From the way the principal uncurls the flag and distributes sweets to the students to the adults mixing and matching their outfits in the tricolor for the day, some things have not changed for decades, and they never will, in how Indians celebrate Independence Day.
No matter how young or old. Still, there are some slightly painful comparisons between how adults celebrate our country’s victory and how kids look forward to it when they are in school.
The Difference Between Independence Day For Kids And Adults:
1. The Flag
As an Kid: the rush on the 13th and 14th of August for the sellers of plastic Indian flags is unlike anything else. Loads of students and their parents can be found in every shop and nook and cranny to bring a flag on a stick to their school.
Also, students are excited to wear the mini flag on their shirt pocket as a badge of honor!
As an Adult: the morning as an adult for Independence Day is totally different. You might have purchased a large cloth flag and are now hosting it on your rooftop or on your car. Then, there are the social media stories and posts about everyone you know, and apart from liking it, you have now used the tri-color flag emoji so much that it becomes the first thing in your keyboard suggestions.
2. The Flag Hoisting
As an Kid: before even going into the assembly in a straight line, you know it is going to be a longer one. The class teacher confirms it for those who might have forgotten. Why? Because someone important, likely the principal or vice principal of the school, or even a special or chief guest, will be hoisting the flag in the background of Jana Gana Mana.
As an Adult: you either have already put the clothed tricolor flag up on the terrace/ vehicle or are doing it in the morning. Chances of a society chief hoisting the flag in the neighborhood park or compound are also not uncommon, the difference being Independence Day then and now. Instead of the verses being sung over by the students in a school, the national anthem is likely being played from someone’s phone speaker.
3. Sweets
As an Kid: Schools distribute toffees or laddoos after the flag hoisting in the school assembly. Either your class teacher brought the joy of sweetness, or you might be waiting in line on the ground/in the auditorium. The ultimate Independence Day school memories!
As an Adult: You might be looking at the latest offers over Zomato or Swiggy for those Independence Day deals. This is just what modern Indians do on Independence Day. Or if you are part of a neighborhood society, you might get a box of sweets that you have contributed to over the year.
4. Entertainment
As an Kid: Star or Sony TV Channel’s movie line-up is all about India gaining freedom. You are probably watching patriotic movies such as Border, Gadar, or Rangde Basanti with your whole family.
As an Adult: How do adults celebrate Independence Day in India at home? Opening up Amazon Prime, Netflix, or JioHotstar for the prompted Independence Day celebratory movies. Maybe catching a New Classic such as Dhurandhar or rewatching iconic masterpieces such as Lagan or Chak De!
5. Pictures
As an Kid: Social media not being a thing, there wasn’t a particular need for clicking photos and videos. At most, maybe a class picture or your neighborhood party got a photo. Patriotism was entirely private compared to now.
As an Adult: So many photos and videos to be taken under the tripod/sunlight to be uploaded on Facebook and Instagram. Wishing everybody on the day over WhatsApp and forwarding the messages might be the biggest difference between Independence Day then and now.
6. The Activities
As an Kid: Kites are among the top activities among ‘Independence Day nostalgia in India.’ Even in the hot August heat, there’s a joy that comes from running up to the terrace, whether flying the kite yourself or holding the reel for your elder brother, sister, or friend. (Cutting someone else’s kite brought extra joy. Ah, the Independence Day nostalgia.)
As an Adult: You still might be into kites or even just feel the joy of looking at them flying from your window and posting a non-filter photo of the activity being done by the new generation, adding a new form of Independence Day school memories.
7. The Songs
As an Kid: Not in the mood for a proper 3-hour flick? A TV channel change for some patriotic songs, such as MTV or 9XM, is where it was. Even the breaks have advertisers wishing for an Independence Day that many kids growing up in India would remember.
As an Adult: Such is it with entertainment OTT platforms; you have either got notifications or opened the music streaming platform to find a patriotic playlist at the top. It’s playing in the background while you celebrate the day, chill with friends, or are just doing some work in the background yourself.
Disclaimer: All the things said in the article are said in jest. These are everyday things that an average Indian goes through in their school days, compared to when they become an adult. Independence Day is a celebration of our nation, in which everyone feels pride.
Independence Day is a pride of our nation that is something all the people from different castes, creeds, and beliefs enjoy in the same manner.
