Yet another Dry Independence day without any Fun :(

 

I don’t have any memory of celebrating India’s Independence day as a Kid.I gradually got to know that 15^th August is the I-Day and on this day our Prime Minister hoists our national flag at the Lal Quila. The flag hoisting ritual is also performed throughout the length and breadth of our country by bureaucrats and netas. General Public by law is forbidden to hoist flag (recently certain freedom is provided in this matter by Honorable Supreme Court with Guidelines). So in a nutshell, the celebration of Independence day is confined to going out to the next maidan very early in the morning to see some neta/bureaucrats unfurling the tri-color and giving boring speeches. The only reward you get for attending this torturous celebration is "Boondi ka Laddu" provided at the end of the celebration. The other option to celebrate I-Day is by staying indoor. This is the best option due to terror threats and also because Television Channels customize their shows on I-Day to make us feel more patriotic. In the end you do your bit by changing your FB/Twitter profile pic and status to send I-Day message.

Now I work in United States, which is also a democratic country such as India and by co-incidence US also celebrates I-Day, as India does, but on the 4^th of July. Generally an immigrant like me should be immune to I-Day celebration in US, but this has never been the case. This year I booked tickets to visit Chicago to see 4^thof July Fireworks at Navy Pier. In the past when I got the opportunity I booked ticket to visit New York to see 4^th of July Macy’s Firework at Hudson river. So even if you are an immigrant in US you will rush to the next open park/public place to see the fireworks on I-day. It is plain celebration. People will come out in hordes with US flags to enjoy picnic/barbeque while they wait for fireworks. Even they will get drunk as I-Day doesn’t have to be a pious day. I-Day for an American is a day to recognize Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness. There were no boring flag hoisting or boring speeches before the fireworks. Flag Hoisting in US doesn’t need a special day like I-Day. Here people are the custodians of their national flag and they proudly hoist US national flag at home and at work. On I-Day they just do it more :) The only official ceremony that happens on the 4^th of July is the Oath taking ceremony for immigrants who have got their US citizenship. This way 4^th of July becomes personal independence day to countless immigrants who leave their country to pursue their dreams in US.

Hope one day, I-day in my country will become a celebration of Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness rather than the ritual it has become today.