We are 61-years-old as a Republic.It is a time to celebrate the fact that we, the citizens of India, live in a democracy; a blessing we sometimes take for granted; but a benediction that we have to zealously guard and grow.
It will be in the fitness of things that we spare a prayer for our founding fathers who had the conviction and sagacity to give us this Constitution; which for all its frailties, has stood the test of time. It has guaranteed to the citizens, whatever his station in life, not an inconsiderable slice of civil liberty and freedom.
Celebrate we must. So, we present to you the things and entities, in our national life, that define us. Make us proud. Without which whom we would be less than ourselves. So flip the pixels to know the '61 things I love about India'. A very happy Republic Day to all of you!
Aamir Khan: Rarely has an Indian film star combined the ingredients of box office with thoughtful cinema and been so successful at it. One of the most respected icons in Bollywood's pantheon of greats.
Rajnikanth: The highest paid star in India. Worshipped by millions - not only in South India, but Japan too! But under all that make-up, and gizmo lies a heart of gold. A superstar known for his simplicity and earthiness.
Shah Rukh Khan: The 'Badashah of Bollywood'. Has that x-factor which transcends his histrionic skills and body of work. Brilliant when he is himself - especially at the many award ceremonies that the TV channels conjure up.
Sachin Tendulkar: Quite simply, the modern day god of India. Has transformed the art of batting into a science, an exact science. Many of his early flourishes may be missing, but the man continues to baffle, by constantly re-inventing himself. Add to this his almost copybook life outside the cricketing cauldron, and you have the 'Pride of India'.
Amitabh Bachchan: Another titan, who refuses to fade away. Once known as the 'one man industry', not many have scaled the dizzying heights of stardom that he has. Made the absurd believable; was always greater than his films. Like Sachin, keeps constantly innovating himself, including stints on the small screen.
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Houseboats: The houseboats of Kerala, floating homes, which come with every conceivable amenity, and lead you on to taste a slice of life in Kerala. Now, a must-do for anyone upon crossing the Vindhayas.
The Golden Temple: The miracle at Amritsar. The simmering temple on the pond, where the Sikhs, and the faithful congregate for instant solace & ethereal calm. The rendering of the gurbani would move you to tears. A lesson in humility too - where all are equal and all are welcome. A model for what a place of worship should be.
The Taj Mahal: A monument to love in marble. The world's envy, India's pride. The world can be divided into - those who have set their eyes upon the Taj and those who haven't.
Shikaras: Two decades back the ultimate Bollywood wooing template. If the nearest tree was not available for the hero and the heroine to run around, the shikaras on the Dal Lake amidst the most picturesque sceneries on the globe lent itself perfectly. Taking a cue from Bollywood, the shikaras of Kashmir made the ultimate photo-op for the honeymooning couple. But not anymore. The upsurge in the Vale has ensured that honeymooners and tourists give the place a wide berth. A tragedy.
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Masala Dosa: A leading contender for being anointed the national dish of India. The first South Indian food exported to the north. Became a rage in the 80s. Not to forget the accompaniment, the sambar which is drunk by the gallons. Available in every nook and corner of India.
Tandoori Chicken: The ultimate non-veg snack. Nehru, they say, tasted one in early 50s and ordered that no banquet for a visiting dignitary was complete without the said preparation on the table. Lore has it that Kruschev, Nixon, Shah of Iran and the King of Nepal were beneficiaries.
Biriyani: Originally from Persia. But now each region of India has put out its own edition - the Awadhi, Hyderbadi and the Malabari being the most popular.
Paani Poori: Aka the golgappa. The ubiquitous roadside snack in north India, now gulped down heartily in the south too. Many variations across the country, the most innovative being the one filled with fluids named after real and imaginary Russian Royals - the vodka.
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Election Commission: Thinking of a new political party? A fancy symbol for your existing one? Want to nail a guy for his hate speech? These guys are here to meet your every electoral need.
Indian armed forces: They live to defend our borders, keeping awake so we get a good night's rest. Never forget our brave forces. Jai Jawan!
Supreme Court: The tough cookie who serves justice (sometimes hot, sometimes cold) and gets to rap our netas. The apex court has had a very busy year pulling up governments, public servants and criminals (albeit politicians?) what with all the scams bursting into the scene once after another.
Indian Railways: Hot chaai, garam vadas, even a three-course meal. 'Bholu' (elephant mascot) ensures you get a ride you'll never forget! It's 'India's Lifeline' without a doubt.
