01/25/10
Tomorrow 26th Jan is India's Republic Day, and is of special significance this time. Sixtieth R-Day. Shashti aabdi poorthi of the Indian Republic ! A memorable Day ! Hearty Greetings to you all !
For such of you who are not aware of why this particular date was chosen, here is some info. The Indian National Congress, which spearheaded the struggle for Indian Independence, had its Annual session in 1930 at Lahore, on 26th January, when for the first time, the Tri-Color Indian Flag was hoisted, and it was resolved on that day that the struggle was for Total Independence from the British, and would be celebrated every year as the 'Poorna Swaraj Day'. Twenty years later, after achieving Independence on 15 Aug 1947, and drawing up a Constitution, India was declared a Sovereign Democratic Independent Republic, on 26th Jan 1950.
Well, today on this special occasion, I wish to reproduce below a Ballad on India which I had composed many years back. It is rather long, but I wish to give the full version of it. Hope you will please bear with me !
THE LAND I LOVE
If I were to be born anew
Wish it were again in Hind !
Eternal land with His Blessing -
I am proud I belong to Hind.
Many an ancient civilization bloomed a while
And then perished, heard no more;
But the treasure of my dear Hind
Since millinea are preserved with care.
The Sages and Seers on banks of its rivers,
Seekers of Truth and knowledge divine,
Pondered on problems of life and beyond,
And bequethed to us Wisdom Eternal.
Oh, if I were to be born anew
Wish it were again in Hind !
Ah, the lofty Himalayas kissing the heavens,
Their snowy peaks, the abode of Gods.
See the stately poplars flanking the paths,
The serene mirrored beauty of the Dal,
The gorgeous patterns of lovely Shalimar,
The multi-colored fountains of Brindavan,
That misty beauty of Darjeeling,
And the cool fragrance of the Ooty Hills !
Oh, if I were to be born anew
Wish it were again in Hind !
Look, the peerless Taj, the dreamy treasure,
Beauty symbolized, the emblem of love.
That ethereal look, that misty charm,
That hazy loveliness in the moonlit night;
See the towering Qutab touching the skies,
The graceful arches of the Diwani-Khas,
And the well preserved beauty of Charminar -
All remind me of my proud legacy !
Oh, if I were to be born anew,
Wish it were in Hind !
Look, the holy Temples of piligrimage -
On the banks of Ganga the Kasi Viswanath,
At Kanchi the Kamakshi, at Puri the Jagannath,
Atop the Seven Hills the Deity of Tirumala -
Hark the Vedic hymns echoing in temple halls.
See the hallowed spots of Sanchi and Sarnath,
The Golden temple at holy Amritsar,
And the Jumma Masjid at nation's capital !
Oh, if I were to be born anew,
Wish it were again in Hind !
Hark to the music, a journey into melody -
The alap, jor and gat of the north,
And ragam, tanam and pallavi of south.
What colorful dances, entrancing eyes and ears;
The rhythm and grace of Bharata Natyam,
The dazzling costumes of Manipuri,
The spectacular and virile Kathakali, and
The nimble footwork and gyrations of Kathak !
Oh, if I were to be born anew,
Wish it were again in Hind !
I bow before my mother Hind !
I deem it blessed to walk on the land
Where the flag of saffron, white and green
Flies aloft with pride in sunshine bright,
Peace and progress its colors denoting, and
The Ashoka Wheel ever avowing Dharma,
While 'Satya Meva Jayathe' , the Nation's Motto,
Declares that Truth shall ultimately triumph !
Oh, if I were to be born anew,
Wish it were again in Hind !
Aye, let it be known for certain --
Not all the treasures of the world,
Nor the tempting promises of heavens,
Will ever lure me from my wish --
'If I were to be born anew,
Wish it were again in HIND' !
Well, have a Happy Republic Day, and a lovely week ahead,
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