Decked up for R-Day

With the 63rd Republic Day of India round the corner, you might assume that I’m here to share my views on how I’m going to celebrate it. Well, thankfully (for the readers), no . Well, there’s always the patriotic posts and greetings that come one’s way twice a year - once on Republic Day and once on Independence Day. After all that hoopalah and flag-waving, nothing changes, and we are back to our usual selves, doing things saying, ‘This is how it is done in India’. The one addition would be the sad state of the numerous plastic flags strewn on the roads, waiting for rag-pickers to pick them up. :spinNo, I’m not taking that line as well.

You may begin to wonder, “Where is she getting at?:rant” Well, there is this old and famous building in Chennai, that still boasts of a good ‘green area’ and that plays host to the Governor of TamilNadu – The Raj Bhavan. It has always been a low-key place, quite apt for a Governor to count his numerous pins in absolute peace. Until some time ago, its walls were adorned with paintings depicting historical monuments and some incomplete works. Sometime last week, I noted that all the walls had been white-washed. I was wondering as to what was happening. Then, day before yesterday, I noticed that the gates at the entrance and the trees accommodating the gates were all suddenly lit up with serial lights. I thought that maybe there’s a wedding in our new Governor’s family and shrugged it off – well, I keep away from the lot named politicians.

Yesterday, I was travelling back home and that is when the truth hit me. What I saw in a passing glance was that the whole place was lit up; there were these light forms of our Indian flag, a map of India and a greeting – Happy Republic Day – I was so surprised that such a drastic action had come out of a hitherto respectfully lethargic place- maybe our new Governor got tired of counting his pins and letterheads and wanted a little colour, a little drama to spice up his life. :rotfl:rotfl

Maybe, I am wrong to be surprised at this sudden activity happening at the Governor’s manor as this is the first time I’m commuting at the vicinity of this place around this time. :hide: Chennaiites, have you seen something like this earlier?

 

Hi Srini,
Thanks for being the first one to give fb. There was a 3rd mango that was the primary aim of the stone - I remember that a few years back, when the flex boards were introduced, many artists who used to earn a living by painting posters/wall graffiti, suddenly became jobless. Their poverty eventually reached so low that it was brought to the Govt.'s notice and in a bid to give them some work and make the city look beautiful [remember 'Singara Chennai'], their skills were utilized.

 

Belated wishes to you, too, Sabitha. Thanks for dropping by.

Yeah, even my sister was in the NCC and 2 main events they geared up for were Independence Day Parade and Republic Day Parade. Yesterday, I was thinking of those things and the pride, rank and honour associated with having been part of the Republic Day Parade.

For me and my family, Republic Day is a day when we sit glued to the TV for a couple of hours to see the parade, the military might and finally the SuryaKirans' and other teams' Air Show. Sadly, this year, our TV was out of order for some time and we could not watch the Delhi parade.

 

Thanks for dropping by, Swarnalatha.

As I mentioned in my reply to Sabitha, I was able to watch only a few minutes of the Republic Day Parade, that happened in Chennai. And I saw 2 teams dancing to the same 'Senthamizh Naadennum Bothinile'. Didn't realise that all teams danced to the same tune. Is there such a dearth of national songs or was it an order from Big Momma, i wonder?