Chilligavva

HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY TO THE CITIZENS OF INDIA.
Update: Was I pleasantly surprised when I got a comment from Hyderabadiz, saying that I am featured in their blog in the topic “What Hyderabadi Bloggers are doing on Republic Day“. For those of you, new to Hyderabad, India, you must read the PUNCHLINE description of Hyderabadis in their post.. Too Good..
Its 58 years since India was declared a Republic, on 26th January 1950. India got its Independence from British Rule in 1947. From 1947 to 1950, till our constitution was written and ready, King George VI was the head of state. Lord Mountbatten and C. Rajagopalachari served as the Governors-General of India . The first elected president of India was Rajendra Prasad.
Since childhood, I have sung the patriotic song “Saare Jahan Se Achcha“. Only today, after receiving an email from my friend, my thought went out to the song, and a little “googling” later, I found out that it was written by the Indian Muslim poet Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Today I also came to know that this song was written in 1904/05 in pre-independence India, and that the tune was set by Pt. Ravi Shankar. The fact that it was a patriotic song written in Urdu fascinated me. More interestingly, a few years later, the poet itself was one of the advocates of a separate Muslim state. Wonder what went on in his mind, for such a positional shift. ?

What I do miss is being able to see the Republic Day celebrations from Delhi, on TV, as was the norm for us, back in India. Hyderabad too has its Republic Day parade in the Gymkhana grounds usually, with a good Air show as well. In my childhood, we used to go to school, where a flag hoisting ceremony was held, where we sang our national anthem, Jana-Gana-Mana, followed by distribution of sweets! [Candy]. Such fond memories for me.
So this year, I thought I would do something creative, and drew the flag picture.