Independence Day
Today's the day! It's the 71st anniversary of Indian Independence. Indians count the day that independence happened, and call it the 72nd Independence Day.
At breakfast, I found out that as the chief guest I don't only have to give a speech, but I also have to unfurl the flag!
I started feeling very nervous in the morning, as I realised that I would have a slightly bigger role than anticipated, and I was also nervous to speak publicly. Rajan's cousin Koruna was very supportive though, and tried to help calm my nerves.
Alex went down to the school early, having not quite adjusted to Indian timings yet. I know from my experience of military parades that when you organise an event which has guests of honour, it is very bad form for those guests to arrive before everything is ready (I have never been one of the guests before - only one of the people who has to be there early to be ready and waiting for things to start).
I therefore stayed up at the house and helped with the efforts to get Rajan to get going a bit quicker, as things were very much delayed by now. Eventually, Rajan, Manil, Koruna, Ivan, and me walked down towards the school, where we were greeted by children who presented us with flowers.
After sitting at the back with the others for part of the initial elements of the formal assembly part of proceedings, I was then told I was in the wrong place, and there was a spot for me to stand at the front as the VIP. I stood there nervously in front of everyone. I unfurled the flag, which had been folded to contain many small flowers and flower petals, which rained down like confetti when the flag opened. I hadn't been expecting that and it took me by surprise because a lot of them fell in my face, but after the initial shock I found it very beautiful. I gave my speech - and was later told that everyone could hear me. I had made a big effort, but that is still a major achievement for me!
Once my active part was over, I felt a bit more relaxed, and was able to appreciate the even further efforts that the teachers had clearly made after I had left the school yesterday. Bunting was strung all around, the stage was carpeted and fabric hangings gave a nice backdrop. The India map on the ground at the flagpole was decorated in colour. Everything looked bright and cheerful and you could really see how much work had been done.
Following the formal parts, including singing the national anthem, we all moved into the hall ready for the entertainments. Balaji, the head teacher, introduced all of the acts, and in between different people took to the stage to talk about independence or to sing a song.
It was a really lovely morning, the children all worked so hard to get their performances right. A great job had been done with minimal resources to create different costumes for the children for each performance, and they were all brilliant. The only problem was that it did seem to go on for a long time, and people - including me - we getting hungry and tired!
At breakfast, I found out that as the chief guest I don't only have to give a speech, but I also have to unfurl the flag!
I started feeling very nervous in the morning, as I realised that I would have a slightly bigger role than anticipated, and I was also nervous to speak publicly. Rajan's cousin Koruna was very supportive though, and tried to help calm my nerves.
Alex went down to the school early, having not quite adjusted to Indian timings yet. I know from my experience of military parades that when you organise an event which has guests of honour, it is very bad form for those guests to arrive before everything is ready (I have never been one of the guests before - only one of the people who has to be there early to be ready and waiting for things to start).
I therefore stayed up at the house and helped with the efforts to get Rajan to get going a bit quicker, as things were very much delayed by now. Eventually, Rajan, Manil, Koruna, Ivan, and me walked down towards the school, where we were greeted by children who presented us with flowers.
After sitting at the back with the others for part of the initial elements of the formal assembly part of proceedings, I was then told I was in the wrong place, and there was a spot for me to stand at the front as the VIP. I stood there nervously in front of everyone. I unfurled the flag, which had been folded to contain many small flowers and flower petals, which rained down like confetti when the flag opened. I hadn't been expecting that and it took me by surprise because a lot of them fell in my face, but after the initial shock I found it very beautiful. I gave my speech - and was later told that everyone could hear me. I had made a big effort, but that is still a major achievement for me!
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| Unfurling the flag and the flowers falling out |
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| Giving my speech |
Once my active part was over, I felt a bit more relaxed, and was able to appreciate the even further efforts that the teachers had clearly made after I had left the school yesterday. Bunting was strung all around, the stage was carpeted and fabric hangings gave a nice backdrop. The India map on the ground at the flagpole was decorated in colour. Everything looked bright and cheerful and you could really see how much work had been done.
Following the formal parts, including singing the national anthem, we all moved into the hall ready for the entertainments. Balaji, the head teacher, introduced all of the acts, and in between different people took to the stage to talk about independence or to sing a song.
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| Balaji introducing events |
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| Basha talking to the children about the importance of independence |
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| The LKG (lower kindergarten) children |
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| Ajay and Abhilnash from my class |
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| Ratnamma giving a speech in Telugu |
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| A bit of cross-dressing :) |
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| I couldn't understand this play as it was in Telugu, but the audience found it hilarious! |
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| Dhananjai the maths teacher giving an impromptu dance performance |
It was a really lovely morning, the children all worked so hard to get their performances right. A great job had been done with minimal resources to create different costumes for the children for each performance, and they were all brilliant. The only problem was that it did seem to go on for a long time, and people - including me - we getting hungry and tired!
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