Happy Independence Day!

“Independence” – a simple word with a lot of meaning and depth.. A word that makes the difference between being another's servant and being one's own boss.. A word that lets you breathe to your lung's full capacity, lets you follow that dream in your heart, lets that twinkle in your eye sparkle, lets you LIVE!

Yes independence is all this and more.. Today's generation takes it for granted but not yesterday's generation. They lost so that we gained..

Independence Day brings out the hidden patriotism in my heart, it gives new meaning to the life we take for granted today. I get a lump in my throat every time I hear the national anthem being played over the TV, the radio, everywhere... My heart swells with pride when I see the Tricolour fluttering against the clear blue sky. I show my love in different ways not only on this day but all through the year - whether it is cheering for India in a cricket match, or singing the national anthem out loud before a movie! One particular memory when my heart overflowed with patriotism and pride was when I ran with the Indian flag at the Wagah border.

There have been times when my patriotism has bubbled over into aggression when I hear that things are not too good at the Kashmir border or that the world has not taken us seriously... And I wonder why? Is it that somewhere down the line we are abusing this freedom? Are we using our independence in the correct way? Can we not fight back and demand our place at the world table? Maybe I will get the answers to these questions soon enough.. But for now I bask in the rays of freedom, hoping that I never misuse this feeling of flying free.

Yes, I love this country, I love INDIA. Happy Independence Day! :-)