kissing the sky

We are very sorry to inform you that due to the author’s lazy bum this article which was written for the Republic Day is releasing post the Day of Independence (2012). The author promises you that he won’t get better --Issued in the interest of the readers.

26^th January meant something to our forefathers whereas it’s a totally different concept to us now. The day in its 60’s has just lost its charm.

Things which matter to the generation X-Y-Z (as I call it) are that it’s a holiday which we are confident enough nobody can spoil. A day when malls team up with brands to offer huge discounts kicking off the season of sales. A Border or Chak De can be expected on the television and roads which remain empty most of the day are a spectacle. For the lazy ones like me who cherish sitting and gazing, it is the parade day when our country indulges in the show-off business by proudly displaying all those big missiles we have wasted our money on. I guess it is an effort to keep dreadful countries like Pakistan & China informed that “if you have it, so do we”. So a lot of crap above makes our Republic Day somehow in our own way special because who cares about the age old constitution which has rusted and is dying for a renewal.

The reason why the occasion is special for Mumbaikars (as now I live in Mumbai so I write more about them) is that they have a ritual of flying kites. Like Delhiwallahs have one on the 15^th of August. We countrymen do the similar things but only pick occasions according to our comforts.

Sadly this 26^th being a Saturday was working and work is karma in the dream city. So Mumbaikars celebrated their 26^th January on the 27^th which was a Sunday (I told you about the comfort). And hence 27^th January became the unofficial Republic day in Mumbai. Blue, orange, black, purple, magenta and don’t know what color of kites were dancing in the sky.

Those who are unaware of this game let me share this with you that only after the initial hiccups which gives a feeling that not even a single kite will take off, things get to normal. Spirited people enter the game with a bunch of kites because whether you are a Mumbaikar, a Delhiite or a native of UP, the first kite always dies a silent death in just warming up. I personally have no experience in flying kites but confidently telling this from my years of observing my maternal uncles when they enjoyed the game.  

So on 27^th, some kites outstood and survived for a long time; some after early glory just lived their last and touched the land. 

The kite runners, the ones who participate and the ones who get pleasure in just chasing the kites shouted, booed and danced to the game in the sky. I, as a distant viewer just enjoyed the happiness spread around me. The colourful sky made the colourful Sunday much more colourful and in this way the saga of 65^th republic day was celebrated for two days. 

Well, whatever I have told you is just the first half. The 2^nd half, which even I didn’t know what to write about earlier, is this: The situation was contrary the following day i.e. Monday. While returning home what I saw was nothing less than a punch in the face. All those kites which for a while had become the darling of the sky, got life and celebrated birth, romanced with the wind, entertained the world, sparked-off smiles and brought people to a standstill, were loosely hanging on trees, electricity poles and hoardings. A few of them were torn off, had lost the artistic shape and were lying as if lying on their death-bed. With little hope, few were trying hard to fly along with the wind but failed. These heroes of yesterday which decorated the skies of Mumbai were lifeless and gone with the wind. Their day had passed, their time is over.

Trying not to be preachy here the only way I see it is that metaphorically, life resembles a kite. Destiny gives only one chance to see the greatest show on earth. So either we do what we want to do, we love what we want to love or we just follow the crowd. It is our moment to carpe diem. So before our 26^th January is over, let’s wake up.

999

Feel free to Criticize!!!

The author wrote the article on the night of 27^th January, 12