Celebrating the Independence Day
Golden Jubilee and Patriotism
Reminiscences a Decade later
Rajiva Shanker Shresta
In Sikkim we have been celebrating the Independence Day even before joining the Indian mainstream. I remember my early days in late 1950s when we would be taken from our school, Tashi Namgyal Academy to the Residency (Bara Kothi that was what the present Raj Bhavan used to be known as) and sing the National Anthem with the unfurling of the tricolour by the Political Officer on Independence Days. We were thereafter treated with a packet each of singara (samosa), bundiya and bhujuri to celebrate the occasion! Our friends studying outside must have been more lucky that way and fortunate enough to enjoy the day more and in better ways in understanding and celebrating the Day. Even Kalimpong used to celebrate it in the Mela Ground in a grand way perhaps the best in the Darjeeling Hills those days, where our Kumar Sportings Club used to be a regular participant in the Independence Day Football Tournament and winner too bringing home the Shield quite often.
When I was looking for a Sikkim Flag for designing the cover of this book, all my efforts almost went in vain and proved to be futile until I remembered of the one I had with my parents back home at Rhenock. My mother could dig it out and send it to my son while I was away in the press in Varanasi planning the cover design. I could get by e-mail the visual image of what was left of it. Coming back to Gangtok when I mentioned of my difficulty in getting a Sikkim Flag, the then Speaker mentioned that this could be due to a sort of ban imposed in possessing one during the transition period of the changeover process during 1974-75. May be due to this reason I too had sent then this flag in safe custody.
Much water has flown down the Teesta and for the most of the present post-merger generation this flag may not be of much meaning. For them the National Flag means the tricolour and so does the patriotism mean to them what we too now understand and appreciate acknowledging it too in the present day context.
The Census of India 1981 recorded an astounding mind boggling decadal growth of 50.77% in the total population of the State immediately after the merger….This was the period which had three IAS Officers of West Bengal cadre to help administer the Government the newly formed twenty-second State. That was the need of the hour during the transition period when many came and served and most made Sikkim their home. How many of us now remember these three Officers on Special Duty Sarvasri K. M. Lal (IAS1964), D. K. Manavalan and Jayanta Sanyal (IAS1965), who have now retired perhaps and could give their account of those days they served in the prime of their career in Sikkim. Decade later this writer happened to meet Sri K. M. Lal (served as the Secretary to the Chief Minister Sri L. D. Kazi*) once during a Training course and Sri Manavalan could recognize me and stop for a while one evening in his evening walk at Sarojani Nagar market in New Delhi.
Sri Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister often mentions of Sikkim being our home and India our country and advocates, “The slogan Kashmir se Kanyakumari tak should be followed by Kanyakumari se Sikkim tak. This is because that we consider Sikkim the roof of India.” He further says that our people, more particularly the youth, should focus on a broader perspective while preparing for facing the life ahead and equipping themselves with education to think of competing at a broader national perspective and of serving the country instead of narrowing their outlook and limiting the scope confined to and remaining within Sikkim. General impression is that our people cannot think of going beyond Rangpo (the main border town) and attending conferences outside and even holding such meetings here on the plea that we do not have enough infra-structure. This exercise is like climbing high mountains for them though born in mountains we are very hardy and strenuous. Even when a few amongst us have proved their worth, it is either not realized or recognized and is taken with disbelief. Those have contributed much here whole of their career and achieved too early in life in Sikkim would rather prefer languishing here instead of venturing out equipped with the vast experience they already gained serving the Government. Instead, it is rather an encouraging and welcome change in the current attitude and trend in many of our post-merger generation who have now started trying their fortunes outside the State and some even beyond the country!
While Sri Chamling has been speaking about what is the crying need now is the emotional integration and the necessity to win over the hearts too as some even say ‘if we fail to adapt with the changing times, we are doomed to extinction.’
