INDEPENDENCE IS HAPPINESS

Rewind: 2015

Part 1: Classwork

All students to write in 100 words what Azadi means to you.

Answer:

Independence is Happiness

I knew a little birdie

Who’d come to my window everyday

She would chirp aloud

And dance merrily

I wanted her to be mine

Mine and mine alone

So got a beautiful cage

Coloured it nice and bright

Placed the best swing available

Kept two little cups

One for water, one for food

Put a musical chime as well

Opened the door and waited

She came

She saw

She wondered

And then she flew away

Never to come again

Till I did away with the cage

Now she’s back

Doing what she does best

Sing & Dance

I named her Miss Independence.

Part 2: Homework

Write an essay on what you did on 15th August 2015?

Answer:

Prayas- Educating Street Children

This 15th August, I went to a street corner where Prayas, an NGO working for education of street children organized the Independence Day celebrations. The children danced and sang patriotic songs.

And then met couple of remarkable human beings. 

First was Hari Bhai. He is one man who recollected his childhood when he did not have an opportunity to go to school and came to the city in a pair of half pants but through sheer hard work and intelligence today is in a position to support Prayas and many other individuals who need financial help. Hari Bhai presented the kids a small piggy bank and asked them to save a rupee coin whenever they wished to and said the money in the box will come to the rescue of their parents when they really need it. 

Wondered if this was the real Jan Dhan Yojana!

Next came on stage Saif, the choreographer of the show and was greeted by the kids with a thunderous applause. Saif has been associated with Prayas and their celebrations for the last six years. Saif called on stage around 5 or 6 other youngsters. After he was felicitated, Saif said that he comes back year on year to Prayas not from a charitable interest but from a selfish interest. Wondered what this could be because the NGO was in no position to pay him. He said he comes from a very poor household and is able to relate to the kids and connects  well with the kids. He said when he came for the show for the first time, he had little or no work but after doing the first one here, he was flooded with offers. So next year he asked another of his struggling colleague to oversee the celebrations at Prayas. This youngster too got many an offer after the show here. And so every year he lets a struggling person take charge of the show at Prayas while overseeing the show himself. The result is always the same. 

Wondered if the old saying of 'kar bhala toh ho bhala' still mattered and worked in today's world!

Finally, just as I was leaving saw 3 little kids smiling at me as they sat on the stage. They shook hands as they wished me Happy Independence Day. I took a picture of them and another girl passing by said they were all sisters.

Sana, Sadiqa and Mehek- what lovely girls and what a beautiful smile on each face. I smiled back and captured the sight for eternity. Happy that these kids are studying. Happy that their parents are letting them study. Happy that they will through education find their happiness in coming days. Happy that there are still good people in this world like I meet at Prayas who bring smiles all around in all the chaos, poverty and apathy.

Wondered if truly Independence is Happiness!

Maybe Being Human is Real Happiness!!

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Fast Forward: 2021

Six years have gone by and I still make it a point to visit Prayas celebrating Independence Day. This year was different with no dancing, singing and long speeches. There were a handful of children and a few of us. The pandemic has wrecked havoc with the education of the children...they have lost almost two years of their best years and the damage to their learning is irreparable. The National Anthem was sung after the flag was unfurled...not by any leader or teacher but by three girls who had done well in the Higher Secondary Board Examinations. All the others who had successfully passed the class X and XII exams were given a token Rs 200 each. The amount may seem paltry to most but the smile and spark in the eyes of the beholders was magical...Happiness is growing up and earning your prize...Independence is Happiness.

While returning home after the celebrations in the park, met this charming kid. Sitting proudly in front atop the fuel tank of daddy's bike, with the flag fluttering in the wind, must be independence for the kid from her usual place of sitting in mummy's lap in the back seat. Truly,  Independence is Happiness. 

And finally a day, a time we have been longing for...a moment when 1.35 billion Indians would have stood up and the eight billion viewers world wide would have heard the beautiful anthem for fifty two second ending with Glory...Glory...Glory...Jaya Hey...Jaya Hey...Jaya Hey! Independence is Happiness.

Find your Happiness in Winning, Happiness in Growing up and Happiness in Being Human.

Jai Hind.

SS