Happy Independence Day

Wishing everyone a very happy Independence day. My country, My India celebrates her Independence Day. Since morning I wanted to write something, first I thought of writing about significance of the day, then I read some articles in morning newspaper, it was again full of articles arguing what freedom should mean and what it is currently meant. I was having a coffee on a sunday morning outside at my balcony then I heard band playing national anthem. I stood still, I could see a group of boys playing it in their school field. I sang the song, I salute the tri-color, felt so happy.

I rewind myself to fifteen-years down the line, 15th August 1995, that was a new school I joined just a month back. Since I was a short guy that time, I was inducted into Scout Group,instead of NCC. A huge lead-up to Independence day celebration, about a fortnight before preparation started rolling. I was rejected in the audition from the School's Scout Band. They had the best dress among all the boys. We had a grey shirts and navy-blue half-pants, Cap in blue colour with BS&G Logo, Specially designed scarf, A black pouch with belt worn around waist and finally Black Hunter Shoes. We had practiced parade for two weeks. Since we had to do a right salute and I was chosen as right marker, there was special emphasis on my training. Right marker is the guy who is at right hand corner in the first line of a parade troop. When the troop does a right salute, everyone turns their heads to right and salute, only right marker has to keep his head steady and salute to keep the troop straight. When the I-day came, the morning started with all patriotic songs, that we sadly keep for only two days out of 365. After flag hoisting and slogans I should be charged up but I was feeling cold feet. I still remember it was a damp day with heavy rain fall overnight. Then we gathered at a Parade ground, an assimilation of three schools. Being from Boys High school , it was chance to have a glimpse of Girls from the Girl High School, and also from Convent School. The Parade was lead by NCC Band, then our schools Senior NCC, Girls high school's JRC ( Junior Red Cross) , then a troop from Convent followed by junior NCC , then Scout Band, then my own Scout Troop and finally a troop of Girl's Guide. As the Band started my heart started pumping first, I was determined not to make any mistake but to my dismay , when I heard Parade "Daeen Mood" ( Turn Right) , I was trained not to turn my head right, but guess what I did , All my troop was out of track, and girls behind us were anyway lost it . After around ten steps we were outside when someone shouted at us. Funniest part we ran for our lives to catch-up and somehow came to finish line. I was utterly disgusted for letting my troop and school down. I had a bad couple of weeks where I had to face some criticism and friendly banter from mates.

The Incident, still puts a smile in my face, seeing that band I went to nostalgia of school days. Independence day meant a lot in those innocent days, now so many of us just ruing that it is on a Sunday which means a one less national holiday this year.

Wish everyone a very happy Independence day!!!!!!!!!