In 1998, my posting was in the Department of Art and Culture and this gave me the once in a life time opportunity to organise and celebrate the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of India’s Independence. The Government of India Ministry of Cultural Affairs had provided a sum of Rs.40.00lakh for the purpose and the then Chief Secretary had advised and warned me to be more careful just back reinstated and with the funds else may face even a CBI enquiry (which he did himself later). What could be more opportune time to prove one’s worth by organising the show with funds available aplenty and within few months’ time! The programme was well organised and functions were held in a grand manner in different places throughout the State in all the sub-divisions. Concluding Day Celebrations were held in the evening of the Independence Day 1998 in the Indoor Gymnasium Hall near the Paljor Stadium where dignitaries were present. The State Function, after the dignitaries left turned out to be a public function where people enjoyed singing and dancing with the artistes invited from Nepal and Darjeeling besides those from Sikkim until late night. Colleagues, who earlier thought of the function to be a disaster and a flop and unnecessarily inviting the Governor and the Chief Minister, were now annoyed and said why they were invited when the crowd was overwhelming to the function. Since prior arrangements had been made for telecasting the programme live installing television sets outside the Hall as well as through the cable network, I was not worried but rather happy to receive such a wild response! Fireworks and bursting of crackers in the midnight announcing the end of yearlong celebrations came with packets of sweets out of fund made available to and arranged by the Sikkim Chamber of Commerce. Funds were well utilized by bringing out mementos, stickers, posters, certificates, etc. besides the audio cassette with Patriotic songs in regional languages to mark the occasion.
Vande Bharatam !
Jai Janmabhoomi, Victory to land of Birth
Jai Matribhumi, Victory to Motherland
Jai Punya Bhumi, Victory to Holy land
Jai, Jai, Jai Victory, Victory, Victory to thee
Vande Bharatam, I bow to thee India, the Great
Vande Bharatam, I bow to thee India, the Great
Shubhra Swet Hima Mukutdharini Crowned with radiant white snow
Sushobhitam Richly decorated
Vande Bharatam, I bow to thee India, the Great
Vande Bharatam, I bow to thee India, the Great
Ati Neer Jal, Sataha Samundra Deep Seas with very clean water
Ati Pavan Jal he Very pure Water
Timi Dhanya Gauravi Janani You are great, Glorious Mother
Janmabhumi He My Motherland
Vande Bharatam …, I bow to thee India, the Great
Samsamya, Samatal Kahin Vast stretches - some plains
Vishal Giri Parvate Majestic Rocks and Mountains
Ati Suswar Kokil Swar Subhashit Filled with very melodious voice of birds
Ati Vimale Very sacred
Ati Dher Dher Gunikari Very beneficial and enriching
Janma Janmayi Ranjite Joyous land of my birth forever and ever
Vande Bharatam …, I bow to thee India, the Great
Sarva Bhatribhav Purna Siddhitaha Universal brotherhood is fully proven
Bharat Bharati He India, Indians
Swarnim Prabhat Ati Kirane Abound with golden rays every morning
Matri Shubhra Dhavale Bright and dazzling Motherland
Vande Bharatam ...! I bow to thee India, the Great!
(Music: Shanti Thatal, singers: Uttam Pradhan, Bimla Pradhan and Narendra Gurung lyrics: Rudra Poudyal)
While in the Department of Art and Culture, I also had the opportunity to organise in a few hours’ notice a function to felicitate Captain Ram Singh Thakuri* of Azad Hind Fauz / Indian National Army, who composed the music for the National Anthem Jana gana mana besides for the evergreen patriotic song Kadam kadam badhye ja. The National Song Bande Mataram and Sare Jahan se Achcha Hindusthan Hamara are also very popular here. One can guess the magnitude of patriotism prevalent here whenever there are some sports events like the Cricket match with India winning.
While I remember other patriotic songs like Bharat, Bharat, Hum iske santan (by Chaman Nihal, Pandit Bhajan Sapori, Udit Narayan and Vani Jayaram) frequently aired in All India Radio and Doordarshan, Dil bhi denge, Jaan bhi denge, aye Watan tere liye (Film Karma) and others during Golden Jubilee days, many still recollect with nostalgia those days of Jahan bagchha Teesta Rangeet and Delazong during early 1970s in Sikkim.
Let us suppose there are two sorts of existences – one seen, the other unseen. The seen is the changing, and the unseen is the unchanging. - Socrates
Let also bygones be bygones but each year the Independence Day brings back reminiscences unfold with my Sikkim: Three Decades towards Democracy dedicated to the Nation while serving the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and salute the Tri-colour as I rededicate with the spirit and joy nostalgic even after a decade it was published.
Disclaimer:
This is a retired civil servant’s personal account of memories to cherish and treasure often on a detour here and there en route to share the joy of the journey called life. Some names (asterisk * for those no more) and events mentioned are just to connect with and no malice whatsoever intended. He can be reached on shrestars@gmail