What does Republic Day mean to me..

26th Jan 2006...
Republic Day brings in with itself, the sounds of reverberating drumbeats, anxious moments regarding the performance of the school parade team, and the opportunity to devour the delicacies distributed thereafter. Ethereal concepts like 'The Republic of India', 'Democratic way of life' used be the last things in mind.
Mornings used to start early, with dressing up for the school and then the stadium events and the day lazily used to extend into the after noon where the best part used to be ogling at the girls of other schools once the thanks giving speech got over ( The ones of the 'other' school always used to be better!!).
At the end of the day, stomachs full of the sweets given, and the heart filled with pride. The pride associated with being an Indian...one always had the various news channels showing the parades of various states...
But things are different today…I have been providing support to my client(needless to say that it;'s an American Firm)..as it is a offshore holiday today.. That’s my way of celebrating the republic day. The massive structure of my office building doesn't allow the blasphemous sounds of drum beats to reach my ears....
26 th Jan 2006
.. and they say it's been 50 years we have been free.