***.I came to US first time in May 1999, just in the last millennium and before stepping of the current( 'the then' advent of new millennium').I was very much excited to think of witnessing the Independence day in the biggest democratic country, being physically present. It was West Virginia.
In India 15th August, the Independence Day is celebrated with enormous enthusiasm; all around prevails a joyful feeling of festivity! All the school children with white dress reach the school premise within 7:45. AM. The flag is hoisted between 8AM to 8:15with the national anthem 'Jana-Gana-mana', bugle and drum-beat. As the flag goes up to unfurl, a bunch of flowers drop from the folded flag. After the inspiring talks are delivered about the lives and sacrifices of the patriots and martyrs. People/students pay homage to their memory. The ceremony usually ended within 11AM with the distribution of some sweets and snacks. Not only schools and colleges but all institutions, court, offices follow this tradition sincerely.With this picture in my mind, I dressed up myself and set out with my husband at 7 o'clock. My daughter screamed from her bed in a sleepy voice,
" where are you going? Today is a holiday ; Here nobody
gets up before 10AM on holiday." "idle girl!" I murmured in my mind and pushed my husband silently to hurry up. We proceeded towards the City hall, downtown. We walked throughout the lonely and silent road. In every turn of the hilly road, I was expecting curiously to hear the cheering voice of school students and people.
My enthusiasm began to fade when I reached near the deserted city-hall.
It was an 8:30.No trace of any people.
My husband said,"My daughter was right, you didn't listen to her."
I replied "Perhaps we reached too early; let us wait up to 9-o'clock"
We walked towards the front side of the city hall and saw the national flag tied up to the pole. The flag seemed to be quite old; no scattered flowers under the pedestal of the flag.
" Oh, see, the flag has been hoisted before we came";
my husband exclaimed!
I said,"never, we reached here before 8: AM".
"It seems the city-mayor did it yesterday night to avoid getting up from sleep early morning on holiday."
I laughed & laughed to hear his comment, breaking the morning silence.
Actually, my husband wanted to leave the place as he missed the morning tea before coming; and here also he didn't find any hope, as no tea- stall was visible.
I felt for him; so I said sympathetically,
"let us go to the pole to bow down near the National flag of US; maybe we will never get the chance of coming on this day!"
" That's a good idea!"My husband answered cheerfully at the thought of going back to home.
Then we were looking all around in search of any stall for morning tea.
Now I noticed a man with tattered clothes leaning in the corner of the wall of the hall with two empty bottles of liquor between his stretched legs; he seemed to be heavily drunk. I am scared of a drunkard and mad people. So I turned back swiftly to step down the stairs and leave the place. Near the corner of the stairs under a big shady tree, another man came to our notice who was fumbling the huge trash-can; I can hear him murmuring and laughing softly; He also seemed drunk and mad both, .. but divinely a happy man!
In the midway of the street, we saw, on our way back, some well-dressed gentlemen and women coming from the opposite side.
I hopefully said, 'see, people are now started coming; it is 9:35, the celebration will be at 10:00PM, as my daughter told.
But those people entered in a church by the roadside, disapproving my guess.
We came back home with much disappointment.
My daughter, still lying in bed, giggled," I told you, It is holiday, nobody will be seen before 10:0'clock! Did you see anything happening?"
My husband promptly replied, "yes-yes, only two happiest persons. of this country : a mad beggar and a drunkard!
My daughter replied," Oh, you will see them always in the downtown.'
I put the tray of steaming tea and toast in front of him.
My first experience of 4th July often comes back to my mind on Independence Day, with some dismay.
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