As the country gears up to celebrate Independence Day, Gargi Bansod & Dev Goswami show you how to be patriotic and have some fun
For most of us, the first thought that comes to mind when we think of Independence Day is a day off from work or college. It is also a day for joy and festivities where people from all religions and cultures celebrate the independence of our country. But, at the same time, we shouldn’t forget the importance this day holds for us. So, we tell how to be patriotic in small ways and also bring you some of the most exciting offers and deals in the city.
FUN WITH FOOD
Taste of India: Bite into special Indian torrps, wraps and salads at Torrp It Up till the end of this month. Choose from a range of yummy Indian fillings such as Aloo Patty, Hariyali Tikki, Paneer Tikka Makhani, Chicken Kheema, Mutton Seekh Kebab, Murgh Seekh Kebab and Murgh Tikka Makhani. You can enjoy any of these Indian filling for just `100.
Where: Torrp It Up at City Mall, Lokhandwala, Vile Parle, Bandra
Contact: 65250346/2648369
Dress to impress: As India completes 65 years of independence, anyone who is 65-years-old can enjoy a free dessert which includes a multicolour beverage or a tri-colour cake at 36 Oak & Barley. And if you happen to enter the restaurant in an outfit close to the national colours, you can enjoy a free beverage too.
Where: August Kranti Marg, Off Kemps Corner, Kemps Corner, Cumballa Hill
Contact: 23811010
Tri-colour yogurt: Simple, without any over the top decorations, Yogurtbay’s tri-colour yogurt catches our fancy. It is a plain yogurt with diced up kiwi as a base and mango cubes as a topping which work together to give you the colours of our national flag. If you have some mango saved up from the summer, you can prepare this at home as well.
Price: `250
Where: Yogurtbay stores across the city
Tiranga cheesecake: This cheesecake from Mocha is one good looking cheesecake! A signature dessert which has been prepared specially for Independence Day, this cheesecake will be available at all Mocha outlets from August 11 to August 15. We can’t wait to head down and taste it!
Price: `150
Where: Mocha outlets across the city
Independence day menu at Taj: Shamiana, the all day dining restaurant at The Taj Mahal Palace, is organising a lavish Independence Day lunch buffet on August 15. With delicacies such as Bhatti Ka Murg, Chingvi Malai Curry, Meen Pollichathu, Kamavgavh and Dindigul Biryani, the buffet has a spread of Indian dishes that are a must-try. There is also a live counter serving Indian street food.
Where: Shamiana, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Apollo Bunder, Colaba
Contact: 66653366
SHOW YOUR PATRIOTISM
Creative Bee: Skip western clothes for a day and flaunt some rich ethnic wear this Independence Day. Creative Bee, the eco-friendly ethnic wear brand, specialises in saris, dupattas, stoles, fabrics and home furnishings which are woven using hand-spun natural fibres and dyed naturally using dyes extracted from herbs, fruits and other such natural raw materials. It’s the perfect way to show some patriotism as well as care for the environment.
Where: Creative Bee, Forjett Street, Gowalia Tank, Grant Road
Contact: 66568580
The Nature’s Co.: Let your skin breathe and feel free this Independence Day. The Nature's Co. is offering a 65% discount on selected products, for a minimum purchase of `500 or more. So, do avail of this limited period offer and make your skin glow and exude freedom and happiness.
Where: Available at all The Nature’s Co. outlets across the city
Cheemo: Saluting the patriotism and paying tribute to Independence Day, Cheemo has launched their Independence Day collection which features bags with the colours of our national flag. You can pick a multi tula luggage bag (`2,995) or a bus conductor bag (`2,295) and flaunt your love for the country.
Where: Cheemo Leather Boutique, The Palladium, S - 17, High Street Phoenix, Senapati Bapat Marg Lower Parel
Contact: 30723117
I-Day sale at Croma: Looking to get some gadget shopping done on your day off from work? Then we recommend you head down to Croma as they are having a special Independence Day sale. With flat discounts to offers such as 5% off on camera lenses if you buy a DSLR, the sale has something for everyone. What’s more is that if you use your ICICI debit/credit card, you will get a further discount of 5% on your total bill.
When: Up till August 16
Where: Croma outlets across the city
Art competition at Palladium: If your child is the artsy type, then take him/her to Palladium Mall this Wednesday where they are holding an art competition. Open for the age group 6-12 years, the competition is an on-the-spot painting competition with the theme being ‘Paint your idea of freedom.’ You don’t need to worry about carrying art supplies either, as contestants will be provided with everything they need at the venue. The competition will be judged by artist Payal Khandwala.
