I woke up this morning to the sounds of Vande Mataram, right outside my bedroom window in my society’s grounds. Looking at the joyful and proud faces of people near the flag, my face reflected their sentiment. Amidst all the ruckus surrounding race and religion and all there is in between, people were celebrating India, the nation, today with the deepest emotion their heart could fathom.
India, the sentiment.
The first flag I ever made had the wrong number of strokes in the ‘Ashok chakra’. My dad wouldn’t have it that way. You make a multiply sign over a plus sign and put two strokes in each gap. Growing up with a patriot as my father has been my greatest blessing. As a child, the idea of celebrating ‘Freedom‘ sounded more like a history essay than a cause of family celebration and yet it was just that. We went to school for the parade and came back with the I-day sweets (laddoos) in our pockets. Back home, Papa would recite poetry for us followed by our meals. In our home, all of us celebrated India, the nation, with the kind of joy only kids can have.
After all, it was India, our mother.
I must have been in kindergarten or so when I misspelled the word ‘maratha’ during the National anthem. I mumbled ‘paratha’ and I hated myself for the entire day. Years later, the count of my embarrassments and mistakes has only grown larger. Despite all my flaws, this country nurtured me with colours, fed me with care, guided me with thoughts and raised me with heritage. India still gives me strength when I am weak and willpower when I am spent.
After all, it is India, my heartbeat.
I once asked my Dad just how he loves India so much when he has faced his fair share of adversities here? He said, “You pick up the soil and you put in on your forehead and you wait for it to give you all the strength you need. It is your honour to face adversities on behalf of your country.”
On this celebration of Freedom today, here is my heart’s prayer for our future as a nation, in the words of Rabindranath Tagore:
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake!
Jai Hind!
August 15, 2018 at 2:56 pm
Goosebumps.. I just can’t stop my tears after the lines of your father, “you pick up the soil and put it on your forehead and wait for it to give you all the strength you need.” I could feel it.. 🙏🏼😇🇮🇳
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August 15, 2018 at 2:58 pm
Thank you so much for your beautiful comment. His words are my guiding light ❤ ❤
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August 15, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Great.. and you are his sunflower.. God bless.. 😇💕
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August 15, 2018 at 3:01 pm
You are so sweet! Thank you 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 3:02 pm
😇😇
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August 15, 2018 at 3:03 pm
❤
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August 15, 2018 at 3:28 pm
That’s so great!! 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 3:39 pm
Thank you 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 3:31 pm
Very beautiful post ! 💚
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August 15, 2018 at 3:39 pm
Thank you, Vasil 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 3:43 pm
Happy independence Day 🇮🇳🇮🇳
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August 15, 2018 at 4:40 pm
Happy Independence Day to you too. Jai hind! 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 3:45 pm
Awesome! Jai Hind, Bharat Mata Ki Jai!
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August 15, 2018 at 4:20 pm
Jai hind 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 4:03 pm
Very beautiful post….Jai Hind.🙏
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August 15, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Jai hind! 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 4:06 pm
Jai hind
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August 15, 2018 at 4:22 pm
Jai hind! 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 4:08 pm
Awesome post Neha! Proud to be an Indian. 👍😊
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August 15, 2018 at 4:24 pm
Thank you, Himanshi. Jai hind! ❤
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August 15, 2018 at 4:55 pm
This was a very heart touching read. Thank you so much for writing.
LikeLiked by 4 people
August 15, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Glad you liked it, Abhinav! Jai hind 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 5:49 pm
Awesome …Amazing..m proud of u nd proud to be an Indian..Love ur true story 😘😘👍
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August 15, 2018 at 6:28 pm
Thank you, Sushma. Your words are always appreciated 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 7:29 pm
Nd ur posts always inspire me💞
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August 15, 2018 at 7:35 pm
You are so kind with compliments, Sushma. Thank you ❤
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August 15, 2018 at 7:55 pm
Pleasure always 💞
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August 15, 2018 at 8:13 pm
❤
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August 15, 2018 at 5:58 pm
Such an amazing shot of feelings expressed so beautifully. I literally had goosebumps. How much I miss my motherland on this day my heart knows thankyou for writing that first line “I woke up this morning to the sounds of Vande Mataram, right outside my bedroom window in my society’s grounds.” I could feel that moment.
Jai Hind and a very Happy Independence Day
http://alifelessordinarywithsaurabhavna.com/2018/08/15/facts-about-india-that-makes-me-feel-proud-as-a-non-resident-indian-in-krakow/
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August 15, 2018 at 6:33 pm
Thank you so much for your beautiful comment, Bhavna. I am incredibly glad that my post touched you. Happy Independence day to you too and Jai hind ❤ ❤
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August 15, 2018 at 6:14 pm
Love this post.👍
India … Our Mother 🙏
Happy Independence Day, brother’s and sister’s 😊
Jai Hind!!
