We all know about August 15 right? Yes the answer that comes like a lightning bolt to our minds is it’s the Independence Day. Even though we are in Kuwait on august 15 it’s like a special Indian breeze blowing around us. The spirit of Independence Day and the story of our freedom fighters and their struggles long passed on by our history textbooks and sometimes by our parents and grandparents echoes in our ears. Early in the morning we wake up and go straight in front of the TV to know about the grand celebrations held in the red fort and to hear the addressal of our president and prime minister. The excitement thrills in our bloods as we see the celebrations.
But wait a minute. We all know about the national celebrations. But sometimes we forget the celebration that’s going on in the rural villages of India. In this article I’m going to give a glimpse about the celebrations held in the villages of India based on my experiences when I went on a vacation to my native which is in South India.
First of all let me begin with the most popular event of them all. It is the rallies. Children, adults and all the people join the rallies and have a fun time. It’s really cute to see the little kids walking dressed up as Bhagath Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, Rani Lakshmibai and so on. Here in South India the ladies wear their traditional dress (sari) and accompany them. It’s like a wonderful parade and I guess so this little Independence Day rally happens all over India.
Independence Day rally
Children in the rally
The next best thing about Independence Day is that the different arts and sports clubs in those areas organize competitions for all, Competitions for children till old age. But even though there is a lot of fun stuff going around they never forget the history that brought us into this great achievement called independence. Dramas or skits are organized so that children could know the struggle behind our independence and the sacrifice of our freedom fighters and this instills a sense of patriotism not only for children but also for adults as well.
Children in a skit
Competitions during independence Day.
I, being from Kerala in south India am an addressee to this one more little event on the road. Yes, the people in that particular village make huge amount of Kheer (Payasam) and give it to every person travelling by. Sometimes they even stop buses to give out kheer for everyone and shout Happy Independence Day.
And finally the people host the flag and salute it showing our respect to the great and brave heroes and heroines who shed their blood for our and independence and for our brave soldiers who are still fighting for us in the borders of our motherland, India.
This is how an independence day is celebrated in the rural villages of India. When all this celebration is over there is a feeling of unity, equality, feeling of respect and patriotism to our motherland and a force of feeling which says to us to work for our country to make it in its progress.