Happy Independence Day

Grandpa was proud of his birth year because it was the same year that India got independence from British rule. He was born in an independent nation, in 'free India', he would brag.

- Ashima Kaushik

His older brother, Senior Grandpa, as we called him, would glare at him because he was three years older and not born in the independent nation, so he was tired of hearing Grandpa bragging about his birth year like this.

"Was the air different the year Grandpa was born?" Malti asked innocently. "Did he have something to do with the freedom, then?"

“Hah! He was just a newborn baby then,' said Senior Grandpa with a laugh.

"But, yes, the air was fresher with a scent of freedom, as our father would say then. There were lots of sparrows and doves that year. I remember our mother saying so," he said with a smile.

At that, Grandpa's walking group arrived, and they all went to the park together. Mohit, Malti and Robby followed them.

They wanted to know more about the freedom fight and fighters. Mohit had read in the history lessons all about Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sarojini Naidu.

But Malti and Robby knew almost nothing, and if Mohit told them that they had sword fights and whatnot, Malti and Robby would believe him.

But then he thought with awe, there were sword fights!

Grandpa started telling them about an important event called the Dandi March. "The British government made all the rules, and we had to follow all these rules made by them. Those rules were hard and harsh and were for their benefit. And to our disadvantage. Imagine, if someone comes and takes all your remote controls to the video games and starts playing instead of you. How would you feel?"

"I would hate it," said Robby, his cheeks turning red.

"That's how Gandhi felt. He thought long and hard and decided he wanted his country to be free and peaceful. Is that even possible? Some people had doubts. But most people believed in him and his vision. And, fortunately, supported him."