On this date 57 years ago, India gained its independence from the British after nearly 200 years of colonial rule. Today the volume in the streets gets amplified even more than normal as, just yesterday I witnessed an inordinate number of speakers being propped up in public places. The people are ready to rock. Child street vendors peddle miniature Indian flags and even in our home we have one prominently affixed to our glass-topped dining table. Last Friday Kaia was instructed to attend his school wearing orange, green and white to celebrate the holiday and he filled a jar with colored sand in the bands of the Indian flag. Perhaps he even learned a few national songs to add more flavor to the day.
On days like today I realize what a special opportunity this has been to raise Kaia in this country. Here he is celebrating Indian independence with a typical meal of idly and uttapham without a care in the world. Even though we are half a world away from the people we love and who love him, this unique experience has been truly remarkable. Indians love children so much and to walk with Kaia down a street or through a shopping center, is to be on the end of so many kind smiles and extended hands. Just the other day, for the 3rd or 4th time, a stranger asked to take a photo of Kaia. I don’t know what he planned to do with it, or how he was going to explain it to others, but somewhere in Chennai there is a digital image of Kaia that will mark this time.
Why I Love this Time: He knows his way around this city—by remembering landmarks and areas—better than most expat residents!
No comments:
Post a Comment