Saluting a Great Nation

Yet another republic day passed by before my eyes.  It was a bright sunny day and by the time I got to switch on the TV the Kirthi Chakras, the Shaurya Chakras and the Ashoka Chakra were given away and the parade had begun.

As usual the highlights were:

• The cultural performances by school children,
• The Royal Enfields and the soldiers doing daring stunts 
• The most challenging pyramid formation 
• The Jaguar formation
•  The Sukhois forming the Trishul formation. (my favorite)
• The marching of the regiments, the NSS and the NCC. 

I would always look forward to seeing the brave kids seated high on the elephants, waving as they went by. But now they no longer come on the Elephants and the cultural tableau's have lost their charm and have come down in number.

For the last three years I have made a point to not miss the parade. It was a joy to watch when the tableau that represented Kerala floated in-front of my eyes.

Republic day parades have always brought in me the child like enthusiasm. I was high on patriotism with when I was a kid all thanks to tele serials like " Yug" and "Swaraj".

The closing ceremony with the National Anthem brought out the child like dedication and unquestioning love I have for my country.