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.
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.
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