JaJaJeEv

Yesterday was Republic Day in India, and a public holiday. We were urged, with our fellow residents, to attend the apartment block’s flag raising at 7:30am, and of course we got the obligatory flags.

(After having bought them, we discovered that these Indian flags have been outlawed this year. The plastic variety are deemed to cheapen the national image).

The kids note it’s a bit like St Patrick’s day: a day off school, green and orange flags, street parades, and national pride. The differences may have been more evident at this parade (although “visibility is not at its best at the moment”). This stable democracy is certainly something to be proud of.

Also shown above: one of India’s many helpful street-side phones for those times when the mobile battery lets you down.