Raj, after passing his H.S. exams, was sent abroad for further studies. He left his parents, his sister and his grandparents. Taking his first steps on foreign soil, he was taken aback by its beauty andall its sophisticated things. The only thing he found difficult to accept was their behaviour with each other. How they interacted with their parents or elders was quite unlike what he had learnt in India. While he was in India, not a single day passed without him seeking his elders' blessings. But abroad, the little ones didn't pay much heed to the elders.

But very soon, he adapted to the Western way of living and he forgot all there was to India and its culture. During his ten-year stay in foreign soil, he never visited India. After he completed his studies and it was finally time for him to come back to his native land, his family was eager to meet him, and so they all gathered at the airport. They almost jumped in excitement when they saw him after so long. But the same enthusiasm was not seen in Raj's eyes. His parents held out their arms wide open to give him a hug, but he only waved a 'hello' and didn't hug them. He responded the same way with his sister and grandparents. At home, he went straight to his room, had a bath, came out, had his breakfast, and then again went back into his room, without interacting with anyone. His family was quite disappointed with his behaviour, but chose to remain silent. As days went by, Raj started criticising Indian culture. He started comparing everything to the West. His father was unhappy and was almost on the verge of reprimanding him. But Raj's mother stopped him and told him that the next day was our Independence Day and that they would take him to the parade ground, with the hope of seeing some change in his behaviour.

Meanwhile, Raj's grandmother went to talk to Raj. "Raj, things will not work like this. You have forgotten how we live. You have changed." Raj wasn.t happy to hear this and he reacted angrily, "Dadi, whatever I do is my choice. Please leave my room." Hurt, his grandmother looked up at him with tearful eyes and left the room. But two hours later, she came to his room again, planted a kiss on his forehead, and called him for dinner. He was shocked; he hadn't even asked for forgiveness, but still his grandma forgave him and came to call him for dinner. Suddenly, he realised that he wasn't the old Indian Raj anymore. Western culture had changed him, too. So, at the dinner table, when his mother told him about the Independence Day parade, Raj readily agreed to join them.

The next morning, it was Raj who was the first one to get ready. They all went to the field where everyone had gathered. The programme began with the arrival of the chief guest. The parade began and as the drums started to beat, Raj felt goose bumps all over his body. When the Tricolour was hoisted and the national anthem was sung, Raj, along with the audience, had goose bumps all over again, and his heart was beating fast.

As the programme ended, Raj rediscovered his love for his country and he realised that he had been wrong. He took a pledge that he would always remember what his Indian upbringing had taught him, and not allow the Western way-of-life to invade his world.

He realised that India is a country where tears and smiles walk side-by-side, where passion reveals itself in its many forms. And, despite having such vast geographical differences, wearing different costumes, following different religions and cultures, speaking different languages, we all hold up the same Tricolour with pride!

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