India@68

I dont remember when I last watched a Republic Day parade last but this year, today, I did watch it in its entirety. I dont think I have succeeded in inculcating in my children any interest or pride in the pageant. Republic Day was usually "a working holiday" for us in Frontline, and even if I left the TV on for the kids to watch, the maid would revert to her favourite soap channel the moment I left the house.
Growing up, in times when we had only Doordarshan and not much other entertainment on TV, the entire family sat and watched the parade and marvelled at the narration of anchors Rini Simon and Minu. Rini Simon, though a Malloo born and brought up in Delhi, was an icon for us Syrian Christians especially one like me hoping to enter the media industry. That she was one of my superseniors at IIMC (1984 batch) along with my ex boss at FL added to the feeling of kinship.
So it was with a tinge of nostalgia that I watched and heard her on News 18 as guest speaker along with an old sardarji General who had organised many parades in the good old days.
That the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi was the chief guest at this year's parade has meant that the English language newspapers are hailing the "ties that bind". And today's is a bumper issue that I'm sure will make many Pakistanis berate and troll the KT page on Facebook - the usual intolerant remark being if it should be called India Times! But this is not surprising in a country where Indians form the largest expatriate population at 27 % (of them, Keralites first and Tamils, surprisingly, second - it reminds me of a snide remark by a junior who wondered if Keralites will support the UAE if an India_UAE cricket match was held). In fact the local population is  only around 11%.
Well, the Burj Khalifa has donned the Indian tricolour since yesterday. Modi's frenzied tours of all lands foreign and his hug-hug diplomacy  has had one benefit - the Centre finally noticed a country where the bulk of Indians migrate to and send home money, many of them toiling in the desert sun.

Anyway, watching the parade gave me goosebumps this time - I guess patriotism is on a high when you are away from your country. There is only nostalgia and pride, and none of the day-to-day difficulties my compatriots experience on the roads, in the banks and elsewhere. Even the sight of a vain Modi did not dampen the enthusiasm for the Indian nation, revelling in its unity in diversity at Raj Path.