Happy Birthday India!

"At the stroke of midnight, while the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom", said Jawaharlal Nehru on the eve of 15th August 1947.

63 years later, we woke up again – yet to a different sentiment this time. We woke up to a lazy Sunday, a day of family trips to the mall, a day of catching up on the movies missed during the week, a day to binge on the alcohol that was stocked the day before, a day to indulge in the numerous sales, a day to relax the competitive professional batteries and a day to prepare for the week ahead. And life went on, and soon it will be the 64^th year.

To India,

Caught between hell and heaven,

a subcontinent torn by wounded partition

the day was 15^th August 1947

you were born - a new nation!

Refugees scoured to start a fresh life,

Separated from loved ones, lonely and forlorn

Eyes filled with agony, seeking many answers
Heart heavy with sorrow, body frail and torn.

As each day passed, problems grew,

freedom gave way to greed, we tried to start anew

You tried to keep them together,
your children wanted different paths,

they had their own plans,
some became Hindu, others sought Islam.

Bloodshed increasing by the hour, All in the name of religion and caste

A part of you sits in quiet oblivion, while a part of you is still being ripped apart

One one side is a deprived child staring into his empty plate

On another is a filled restaurant with ambience so great,

While a section fights for basic food, clothing and shelter

Another lives in palaces and owns expensive cars

While mercilessly, life of a girl child is being sacrificed in small towns

Sushmita, Aishwarya put you on the global map with their crowns

Been born to rich parents,
a child is blithe and lives lavishly
Yet another child having to take care of his ailing mother,
toils through the day for a paltry salary 

Watching your children divided by class & pride, you groan in quiet pain,
while your children desert you for far-lands, joy & equal ache you maintain.

Today on your 63^rd birthday, you have come so far,

no words are enough to tell you how proud we are

to be born to you, you’re my motherland

While your children wound and cause you pain,

you still embrace us with your open arms.

As I sing Happy Birthday, my heart whispers silent prayers,

Hope you continue to prosper and grow for many many years!  

And on that note, I leave you with one of my all-time favourite patriotic song.