Whenever I think of India’s Independence Day, a flood of colours fill my mind… the colours of joy, the colours of freedom, the colours of the people who woke up to a new sunrise. The rain that showered new hope.

As students, it was a day of independence from books for us kids. It was a simple pleasure. Later, we learned that it was after a long struggle that India became Independent and we were able to celebrate the spirit of the nation that is known for its unity in diversity. Thus, was born the wonder called India that has a long tradition of embracing all cultures and imbibing a new spirit, reflecting a truly global spirit.

A nation with over 136 crore people, we still maintain that unity in diversity despite all odds because we have that spirit within us, which no force can alter. So, when it drizzled on the Assembly ground while listening to the special address by our head teacher, we knew we are now enjoying the fruits of the suffering that our great leaders withstood to take the nation to a new era.

I remember reading somewhere the memories of Ruskin Bond, who celebrated the day of India’s Independence in Shimla as a 13-year-old student. All those students in the boarding school marched up to the town to witness the Indian flag being raised for the first time. Shimla was still the summer capital of India, so it was quite an event there, he recollects. “Of course it was raining, as you would expect in the middle of the monsoon, and we were in our raincoats and gumboots, while a sea of umbrellas covered the Mall,” wrote Ruskin Bond, whose words once again connected me with my school days, when I first read ‘Letters from a Father to His Daughter’, the letters written by Jawaharlal Nehru to his daughter Indira, while he was in prison, for leading led the freedom struggle along with the legends including Gandhiji. It opened a new world for us.

When I grew up, I listened to the historic ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech he made on the eve of India’s Independence, towards midnight on August 14, 1947.

“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom…” Even now those words reverberate in my mind, making me proud of my nation where people live in harmony, where religious faiths never teach us to hate science and where we wake up to the beauty of humanity and the colours of nature. And I salute those great souls who led us to the world of Independence! 

About the author: Reena Abdulrahman is the Chief Operating Officer of Alhind Travel and Tours for GCC and Africa. Reena has over 21 years of experience working with top airlines in the region.