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August 15, 2018 at 6:37 pm
Thank you and Happy Independence Day to you too. Jai hind 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 15, 2018 at 6:41 pm
What a beautiful write. The emotions, the sentiments so vividly described and the end poem fr
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August 15, 2018 at 6:41 pm
Ravindranath Tagore was icing on top of the cake. Sorry, the earlier message went our too soon
LikeLiked by 4 people
August 15, 2018 at 7:11 pm
Thanks a lot, Shantanu. This is one of my favourite poems by him. So glad you like it as well 🙂 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 7:19 pm
I love it. Thanks for sharing
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August 15, 2018 at 7:21 pm
🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 7:01 pm
Eyyyy this is such a wonderful post and made my whole day! Thank you for sharing this, Neha and a very happy independence day to you 🙂 Your mention of that childhood naivety really touched me!
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August 15, 2018 at 7:17 pm
Your comment made me so happy, Soundarya! I am so glad I could share my childhood memory with you on this platform. Thanks for your kind words ❤ ❤
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August 16, 2018 at 3:38 pm
My pleasure 🙂
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August 16, 2018 at 5:17 pm
🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 7:05 pm
Excellent post dear!! ❤️
Happy Independence Day! 🇮🇳
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August 15, 2018 at 7:20 pm
Thank you, Kranti! Happy Independence day to you too and Jai hind ❤ ❤
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August 15, 2018 at 7:30 pm
jai Hind ❤️🤗
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August 15, 2018 at 7:35 pm
❤
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August 15, 2018 at 8:10 pm
Such a beautiful ode to our motherland.Happy independence day to you too!! and I loved that you ended the post with one of the most beautiful poems.
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August 15, 2018 at 8:14 pm
Thank you so much for reading it, Megha! It makes me so happy that you liked it 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 8:15 pm
I loved reading it.All these special days are a reminder of our heritage and beautiful country god has bestowed us with.
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August 15, 2018 at 8:17 pm
I agree on that, Megha. India is not just a country; it’s a sentiment ❤ ❤
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August 15, 2018 at 8:23 pm
Absolutely.
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August 15, 2018 at 8:24 pm
❤
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August 15, 2018 at 10:08 pm
Happy India Day to one who is obviously a patriot!
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August 15, 2018 at 10:11 pm
Thank you so much for your kind comment 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 11:37 pm
Wonderful post. Happy Independence Day
LikeLiked by 3 people
August 15, 2018 at 11:39 pm
Thank you so much, Andrew! It is such a delight to hear from you 🙂 🙂
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August 15, 2018 at 11:52 pm
It is always a delight to find your posts
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August 15, 2018 at 11:52 pm
Likewise, my friend 🙂
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August 16, 2018 at 1:16 am
That’s the prefect way to celebrate this day. Truly patriotic!
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August 16, 2018 at 8:52 am
Thank you, Alok. Glad you liked it 🙂
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August 16, 2018 at 6:29 am
Love Tagore! Thanks!
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August 16, 2018 at 8:56 am
I love him too! Thanks for reading 🙂
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August 16, 2018 at 8:18 am
स्वतंत्रता दिवस की शुभकामनाएं! 🇮🇳 Blessings to you and your country!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 16, 2018 at 8:57 am
Thank you for your wishes, Warren. They are always appreciated 🙂
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August 16, 2018 at 9:43 am
You’re welcome
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August 16, 2018 at 9:44 am
🙂
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August 16, 2018 at 9:47 am
India is a sentiment! Love this post. Only if we looked beyond religion, caste, creed each day 🙂
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August 16, 2018 at 9:55 am
I agree so much, Parikhit! Thank you for reading it 🙂
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August 16, 2018 at 10:22 am
Ah!! The laddoos. And that one group song in School that we all dreaded. Followed by a dance. And a long speech by principal. It really created an amazing atmosphere.
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August 16, 2018 at 10:23 am
It sure did, Lavanya! No wonder I miss it so badly today 🙂
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August 16, 2018 at 10:25 am
Same. I miss them too.
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August 16, 2018 at 12:21 pm
❤
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August 16, 2018 at 10:43 am
india is the best
LikeLiked by 2 people
August 16, 2018 at 10:43 am
i love my india
LikeLiked by 2 people
August 16, 2018 at 12:23 pm
Me too 🙂
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August 16, 2018 at 8:41 pm
I loved this post!!!
Such a beautiful recollection!
Happy Independence Day my friend🇮🇳♥️
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August 16, 2018 at 8:44 pm
Thank you, Shreya! Happy Independence day to you too ❤
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August 16, 2018 at 10:31 pm
Love this #jaihind
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August 16, 2018 at 11:13 pm
Thanks for reading! Jai hind ❤
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August 17, 2018 at 7:31 am
A belated, Jai Hind. But being late isn’t important because our love for our homeland is not confined to one day. A lovely post, and, even though you hated yourself for the day, I couldn’t help smiling at your paratha mistake.
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August 17, 2018 at 7:33 am
Thank you for such a sweet comment! I am so glad and grateful that you read it. Jai hind ❤ ❤
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August 17, 2018 at 10:50 am
I am originally from Guatemala and presently reside in the U.S. This piece is so beautiful and brought many childhood memories to mind. You have such a way with words.
