The Usual Flurry of Greetings today from WhatApp friends mostly from India and the odd one from an Aussie mate
and a Unique one combining both
Born on 10th Dec 1946, before India's Independence, I have been around for all Independence Days and Republic Days of India. One would assume I'd know the entire history like them palm of my hands. Absolutely correct, as I don't remember any single line on the palm of my hands :-)
Today is a special day and an Eye Opener for me. Let me tell you why :-
I found out from this forward something special
Even after having spent close to two thirds of my lifetime, I didn’t know on
26th January the national flag is UNFURLED, while on 15th August it is HOISTED
The logic behind this is that on 15th August the flag is tied to the bottom of the pole, it is lifted up to the top and then hoisted.
To symbolise the #struggle for independence while lifting it up the pole and then celebrating independence by hoisting it.
While on 26th January India became an independent Republic!
On the top now, free from the clutches of years of foreign occupation !
Thus the flag is tied to the top of the pole and not at the bottom as on 15th August.
Hence the Flag is UNFURLED!
(Hoist meaning to pull something up with a rope)
I am not sure how many of you know this, I didn’t know this for sure
Now I keep asking myself why India's Republic Day and Australia Day fall on the same date 16th January. I don't have an answer yet.
Perhaps this date was stipulated by the Queen of England for reasons we do not know
Also Australia is not a Republic and is part of the British Common Wealth. India however is a Republic but still part of the British Common Wealth.
My wife Mithu asked this question that floored me.
Why is India Part of the Common Wealth ?
Is there any Real Benefit to India and if yes What is the real benefit ?
In this Millenium, when Indians are being told by people rewriting Indian History everything British is Bad; don't you think India is such a mega Economic Power now in 2022 and should quit the Common Wealth for Good and Bring Home the Kohinoor Diamond and Peacock Throne too ? Food for Thought
And then I received this forward:-
Traditionally, 'Abide with me fast falls the eventide' - the immortal hymn by Henry Francis Lyte, used to conclude the Beating Retreat Ceremony.
From now onwards, Aey Mere Watan ke Logon sung by Lata Mangeshmar will take its place.
English was accepted by the Nation as it belonged to none of us but Hindi will stir up Anti Hindi agitation South of The Vindhyas, will it not ??
My niece in Madras asked me Mama what does "Mere Watan ke Logon mean ??"
Now I have left the Best for the last
I received a most interesting piece of Indian History today.
Listen to the original National Anthem sung by Netaji's INA in 1943 in Port Blair. Later recorded in madras by Lt.Col Lakshmi Sehgal
I am not sure if this has any impact on you or is just another piece of news you'll read and forget.
To me it stirred up my emotions and took me back to my Childhood.
Some of you might even remember I was born a Kalapani on 10th December 1946 in Port Blair, Andamans before India got its Independence.
The Japanese were ruth less and beheaded the locals without rhyme or reason other than terrorising the local Indian Population
It is said that the Japanese even ate and used Live POW for Target Practice
My Paternal Grand Fathers youngest Brothers, two of them were working in an Indian Provision store in Aberdeen Bazaar in Port Blair, Andamans
I remember a few stories my Thatha told me as a seven year old
My Thathas Older Brother supported the Japanese and hoarded sackfuls of Japanese currency hoping to become rich if Japs won the war. How do I know ? we used this worthless paper money to pay each other for winning a game of hide and seek etc under the timber house.
As a Family we stayed away from this Thatha who was older. My Dad called him a Traitor as he supported the Japs.
The Younger Thatha Gindarajulu Naidu was my favourite and even today is my role model. When the Japs took over Andaman islands, he owned a small radio shop at Aberdeen Bazaar, Port Blair.
One day the Japs raided his shop and whisked him away as a POW and took all the radios.
In prison they accused him of relaying information to the British and hence was a Traitor to be beheaded. They also arrested another Muslim friend of his for the same reason.
Two days later they dragged both of them out of the prison to the beach made them dig holes in the sand deep enough for them to stand shoulder deep with heads above the sand. The soldiers ten shovelled the sand filling the pits.
The two POWs were told " We are going to count to ten and you need to confess or we will behead both of you".
My Thatha told me he was scared stiff and scared even to cry as it might be seen as admission of guilt. So he just closed his eyes tight. At the count of seven the Muslim friend confessed and was beheaded instantly with his blood spilling all over my Thathas face.
My Thatha's Life was spared. My Thatha never knew if Muslim friends confession was true or if he did it to save my Thathas Life ?
(Now that to me is TRUE Friendship)
Now I understand why Netaji chose "Port Blair" to sing Jana Gana Mana for the first time but in Secrecy in 1943, becasue the Japs were in control of the Islands
If you look at the record it says. Must not be Publicly Performed for fear of being arrested by the British I presume.
Port Blair was a British penal colony before the Japs invaded and after the Japs surrendered and left Andaman Islands, the British used the Cellular Jail for locking up India's Freedom Fighters.
My Dad who worked as CQMS in the British Supplies Dept in Madras, was on board the British Naval ship that went to Port Blair to accept the Japanese surrender.
My Dad K.M.Krishnaswamy Naidu
in 1947, sporting a Hitler Mush
Even today we have at home a Japanese Bayonet that he received from a surrendering Japanese soldier.
Believe it or not next thing that happened was, My Dad was appointed as the Jailer in charge of the cellular Jail and he got to see and meet all the freedom fighters.
Independence Day on 15th August 1947my Dad always said was the Happiest Day of his life as a few days later he opened the Jail Gates and released all Political Prisoners who were Freedom Fighters. The hardened Criminal were still locked up.
With the Jail almost empty four of the seven wings of the cellular jail was made into a make shift hospital and my Dad was Jailer & Medical Superintendent at the same time.
Mt Thatha and my Dad were Champion Indians that I am so proud of.
Here is Food for thought for all readers;-
Where would India be today had Hitler and Japs won WW II and Hitler allowed the Japs to Rule India ?
Will we be where we are now or will we be slaving for the ruthless Japanese who see themselves as a Superior Race ??
May be they will be making Sushi & Sashimi of pure Vegetarian Fed Organic Indian Meat
