The Wood in her hands.

Republic day(India), The day constitution of India came in force-replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India.
 Republic day celebrations are held with various levels of formalities in different state capitals.
Dehradun, The capital of Uttrakhand state took part with huge preparations and excitement in the celebration, the huge ground at the city center called "Parade ground" became the platform for the event organized by the state government, There were huge exhibits of state's cultural richness over fully decorated trucks and cultural events took a spur for expression of the richness we hold.
                            While I saw this on a local television channel and decided to go and see the episode after the event. 

The exhibits were ripped off the truck after the event-A Usual process.

The place was all empty apart from some groups of peoples. The observation for about an hour led me to categorize them into three different groups.

1) The workers were setting things in place: people from tents, drivers, laborers, etc, people who were there for their profession.

2) Some people were just sitting, roaming, and standing. Just observing I call them observers, I was a part of this too and bit more as for capturing it.

                           

An Observer

Observers: Sometimes it's strange when you hit with symmetry within complete chaos. 

3) This third group which led me to think and write over the countries irony for the day was the people who were like the Erget or Stroks (a species of birds) which group around the ground where a farmer starts plowing soil for their belly, in the same way, they gathered at the place to take, to steal whatever came out from the exhibits and mainly it was wood.

There were men, women, and children who gathered there for this treat.

Two women were fighting for the possession of some crap in front of the truck with a hint of decoration on it.

Green decoration and plywood is taken by the owners 

There were many questions taking form because of the drama that has been created on that stage, After more than half a century of independence, constitution and democracy people below the poverty line fell and fight for just some pieces of woods like some sugar crystals for a hungry clan of ants.

A girl jump passes some woodpile: Very spontaneous shot.

 The reason for this is lack of education, whatever be considered, but lacking education is a primary concern, which is neglected beautifully for people who are not able to afford it from the private sector, Education and Healthcare two most elementary things for a nation is in most expensive and ironically in a most pathetic state.

A girl was commanded to throwback wood blocks she took quietly.

 There was a frame that I saw in front of my eyes when a girl was stealing woods and running through a path, with a view of our national flag behind her.
           A flag symbolizes it's Nation and so does Childrens, rather children tell us the present and probable future too, I was very sad to see the fragile picture of this nation in contrast to a strong day we just celebrated.

A young girl who stole some wood inspecting for the attention of the owner with a print of our nation's flag at background .

I am sure he/she won't even know why to carry it.

A boy holding the shape of a bull/horse made out of wood just for fun and curiosity.

Old, young everyone was taking advantage of the situation.

  "When the lights from them are taken how will they know about shadows, It is truly unfortunate if someone dies in between a sea due to harsh sun and thirst because of the nature of saltwater. Irony always has a negative side which is ignored greatly. I wish The wood in her hands to be a "KALAM" (pen) and a book.                   

(Text and Photographs)
        Akhilesh Singh