Flag Off Parade

What is it about your country that makes you swell with pride? You don’t need a reason to be proud of where you rightfully belong. I was there at possibly the most peaceful Indo-Pakistan border since independence for the flag-off parade that happens every waking day. A routine event for Border Security Force but, a sight to watch for the rest of the country. Thousands flock to witness this display of patriotism for their country on either side of the border. The sainiks on one side and the pathans on the other, synchronously obey a protocol to lower their flag at the end of a working day. Border (bôr’dər): The line or frontier area separating political divisions or geographic regions; a boundary. For most, it what separates what is ours from what is theirs. But, this blog is not about that.

(Panasonic DMC-FZ30, No tripod, at 1/50 sec,focal length 68.10mm)

It must have easily been at 38 degree centigrade that evening, and I could hardly rest my backside for the benefit of people sitting behind me. I could only tell the ones behind me that I was standing because the ones in front of me were standing. It didn’t matter much after sometime, everyone were off their seats to watch this breathe-taking fifteen minute parade. What were as engrossing, were the events that preceded the parade. Immature, as it may sound were a couple of ladies (each took turns) to run to border wave the Indian flag up high and run back to safe ground. It was fun alright, everyone cheering each other. The same sequence of event occurred on the other side of the border. It was left to master of ceremonies to take over from then on. I must say, he didn’t have to do much to get the crowd on a high. All of us were indeed high. He cheered, ’Bolo Bharath maatha ki’, the reply from the gathering was unanimous. More slogans – ‘Vande Matharam’. It wasn’t just about what we saying for me it was more than that. More than a sense of pride, it isn’t about that all of us are proud of what we were. But, in our waking lives what do we do to show it? But, this blog isn’t about that either.

(Left : Panasonic DMC-FZ30, No tripod, at 1/100 sec,focal length 70.6mm)
(Right: Panasonic DMC-FZ30, No tripod, at 1/100 sec,focal length 37.30mm)

‘Paraaaaade, saaaaamne teeeez chaal’ bellowed the leader of the troop. The following set of incidents was one I couldn’t describe even using my best words. Soldiers, one after another marched on to carry out set a salutes, step-forward operations to counter the one from the other side. Each time lifted heel would reach the forehead of opposing six foot giant, I think. Such is the intensity with which the parade is carried out. The troops from either side opened the gate, signals were blown to lower the flags. First, the ropes were held crossing each other on the way down and the flags were lowered at the gates. Then, another pair of flags were lowered from the border walls. The entire set of events were so orchestrated, everyone knew what to do, how and when. Years and years of practice and more years on the job, but they perform the same routine with undying vigour. What keeps them going?

(Left : Panasonic DMC-FZ30, No tripod, at 1/100 sec,focal length 12.0mm)
(Right : Panasonic DMC-FZ30, No tripod, at 1/50 sec,focal length 50.50mm)