Hum bulbuley hai iski, yeh gulsitaan hamara...

 I was named according to my birth time and horoscope. Since my mom gave birth to a girl child, many of her acquaintances said she should take another chance for a boy. It's a different story that she always wanted daughters!

I was taught my mother tongue first and later, at school I learnt English, along with 2 other languages. It was fun going to school wearing uniforms. Uptil grade 5, we were allowed to sit together, from grade 6, teachers arranged different rows, for boys and girls. 

We all were expected to be great at academics, especially Math. Sports was played as an option. We were given history lessons on how our country got Independence, it was an eminent struggle, in that era, and thanks to them, we are enjoying the freedom to the fullest now!

Our democracy gives us varied rights to ensure our freedom.

As a child, I used to love wearing shorts and t-shirts....just like my cousin brothers...but some had objections over this. Girls have to be dressed in a certain way, the society said. My family never differentiated, but there were people around who wanted a son to take forward their clan, instead of a daughter, who was considered to be a burden......"Daughters bring debts", they said, "We have to marry them off, soon, spending so much, its difficult to raise a daughter ".

I always wondered Why do we have this mentality? Can't daughters support their parents, if given good education and a better chance? But traditions and culture have a significant position in our society! We can't have reforms if there's no unity in thoughts and actions. 

We tend to give importance to religions and castes, more than merit and calibre.

" For great men, religion is a way of making friends, small people make religion a fighting tool" ~ Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam.

Having said this, the diversity and heterogeneousness, is what makes our country unique! We have a rich culture and heritage. We have the oldest human civilization, we have the highest mountain peaks, we have beautiful monuments including one of the wonders of the world, splendid architectural miracles. Numerous languages are spoken in various states, discrete attires are worn, different festivals are celebrated.

I love the festival of Holi....the colours, the splashing water, everybody coming together to have fun, eating 'Gujias'....it's a lively and enjoyable event.

Our Independence day isn't lesser than a festival .... Our tricolor unfurls with pride, amid slogans of "Jai Hind", giving goosebumps to every patriot present. Even after attacks by several invaders, my motherland withstood the blows and rose again, with conviction!

"This is the land where humanity has attained it's highest towards gentleness, towards generosity, towards purity, towards calmness" ~ Swami Vivekanand.

Now that we are progressing as a society, in various fields, be it IT, sports, clothing, edible products, our daughters are now getting respect and equal opportunities, it lifts my head high and  jutts my chin out with more pride and dignity.

We are a creed of people who welcome everyone with open arms, we consider every guest at par to God! But this doesn't mean, anyone can take advantage of it, cast an evil eye on us and try to overpower us like they once did. We as a nation, should unite and cease such actions.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: "I feel blessed to be born here, my motherland has given me so much, am obliged " ~ JUI.

"The One land that all men desire to see once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for all the shows of all the rest of the globe combined" ~ Mark Twain.

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