Lahore: Since 1948 we have been celebrating 14 August every
year as Pakistan’s Independence Day . During this time Pakistan has gone
through a roller coaster ride. From wars to secession, different hues of
democracy to Martial Laws, politics to anti-Pakistan movements; the yet
Pakistani nation has stood together when Independence Day arrives. This year
was no less; everyone was celebrating the day with full zeal and joy even
frenzy on some people’s part. However the methods of festivity have changed
over the years.
Early morning flag raising ceremonies and parades were held
across Pakistan which were hoisted and reviewed by the president, Governors,
Prime Minister and Chief Ministers. Awardswere given to the those who had laid
down their lives in the line of fire and those who made sacrifices for Pakistan
and were received by their families.
The crème de la crème this year being the Pakistan Army
verses Pakistan Cricket Team match, with the COAS hitting the first ball bowled
by Shahid Afridi, and who later witnessed the match; and the second was the
surrender of about 400 militants in Quetta who then raised the Pakistan flag.
Every road and open place had stalls selling Pakistani flags
of all sizes, badges, wrist bands, caps and balloons in green and white. People
from all walks of life were seen buying these and putting them up to add colors
of patriotism to their homes, wrists, shirts and little kids were having their
cheeks painted with the green and white flag.
Youth came out on the streets with decorated cars and green
and white dresses. Families visited parks and took joy rides to enjoy the day.
Restaurants were decorated with green and white streamers and balloons! Fashion
boutiques had gone all the way in making dresses according to the Independence
Day celebrations . A pedestrian perhaps echoing the sentiments of the nation
said, “We are witnessing such celebrations after a very long time, this has
been only possible due to the efforts of Chief of the Army Staff Raheel
Sharif.” A shopkeeper said, “We have never sold so many balloons since I am
working in this business as we sold today.” A father of a family said, “I come
from a family that has given sacrifices during partition, but I had lost all
hope of Pakistan ever improving. But today I can say, we are going in the right
direction atlast.” A friend went badge shopping around midnight and was told
the stall had run out and the stall holder had sent his brother to get more
things who would be back in an hour smiled and said do come, there will be
enough for the whole city!
Even social media was in the most festive mood, Facebook and
Twitter users had changed their display pictures to the national flag; statuses
expressing love and respect for Pakistan were posted; pictures were made by
designers, they were shared on media which got thousands of shares and more
thousands of likes.
Like the past years this year was a bit different in the
multimedia arena also, a lot more videos were made by people to show what
Pakistan and Qauid e Azam meant to them.Many people also thanked the minorities
for their sacrifices in making and keeping Pakistan the country that it is
today on the Independence Day 2015.
This article was published in The Nation on 15th Aug 2015
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