Jai Hind Happy 70th Birthday To India

Mother India Each August 15th since 1947, a day of expectant waiting – Either terror from India’s enemies and frenemies Or the terror of weather, some natural happening Or holiday hazards, even hospital tragedies … This year, 2017, has India and Israel in alliance Culture and history connects these ancient folk Different, yet similar, even in religious compliance: Ritual purity, Hindu and Jew, avoiding beef or pork For generations now, we have been South Africans But grandparents loved the movies, famed Bollywood - And we learned more of music from these films Names like Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajesh Kanna, plus Shah Rukh The classic movie, “Mother India” – with hard times With village life, and then those famines Family sacrifice, especially from Mothers divine Sad songs tug those chords across miles and times So now, this August, we say Happy Birthday: Jai Hind And in sibling magnanimity, Bless Pakistan too: Politics and language, love and hate, led to partition Moving on, we seek Shanthi and Shalom, Salaam and Truth Poor India, rising India, nation of every contradiction You are still worth admiring, both kurtha tops and sari Cool cottons and silks for export, along with technicians … Those deep religious roots siphon truths told by Mahatma Gandhi .... (c) Anil Deo, 2017Aug15