Invoke the spirit of August 13, 1947

Seventy-five years ago today, on Wednesday, August 13, 1947, Indians - and, indeed, Pakistanis-to-be - must have been nervous about how to celebrate Independence Day. Some models like the American and Irish independence days were there for reference. But a celebration of such nature and scale, intrinsically enjoined to a country and culture, could hardly be imported. So, fireworks of the former, and binge drinking of the latter, as modes of proud enjoyment were organically rejected even before D-Day - that is, the first I-Day.

One advantage that our countrymen and women of that day had was that their celebrations were genuinely spontaneous. This was simply because of the excitement of getting ready to be transformed from a colony to an independent nation, something that we, swinging our legs freely for the last three-quarters of a century, do not - cannot - feel.

So, things like having the tricolour fly from every house was an obvious wish in every (Indian) household that needed no nudge. 75 years ago today, looking forward to Friday - which was the day of the week on August 15, 1947 - had an extra edge. It was slated to be a jumma-plus, a Thank All The Gods It's Friday countdown. Perhaps, in invoking and imagining that feeling - of August 13 and 14, 1947 - we'd truly appreciate Independence Day this coming Monday.