here in USA ,I see that Telugu speaking community prefer to be with only their language people and try to dominate .
@RRamesh Very rightly pointed out!
@raji True! Sometimes here also one finds such herd mentality but more or less we are open to interact with everyone.
yes lets raise a toast to our uniqueness!
The geography, climates, cultures, languages, lifestyles, religions, habits, might be different but still we are united by Indianism. We are unique .
Happy Indepence Day Rachna !
I hope the nation unites as a strong force to wipe out corruption from our country.We really need to unite like never before.
Let’s cherish everything about India
Good one:)
Cheers!
Vijay
@Sujatha Yes, certainly.
@Kavita I hope so too. We really need to work together to bring a change in the status quo.
@Vijay Thanks!
Love this blog, you know i’m all for diversity among our people!!
It felt so good to read Jon’s comment 🙂
How much ever we complain about India and the faulty democracy… there is an India which every Indian loves!
@Emmy Yes, it is really refreshing and wonderful to be surrounded by diversity. After all, variety is the spice of life :).
@Aathira Oh yes, if we love something, we have the right to criticize it. Our love for our country is very real. All of us get cynical at times, though.
@Jon :- sorry i did not get you on that .. I find it not true that world over its a failure..
recently in the riots the sikhs and muslims stood shoulder to shoulder .. it did not matter if one was from india or pakistan ..
Everywhere in the world its rather opposite.. thats what i have experienced my cousins live in london on rented accomodation and its them – a person from afghanistan- a couple of pakistani and one from Iraq.. and each time i go there I have a gala time with everyone ..
Its only in india that we are more racist and worse off .. Sorry dont agree to it .. One needs to visit london to see the Multi culture it has …
Happy indepandance day to everyone .. I hope we can take a lesson from other countries and live more peacefully and yes get rid of the idiots who rule us ..
lets hope the lok pal bill does go through …
Bikram’s
with so many languages and so many cultures (and religion) our country still holds together and that is what matters.
Happy Independence Day..lets enjoy the diversity and respect each other religion and culture.
!God Bless!
Loved it Rachna! Especially the passage:
When the National Flag unfurls and the National Anthem is played, which Indian can resist feeling patriotic? Oh yes, problems are there, but this day is a day of celebration of our Motherland — one that nurtures us and gives us the freedom to reach out to the skies. India is a work in progress. Many milestones are achieved and many, many more to go.
Very inspiring! Thank you for your wishes and Happy India Day to you and yours too!
@Bikram Sorry I don’t agree with your first point. Multiculturism truly thrives in India. The example you quoted — do you find whites standing with blacks or browns. Don’t you find Islamphobia all over the west — burqa banning, not allowing sikh symbols in schools in france, clamping down on immigration, the shoot out in Oslo are all signs of growing xenophobia. Can you name a single country that has as many religions as ours and promises them equal status through Constitution? I remember the backlash that happened in “free” US after 9/11. I was there. So, let us not go there. Like I said, we have our problems but tolerating other religions is not one of them.
I do support you about the Jan Lokpal bill. We will do all that is in our power to keep the movement going on.
@Haddock Absolutely a miracle.
@harman Wish you the same. Let us respect each other.
@NRIGirl Thank you and wish you the same!
@Rachna well we have different views then, What you are saying is called racism .. Do we find the rich and poor standing together in India No we dont, If we say they do then its just a minority..
so many people are killed in the name of Caste, low caste- high caste, and Creed tooo.
and Religions Well What has religion ever done Good for our country india, Other than Massacre ..
And I totally Support What france has done, I am a sikh and YES i am angry , I will probably never go to france .. But then That again is a different issue , its their country , we got to follow their rules, the things you have mentioned are political –
Immigration yes is a problem and there does need to be a ban on it, How much can a country take in.
Regarding Free US after 9/11 well we in india ourself hunted sikhs , christians to kill them, Its the same thing, ..
I am a staunch believer that there should be no religion, Other then HUMANKIND..
Regarding rights Well I as a indian have More rights in this country then in india itself, And that is the truth No matter what anyone says , They have more rights in foregin shores then there own.. if thought LOGICALLY.
I never said india does not have mulitcultural I jsut responded to the fact that Other countries too have it .. UK has it everyone from different countries , different cultural background is here.. In india we only got INDIANs .. here we have indians-Pakistani’s- Malaysians- Sri lankans- You name a country we have them here .. NOW that is Multi culturalism…
so if in india it is difficult to live with different religions among Same country men , Imagine how difficult it is to live with Different religions of Different countries … 🙂
@Bikram Yes we do have different views. I respect yours, though I might not agree with them :). Let’s agree to disagree then. I do agree that Humanity is the biggest religion.
rachna..like yr spirit on Anna yar..gr8..keeep the show going…
Humanity is the biggest religion…that’s the truth..if only all humans agree..well it is heaven on earth..
ok lets agree to disagree 🙂 i am up for that he he he .. I hope you dont mind me saying anything .. I am sorry if i said anything that hurt you…
Bikram’s
@Ramesh All Indians must support this movement imo. Thanks! You are right about the importance of humanity too.
@Bikram No, absolutely. That was a lively discussion. There is nothing you said there that was hurtful. I am all for different views, and many things you say are right. So no worries :).
So beautifully put. I could empathise with the post entirely, having grown up in various cities and studied in several schools and colleges. we are very fortunate that most of us are truly secular and rejoice in the multi-cultural, multi-religious society that we live in.
Did you participate in Anna’s movement? I switched off the lights and wore black, but didn’t go on the streets. 🙁
So beautifully put. I could empathise with the post entirely, having grown up in various cities and studied in several schools and colleges. we are very fortunate that most of us are truly secular and rejoice in the multi-cultural, multi-religious society that we live in.
Did you participate in Anna’s movement? I switched off the lights and wore black, but didn’t go on the streets. 🙁
happy independence day 🙂
@cybernag Yes, most of us are like that, aren’t we? I switched off the lights too but haven’t been to Freedom Park yet. Maybe, on Saturday.
@Agnes Thank you! So lovely to hear from you. I hope you are coping and healing.
Happy happy Independence Day! I really enjoyed reading this post as it brought such a vivid and beautifully diverse culture alive before my eyes! I can feel the vibrancy and life in these words and hope that your celebration was a joyful one!
@colleen Thank you! Yes, the celebrations were fun :).