Guess what I did

I got a mail from my friend Vijay who is spending his first Independence day on foreign soil at Singapore and he wrote this lovely mail:

Hi!!!!!!!

Today morning, I had been to the Indian High Commission in Singapore
where they had held a get-together on the eve of Independence day.
There was a flag hoisting by the High Commissioner, who read out the
Indian President’s speech.

Then, a cultural society here called the ‘Temple of Fine arts’
rendered Bankim Chandra Chatopadhyay’s most famous composition- ‘Vande
Mataram’. And the song was so melodious and beautiful that the slow,
lilting tunes are still ringing in my ears. It was particularly
poignant for me, being the first Independence day that I was standing
on foreign soil. That one moment, listening to the lovely composition
that must have etched itself in so many minds across generations and
with thoughts drifting back to what India meant to me, and the gentle
lyrics “suhaasinim sumadhurabhaashhinim sukhadaam varadaam
maataram….vande maataram..”, made for an experience, which will
remain unforgettable…Felt so good about this that I really wanted to
share it with you..

Take care,
Me

I wrote back saying today what I did on august 15th truly (I am not that proud!). I had plans of waking up early; take my DSLR and go trotting around Colaba. Noone of which became a reality.

Guess what I did

saw ‘Bheja Fry’ till 1am. Read Tyrst with Destiny twice at 2am.
Chatted with my girl in Delhi for 2 hrs. slept at 4am.

Woke up at 12:30 pm. Didn’t step out of my house the entire day.
Didn’t look at any Indian Flag. No speech ;P or vande Mataram songs.
Saw ‘The Good German’. Waved through the newspaper. Read two books -
“Made to Stick” and “The five dysfunctions of a Team”. Saw two
episodes of LOST. Lovely aaloo curry and thair sadam. Caught up with
some friends. Wrote feeling patriotic on facebook (which I was).

Guess, it was just ‘me’ of being ‘Indian’, ‘independent’ and ‘enjoying
freedom’ in my own lazy unproductive way!

Vanakkam,
mein ;-P

But I think I would love to finish the post with these two pic, two things that really matter to me, my life and India:
My Mom

and my love for the nation (the pic is a metaphor, the candle is still not burning; light is yet to come!)

TwD

I thought I will twitter quotes from Tryst with Destiny (TwD ) – but then thought it might just be too much for non-Indians twiter followers. Anyway my patriotric feeling were up on techcruch – thanks to thejo – for pointing it to me! here are the TwD tweets (some slightly modified):

TwD1: To the nations & peoples of d world we send greetings & pledge ourselves 2 cooperate with’em in furthering peace, freedom & democracy.

TwD: we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India & her people & to the still larger cause of humanity.

TwD: Are we brave enough & wise enough to grasp this opportunity & accept the challenge of the future?

TwD: Freedom & power bring responsibility. Nevertheless, the past is over & it is the future that beckons to us now.

TwD: service of India means service of the millions who suffer, means d ending of poverty & ignorance & disease & inequality of opportunity

TwD: as long as there are tears & suffering, so long our work will not be over.

TwD: Peace, freedom, prosperity & disaster in this ONE World that can no longer be split into isolated fragments.

TwD: freedom brings responsibilities & burdens & we have to face them in the spirit of a free & disciplined people.

TwD: thoughts must be of the unknown volunteers & soldiers of freedom who, without praise or reward, have served India even unto death.

TwD: We think also of bro & sis who’ve been cut off from us by political boundaries & who unhappily can’t share in the freedom that has come

TwD: To bring freedom & opportunity to the common man, to the peasants & workers of India; to fight & end poverty & ignorance & disease;

TwD: build up a prosperous, democratic & progressive nation, create social, economic & political instn. 2 ensure justice & fullness 2 every1

TwD: Jai Hind

the trio

I guess you can see some differences in all three of us (Praba, Dolly and me) schoolmates over the last 20 months. This is us now:

And this is 20 months before:

Our lives have changed to a good extent in these 20 months. Praba is married and off to another continent, Dolly has had her ups and downs, but has manged become more beautiful (including lovely mahabs trip with my Dad, Sis and her) and myself – moved to Bangalore and I think haven’t added more fat