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The Indian wedding: In pomp and show, there is nothing more dramatised, and unfortunately trivialised, than an Indian wedding. The occasion for the big splurge; and the ostentation. Today, give families displaced by the search for livelihoods, a great excuse to get together and pretend, at least for some time, that that they are all together again.
Wagah Retreat Cermony: The 'lowering of the flags' ceremony at only (official) land crossing between India and Pakistan has become a tourist attraction. Fascinating, intense show of pomp, aggression and war-cries. Don't be shocked when the speakers blare a dozen patriotic Bollywood numbers before the evening ceremony kicks off. This carefully cheoreographed show of contempt is a must watch.
Diwali: The festival where lights and fireworks do the talking. Also, increasingly an occasion to splurge and shop till you drop. The Indian GDP gets a real dollop in the weeks leading up to the festival. Also, a priceless day for anyone with a sweet-tooth.
Holi: A license for hooliganism! Seriously, the most colourful of the Indian festivals; when inhibitions are in short supply and certain beverages are not. And, it usually shows.
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Infosys: The flagship of new India. Epitomises all that has gone well in the last decade-and-a-half. A company with a leadership that has demonstrated it values ethics as much as its bottomline. In a new for India, one of its leaders stepped out of its cosy confines to head the national mission to give each Indian an identity; which promises to empower its citizens by making the arcane processes of government more transparent and equitable.
Nano: The 'one lakh car', the people's car. Made a name for India as a hub for low-cost engineering. A few years back, nobody imagined that India could produce a car, forget the cheapest car in the world. It may have its share of snags, but it is a loveable little cutie, which has spun off loads of patent applications.
'Full blast' music: In India, enjoyment is measured in decibels. More the merrier. An assault on the ears but great fun nevertheless. From loudspeakers, cell phones, transistors, to the jagrans, not easy to escape the noise of India.
The Metro: Changed commuting habits in the capital. Led by the visionary leadership, it set benchmarks in transparency, keeping to schedules and in developing civic infrastructure. Now being cloned in other major cities of India, notably Bangalore.
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Salwar Kameez: Interestingly, the upper garment is the kameez while the lower is the salwar. Smart and hassle-free, it comes today with a wide range of styles for both bits- the kameez's lengths may vary (kurta, kurti), the salwar's fitting too (patiala, leggings). This ensemble remains a universal choice for all women who find the saree a cumbersome affair.
The Kurta: Loose-fitting and perfect for any weather. This upper garment is really gaining popularity amongst the men who flaunt their 'desi'-ness in both formal as well as casual settings.
The Saree: 9 yards of silk wrapped gracefully giving the Indian woman the right blend of modesty and sensuality. From Kanchipuram to Kantha designs, it's an ocean of choice for every woman to indulge in.
Lungi: Who can forget the south Indian hero pausing for the cameras, tossing up the lower bit of his lungi and knotting it about, right before he gets down to business (a.k.a thrashing the bad guys). A lungi traditionally resembles a sarong and is perfect for the summers.
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Goa: A homage to 'just being'. The land of the great laze. No worries, no stresses - just a lot of spirits, sand & surf. The ultimate stress-buster for people from all corners of India; and the world - Isrealis, Russians, British etc. The great escape.
Rajasthan: Abounds in sand, palaces and camels. No state in India has leveraged its heritage as has this western Indian state. Made culture & heritage trendy and cool. Foreigners flock, so do the locals.
Kerala: God's own country presenting a genteel face of India. Lots of culture, beaches, hills, plantations, backwaters; and fish. Picture postcard country, recently voted the 'best travel destination in Asia' beating the likes of Bali and Phuket.
Hills: The British Raj took to the hills whenever the going got tough in the plains. And the locals have extended that tradition. Many beautiful hill stations, each sporting its own mall road; and each claiming to be the 'queen'.
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Ear rings: You can wear it long, short, in hoops or studs. It defines who you are- spunky, elegant or just plain old-fashioned!
Rangoli: This traditional decorative folk art remains alive on courtyards of many Indian homes, most often on auspicious days. Rangoli is practiced in many different states (called Kolam in Tamil Nadu)
Gold: Wherever there's an Indian, there is Gold. Our fascination for the yellow metal makes us its largest consumers in the world (maybe it explains why we didn't sink too bad during recession). Every Indian knows their Atlas, Alukkas (Francis, Jos or Joy) or Chemmanur jewellers!
Bindi: Meaning 'drop' in Sanskrit, the bindi defines the Indian woman. Traditionally it is a dot of red colour applied in the center of the forehead close to the eyebrows but today you get sticker bindis in innumerable sizes and designs.
