Independence Day 2023

Another independence day gone.

Every by lane building has its own flag hoisting it is a sort of hand me down format.

1. 7.30 begin with old songs rendered by Latha Mangeshkar  
2. Songs by AR Rehman.
3. Wears colours of the flag.
4. Have a 50 – 70yr. old man talk about independence struggle- Kargil
5. Watch the unfurling at red fort by the prime minster and excerpts of his 2 and half hours rendering.
6. Watch the so-called patriotic theme movie on the television.
7. Finally, a debate on the television on irrelevant issues.

What I would actually like to see, is acknowledgement of the Lady who designed the flag of India, for all of you it is Surayya Tyabji  born in 1919 British-Hyderabad.

We have overcome hurdles and independence is not just about war and geography. To be frank nationalism is very different from patriotism. For me independence day would mean having the freedom to acknowledge queen Abbakka who kept the ports of Tulunaad functional.

Acknowledging Keladi Chennamma the queen from the Desai’s of Keladi for building trade forts and building a viable economy without destroying nature or the natural way of life.

Acknowledging the Wodeyar’s of Mysore who focused on building the society. The KR Sagar dam which is dismissed off as built by the British was not built by the British it was by the kings of Mysore who choose to pay blood money to the British and nurture their country with schools, colleges, generating electricity and irrigation channels.  Unfortunately, we treat them like weaklings who scared to go to war.

With war comes destruction, the end result being one oppressor is replaced by another. Loss of life, livelihood and productivity. Maybe it is time to celebrate nurturance.

Let’s celebrate the wonderful doll library, the rail museums, the art history and the first causality of unified India the indigenous clothing that is vanishing.

For the next 5yrs incidentally I don’t hear of the 5yr plans being discussed in the parliament anymore, maybe the news channels don’t telecast the discussions, I don’t want to know how impressed the world is with the Prime minister I want assurance that our rivers, forests and ecosystem stays healthy.

Can we have that conversation Mr. Prime minster and let the MKG’s, and Latha Mangeshkars rest in peace.