Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Mother India..

Day 693, 01:06 • Published in India India • by Mr.Dee
Published from the God’s Own Country



When I flew out from eBhubaneshwar International Airport more than a month ago, I had no idea that one day I would return via eNew Delhi Airport to my beloved eIndia. Day before yesterday, I did touch down at eBhubaneshwar International Airport while on transit to eIran. Only hours ago on the return trip, my plane landed at eNew Delhi Airport for refuelling.

What can I say about how I felt when I saw the Indian Tri-colour fluttering atop the flag mast of the airport? I wanted to disembark for a moment and kiss the land of Northern India, and did just that after getting permission from an unusually hospitable and courteous eAir India staff (even the staffs of the plane were in a jubilant mood). Just then a member of the ground staff, a young boy of 18 or 19, approached me.

“Namaste Colonel Saab.”

“Namaste”, I said.

“ I understand you are among the countless brave men and women who took part in the Liberation War of Northern India. I salute you.” He stood in attention and saluted me, his eyes were shining and he had a warm smile on his lips. I returned the salute to the young Hindustani.

The young boy gave me a small box and said “Please accept this Saab. “

“What is this?” I asked

“This is my father’s Veer Chakra. He was among the brave men who fought in the Orissa war.”
I noticed the past tense in his second statement.

“My mother gave this to me today morning and asked me to present it to the first freedom fighter that I have an opportunity to talk to. Please keep this Saab, as a souvenir.”

I opened the small box and saw the shiny gold medal attached to a Tri-colour ribbon. I was awed by the gesture of this young man and his old mother. I looked at him and saw tears of joy and pride in his eyes.

I said, “I will treasure this young man. Convey my Namaste to your mother”, and hugged him.

As the plane took off from the eNew Delhi Airport, my thoughts returned to those brave men and women who fought for Mother India alongside me, both Indians and foreigners. Many more who lent us support and prayed for our victory. And now when I sit at my home sweet home, the Veer Chakra occupying a place of pride in my show case, I feel humbled.

For there are many more greater souls who sacrificed much more than I did, who showed the way, who guided us and supported us, those who dared to dream big, many who did whatever they could...

I stepped outside my home. The brilliant night sky glittering with bright stars greeted me. Looking around I saw earthen lamps lighted in every courtyard, fire crackers bursting all around me. The celebrations are on...Yes, Diwali has arrived early for eIndia...



I bowed to my mother land and said “Vande Mataram”.....