Old ties to Red Fort; 61 years and still counting

New Delhi, Aug 15 (UNI) August 15, 1947. The day changed a lot for India.

But 61 years hence, nothing seems to have changed for 91-year-old Buralal, living in the Ballimaran area, as he still walks on his tottering feet to the Red Fort every year to witness Independence Day celebrations, a practice he started since the very beginning of the event.

''I have been coming here ever since the celebrations started.

And I still make it a point to come here every year as it reminds me of the sacrifices the freedom fighters of my country made. It is in their honour I come here, and it also brings alive many memories stored in my subconscious,'' he said with misty eyes.

''Earlier, people had a lot of enthusiasm and zeal and they looked forward to Independence Day celebrations. But times have changed and so do the people whose main priorities include now going to discotheques, cinema and theatre,'' he regretted.

''I still remember once I came barefoot to the venue, so excited I was. But the whole scenario has changed now. Earlier, there was not so much security for the event, but today it is like the Red Fort becomes a sort of warzone with so many security personnel deployed and lots of guns and cannon. Now-a-days celbrations are held in the shadow of fear and not joy and elation, as was the case some 10-15 years ago,'' he went down memory lane.

On his earnest wish, he said he would once again like to see those fearless celebrations at the Red Fort, which would not only bring harmony and peace to the nations and people but also remind the new generation what it meant to be fearless and ovejoyed.

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