Ups and Downs | Pre-Independence Day !

417

True Story.

1985

It’s 14th of August evening. Most Indians are euphoric thinking about the next day, the 15th of August, because it is a national holiday! They have twinkle in the eye and smiles that broaden from ear to ear.

But our building secretary Mr. Iyer has frown on his face. He is moving up and down aimlessly. He just can’t stop biting his fingernails.  

“Will the flag hoisting ceremony really go well?”.              

It’s almost midnight. I am in deep sleep and dreaming. My doorbell rings. Ting tong.

I jolted awake feeling confused and not knowing what to do or where to go. Again, Ting Tong

“Ugh! Who is ringing the bell at this hour?”

I stomp towards the door. As soon as I open the door, Iyer uncle stutters.

“Jitu, we must do the rehearsal of the flag hoisting.”

“Are you out of your mind? Rehearsal at this hour?! No way, Uncle” (Aisa maine socha. Bola nahi)

Uncle is tapping his feet rapidly… there is tension and worry written all over his face.

“OK, uncle. Let’s do it. I will call Rakesh and Hemkant to help us”

In 5 minutes, four of us gather on the ground near the flag post. Hemkant holds the rope and the flag in his hand.

It is dark. The streetlight makes it possible to do the rehearsal.  The ground is a bit wet due to rain in the evening. The dogs are barking and probably wondering “What are humans doing at this hour in the ground?”

“Who will climb up the pole to loop the rope around the pulley? inquires uncle.

Rakesh and I look at Hemkant instantaneously.

“Ye, apna bandar hai. I mean he is our go to man when it comes to climbing trees or pole! If anyone can, hem can “

Hemkant smiles smugly.

Hemkant starts ascending the thin pole of about 15 feet. Sarraakk sarrak.

As he reaches the 10 feet mark, the pole swings a bit.

Watching the pole swing my heart starts pounding. Uncle has no nails to bite anymore. Rakesh froze and his eyes were fixated on Hemkant.

“Tight Pakado” blurts uncle.

“Haan uncle. Don’t worry, kar lega mai…I got this.”

He goes up a bit more – now the straight vertical pole has almost become an arc.

If he loosens his grip, it will be pole-vaulting in action. He will be flying on to the tree 20 feet away!  

Thankfully no such thing happened. He inserts the rope into the pulley and slides down. Sarrrrrr….

Phew! Uncle almost fist pumped. Rakesh and I just smile. We knew he is “Hem Can”

Next.

Totally charged up and rubbing his hands, uncle he asks, “Who knows how to tie the Flag knot?”

Rakesh: “I do. I have done it many times during NCC days.”

Really?!

Hemkant and I look at each other. Smile and pray for a second looking up at heavens with folded hands.  

Rakesh ties the knot around the folded flag. We are ready to test the flag hoisting.

“Uncle, why don’t you pull the rope?” Hemkant looks at Uncle mischievously.

“Sure, why not?” murmurs Uncle.

Then there is pin drop silence. Everyone is still as Uncle takes on the reins – I mean the rope.

He gently, haltingly pulls the rope. We see the flag going up. We clap our hands with excitement.

“Well Done, Rake” I pat him on the back.

Now the flag is securely attached to the halyard on the top of the flagpole. As it stops going any further, uncle looks at us.

“Uncle, just pull it swiftly, the flag will unfurl.”

He pulls the rope swiftly. It doesn’t open.

Then he tugs it even harder. Still doesn’t open.

“Harder uncle” I say politely.

He puts more force. It doesn’t open.

“Harder Uncle” Hemkant urges.

Uncle puts all his might to pull.  He tries so hard that his legs are up in the air. He is literally hanging on to the rope – more like swinging on it!

But the flag just doesn’t open!

Hemkant, Rakesh and I are trying to control our laughter. Controlling pee far easier than controlling laughing at what was happening in front of us! 

“Arey, I can’t pull any harder. Bahut tight bandha hai Rakesh ne” Uncle snarls with absolute frustration.

Sure, Rakesh does know how to tie a knot, more like an unopenable one!

We see that Uncle’s full weight is unable to open the knot, we decide to loosen the knot.

Uncle lowers the flag down slowly. Rakesh loosens the knot. And we are all set to make the 2nd attempt.

Uncle pulls the rope – confidently this time. Hemkant starts humming “Jana Gana Mana…. “ with a big smile.

As it reaches the top, uncle pulls it swiftly.

yay!  The flag unfurls. Wohooo!

And then Hemkant stops clapping abruptly.

Smiles disappear. All of us gawk at the flag in silence.

Ulta pulta!

The green color is on the top and orange at the bottom.

“Arey, ye to problem hai. Isko thik karo”, uncle is clearly vexed.

The flag is lowered again. Rakesh changes the orientation of the flag.

 “Arey isme phool daalke test karte hain” recommends Uncle.

“Good idea, uncle”.  Hemkant and I scout around and get some flowers and leaves.

We place it on the flag. Fold it nicely. Rakesh ties the knot and looks at me smilingly as if asking me “Should I make tight? “I bow with folded hands and point finger at my watch. He laughs at me saying “Ok.”  

We are ready for the 3rd attempt.

Sirrrrsirrsirrrsirrr…the sound of the unoiled wheel on top of the pole, as the rope turns it.

Repeat. Uncle pulls. The flag goes up. Once it reaches the top, he pulls the rope swiftly with a lot of force.

Phadaaakkk!!!

The whole folded flag drops from the top and lands on Uncle’s head!

And THEN the flag unfolds with all the flowers and leaves all over his head and body!

Rakesh bursts laughing. I fall on the ground, laughing my guts out, looking at uncles face and his reaction. Hemkant roars with laughter.

Uncle is in utter shock. Totally frustrated.

Helplessly watching us laugh like that, Uncle joins us in the laughter too.

The four of us laughing outrageously at midnight, when everyone in the building is asleep. The laughter breaking into the silence!

“Ye kya hai? Thik se tie karo” he rambles unable to control his laugh.

We gather ourselves but still can’t stop laughing.

Giggling, we put the flowers and leaf again in the flag. Fold it nicely and tie the knot.

“Uncle, I think this time it will work. Pakka.” Rakesh declares.  

Uncle is not convinced. He is tensed. “God only knows what else can happen”?

We are ready for the attempt No. 4

He pulls the rope, the flag reaches the top, he looks at us. There is tension and smile at the same time.

Uncle pulls the rope swiftly and our national flag unfurls.

Flag stays up. Flowers and leaves come down. Orange is on top.

We start clapping. Uncle puts his hand up in air to celebrate the success just like Messi does after scoring a goal! 

“Uncleeeeee” Shrieks Hemkant.

And we see the flag is coming down.

“Rope Pakado” roars Hemkant as he dives – just like Jonty Rhodes – to catch the rope.

We start breathing again.

“Bacha liya tune” Rakesh remarks.

Hemkant rose holding the rope with his chest wide open. He raises the flag again to the top and ties the rope to the pole.

We silently and proudly watch our flag at the top. Tears roll down Rakesh’s cheek.

Phew! Finally.

There is a gigantic grin spread across Uncle’s face.

“Thank you, boys. Let’s meet at 7 tomorrow morning and set it up.”

“Uncle, its today morning at 7” quips Rakesh with a big smile. “Oh yeah, you are right” acknowledges uncle.

Uncle leaves.

We hang out for another 20 mins or so. Obviously reliving the last one hour or so and laugh all over again.  

I slept with a smile on that night. It was worth the disruption of my sleep.

The next day, the flag is hoisted fine, the celebration goes well.

It was indeed a very Happy Independence Day!