August 15 is the day India celebrates its independence from the United Kingdom, a transition that occurred in 1947. As you might expect, the occasion is marked with flag-raising ceremonies, decorations, and patriotic songs and speeches. The school where we were volunteering in Bodh Gaya got into the act in exuberant fashion, particularly given its modest size and budget.

One of the teachers and another adult, arranged an ornate multicolored design in the sand around the base of the flagpole that was most impressive. The flagpole was doing a Tower of Pisa bit, and we were afraid it would topple and bean a couple of people – particularly since there was a bit of wind, as a thunderstorm was threatening to crash the party. Fortunately, the weather held and so did the pole. When the flag was unfurled, oodles of goodies fell out for the excited kiddies to scoop up. Sort of a patriotic piñata.

As expected, there were speeches and songs – delivered over a rather scratchy PA system that was at least a couple of tads too loud. They seem to be instilling tinnitus at a young age. One little boy came up and handed Dennis an Indian flag, so what the heck, we waved it as proudly as if we were natives.

And there were treats that looked like puffy fried worms, but tasted rather donut-y. And were very greasy. But not bad.

There was also a moment of silence for a 10-year-old boy who was a student at another school and had been killed by a school bus the day before. Reportedly, some of the parents became so angered by the incident that they attacked several buses, damaging them enough to put them out of commission, as a result of which classes were canceled for a few days

The director of our school sported a traditional outfit that was solid, pristine white. But he didn’t seem terribly concerned about soiling it, since he led the group in a traditional dance. Which, of course, we had to join in. pretending that we knew what we were doing.

By the way, this was the only time Kimberly has ever let a kid handle her precious camera without her keeping a hand on it too. But she confidently handed it over to the director’s teenage daughter, who has communication difficulties due to a speech impediment, and makes up for it with her prowess in photography.

No doubt the Independence Day celebrations would have been grander and more elaborate in the big cities like Mumbai and Delhi. But for us, seeing this modest little event at a modest little school in modest little Bodh Gaya seemed just perfect, and somehow more authentic.

Birds (and a Rat)

Photos taken from our balcony.

August 15, 2022