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Mangoes: What would India be without luscious, juicy mangoes! From chutney to curries to plain juice, this yellow fruit has captured the Indian's fancy for centuries.
Rasgulla: For most it's a paneer dumpling soaked in sugar syrup, but for a Bengali, there's only one way to describe a 'rasgulla': Heaven. Now found in myriad hues, shapes and flavours, this quintessentially Bengali delicacy has transcended regional barriers to become one of India's most loved sweets, apart from 'mishti doi', that is!
Cashew burfi: Delicious, diamond-shaped treats for any occasion.
Jalebis: The hot favourite for birthdays, weddings and festivities. The latest combo- fried, crispy jalebis served with ice cream. Got your lips smacking have we?
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Gulli cricket: If cricket is a religion in India, its practised in the 'gullis' of India every waking moment. Unarguably, India's national past time. Either watching the gods perform on TV or fine tuning the art in the streets and corners of the length and breadth of this land.
Malls: India's new 'favourite waste of time'. Monuments to 'conspicuous consumption'; and enterprise.
Yoga: Ancient system of mental and physical rejuvenation, now a global rage. As many forms as there are gurus and swamis. But unquestionably a system that helps both the body and the mind.
Tiger: Something that India was justly famous for in the years gone by. But almost poached and neglected to extinction. Renewed efforts launched to rescue this king of the jungles. But, apathy and an insensitive government bureaucracy could prove to be its death knell.
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Filmy gossip: How would our day go by without our daily doze of filmy 'gupshup' (gossip)! Are Shahid and Priyanka seeing each other? Is Ranbir still single? Are John-Bips over? Questions, questions, questions and we desperately await answers!
Saas Bahu serials: It's been 2 decades since the 'mega-serial' broke onto our screens. And dominating since Day 1 is an unexplicable fascination to portray the Saas-Bahu (mother in law-daughter in law) relationship. Whether the Saas be evil or the Bahu, the Indian viewer is hooked!
Joint families: Quite the Indian phenomenon- grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, second cousins- all under the same roof. Though now urban life and migration has seen this practice disappear, it's alive in spirit in television serials and films. A crowded, chaotic yet amicable existence.
Swamis & netas: If there is one export from India that's been an internatinal hit, it is the 'swami'. Spiritual gurus have placed India on the map with thousands of followers heading our way every year. Not far behind in popularity are our desi politicians or 'netas' as we fondly call them. With Baba Ram Dev announcing his decision to join politics, we may see the ideal amalgamation of both!
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Dhabas: These little food joints are renowned for their earthen settings and lip smacking local cuisine. They dot the highways around the country, most often serving as pitstops for truckers and travellers.
Paan: Can't miss it. Every wall and corner in India is a screaming billboard for this pastime. Good to eat, but not so good to spit.
Dabbawallas: 4,500 dabbawalas collect and deliver 1,75,000 packages within hours in Mumbai. Sporting their iconic caps, they zig-zag through the streets of the financial capital never once missing their deadline.
Bargaining: An essential Indian trait. Shopping on the streets of India is down to the wire- you beg, fight or bluff your way through!
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Bollywood 'Ishtyle': Jhatak, matak, dhumak- you name it and Bollywood's got the style! Whether its 'tapori' or 'mujra' B-town has all the ingredients that takes it to the pinnacle of glam, glitz and pizaaz.
Dhol: There are drums and then there is the dhol. Though it looks primitive in design, it breathes life into any celebration. Its sound reverbrating in the skies.
Bhangra: The traditional dance form of Punjab and an international favourite! The pounding beats, the fast, sometimes acrobatic movements leave you spellbound and energised for more.
Dandiya: Dance form that was born in Gujarat, an explosion of rhythm, music and colour, en-mass. During navratri, people around India come together, the art form becoming a melting pot of cultures, as all dance to the tune of decorative sticks (dandiyas).
The Buddha: The gentle prophet, who gave a gentle message. Of moderate thoughts and moderate desires. A great soul.
Mahatma Gandhi: The father of the nation. A gentle prophet who left a treasure trove of practical wisdom. Now paid heed more in the breach than in practise. Recently, unearthed by an unlikely quarter, Bollywood - in the form of 'Gandhigiri'.
Satyajit Ray: Simply the greatest film maker India has seen and is likely to see. Almost single-handedly took India to the world through his films. Multi-talented; always brilliant. Not many know he even invented a new font - Ray Roman.
Rabindranath Tagore: India's national poet, who also gave us our national anthem. A giant among intellectuals.
