Independence day!

The Independence Day pulled in discreetly. It was one of the days all three siblings liked. The speakers started blaring early in the morning. The streets were decorated with the Tricolor flags. Everybody went about with flags pinned on to their shirts. It was probably the only day that most people felt patriotic. Mayuka loved this day.

Kavin was to announce the different programs on the stage. Having heard all about Sushmita and Kavya, Mayuka was very keen to see their program. As soon as they reached school, a girl from the neighboring class, wearing glasses and a frantic look on her face, both at the same time, came up to her and said, “Mayu, do me a favor. Speak on the stage for me. Pleeeease…” she said.

“Why me? And what about?” Mayuka asked, bewildered by this sudden confrontation.

“Please. You can do it. Come on Mayu, don’t say no. You just have to talk about why you are proud to be an Indian.” The girl appealed desperately. Mayuka looked thoughtful.

“Our class teacher asked me to arrange it. Nobody said yes. I’ve asked a million people.” She continued, with the same desperation.

Mayuka pitied the girl. She pondered for a while and asked, “How much should I speak?”

“About five to ten sentences are enough.” She answered.

“Ok” Mayuka said. She could probably do it, she thought.

The program started with the usual prayer song. And it went on with the usual welcome speech, followed by the hoisting of the national flag. As the Kadar flag went up, there was a hush, and everyone launched into the National Anthem. The program was very good, much to the surprise of all the people who knew about Sushmita and Kavya’s bickerings. It was indeed the most beautiful thing when the Union Jack was lowered and the Tricolor came up, as a part of the reenactment of the Freedom struggle, with the music of “Vande Mataram” warming the heart. At that moment, Mayuka had tears in her eyes. Afraid that everybody would tease her, she controlled her emotion.

After the program was over, Kavin came and spoke into the mike. “Now, Mayuka will speak a few words about our country and why she feels proud of it.”

At first, Mayuka was in a stupor. She had forgotten all about it. She felt weird. Slowly she stood up. The girls from her class were clapping the hardest. Her legs shook. They shook so much that she was doubtful that they would support her. She went on to the stage and got the mike from her sister. She didn’t know where it came from, but it did. She did not know what to speak, she had not prepared anything. But there are some circumstances where it is better to speak from the heart. This was one such occasion.

“Did you know that our country has not invaded any other country in the past 10.000 years?” she asked abruptly to the crowd. She had got this information from a newsletter that ten year olds received every month.

“Yes friends. I’m proud of this fact. We have not bothered anybody else. Nobody has fought us. Nobody has chased us out of their country. Aren’t you proud that we’ve maintained our dignity?”

She paused. There was pin drop silence. She wondered for a fraction of second whether she was talking sense. She continued.

“Ours is the first country to have got Independence by non-violence. We still have that, the treasure that our Mahatma gave us.” She looked around, but was careful not to look at the six year olds, who were always doing something funny.

“The hunger strikes, the protests, the demonstrations which happen peacefully all over the world today are a result of what Mahatma presented us. But even today, many people, especially young people, complain about our country. Look at all these things and you will know India and love India as I do. Vande Mataram” she finished.

Kavin’s “Thank you Mayuka. That was…..” was drowned in the applause that followed. Mayuka shakily walked towards her place. A bunch of “Well-said” compliments greeted her.