Onam in God's own Country :)

My first Onam in Kerala :) ....................

Snaps seen are taken from my MIL's school where all school kids were given good lunch on occasion of Onam.I felt so good to have been one among the people who attended this special occasion.

I was touched by their innocence.....all that they told me - "Teacher...teacher....one snap of me " ;) ...and this is all that I could click !

Mera Bharat Mahaan!!

It feels nice that it is Independance Day today :)...and more nice that she is celebrating her 60th Independance day!! Its gives me great pride that I was born an Indian.

Makes me nostalgic of my school days where we used to hoist our national flag and sing the national anthem with pride and honour,speaking about the historical figures who dedicated their lives for us...added with many patriotic songs and speeches by our principal :)...the best thing would be the climax......Lolly Pops!!...we used to get sweets and chocos on this occasion;) and then one would see the immense happiness on each of our faces!...whatever it is I miss those childhood days in school wherein remembering our country and taking pride in being an Indian was inculcated in each of us.The thought of appreciating and thanking the people who fought and sacrificed their lives for us were remembered....And nowadays..?... nowadays, August 15th is considered just to be another break from hectic schedules and work... and if it falls on a Friday/Monday...the better the weekend turns out to be!

Now it gives me a nice feeling when I see the big tricolored flags waving high with the wind on the streets and also being sold to the junta @ traffic signals....did they have to wait for an Aug 15th or Jan 26th to sell them?....
It feels nice to see people displaying the Indian flags on their vehicles....be it a cycle or a brand new car!....did they have to do so since the Independance day is around the corner?..... It feels nice to see various wonderful TV programmes/movies related to India or its independance...did they have to telecast this just because its an Aug 15/Jan 26? .....I am kept glued to the idiot box to see an endless debate on a news channel claiming itself as the 'First ever Historic Indo-Pak debate" to be telecasted ...isn't this debate going on since ages?.....I hear the music stations playing continuously old and new patriotic songs...hmmmm,they found a new theme for the day ..huh! .................My friends and colleagues celebrating Independance Day @ their offices......eh...an excuse to display their latest designer wear sarees/kurthas they shopped over the weekend? :) I should feel guilty too,coz me too celebrating Independance...er Ethnic day @ office tomorrow...he he he ;)

Another year passing by....India still remains the same as how it used to be before ... poverty .... unemployment ...... infrastructure ..... child labour .... any change??....all the same!... sad:(

That just reminds me of a beautiful scene which touched me when I watched it in this film titled Swades.

The scene below is self explainatory!

I see....I hear.......Now u gotto say!!

I get into my cab and look out of the window....

A loong distance I have to travel...A loooong way to goo....thanks to the traffic jams in Bangalore I get to watch many interesting things as I go....

I get stuck @ the traffic signals...
I see the people on bikes hurrying and tryin to squeeze through.
I see some teenagers sittin behind their dad's bike with big fat text books in their hands probably trying to mug up some last minute studies.....
I can see a crowded bus filled with ...with....ehh......is it people??....

My cab moves on and zoom across amidst many angry drivers...I spot few senior citizens and I can assume
what they would say -- "Ohh God...what rush...what pollution...is this today's generation?? Did I have to see this dayy?? "

I see some shopkeepers giving a grin or was that a smile as they unlock their shops...welcoming their new day in business .
I see a cow almost on the middle of nowhere yet looks happy and tension free, unaware how it has also contributed quite well to the traffic jam.
Ahh...I see the stray dogs too...all looking fiery like as if they are hunting for prey.....

Soothing music is it or is it someone screaming??...Oh!!! its from the radio in my cab..I concentrate closely and I hear the RJ say -- "Traffic jams...traffic jams...message us where and we will announce it so.." I sometimes wonder how the RJ's would have earned their bread and butter if not for the thankful citizens like us who create the traffic jams and they get us 'entertained' with their contests and gupshups.

I look beyond the crowded streets.....spot a few....very few 'green' trees...and I feel that I hear them screaming and this is what they say -"Lord....gimme water....gimme some oxygen to breathe..." I simply wonder then what should we humans say...!!!

I stop @ many traffic signals....I see that the traffic rules are meant for a minority to obey and some like the cab I travel to generally disobey.

And I give a glance at the school kids who are wondering when they would be able to reach the other side of the road...they look all tensed and worried that their school bell might just go tring tring ..."all thanks to the disobedient drivers"--- I hear them say!!!

Amidst this chaos and confusion..I also spot a couple.....maybe newly married or maybe not ....yet their faces explain and have a different meaning to say -" I hope the meeting hasnt started" or is it "I hope my clients have nothing to say for the proposal I had displayed"

I have almost...say a few more kms to my office.....when I spot the posh shops on the busy MG road exhibiting their beautful new designer wears and collections which attracts my attention and tempts my heart to say --- " Hmmmmm....loong time since I shopped!!...today evening?? what say ?? ;) "

I see this..I see that....I hear this and I hear that.....but I finally reach office and I get out of my cab...trying to look fresh to start a new day....yet a feeling inside me says ---" Half the day looks already over.......let whatever happen outside the gate I really should have no say ...ehhh...hope that today too turns out to be just another good day :) "