Monday 26 January 2009

Jai Hind

Today India celebrates her 60th Republic Day.
Our national holiday is marked with great pomp and show and patriotic fervor. There are Parades and celebrations everywhere.
But the grandest one is held in New Delhi .
These photos are from the New Delhi Parade.
Modern weapons displayed
Soldiers marching in colorful columns
Helicopters spraying the sky with ouur national colours
The Maratha Light Infantry showing a tradional sport called Malkumbhi
Elephants in the march past. On them are seated children who have won
bravery awards.


Children performing a play about our Independance struggle.
________
Here is a video of India celebrations in Woodstock School, (you can click on the link) Uttrakhand,North India
I taught in this school for a number of years.
It is an international community of staff and students from all 5 continents.The school was established 150 years ago by American missionaries.
In the video you can see the annual school Mela or Fair.
As the band plays everyone enjoys the food and dances and wares being sold.
You can have hotdogs
Bhaturas- fried bread which is eaten with a dish of savoury chickpeasThe lacey jalebis are sweets dipped in syrup.
Next are Tibetan momos -stuffed dumpling eaten fried or steamed.
South Indian rice pancakes called dosas are being prepared on a hot skillet. And if you notice the food is being served enviroment friendly disposable plates made with leaves.
ENJOY!

19 Fertilize my soul:

Felisol said...

DEar Amrita,
I congratulate you on your freedom celebration.
I hope freedom means freedom of Christian belief too.
The parades were a mighty sight.
The elephants in particular.
God bless you, Amrita, now and always.
From Felisol

Crown of Beauty said...

Great post, Amrita. I'm sure you are very proud of your freedom as a people, and the pictures were beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Sita said...

Amrita, I do love how you invite us into your home and country to have a glimpse of life lived...its beauty..its ugliness...its quirks..its magnificence...
Thanking God for the "relative" freedom that still exists in India...thanking God for you...
Love, Sita

Sita said...

Checked the Woodstock link...which one of the links on that page shows the India celebrations?
I was just on that site last week!
My hubby has a pic in front of the school from over 40 years ago..
take care..love, Sita

Michelle said...

Looks like an awesome day! I love the elephants. There sure is a lot of people there.

Carol-Ann Allen said...

Great post once again, Amrita!
:)

Donetta said...

Oh you must just miss that energy so much. What a wonderful opportunity you had.
A scary thought seeing that long range missile.

Sita said...

Silly me...just saw that the video u posted was part of the celebration at Woodstock...

Bobbie-Jo said...

It looks like quite the celebration. A very happy day for children! All the food you described made me hungry for a tasts ... maybe one day!

Jan said...

Thank you for sharing this! I love learning about your culture!

Dick said...

Hi

I like the elephants, great parade.

The Dementia Nurse said...

Amrita, I always seem to visit your place at lunchtime on days you've written about food! I appreciate soooo much your view of India and willingness to share it with the rest of us. Special love thoughts to you and especially to your mother today.

JO said...

Very cool post - thanks for sharing...
:)

Pat said...

You are an ambassador of good will and God's love! You always write such interesting blogs, and I love to read about your food.
Blessings and hugs to you!

KOSTAS said...

I am glad that the populations celebrate for the freedom and their democracy!
This shows that the persons of your country, recognize and honour the sacrifices of what gave their life for the freedom and democracy!
Congratulations from Greece!

Van said...

I feel so educated right now. Thanks for the pictures and lessons about your country.

Saija said...

looks like a wonderful parade ... blessings on your nation ...

Alicia The Snowflake said...

Oh wow! Thank you for sharing! I love learning about other countries. I am going to come back later and watch the video with my son. Again thanks for sharing. Blessings to you my friend!

Amrita said...

My country is a multi-hued land.It would take several life times to discover it as we say in India.

I say to welcomr Bobbie Jo and Van and Alicia to my blog. I am so happy to visit your lovely blogs and be encouraged by you.