WELCOMING INDIAN SOLDIERS

It was January 1972. My uncle Krishna moyya had purchased a car and was driving down to Chennai from Calcutta. Our family also joined them. We started our journey from Jamshedpur( now in Jharkhand ). As we travelled southwards, we got the news that the Indian Army was returning from Bangladesh. The whole country was on a high after the Bangladesh war.

We had already witnessed blackouts and rationing of commodities. Blackouts are switching off lights voluntarily and keeping the doors and windows closed in the evenings and nights. This was to prepare the people in the event of bombings. Since Jamshedpur was famous for its Iron &  Steel Industry and close to Bangladesh, it was a likely target. At a fixed time every evening, we would hear a loud siren and start swithching off the lights and closing the doors and windows. Within minutes, the entire town would drown in darkness. Still, the blast furnace was a big worry because it could not be closed.We also listened to elders discussing the war, Mrs. Gandhi's strategy and finally the victory.

There was a lot of excitement in the atmosphere. The villagers and travellers lined up on the sides of roads to welcome the Army trucks. The soldiers beamed with happiness and waved with a 'V' sign. We waved back sreaming 'Jay hind'. After many trucks passed, I asked my father,"When will Indira Gandhi come?" He was puzzled. I had imagined her fighting the war like Jhansi ki Rani.

He explained in detail how the Prime minister takes the decision and the armed forces fight the war. Somewhere in my heart I felt it was not right. The leader of the nation should lead the army with valour and set an example. How can the ministers sit in Delhi and send the soldiers to war? However, I joined back the crowd and waved proudly at the victorious army. I have always cherished this memory.

THE FLAG & THE SNAKE

The month of August brings a lot of festivals and celebrations in India. The Indian Independence Day adds a patriotic fervour to the season. It also takes me down the memory lane to a very special Independence Day in the seventies.

We lived in a small colony belonging to hospital employees. One evening, as we children were engrossed in play, a dashing young army jawan walked into the colony with a box and a 'holdall'. There was a lot of curiosity among us to know whom he was going to visit. When we saw Pappu and his siblings running towards him shouting, "Mamaji, mamaji" we knew his identity. The very next evening Mamaji walked into our play area and picked up a conversation with us. He enchanted us with his tales of army adventures. Soon, we found ourselves marching to his orders.

Mamaji encouraged us to celebrate the Independence Day in the colony itself by hoisting the tricolour. The preparations began at once. We collected 'chanda' from all the inmates to buy necessary items. It was also decided that a mini sports day be organised for children. Every evening we practiced not only march past but also the national anthem. Mamaji taught us the right way of singing the anthem. He once thundered," Even if a snake comes, one shoud not move from his place. Otherwise it would amount to insulting the flag!" It was such a big shock for us. We often discussed the matter and worried about a snake crawling towards us while the national anthem was being sung. I prayed to all kinds of Gods for protection at such occasions.

The programme went on as per the plan, the flag hoisting, the march past and the sports events. Then it was time for mamaji to leave.

Day after day, I told myself to stand still during the national anthem with all the respect due to the national flag. Gradually, I reached a stage when I knew I wouldn't budge even if a snake came while the anthem was being played. When I started instructing my students just as mamaji had done years ago, I realized how much the image stuck to my  memory.