Jai Ho

We define Patriotism and national pride and identity in so many stupid ways! So if Pakistan lost the match in the last ball to Australia, it was a deliberate attempt to put us down. If Dhoni and team win the match, we are proud Indians. When Akshay Kumar gives his patriotic speech in Namastey London – oh the warming of punju blood! When SRK is detained at US, it is an insult to our national pride!!
But there was a true Indian moment last week at the special screening of Wake up Sid at Juhu PVR last week. As soon as the national flag came on screen, everyone shuffled on their feet and stood up. The flag was on the big purdah but there was a problem with the sound system. As we all stood, there was no music for the longest time. Then, a guy in the front screamed,’Come on guys, lets sing it!’There were some giggles and some embarrassment. A few people started singing the National Anthem and within seconds, all joined in! It was amazing! Everyone was standing upright and singing loudly. There was no music to drown out the voices – shrill, soft, in tune or out of it! And at the end of it, perhaps we were all so overwhelmed by ourselves that all of us started clapping and there were cheers of Jai Ho all around.
This was so different from when we were kids – it was so uncool to know Hindi or sing the national anthem – I mean who was happy about being an Indian in India? NRIs had money, clothes and all fancy stuff, there was no McDonald’s or colour TV and the only revolution on the road was the Maruti car.
But this high I came back with got punctured promptly when I came back home. 11 year Daughter dearest informed me that Bollywood was not her type and neither was Bollywood music! Huh! And I thought this generation was different!
Or maybe we become patriotic only as we grow older!!