You know poms, when I read this blog, I recalled something from school days. I’d studied in a Hindu school, and though being a Muslim, I was never discriminated. In fact, during prayer hours, I would belt out the Hindu hymns in the highest pitch I could muster. And the teachers would whisper among themselves, that it’s so strange for a Muslim girl to do so. And when the national anthem was sung at the end of the prayer hour, everyone used to stand up in unison, and sing it out aloud (quiet off-key, I must concede ) and it never ceased to amaze me the feeling of unity it caused. Which brings me around to the topic of patriotism

(psssst.. poms, I’m actually giving you a good topic for your next blog)

After India and Pakistan, I think its only the US that comes a close second when it comes to patriotic fervour. With the ‘star-spangled banner’ donning clothes, bandannas, shorts, tees, even underwear ( you would get hauled to prison if you do that in India ) , the American patriotism rises ardently, and they sing the national anthem with gusto!

Back to the Indian national anthem, you are right, poms, it does strike a chord deeper than one thinks. I used to get highly offended when some silly kid with half-baked knowledge mispronounced some of the Bengali words or beleaguer it. I would immediately jump to the anthem’s defence, and wag a reprimanding finger, with a scowl and correct the ignoramus thing. Well.. its MY India, after all

~A~