A child born every minute
65 years and still shouting
The same slogans every day
65 years and still waiting
For every man to have a home
65 years and still hoping
For a better life for every one
65 years and still building
A decent network of roads
65 years and still seeking
A country without corruption
65 years and still dreaming
About a safe society for everyone
65 years and still sleeping
On broken footpaths on the street
65 years and still talking
About plans for a better land
65 years and still standing
With begging bowl in hand
65 years and still watching
Athletes from other nations go past
65 years and anticipating
A tap that never runs dry
65 years and still thinking
Of strategy to move forward
65 years and still debating
The politics of good and bad
65 years and still worshipping
The same old holy cows
65 years and still waving
That well worn Hand aloft
65 years and still hoping
That things will one day change
65 years and still proud
To be an Indian today.
Happy Independence Day. Despite the riots in Mumbai, the “breakdown” of law and order, the imminent drought facing us this year, the chaos and the mess in our politics, the systems that never work the way they should, the roads with pot holes every yard, the electricity that flashes on and off, the hundred thousand ills,
I’m proud to be an Indian as I watch the tricolour flutter in the breeze.
