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B'lore Bindaas About India@60
By Latika R. Chuganey
Young, old, or middle-aged, homemaker or businesswoman, carpenter or corporate manager, everyone is in the celebratory mood on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Indian Independence. Excerpts from a few reactions that show Bangaloreans can't wait to pop the champagne on Aug 15, D-Day:
Nirmala Prakash, a mother of two and sales executive at a garment store is very proud of being an Indian. "It's better to work for an Indian than working for Britishers. India is a far cry from what it was then. Most of our villages now have electricity, water, and education facilities. I only wish that teenagers today don't stop their studies after PUC, and prefer instead to work. A degree is the bare minimum required today."
Twenty year old Lakshmi has already decked up her home with tricolor flags. "I think it is best to ignore our politicians and leave them to themselves and their petty games!" she says with a smirk, and suddenly gets serious. "It's sad to read about men drinking themselves to death in the villages. Such behavior breaks many families. The government should take some steps to prevent such occurrences. If they do, India will be a better place to live".
For school boy Nagesh, Aug 15, is all about sweets, celebrations and course, school is not school, just for once. " I have to go to school to pay honours to the flag. I am also playing the role of Baapuji in a play. The play is about how we fought the Britishers and won our freedom. It is all so exciting. When I grow big I want to be a good human being and prove to the world that I am a proud Indian", he says, conveying thoughts that are for once, not at all "childish".
Young schoolteachers Pavan and Mamta, are running a race against time, finetuning the D-day performance of their students. "This is the best time to teach the young generation about Independence Day. We have to take the initiative and teach them to respect out great leaders and also teach them to value our country. We must also teach them to respect our brave soldiers who are guarding our county. In this fast tech world, children have no clue of our traditions and culture, which are unlike any other in the world."
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While keeping the spirits high, senior couple Mr and Mrs Dixit, prefer the coziness of their drawing room and the company of their TV on Independence Day. "We have experienced the chaos that took place during the days of Independence. We lost all our properties and near and dear ones. Time flies. It took me 60 years to stand on my feet and start a family once again. I thank this bhoomi to give me the spirit to live life once again. We are 89 years, but still we want to live long. I have to live on, to serve my motherland", they say, with unshed tears in their eyes. "With so much of media exposure and western culture in our country, we must not forget our traditional roots. I am with the young generation. I am glad they are progressing. But I would prefer that they stay here and work for their motherland."
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