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August 17, 2018 at 10:51 am
Thank you so much for your beautiful comment! I am so glad my post touched you in some way. You have a fine way with words too, my friend 🙂
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August 17, 2018 at 2:35 pm
It’s beautiful ! The way you write can inspire a lot of people.Keep up with the good work
Hope u like my work too .Feel free to access it :
https://natesh557112956.wordpress.com/2018/08/16/youre-under-arrest
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August 17, 2018 at 3:36 pm
Thanks for the compliment, Natesh. I will definitely check out your work soon 🙂
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August 17, 2018 at 7:11 pm
Beautifully written!
LikeLiked by 2 people
August 17, 2018 at 7:48 pm
Thank you, my friend ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 17, 2018 at 10:15 pm
Hey neha!!!
Loved the way you penned your sentiments into words.
Just to inform that I’m a novice blogger , please have a look at my blog and share your views ….
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August 17, 2018 at 11:35 pm
Thank you for reading it, Yash! I will definitely check out your blog 🙂
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August 18, 2018 at 7:52 pm
If may i ask, how can I develop writing skills for a blog? Craving for some sort of gentle advice
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 19, 2018 at 3:17 pm
I am still a learner, Yash. Just going with the flow here. There isn’t much to advice except that just keep writing and stay connected to the awesome blog community over here 🙂
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August 20, 2018 at 5:09 pm
Thanks.. 😃
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November 7, 2018 at 4:46 pm
Start reading more and more,focus in their writing style. Have a passion for writing and there is nothing which can prevent you from writing…..hope one day you will be one among the best writers. 😃😃
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August 17, 2018 at 11:38 pm
A wonderful and awesome tribute to mother India. I loved every inspiring line!
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August 17, 2018 at 11:42 pm
Thank you, Vivian! I am so glad you liked it ❤ ❤
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August 18, 2018 at 12:47 am
😊
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August 18, 2018 at 7:31 pm
Jai hind my friend! Jai Hind !!
Salutes.
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August 19, 2018 at 3:15 pm
Jai hind ❤
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August 21, 2018 at 1:15 pm
What a beautiful post!! I was thinking of a few friends I have made in the past few years in India and wish I had read your post sooner to wish you well on Independence Day. It is still on my bucket list to visit India some day especially Kerala and then if I can stay longer, we shall see.
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August 21, 2018 at 10:54 pm
Jai Hind!🇮🇳
Everytime I stand up to sing the National Anthem it fills me with so much of emotions and pride!
This was an equivalent beautiful read.
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August 21, 2018 at 10:55 pm
That is such a beautiful comment! Thank you and Jai hind! 🙂
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August 21, 2018 at 10:55 pm
Pleasure all mine 😊
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August 21, 2018 at 10:56 pm
🙂 🙂
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August 22, 2018 at 8:59 pm
Thanks for sharing!!! I love it!
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August 23, 2018 at 2:34 pm
Thank you so much, Ashley! 🙂
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August 23, 2018 at 5:32 pm
Got nostalgic. Amazingly written👍
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August 24, 2018 at 1:25 pm
Thanks a lot for reading it, Vishal! 🙂
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August 28, 2018 at 11:00 pm
Your writing is just… excellent… soothing
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August 29, 2018 at 11:11 am
Thanks for such a kind compliment! I am glad you thought so ❤ ❤
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August 30, 2018 at 3:27 pm
nice
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August 30, 2018 at 6:40 pm
Thanks Ananya 🙂
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September 11, 2018 at 2:34 pm
Great post! Jai Bharath!!
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September 11, 2018 at 6:56 pm
Jai hind 🙂
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September 18, 2018 at 10:25 am
Being Indian is yet another Phace.
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September 18, 2018 at 1:18 pm
Loved iy
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September 18, 2018 at 9:25 pm
You write good
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September 20, 2018 at 4:35 pm
Sheer brilliance (falling short of words here)
LikeLiked by 3 people
September 20, 2018 at 9:07 pm
So glad to know it resonated with you. Thanks for reading it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 28, 2018 at 2:13 am
🚩🌷🌹🇮🇳🙏
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September 28, 2018 at 9:05 am
🙂
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September 28, 2018 at 5:47 pm
Trule a inspirational article….like the way its brought about…
Also read mine and give ur neccessary suggestions..
https://auntknow.com/india-lucky-born-here/
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September 29, 2018 at 7:04 pm
Thanks for the read! Will definitely check out your link 🙂
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September 29, 2018 at 10:26 pm
Wow, what a touching post! Very true! I think you will be interested in my blog too. Do take a look.
LikeLiked by 3 people
October 1, 2018 at 9:05 am
Thank you! I will definitely check it out 🙂
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October 4, 2018 at 1:49 pm
Nice sentiments. Passionately expressed. Perhaps this is the way patriotism develops. I loved reading the post.
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October 4, 2018 at 11:52 pm
Thank you so much for the compliment! I am so glad you enjoyed reading it 🙂
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