National cameo

We were going to Republic Day, and we had passes. A day of fun, floats, and our own space, we reckoned. We were wrong.

We were going to Republic Day, and we had passes. A day of fun, floats, and our own space, we reckoned. We were wrong. A milling crowd, larger than those at amusement parks, melas or MCD offices blocked the entrance. In front of our eyes the exclusive area we have passes to was shut. Go to the general stall, we were told. We refused to move, until we were told that that will close too.

Are so many people interested in the Republic Day, I wondered. Until I paused to look around, and all kinds of colours filled out: people who have walked for kilometres after the first barricade to get to the famed Rajpath.

We reached the general stall, along with other disgruntled pass-holders, where we were supposed to squat, not recline. This is like the Hancock and Shorter jazz concert, I muttered, where they gave out more passes than seats. And who would have thought that gates at a government function would close before time?

Inside the general stall, people were craning their necks to see what was going on. Jat women, all constables, shout to keep everyone well-squatted. Contingents, camels and missiles pass us by, and suddenly everyone was cheering wildly: it is a simple Satyagraha float, with people in plain clothes imitating walking with sticks in their hand. 8220;People like that fought for our independence, and it8217;s been 100 years,8221; said a woman excitedly. She was one of those who came on foot to the venue.

At the sight of Gandhi, the whole ladies section is up on its feet, press people included. Ramita 8212; a constable deputed to keep everyone squatting 8212; has to smile. And a comment from Shantadevi, a 45-year-old from Maharashtra, struck home. She has viewed an idol of the God she worships in the flashy National Capital, in its most pompous ceremony. 8220;I came here for the first time, I have never seen such aeroplanes. But I am happiest that I saw the idol of my God here in Delhi8230;8221;

Shantadevi was oddly happy. So were all of us. The day has meant something: Republic Day got more TRPs than Bigg Boss. And yes, if Gandhi and his Satyagrahis were alive, they would have been squatting with us.