A Scramble to Stand Inside at a Misty Morning Flag Hoisting
The Indian Consul General Parvathaneni Harish read from the Indian President’s speech inside the living room as the rainy weather pushed everyone indoors.
By Jawahar Malhotra
HOUSTON: Despite the rainy weather that mercifully dropped down to a light drizzle as guests still walked in, the Indian Consul General Parvathaneni Harish was able to hoist the Indian Tricolors to mark India’s 67th Independence Day in the small front lawn of his Memorial area home this past Thursday, August 15 morning in front of an estimated 200 guests and local politicians.
They then all scrambled under the patio, into the foyer and into the living room that opens up with French doors and windows where a podium had been set to one corner for the reading of the President of India’s speech, traditionally delivered from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Old Delhi.
According to tradition, the speech was read by Harish, first in Hindi for the first few opening paragraphs as well as the two concluding ones, and in English for the middle paras, for a total of eighteen paras of the five and a half page long speech. The thirteenth President Pranab Mukherjee’s speech touched on all the topics dealing with Indian democracy and ended with a quote from the Bhagvad Gita “yatha icchasi tatha kuru” – “even as you choose, so you do. I do not wish to impose my views on you.”
After Harish concluded, two local Congressmen, Pete Olson (R, Dist 22) representing Sugar Land and adjoining areas and Steve stockman (R, Dist 36) spoke briefly also. Olson spoke glowingly of the large South Asian population in his district. Stockman appreciated the “rain gods who have honored us in our drought”.
Congressmen Pete Olson (left) and Steve Stockman flank Consul General Harish. Photos: Bijay Dixit
Both men were draped by Harish with gold brocaded shawls, in the time-honored tradition of respect. “I’ll be wearing this when I see you on the 25th,” quipped Olson referring to the shawl and the ICC’s Independence Day celebrations slated for Sunday, August 25 (he even wore it at the IACCGH Gala later on Saturday!).
A short set of songs was presented by youngsters from area music schools: three teen aged girls and some younger children, all trained by Vidushi Raja Rajeshwary Bhat of the Krishna Sana Sudha Music Academy; the national anthem on the viola by Mohankrishna Bhandriraju and a Bengali song by his sister Shreya. A traditional Indian breakfast catered by Udippi Café concluded the 90-minute long ceremony.