Travel Diary

  Watching the Republic day parade on television again. 26 January 2021, the country celebrated its 72nd republic day, and I celebrated it by watching the republic day parade on the national channel, after ages. Unlike Delhi, 26th January morning in Bangalore was warm, and its streets were not playing any Bollywood patriotic songs.  But the background score of Shehnai and an aerial view of India Gate on the television screen made me nostalgic. It was almost a ritual to wrap ourselves in a quilt and sit in front of the television to watch the entire Republic day parade. It was fun to watch the program by hugging your bolster and sitting next to your parents. My parents were keen on watching the entire show, so we used to turn on the television when the signature music with its yin and yang looking logo used to rotate on the screen. The score still lingers in my ears and gives a sense of joy.  There used to be a sudden commotion in the family with the baritone voice of the ...