When: August 15, 12pm-2pm
Where: Atrium, Palladium Mall, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel
India inspired décor at Serenity: To mark India’s 65 years of freedom, Serenity, the home décor store, has come out with a special range of India inspired products. Starting at `250 and going up till `30,000, the range features items such as wooden chairs, bottles and kettles that have been painted with symbols that represent India. An example of this is a bottle which depicts a peacock and a lamp which has our national flower, the lotus, painted on it.
Where: Serenity, Clamar Building, Opposite Guru Nanak Park, Bandra (W)
Contact: 9920766894
Indian special at Lotus Blossom: The food catering service Lotus Blossom is known for its Thai Cuisine. But, they have also been gearing up for Independence Day for quite some time now. They have added dishes such as Paneer Lababdaar, Safed Chane, Dal Hyderabadi, Mirch Ka Salan and a variety of Biryanis to their menu. Not just this, as an Independence Day offer, you will get 10% off on your total bill this August 15.
Contact: www.lotusblossom.in / 9967624034
Stirrers from Hitplay.com: Our Independence Day might be a dry day, but that doesn’t stop you from enjoying your freedom by mixing a few pegs at home. We recommend this cool high five stirrer set that comes in our national colours.
Price: `149
Where: www.hitplay.com
Celebrate I-Day eve with a few laughs: August 15 might be your day off, but late night plans are for a day before, right? That is why Comedy Store is coming out with a brand new act on August 14. As a part of their Independence month celebration, this act, just like all others, features only Indian performers. An ensemble of artists such as Tanmay Bhat, Karunesh Talwar, Sapan Verma, Karan Talwar, Daniel Fernandes, Azeem Banatwalla and Sahil Shah will come together to present a never seen before act. The entry too is cheaper than normal at `250 per person.
Where: Comedy Store, Palladium, Lower Parel
Contact: 43485000
Jagjit Singh tribute album: All you lovers of gazals pay attention. Red Ribbon Entertainment is releasing a tribute album titled Mera Bharat Mahan this Independence Day. The album is in remembrance of the late gazal maestro Jagjit Singh with one of his songs being the highlight of the album. This album is a tribute to all the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for our country.
Price: `99
Where: Landmark, Reliance Fresh, Crossword and Rhythm House across the city
How to be celebrate
- Don’t just laze around cause it’s a holiday, you can surely spare a few minutes in respect for your country on this day. Here’s how you can show your patriotism in small ways:
- Dress up in traditional Indian clothes, even if it’s just a kurta.
- Attend a flag hoisting ceremony in your school, college or society. Salute the flag and sing patriotic songs. The least you can do is sing the National Anthem on this day.
- Prepare or buy some sweets and distribute them among needy children at various NGOs or orphanages.
- You can even relive history by attending one of the many public meetings held on this day across the city to explain how our freedom fighters fought for our independence.
- You can also show your patriotism by pinning the national flag on your clothes or displaying a flag by your window or in your car.
- Lastly, don’t forget to watch the Independence Day parade on DD Channel. The Prime Minister hoists the national flag, addressing the nation from the Red Fort in Delhi. This is accompanied by a march-past of the armed and police forces, followed by a parade of the contingents of various states.
Top 5: Patriotic Indian movies
Rang De Basanti: This coming of age movie is a movie which every Indian recalls. The story of a group of college friends who couldn’t care less about India and the problems plaguing it, the movie shows how these youngsters are affected by the death of their Air Force pilot friend. The movie also has a bit of India’s independence history.
Border: This is one classic that you can’t watch enough number of times. Based on the actual confrontation at Longewala, the movie depicts a portion of the 1971 war. Though some scenes are a little over the top (typical Bollywood style) the depiction of the Indian Army being outnumbered by Pakistani Army, yet holding fort is true and makes it a must-watch.
Lakshya: This movie depicts a story that every youngster can relate to. A rich, spoilt brat decides to join the army while watching Rambo but runs away from the academy when he finds that the reality is far away from fiction. The movie then shows the change he goes through and ends up fighting in the Kargil conflict.
Swades: While this movie may not have any wars, it is in no way lower on patriotism, It shows the story of an Indian-born NASA scientist who gets a rude awakening when he comes back for a visit to his native village. The movie wonderfully depicts the character trying to overcome his guilt and helping provide an electric source for the whole village.
LOC Kargil: This magnum opus features a stellar cast with most of the top actors of Bollywood being a part of it. It shows the stories behind the Kargil confrontation and shows the personal stories of many soldiers and officers who have become household names after the conflict.
The story behind Independence Day
The midnight of August 15, 1947 is memorable for every Indian as it was the time when India gained independence from the stranglehold of the mighty British. The otherwise suppressed tri-coloured flag of India was given its due respect, when it was hoisted at midnight, symbolising our freedom. Since then, the red-letter day is celebrated with pomp and gaiety, across India. It is a day to pay homage to the heroes who dedicated their sweat and blood in the freedom struggle.