"Tiranga flag, only for one
rupees.....Tiranga flag, only for one rupees...." one old
sardarji was screaming constantly and trying to sell his flags. he
was too old and wrinkles on his face were signifying, lot of rainy
seasons he had seen in his life. He was screaming from bottom of his
heart and caught my attention. I purchased one flag and made my way
through crowd towards stadium with my friend Gautam. "Sir/madam,
please give me little place..." everyone was trying to get seat
on the stadium. I got little place next to one grandma in first row.
[Swarn
Jayanti dwar at wagha border]
Entire stadium was full and everyone
was enchanting "Bharat Mata ki jai.... Vande mataram...."
slogans and crowds enthusiasm was as high as Everest.
Some guys were standing with big
"tiranga flags" in the last row of the stadium. Patriotic
songs were played by border police station. border army police were
trying to manage crowd so that program will happens properly. "Swarn
Jayanti dwar" on the border was standing in high pride. Almost
same environment was there on the other side of the gate. Gentle
breeze of the air was flowing as if its carrying friendship message
from India to Pakistan. Just like everyone I was there to attend
evening army parade at wagha-border. This parade happens every
evening on the wagha border where army of both nations pays respect
to their flags and take them down. Environment was so much patriotic
that for a moment, I felt as if "I was part of chale jao
movement of freedom fight and was ready to loose my life for my
countries independence....." parade was about to begin and one
old person came hurriedly, sat next to me and started talking to
grandma. he was same sardarji, who had sold flag to me.
[Just at sunset both flags were taken down.]
Army leader came out of police station,
gave order to army police for opening the gate. Delhi-Lahore bus went
from India to Pakistan. Immediately in 5 minutes, army started their
parade. It was really great to see such a disciplined parade of our
army. Just on the sunset army police of both nations took flags down
and program got finished. Everything was appearing like dream. We got
up to move out of stadium. while getting up sardarji grandpa got
pushed by me.
I said, "Sorry baba."
"Its ok, you move first",
baba answered.
I got in conversation with him because
of his charisma and simplicity.
"baba, do you come here everyday
to sell the flags?"
"Yes..... from where you have
come?"
"I came from Mumbai, It was really
nice function. I will never forget it."
"Yes, it is...!!! I am attending
it since last so many years....still if I miss it even for single
day, I feel something went wrong in my life."
Myself, Gautam, Grandpa and grandma
where walking slowly and our conversation was going on.
"Baba, does selling flags is
enough for you to get your daily bread and butter?"
baba smiled innocently..."No my
child, I hardly earn anything by selling flags.... But selling flags,
telling freedom fighting stories to children gives me lot of
satisfaction. I try to embed patriotic feelings in small children.
Children are future of our nation, I believe that if they are aware
of How much we had struggled to get independence then surely they
will become good citizen of this country."
I went into deep thoughts after
listening to him.
I again asked, "baba, are you
teacher?"
"No, I have some farms in nearby
area. Whatever I am today is because of this country".. he just
opened his heart.
Village people are very innocent and
they always talk from bottom of their heart. I was little curious
about his statement so asked, "baba, I didn't get you?"
"beta its very old story, we had
got freedom and suddenly partition was announced. All the Sikh's of
Lahore were asked to move to Amritsar. I lost my family in partition
riots. Indian army saved my life. I got place in one of the home in
nearby village of border. I started working in their farms. Later on,
my love marriage happened with daughter of same house. Till date she
is with me".... he said pointing to grandma walking with us.
I could notice smile on grandma's
wrinkled face.
baba kept on talking..... "This
country has given me everything, such a loving life partner... It had
given me new life. so all this work is small contribution from me for
the betterment of this country"... tears rolled down his face.
Even my eyes were filled with tears, by
this time we had reached to our cab.
"baba, it was really nice to meet
you".. I thanked him and opened cab's door.
Cab started moving towards Amritsar but
mentally I was still talking with baba, I saluted thousand times to
this true patriot.
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Please click on the following picture to view all the pics
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Sandy.