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FLIPSIDE
National
Symbols
By
Dilip Bobb
Now
that another day of independence is behind us, reminding us of what lies
ahead, it is time to take a fresh look at some prominent national symbols
and whether they have stood the test of time. Some of these may not be
listed in the official list of official symbols issued by concerned officials
in the department concerned, but they do provide an insight into what
India is all about. Some examples.
National
Currency: Used to be the rupee, but despite some desperate measures
by the Reserve Bank of India, when last spotted it was en route to an
extended vacation down south without leaving a forwarding address or any
indication when it will turn up again. Meanwhile, all absconding Indians
have been asked to return with their dollars and scents. They will, along
with another absconding Indian down south called Veerappan, be suitably
rewarded.
National
Bird: Used to be the peacock, but has been replaced by the Tandoori
Chicken, which, judging by the way it is consumed in parts of north India,
proves that a bird in hand is batter than two in the bush. Now that it
is spreading its wings to other parts of the world, the widespread popularity
of the dish suggests that it deserves to be a cut above the rest.
National
Obsession: Used to be politics, but now that Priyanka is in the family
way, expectations, and remote controls, have switched over to Amitabh
Bachchan and his attempts to find an intelligent Indian. So far he's failed
but that hasn't stopped KBC from becoming the hottest topic of conversation
from bars to boardrooms, replacing match-fixing and similar national fixations.
National
Animal: Used to be the tiger, now replaced by the Holy Cow to which
there is now a living monument, or five, on every street corner, crossroads
and national highway. Their ubiquitous presence has brought some major
benefits, having done away with the need for traffic lights or speed breakers
or, for that matter, any other traffic at all.
National
Hero: Used to be Sachin Tendulkar, now replaced by Dr Rajkumar, unknown
outside the south till a few weeks ago, but now dominating the national
psyche, not to mention the undivided attention of two chief ministers
and their entire staff, apart from sundry emissaries and go-betweens.
Kidnapping has never had such positive press.
National
Anthem: Used to be the one penned by Rabindranath Tagore till A.R.
Rahman's version came along, which has now been replaced by the immortal
lines uttered by the Big B on KBC, his popular game show: "Computer,
lock kiya jai." Millions of kids are mouthing the words every morning
at school, as are their parents every evening while watching television.
And Laloo Prasad Yadav still insists that a country like India doesn't
have use for computers.
National
Mood: Used to be hopeful, became less hopeful and now is slightly
more hopeful. However, Indian leaders and politicians have till now displayed
a remarkable talent for being able to snatch disaster from the jaws of
triumph. Watch this space.
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