Wagah,Flags,Dance:The Patriot

Wagah(Indo-Pak Border),Amritsar,India:Two different days at different times at different ages there and both changed my life in a way.
 Latter one is worth sharing.

It is one day of my life,I will never forget.

I,alongwith my friends went to Wagah Border.There is this Flag-lowering ceremony("Beating the Retreat").Famous for its histrionics.Armies on both sides try their best to outdo the other
to show hatred.And the intensity depends on the Indo-Pak relations at that time.
Though a few days back Indian Army has decided to slow down the intensity because of the better environment nowadays.

Reached there.First impression was :Pakistan's stands are more big and better placed to view the whole ceremony.
Many school children were there on  Pakistan's side(May be a school trip).College girls and boys,full of Enthu.Their families cheering them loud.Fully Charged.Electrifying.

And Indian Border on this side,Army men,and families,like they are on a picnic.Just to watch and then go back home.Like they are afraid of something.Or just apathetic to anything.
I mean,as an Indian you felt like "Woh Jasba kahan gaya desh ke liye".
 
Aise hi nahin Bolte:Young Blood hai.We went through the lines.A yearning was there in the eyes.There were some flags with the Armyman who was checking us, readied to be given.
But were we the right owners of the Legacy.He looked into my eyes as if searching something.I ,into his.Both said something.(Please don't let us down.No,I won't let India Down.)

Defining moment.No words for that.First time in my life I realized what Country means to you and what Volcanoes burst inside when you feel it.
Indian team losing in Cricket,Soldiers fighting for freedom of people who they never had met...Desh,Mera Vatan. Mera Sub Kuch.Worth Dying for.

He gave us the flags.We took them and move to the stands.
On the Pakistan side,the atmosphere was nothing short of Mayhem.
People dancing on the road.Cheering their army.Allah hu Akbar.Pakistan Zindabaad.

And we were mute spectators.Enjoying watching them.C'monnnn... where is the spirit?What to afraid of?May be lack of initiative.

Most of the times we don't do things b'coz we are afraid what others will think of it?What the Hell?Who has the time and energy?And Who Carezzzzzz.
The song playing was 'Saare Jahan se ....'.Patriotic.But zing was missing.We stood up from our seats.Went to the Army personnel.Indian eyes watching the 5 young boys.
We requested them to please change the song to something,something which will make the Adrenalin pump.New song was 'jahan daal -2 pe sone...'Umm.Still missing.
'Aie Watan,Aie watan humko teri kasam...'.We stared Furling our flags and urging the Junta to come forward also.
  The Momentum was building slowly and slowly.Some more youth and children peckered by their mothers joined.

Our chests were swollen with Pride.A responsibility was given to us and we won't let anybody down.
We raced to the Zero Line,dancing,furling high the Indian Flags.More and more people joined.Army men also.Seeing the Tempo,the beats were changed to Punjabi songs.Fast songs about Indian Glory.And the scene was Breathtaking.
All inhibitions lost,all dikhawa gone,people came forward.And they Danced.They Chanted.Hindustan Zindabaad.The whole stand was up and dancing,chanting.

The other side was surprised?Perhaps.They too shayad never expected such a response from Indian side.
We were not only competiting.We were actually Winning.
The beats of Dhols and Drums were increaing.Dhamm,Dhamm, Inqlaab ZIndabaad,Inqlaab Zindabaad.
Vande Matram, Vande Matram...

Long Live the Freedom Fighters.
Sab log deshbhakti ke rang mein rang gaye.
Yes,that was it.That was more like it.Indians have arrived.
They fought,they won.They conquered...
Freedom for which our forefathers toiled.Mother India feeling Proud.
India has arrived finally in a small place,outside the urbs,at an Army Post on the Border.
Heads held high,spirits soaring,Mouths Roaring...

And then the Bigul went out.Indian Army performed the Ceremony.The Pak Army,may be trying to gain some of the lost ground, tried a little too hard.While raising his leg,one Pak soldier fell down.Battle of nerves.And that small post has its share of it everyday,for years.
I can hardly imagine what could have happened with him afterwards.But he is a human."Treat me as a human treat another human".Sounds familiar...

After that,we were like war heroes coming after a great victory.Families lined up to have a Photograph with us.What was that?Us?Nah.
It was that Glorious Legacy in our hands-the Tricolor ...Tiranga.
"Bhaiya can I hold this flag",a small girl came to me."Yes,why not?".Loads of photographs were clicked.Alas!We didn't have any Camera of our own.

A middle aged man from Deep south came with his Family and said"Thank You".Many others follow.The connections were made.
The Bonds were beginning to form again.

Perhaps there is still hope.

The good thing was that nobody criticized the others.We never heard discriminatory slogans from any side.There was competition,there was curiosity,there was hell lot of a things,but in that Maahaul,I didn't find an iota of animosity.Its Diplomats only who have this enmity.


"Jaisa desh hai tera...Vaisa desh hai Mera"...
Long live the Human spirit.Long live India.
Jai Hind.