Friday 15 August 2014

Happy Independence Day 2014!

- Do you do anything else than celebrating? - my friend from back home asks me on Skype... - Because judged by your blog - you do not..

Hmm. Do I sense a bit of envy in her voice? She obviously thinks that I do nothing else than moving gloriously from one colorful festival to the other - cheering and laughing as a part of a dancing/drumming/laughing river of happy smiling people dressed in bright shiny bling bling clothes...

Well. To tell you the truth: this time of the year is quite busy - festival - like here in Mumbai. And today we celebrate Independence Day, and I am about to cheat a bit now, because looking back I quite enjoyed my own words from last year's Independence Day. Hope you will too:

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- India is a great country with many temples and famous things to see. India is beautiful. All Indians are my brothers and sisters. I love my country deeply.

The kids in my class have been asked to give a presentation on their home country. They talk with pride and passion. About India. About the temples, about the mangoes, about the music and about the village where their grandparents live. And about their city, Mumbai.


15 of August we celebrate Independence Day here in India and what a country we are celebrating, dear reader! One country which is home for around 1,3 billion people! A country with 28 states, 7 union territories and where over 1000 different languages are spoken! The birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism and of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda. And around the world: who hasn't been to an Indian restaurant to taste yummy Indian food? History and culture...

And as I sit there, listening to the kids, I feel it. They care for India. We care for India. And they show it - for example- yes, when we go to the movies, we do stand up for the national anthem before the film starts. That's the way it is. India.

India got its freedom from the British rule on 15. August 1947, relatively peaceful, at least the events leading up to the Independence. So, how does the Indians celebrate? Well, the Indian flag has been for sale everywhere for the last few days, there will be some parades and flag-ceremonies and otherwise people gather around a good meal.

Wikipedia says it like this: Indians celebrate the day by displaying the national flag on their attire, accessories, homes and vehicles; by listening to patriotic songs, watching patriotic movies; and bonding with family and friends!


I wish all my Indian friends, known and unknown, a Happy Independence Day!

33 comments:

  1. Happy Independence day to you too, Eli. :)

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  2. Thank you... have been following your blog for a while now courtesy of WT and I can assure you, you are as much an Indian as anyone else here... perhaps even more so than many of the present generation.
    :D

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    1. Thank you so much Roshan, for your very kind words:-) Happy to be here:-)

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  3. Happy Independence Day to you too, Eli! And what a lovely post. Let us celebrate India, World, Humanity, Life itself, always :)

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    1. Thank you dear Beloo - always so happy for your kind words:-) Hugs

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  4. I think it would be fantastic if you really could go from one festival to the next with some rest time built in. happy Independence day. Enjoy the celebration.

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    1. Yes, wouldn't it - almost like that over here these days:-) Thanks and happy to see you here Rhonda:-)

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  5. Great post, Eli. Happy Independence day to you too. Jai Hind

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  6. Happy Independence Day to everyone celebrating in India! Would love to visit there, someday. Great post, Eil. ☺

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    1. Thank you so much Debbie:-) I hope you will:-)

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  7. Awesome post. So proud to be Indian. Independence Day always reminds me of the sacrifices our freedom fighters made. My grandmother was one and I remember her stories. Let's celebrate my India, where my soul lives.

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    1. Awww Suzy, that is awesome:-) Thanks for sharing and hope you had the best celebration:-) Hugs

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  8. Happy Independence Day Eli. Proud to meet a fellow Indian like you who love the country. Now, who says one needs to be born in a country to be and feel Indian?:)
    Jai Hind

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    1. Thank you so much Vishal - I feel very honored and happy by your kind words:-) Hope you had a great day

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  9. Happy Independence Day ......dear Eli

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  10. how beautiful :) Happy Independence Day to your too and hope your celebrations continue :)

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    1. Thank you so much dear Rajlakshmi:-) Hugs to you

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  11. Dearest Eli,
    Happy belated Independence Day!
    May it be Independence for all 28 states and no more killings in Jammu & Kashmir State...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Thank you so much Mariette. Always so happy to see you here. Hugs

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  12. Greetings of the Independence Day to you too, Eli and may the celebrations in your life continue!! Cheers ♥

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    1. Thank you so much dear Shilpa:-) Cheers to celebrations:-) Big hugs

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  13. Happy Independence day to ALL INDIANS!!

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  14. Dear Eli,

    A belated Happy Independence Day and I hope yo had a fantastic day with lots of celebrations. As always it's pure joy to read your words and I lovehow I always learn something new here at your blog. How your words stay on. You're a true pearl dear Eli.

    Take care sweetie!

    Charlie
    xx

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    1. Thank you so much my dear friend:-) Your kind words always puts a smile on my face:-) Big hugs to you

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  15. Happy Independence Day!! xo

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  16. Your affection and appreciation for your adopted country are wonderful to read, Eli ... and are so similar to the affection and appreciation I feel for *my* adopted country. :)

    This is late, but Happy Independence Day to you and your Indian friends!

    Klem from Bergen :)

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    1. Klem - back to you dear Cindi. Always so happy to see you here- and yes, maybe that is why I love to read your blog as well:-)

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  17. Sorry it's late but Happy Independence Day to you too Eli :) And a very nice blog. :)

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