On the 15th of August 2010, we'll gain our 'freedom' yet again, but till then we slog.

Won't struggle on August 15

On the 15th of August 2010, we'll gain our 'freedom' yet again, but till then we slog. The unfortunate babu at Raisina Hill is busy making arrangements for the Prime Minister's ceremonial flag hoisting ceremony at Lal Qila, so is the Tehsildar's poor peon in Raigarh. The little kids in schools across the country are practising for their Independence Day celebrations and journalists, for sure are working their behinds off on stories revolving around the fateful day.

Talking of journalists, while the big shotsu00a0 toil on bigger news for the D-day, some of the interns positively have been given a humbler task. They'll be made to seek out politicians, socialites, cricketers, film stars and any celebrity and ask them a proverbial question -What does Independence Day mean to you? Thought it might seem like an uncomplicated exercise to sharpen their journalistic skills, it is a conscientious question that needs to be repeated each year.u00a0

For example, last year independence for Lalit Modi it might have meant basking in the glory of being the uncrowned hero of cricket, this year possibly it means getting back at BCCI. In 2010 maybe, freedom for Suresh Kalmadi boils down to getting the CWG albatross off his neck or for Shashi Tharoor- simply the freedom of speech, tweet and marry in peace.u00a0

But Independence Day is not only for A-listers. It also belongs to the lady who runs a fast-food kiosk in my neighbourhood.u00a0 This year for her it denotes, not having to pay hafta to the cops so that she can buy a scooty to go back home with the money saved. Maybe for some of my recently married friends in Haryana the day connotes the choice of not living under the fear of a Khap panchayat. Definitely, for one of my old female colleagues, not having to see men peeing on roadsides tops her list. For my 30-year-old cousin, it is breaking the shackles of virginity.

To me it means not having to labour my life off.u00a0 I need not die of exhaustion following a corrupt politician with a spy cam. On August 15, I'll clean up my backyard starting with small things I can change. Instead starting the day watching a repeat telecast of Richard Attenborough's Gandhi on Doordarshan or a jingoism laced one on Zee Cinema, I will stand by my fast-food lady with a mobile phone camera when the cops come calling. I'll guide my neighbour Mr. Litterbug to the dustbin when he drops his Mc Donald wrapper on the pavement. Give a helping hand to my ex- colleague when she is shouting at the dude peeing by the road. And yes, help my 30-year-old cousin lose his virginity.

But hey, tell me- what does Independence Day mean to you?

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