Independence Day 2014

It was a celebration – somber, yet cheerful. The national tricolor was there and so were the soul-stirring patriotic numbers playing in the background.Attendance was near full. By the time we were wrapping up the exercises, there was hardly any standing space outside the China Hut. The entire Garden had gathered to pay homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives so that we celebrate Independence Day today.
And then the ceremonies began. For the first time Shekhawat appeared military-style in crisp white shirt with a chestful of medals (from his Indian Navy days) and “reported for duty with two platoons” before flag-bearer Geeta Sardana. He presented her the tricolor with aplomb, clicked his heels and saluted smartly. Poor Geeta did not know which way to look. Then suddenly she raised herself to his height and amidst all-round applause, returned the salute!
Thereafter, it was Geeta-Geeta all the way. Like a female Pied Piper of Hamlyn, she led the two platoons (actually, “ladij-log” and “gents log”) round and round the Garden, raising slogans along the way – “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, “Vande Mataram”, ‘Inquilaab Zindabad”, “Jai Hind”… After one-and-half rounds, most of her valiant ‘soldiers’ ran out of slogans and/or breath and abandoned the platoons. (Many wondered aloud what “Inquilaab Zindabad” they were shouting about!) Geeta too gave up realizing she had become a rebel without a cause and eased into familiar territory – joining the rest outside the China Hut to sing “Jana Gana Mana”. But to her credit, not for once did she let go the national flag from her hand. She held on to it for dear life, despite the best efforts of Razia Khan and Mumtaz Jahan to snatch it from her. That's the spirit! Obviously, Shekhawat had the last laugh.
Jagmohan Papneja:
August 15 gives us the reason to celebrate our freedom and pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives for a cause. All members of Big Laaf and daily visitors to the Garden were imbued by the feelings of nationalism, solidarity and brotherhood.
Harish Wadhwa:
Vande Matram! But where were the pedas or the luddoos? I am convinced that recession (kadkee) has set in when I got Eclairs (on a lighter note please) only!