Indian Independence Day

 *posted by Jeet

On August 15, 1947 India gained independence from Britain. Sadly, the reverberations of the partition of the subcontinent into India and Pakistan are all too familiar today - what was once one nation became two, and eventually became further partitioned when East Pakistan split off from West Pakistan and became Bangladesh in 1971. During partition, millions of people were displaced from their respective regions, and millions were also killed in sectarian and religious violence.

Everybody we've met in India is extremely proud of their country, but agree that partition was a disaster. If the nation had remained united and free of religious division, as it had been for so many thousands of years, perhaps we wouldn't be dealing with the fundamentalism and terrorism which plagues the subcontinent (and the rest of the world) today.

Regardless, August 15 is a day of celebration, and despite the tragic events of the past week we decided to have a small hookah session on the rooftop of our residency. We relaxed and reflected on everything that had happened thus far on the trip, and broke in one of the beautiful Kashmiri hookahs my Rono Mamu had bought for me in Dilli Haat. Katie and I even danced on the roof, although I wouldn't call my pathetic performance dancing. We'll be heading to Mumbai tomorrow to spend a few days with my Didun and mom's side of the family, so we'll fill you all in once we get there.

Jana Gana Mana.