Thursday, August 16, 2012

Happy Independence Day #02

happy independence day

Look Father! He has got two badges. I'll buy three, says 5-year old Munna to his father pointing towards his friend Kaka. His father recently got back home after spending 3 months on the LOC (line of control) defending the sovereign borders of his homeland, Pakistan. His father relaxed him by promising that he'll get his son what he wants in the evening. All this time he had kept waiting for the month of August and his father's return. He spent his evenings being on the roof top of his little house (as it was summer vacations) counting the number of flags hoisted on other roofs in the suburbs which kept increasing as the month of August progressed till 14th August when almost the whole city seemed to wear the Flag of star and crescent.

happy independence day

In the evening, the happy child went to the market with his loving father and bought what he wanted. He bought three different Independence Day badges and a big Green Paki Flag. Badges got immediately displayed on the little child's chest and the flag was hoisted on their roof top by his father when they returned home. Little Munna was filled with pride on the sight of the flag wavering on his roof.

happy independence day

(... grown up Sajjad, going to the university with a Flag on his chest...)

happy independence day

Hmm... So you're celebrating Independence Day, Sajjad! Hawhawhaw, murmured a bunch of seniors at university mocking at him as if he was doing a shameful act. He ignored them and kept moving towards his class. His classmates on seeing him laughed out loud. One of them said to the others, "Look at this guy... He pretends as to be the only Pakistani here. Are we not Pakistanis?" All his way to university, he kept facing such situations... people looked at him as if he had committed a great sin by wearing his country's flag.

happy independence day

Compare the above two scenarios... The first story dates back to about 16 years ago when every young and old used to celebrate their Independence Day with national zeal and zest. They wore Independence Day badges and hoisted Flags on their houses in the month of August and felt proud for celebrating their independence. Different media channels telecasted different programmes regarding importance of Independence Day and made aware the young ones by portraying the sacrifices our elders made to achieve this God-Blessed country.

happy independence day

The second story shows to the current day situation and feelings of our people. It's just not a dramatic story. It's what I have gone through this week. I could see only one old lady having Paki Flag badge displayed on her chest in the market and she too faced what I was facing... odd peeps unto you... The only moment when my heart filled with pride and joy was when I saw some little kids, not more than 10 years of age, on the eve of 13th August, wavering Green Flags in the market and making powerful slogans of Pakistan ZindaBaad..!!

happy independence day

Today, if you wear a Paki Flag Badge, even on 14th August, people will laugh at you... you'll be mocked at... Your friends will make fun of you for showing your love for your country... for celebrating your Independence Day...

happy independence day

On the media, these celebrations have been limited to only telecasting the Guards Changing Ceremony at The Nation's Father's Tomb.

happy independence day

What has happened to you O people of My Country, My Pakistan..!! Don't you love your country..?? Don't you love your homeland..?? If yes then what is this attitude all about..?? Do you feel shame celebrating your country's independence..?? Our ancestors have paid a price that we can never return them back for achieving this home for us... It's our homeland... It's our duty now to protect every bit of it... We have to love it they way it deserves... i.e. more than our lives... When we know each and everything, then what compels us forget all the sacrifices our elders made to get this country..?? Why don't we celebrate our Independence Day..??

happy independence day

Why do we hoist the Green Flag..?? Why do we wear Paki Flag Badges on our chests..?? What does it all represent..?? It shows the deep love and pride we have in our hearts for our beloved homeland... Our Pakistan... and if we don't celebrate... means we don't love our country... We're a dead nation..!!

happy independence day

No... We're not a dead nation (Hum zinda qaum hain... paayinda qaum hain)... We all love our country... to the extent that we may sacrifice our lives for it's dignity (Apni aan pay mitnay waalay Hum jaanbaaz sipaahi)... So what's the shame..?? Let's pull out our flags... Hoist them on our houses... and celebrate our Independence Day the way we should... Love you Pakistan..!!

happy independence day

We sit amongst our family and friends celebrating our Nation's greatest achievement; our independence. This day celebrates freedom from the ties that bound us. Waiting in anticipation for the sun to go down and for the show to begin. We find ourselves making and playing fun activities as well as indulging in guilty pleasures all through the day.

happy independence day

The sparks start to fly and the brilliant colors begin to light up the sky. There are so many amazing displays of colors, shapes and sizes. Loud explosions soon fill the air and the distant music begins rolling through the night. We imagine and wonder of the creativity and amazement.

happy independence day

Blue, red, orange and green dome shaped semi-spheres take to the sky leaving white trails like a giant kite in the sky. Yellow strands of glitter with a blazing trails of gold take to the night sky. The showers of sparks, colors, explosions fill the night dancing with the stars, the music while bringing the night sky to life.

happy independence day

Then as the show ends we gather our things and walk back to the car or the house and start the cleaning and good night routine. We wake up in the morning after a long night's sleep. We find our little problems resurfacing, the alcohol worn off and the thought that work is just around the corner. We willingly spend the remainder of our holiday weekend and our lives trapped once again within our own restraints. The kids, the bills, the broken items to fix along with the new surfacing issues we are yet to uncover.

happy independence day

We celebrate for the relief of stress and the daily trivial antics or nuances that occur in our daily routine. Wishing we were more able to provide more to our next of kin and the ones we hold dearest to our hearts. More fun time, quality and special moments, less work and monitory issues. More of a family aura when were separated for any length of time.

happy independence day

Lost in a moment where happiness, excitement, amazement, intrigue,and curiousness all are interwoven into one ball of blah. How does this day reflect such greatness when we are supposed to remember the soldiers we lost, who sacrificed everything for us. Along with the thought of our current economic and social well being.

happy independence day

Sure we cover up the truth and sugar coat it with candy. Never addressing the real issues at hand. Not wanting to look at anything out side of the box. We go back to the daily grind whining pissing and moaning. Telling everyone about the great time we had.

happy independence day

Let's do ourselves a favor and cut the crap. Face up to our truths and get our of our comfort zone. Lets take a hard look at our situation. We the only one who's can change it. Our finances, marriage, relationships with our children, are all able to be repaired if we are willing to try.

happy independence day

Just remember when the lights go off tonight it's igniting our creative mind to carve out a better tomorrow. Reshaping the way we think about everything. New ideas will become ingrained into your sub conscience mind. Ideas will spark at an instants thought. Virtually without notice.

happy independence day

When these events do happen we need to sit up to take notice of the opportunities presented before us. Just like the fire in the sky and the booming, thunderous, explosive shock waves cutting fiercely through the night's sky. These moments of opportunity will disappear as quickly as they appeared. Begin taking note now of ways to dramatically change and inspire more success towards an independence filled life.

happy independence day

Inspire freedom, wonder, amazement as part of everyday living, grasp the moments we are given to embrace and enjoy them for every nugget of wisdom and chance they provide. We shall celebrate to our independence day for the wonders life shall hold.

happy independence day

Achievement of self improvement, self reliance, self discipline, and self discovery. To a life of purpose, driven by a single mission, fueled by passionate inspiration, abundant hunger for knowledge and empowerment.

happy independence day

happy independence day

happy independence day

happy independence day

happy independence day

happy independence day

happy independence day

No comments:

Post a Comment