Happy Independence Day!

August 15 is the day India became independent from the British rule 61 years ago.

The day was celebrated all over India with Flag hoisting ceremonies and flying of kites in the colors of India's flag - the Tricolor Saffron, White and Green.

A country with history older than Rome or Greece, India was known for its riches - material and spiritual. Christopher Columbus was looking for a route to reach this 'land of opportunity' when he landed, thru some real faulty navigation, at what is today known as the United States of America. He died a disappointed man at having failed.

Impoverished thru centuries of foreign - Portugese, French and British - rule, India is now a vibrant, solid democracy in a politically instable region.

For the last decade or so, India is making fast movement towards development.

Indians all over the world are known for technical prowess whether in medicine, science and technology or in software and systems development. India's investments in last 61 years into education - having world's best technical, medical and management institutions - and into large industry have paid off with Indians taking up top jobs in some of the largest corporations in the world. Indian businesses are now acquiring some of the largest international companies in their fields.

India's educated youth are now providing back office and front office offshore/outsourced services to the world.

I have only one word for this great country of ours - Jai Hind!

(Picture taken at the The Shriram School, Aravali. Gurgaon. Students and parents gathered at the school for flag hoisting, kite flying and picnic. Seen here a father teaching his son to fly a kite. The kite and the boy's clothes are in the colors of Indian flag.)