Independence Day Special
Ritanjali Hastir, Freelance Writer, 15th August, 2014, Shimla
On one hand people all over the Nation are all set to celebrate the glorious 68th Independence Day whereas little kids on the street are engulfed in darkness of ignorance and are constantly fighting their battles for survival. Independence Day for many such children is more like a black day as they fear the financial loss the day may bring.
“I earn my living each day by selling Kulcha Chana and I hope to make enough saving before hand only so that I can survive this rainy day”- Manish, roadside Kulcha Chana seller
An ode “Sare jahan se acha hindustan hamara, hum bulbule hai iski ye gulsitan hamara” is a song that each heart hums every time they think about the great nation India and on special occasions like Independence Day or the Republic Day this song becomes even more louder and clear.
There is no doubt that India is one of the best nation, however, if the little kids selling candy floss, or other miscellanies items 
on the Mall, Ridge or Lakkar Bazaar area and various other places, seems to be light years away from being able to live the ode in its truest way. For some the much awaited August 15, is nothing more than a business opportunity or to say earn extra money whereas for others it’s an alarm for having a black day considering the security and police confiscating their things.
When asked Anil Kumar, an eleven years old street hawker selling momos, about Independent Day, he says, “I do not know as per why this day is celebrated and all I know is from couple of days March Past rehearsals are going on at the historic Ridge. Like any ordinary day I come and sell momos and since there will be a huge crowd, I am expecting better sales as per any other ordinary day”.
Just like Anil, Manish, a roadside hawker, too does not have an idea about Independence Day and says, “From hearsay I know that there is going to be a celebration on the Ridge and people belonging to high stature will be coming for it. As per my experience such celebrations whenever held, to mark the celebration of whatever event, means a big trouble for people like us. The police does not allow us to sell anything on the roadside and it is a big loss for us all. I earn my living each day by selling roadside snacks and 
I hope to make enough saving before hand only so that I can survive on a rainy day.”
On the contrary to the above mentioned opinions, we have Pooja, a young girl who knits woolen socks and shoes for kids on the roadside says, “I know we celebrate the Independence Day, a day when our country got free from the rule of British. For me it is a special day as I feel proud to be an Indian and I love to watch the various cultural programmes organized on this day. Life is not easy but still I will watch the show and take time off from my routine work”.
Most of the kids when told about the importance of the day said, “We too want to celebrate and contribute our little bit to make our country proud but before that we people ensure that our basic needs are secured. To respect and celebrate the importance of anything there is a need to survive and if we are alive then each day is a celebration in itself”, and to put their feelings in simple words all they said was Zindagi kya hai, jaannane ke liye, zinda rehna bahot jaroori hai.
