Krish @ Sobha Palladian: August 2024

We moved into Sobha Palladian in August 2017.

And I have seen 8 Independence Day celebrations, and 7 Republic Day everts since then.

And each time, a month before the D-Day, our SP security team starts its march past practice. Up and down, they march between the Exit and Entry gates.

‘Saav Dhan !’

‘Veesh Ram !!’

‘Dahiney se Tej Chal !!’

And I hear the flurry of stomping boots & mis steps and see a jumble of hands and legs before the ‘parade’ gets into a proper rhythm and starts marching smartly from one end to another.

And this practice parade goes on for well over half an hour – until I leisurely finish my second dose of Chai and biscuits.

And then the parade assembles near the flag pole.

And after a couple of more Saav Dhans & Veesh Rams the parade sings ‘Jana Gana Mana’.

The national anthem starts on a low note and builds up both enthusiasm and decibel levels before it ends on a very high and enthusiastic ‘Jaya Hey, Jay Hey, Jaya Hey !, Jaya, Jaya, Jaya Hey !!!’

And then the ‘visarjan’ is conc;uded with ‘Bharat Maata ki Jai !” repeated thrice before they break column.

I have observed this 15 times. And each time I am fascinated with the seriousness and dedication of this small group of security staff.

This year, once again, Sobha Palladian geared up for the Independence day celebrations - with tricolour bunting and our security supervisor, Madan Darjee smartly dressed up in his ceremonial uniform !

The recently constituted cultural committee was enthusiastic in its planning and arrangements. Chandrahas, Sudha and Jayashree (Emcee) were seen busy overseeing all the arrangements. And I wonder whether it was by accident or by design, they turned up in matching dress code that provided a perfect tricolour photoshoot!!!

And after a few earnest announcements over the PA system the residents finally assembled and occupied their seats.

And this time we had a record turnout.

And adding dignity, grace and color were our resident senior defence veteran officers who came smartly dressed in their formal attire.

Col Dinesh Prasad Mathur, Kirti Chakra awardee was amongst the first to come and he was accompanied by his son Col Shivak Mathur.

Other prominent invitees were Air Commodore Akshay Thakur, Group Captain Satish Mehta and Brigadier J.N. Rudra.

Sobha Palladian is also very proud to have the following veterans amongst us who unfortunately could not attend the function.

Col HS Walia, Veteran, 2 Engr Regiment.

Col. JC Narula Veteran, 1 Armd Engr Regt. His last posting was as Technical Secretary of Engr-in- Chief & DGBR at AHQ in New Delhi.

Col Rajiv Kanwar Sena medal awardee from the illustrious Gorkha Regiment.

And his father, Group Captain Kasturi Lal Kanwar, Qualified Navigation Instructor and Examiner

Air Commodore Raveesh Malhotra – Indian Cosmonaut who served as a backup for Rakesh Sharma on the Soyuz T-11 mission which launched the first Indian into space.

The event started with the traditional lamp lighting ceremony and the invocation song by Ms Ashalata.

The marchpast and the flag hoisting ceremony,

followed by our National Anthem.

Shri Raghunandan Kumar, President of SPOA addresses the gathering.

We were also fortunate to have two special guests who also addressed us. . Brigadier Rudra and Col. Shivak Mathur, who is currently posted in Srinagar.

Brig J. N. Rudra

Jogendra (or ‘Jogen’ or ‘Jo’, as he is known to his friends) is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He was Commissioned into the Infantry in June 1959. Empanelled first in the 1st Gurkha Rifles and later in the Garhwal Rifles. He retired from the Indian Army after over 33 years of service, having held various command and staff appointments in J&K, Sikkim, Bhutan, UP, HP, Uttarakhand & Tamil Nadu.

He has been a part of a number of active operations including the UN Peacekeeping operation in Congo: 1961-62, the Indo-Pak war: 1965 (in the Sialkot Sector) and the Indo-Pak War: 1971 (in the Shakargarh sector).

He married Prema in 1965, and they have two sons and two grandchildren.

And after the formal ceremony and speeches got over, the recreation program started.

Aishani, Ameya, Hitakshi, Kyra & Sitara took the lead and performed a skit highlighting the importance and significance of Independence Day.

Kyra : Think of it as a birthday - India's independence day is like a big birthday party.

We celebrate its birth and freedom as a nation.

Hitakshi : Really! People of different languages, and castes got together in the fight for

freedom as one nation.

A wonderful recital of ‘Hum Honge Kamayaab’ in 5 Indian languages

Honge Kaamyaab, Hum Honge Kaamyaab – Hindi by All

Amra Korbo Joy, Amra Korbo Joy - BengaliI by Aishani & Ameya

Naavu yashasvi aagutheevi , Naavu yashasvi aagutheevi.- Kannada by (Kyra

Naam nichayam jaipom Naam nichayam velvom – Tamil by Sitara

Vijayam saadhistaam, Vijayam saadhistaam – Telugu by (Hitakshi

We shall overcome, we shall overcome – English by All.

A big thankyou and appreciation to Sweths Sankaran for writing the script and coaching the children to deliver such a wonderful perfomance !!

Suhana sang a melodious solo – Ai Vatav, Mere Vatan, Aabad Rahe Tu, Aabad Rahe Tu…..

And the quartct orchestra consisting of Prithika, Suhana, Sanjana & Riya performed ‘Aise Jago re Saathiyon, Dunita ke Aankhon khol do, Lehara do Lehera do’ from film 63 .

Vande Mataram – a captivating dance recital by Harsha & Sownitri.

And a lively encore ….

Srini , Sandeep , Swetha & Ashalatha added life and emotion and nostalgia to the atmosphere with their ’Dil Diya hai, Jaan bhi denge, Ai vatan tere liya ‘.

And the grand finale – so wonderfully soulful song sung by Swetha. Ashalata, Srini & Sandeep.

Bharat humko, jaan se pyara hai.

bharat hamako, jaan se pyaara hai
sabase nyaara guchhalastan hamaara hai
bharat hamako jaan se pyaara hai
sabase nyaara guchhalastan hamaara hai
sadiyon se bharat bhoomi duniya kii shaan hai