The new dawn

“India is my country. All Indians are my brother and sisters…..” , Ritesh still remembered the pledge he used to take in his morning assembly at school. So many thoughts flew through his mind as he drove his car past the busy highway.

It was Independence Day. 68 years back on this day, India won its independence, but it didn’t matter now. He had this important meeting with a client he could barely afford to miss. “Oh, come on!”, he screamed as he pressed brakes for the third time in last five minutes. He hadn’t anticipated such heavy traffic on the morning of a National Holiday! Somehow, he managed his way to his office, although a little late; a tad too unprofessional on his part. The client was waiting for him. Slightly embarrassed, he excused himself with the traffic woes.

The meeting concluded and a happy Ritesh went to the nearby cigarette shop to smoke his anxiety out. Given the audacity of the client to demand a personal meeting with him, it could have gone rough but he handled it pretty well. The traditional sutta celebration was a must, therefore.

To his surprise, the shop was about to close. He made a dash for the shop and asked for a sutta. With some convincing, the owner opened it again and handed him a packet. Meanwhile, Ritesh asked, “Kya hua bhai, aaj band kar rahe ho?”.

“Arey bhaiya aaj to kholni hi nahi thi. Aaj swatantrata diwas hai na, to apne bacche ko leke parade dikhane le ja raha tha. Paise nikaalne the, isliye yahaan se hote hue nikal raha tha.”

“Kyun kar rahe ho apna nuksaan? Parade mai kya dekh lega ye?”, asked Ritesh pointing towards his son.

“Azaadi ki izzat karna seekhega bhaiya! Wahi azaadi jiski wajah se aap sutta pee sakte ho aur mai bech sakta hu.”

Ritesh didn’t know what else to say. He silently went to his car. Unable to light the cigarette, he slid the packet into his pocket and started his car in a hurry. He couldn’t wait much, after all the Independence Day parade was about to start. J