It was 15th August 1947. A day picked out of thin air by the Viceroy to hand over to the natives the freedom to administer their own country any which way they liked it. The highlight of the event, amongst many other similar events in many cities around the country was the hoisting of the new nation's flag. This was happening despite the sporadic unabated violence that was rocking the nation. The Father of the Nation was in mourning, engaged in prayer and meditation, to see his beloved country carved by a butcher's knife by a judge, Sir Radcliffe in what must be anon-gratifying task.To carve up a country with arbitrary geographical landmarks is akin to cutting a limb of a body and expecting the body to function as business as usual! The dendritic roots of brotherhood went way too deep.
In the national capital, the sea of people of different creed, caste and social strata thronged to the proud icon to witness the coveted event. The organisers had underestimated the turnout of 30 thousand by half a million! In the ocean of trapped human beings, the event proceeded with minimal glitch.
Even though the date was deemed inauspicious by the learned pandits when it was initially announced, it was all forgotten. They had said that the day was as doomed as bad luck can be and that they, as a nation, were heading to tumultuous times ahead..
Suddenly, it was as if celestial bodies were smiling at the country once again. Just as the flag stood erect on its pole, the skies showed their seal of approval. A rainbow appeared over the Delhi Gate, the commemorative site that was chosen for this august ceremony. The site, the testimony of the thousands of Indians lives sacrificed for the dignity of the British Crown, held a significant place to the British, and to the Indians.
Talking about the weather and the divine seal of approval, two recent events reminded me of just that. After having daily downpours of torrential rain of late, two of my friends organised two separate functions. By the grace of the powers above, at least that is what they said, it miraculously did not rain on those two days. The host took it as divine blessings. Their prayers had been answered, they said.
In the national capital, the sea of people of different creed, caste and social strata thronged to the proud icon to witness the coveted event. The organisers had underestimated the turnout of 30 thousand by half a million! In the ocean of trapped human beings, the event proceeded with minimal glitch. Even though the date was deemed inauspicious by the learned pandits when it was initially announced, it was all forgotten. They had said that the day was as doomed as bad luck can be and that they, as a nation, were heading to tumultuous times ahead..
Suddenly, it was as if celestial bodies were smiling at the country once again. Just as the flag stood erect on its pole, the skies showed their seal of approval. A rainbow appeared over the Delhi Gate, the commemorative site that was chosen for this august ceremony. The site, the testimony of the thousands of Indians lives sacrificed for the dignity of the British Crown, held a significant place to the British, and to the Indians.
Talking about the weather and the divine seal of approval, two recent events reminded me of just that. After having daily downpours of torrential rain of late, two of my friends organised two separate functions. By the grace of the powers above, at least that is what they said, it miraculously did not rain on those two days. The host took it as divine blessings. Their prayers had been answered, they said.
Funny. I remember that it rained during my wedding. Raining is an understatement. In poured all day all night the whole day. Many parts of the town were flooded so much so that guests and the musicians were stranded. They, however, arrived eventually. The bridal driver got all his bearings crossed and almost got my bride to the wrong wedding hall. After all that was over, well wishers still said that rain on the wedding is a good sign. It was as though as the Gods are showering their blessings in abundance on the newly weds. How convenient! Always looking at the positive side of life.
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