mcgillianaire: (Default)
mcgillianaire ([personal profile] mcgillianaire) wrote2006-08-15 04:45 pm

Happy Birthday India!

Today is India's 60th Independence Day, an occasion to celebrate the creation of our "nation-state" and freedom from British-rule.

It is also a wonderful opportunity to remember the immortal "Tryst with Destiny" speech of our first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and evaluate the progress that has been achieved since 1947.

As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh rightly points out in his address to the nation, "we have miles to go before we can truly say that we have made our tryst with destiny." That being said, I also think we can take great pride in what has been accomplished. The journey continues...

Jai Hind!

[identity profile] daedalus-bloom.livejournal.com 2006-08-16 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
I don't know, we bring you civilisation and engineering and laws all that stuff that you didn't have before we colonised you, and this is the gratitude we get. Really, it's a thankless task being English and white...

[identity profile] mcgillianaire.livejournal.com 2006-08-16 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
:) Well if it makes you feel any better, I'm glad it was the British who governed us rather than any of those other European imperialistic thugs.

Also, I was wondering if you were currently living in Wales or Bolton?

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[identity profile] savyasachi.livejournal.com 2006-08-17 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
I now know who to thank every time I remember that my grandmother's friends (who were all teenagers then) were killed by machine-gun fire.

I also know who to thank for people who wrote that they were glad that they made Indians drink the blood of their own children after the English slaughtered them.

Thank you, White British Male.
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Re: 59th not 60th

[identity profile] mcgillianaire.livejournal.com 2006-08-16 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
No, it is the 60th Independence Day because the first one is counted as August 15, 1947. 59th Birthday but 60th Independence Day.

[identity profile] elodie21.livejournal.com 2006-08-16 08:26 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, we've come a long way and there's a long road ahead for India. But 60 years is not a very long time and she has indeed come very far.

You should come to India sometime and celebrate 15th August here-the mood is infectious! Everyone is so excited and proud. Its wonderful!

[identity profile] lfc-fan.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 10:06 am (UTC)(link)
I've been in India once a few years ago during this time, it really is great to be there.

[identity profile] elodie21.livejournal.com 2006-08-18 10:34 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, definitely!