India is all set to turn 68. Infuriating, chaotic, corrupt. Yet there’s plenty about India that brings a smile to our face as well. The Quint brings you a list of 69 things that make us #HappyInIndia.
Jai Hind!
#1 The National Anthem
Tagore’s great gift to the Nation. Our National Anthem. There are always goosebumps when we stand with our friends, family, teammates or colleagues to sing it. The words Jana Gana Mana make us soar, make us one.
#2 Zabaan Sambhalke
Which other country in the world has over 15 official languages, a dozen scripts, and thousands of cuss words to choose from? Batao, batao!!
#3 Amar Jawan
A salute to the Indian Armed Forces, to the soldiers, pilots and sailors who have laid down their lives for India. Whether at Siachin, or at the LOC, on the high seas, or flying in creaky MIG-21s, they are the guarantors of our Freedom.
#4 A Journey to Remember
The aroma of pickle and aloo paranthas. The stinking loo. A fat, grumpy aunty. A non-stop crying child. Clattering past railway stations. Playing ‘antaakshri’ to pass the time. Newly-weds staying behind drawn curtains. Jab We Met!
Our Shatabdis, Deccan Queens and Toofan Mails are no bullet trains, but have given each of us memories of memorable cross-country train journeys.
#5 Chai Pe Charcha
At chai ki tapris, at roadside dhabas, at Kolkata’s addas - a lot can brew over a cup of tea. Or even over a cup of filter kaapi or coffee. And the ‘Tea-pical’ Indian knows that.
#6 Humara Bajaj
If you grew up in ’80s you would know what this post is all about. No one can forget the patriotic tagline for this family of scooters – Humara Bajaj! It made the brand a household name for decades. Its inspiring lyrics – Buland Bharat ki Buland Tasveer – spawning an entire genre of ad campaigns.
#7 We’ve Got MOM
Earlier we would proudly proclaim Hamare paas ma hain! But now we rejoice in saying Hamare paas MOM (Mars Orbiter Mission) hai! Believe it or not, the Hollywood blockbuster Gravity cost more than our Mars mission. Now that’s paisa wasool!
#8 Tandoori Chicken Yaar!
Khoob jamega rang, jab mil bhaitenge teen yaar. Aap, mein aur Tandoori Chicken. Yum! Truly #HappyInIndia
#9 Maa Ka Pyaar!
Chanda Hai Tu, Mera Suraj Hai Tu...
No matter what he does, where he goes, who he meets, he will always be Mama’s Boy. The Great Indian Mother-Son Saga is legendary, be it in reel life, or real life.
#10 Big Fat Indian Weddings
Drama, Emotion, Joy, Comedy, at times even Violence. The Big Fat Indian Shaadi has it all. The rona-dhona, extra loud music, the drunken uncles doing snake-dance, the unhealthy food, the blingy aunties, the surreptitious boozing... the family blockbuster hit that never fails to entertain.
#11 Bindi
Even Madonna wore one – a tiny, often red dot on the forehead has become the mark of the quintessential Indian beauty.
And don’t get us started on the literary and pop-culture significance of the mathe ki bindiya!
#12 Dad Ki Maruti
The Maruti 800 revolutionized Indian roads. It came to symbolize ouraam aadmi middle class asmita. If you’re an ‘80s child you would fully understand the nostalgia of the Maruti 800. Even if you drive a far bigger SUV today.
#13 Beating Pakistan
Cricket, Hockey, Kabaddi, at the LOC, or even on Twitter... jeetega to sirf India! That Pakistan has never beaten India in a World Cup Cricket match is worn proudly on the national sleeve – Mauka, mauka! Anyone who thumps Pakistan is a national hero (Sehwag’s 300 in Lahore), anyone who gets thumped (read Chetan Sharma) is never allowed to forget it!
#14 Bling-shling
All that glitters is definitely gold for us Indians.
Look at the gold, look how they shine for you – Sorry Chris Martin for altering your lyrics, but we Indians love our bling-shling, glitter-shlitter. Gold makes us happy. From Bappi Da to the Fat Aunty at the Wedding, we love to flaunt it.
#15 Holy Cow
Omnipresent and Holy. Life-giving. Fixed Deposit Schemes named after them - Kamadhenu! Squatting rights to the middle of every Indian road. We ignore traffic signals BUT happily hold up traffic to feed & pray toGau Mata. Us guys and these Gais - we Rock!
#16 Sachin Aala Re!
The Master Blaster’s ability to bludgeon English, Aussie, South African (and of course Shoaib Akhtar!) bowlers into abject submission went hand in hand with India’s arrival on the world’s stage.
Sachin Tendulkar dominated without arrogance. The team player who excelled individually. Who carried a billion hopes effortlessly with a smile. The God of Small Things!
#17 Jugaad
When we’re too broke to replace what’s broken? We try Jugaad! Paint, nail, stitch, join, stick, patch, re-invent!
#18 Kuch Meetha Ho Jaaye
We didn’t dare pick Jalebis over Rosagullas, or Kalakand over Gulab Jamun, or Petha over Barfi and risk riots. The nation is ‘Mithai-Crazy’, and the degree of innovation, finesse and nuance we’ve achieved over the centuries simply breath-taking. Mooh meetha karna – a wonderful tradition, linked to every occasion. Unhealthy, sure. But we are like that only. Whatadelight!
#19 The Big Cat
India took all her claws out to Save Our Tigers, and guess what, It worked. According to the latest tiger census, the population of India’s national animal is on the rise again. Yay!
#20 Democrazy!
Logjam in Parliament, Bedlam in Assembly. Yet we Vote. To Dharna is our Dharma! Freedom of Speech and Expression guaranteed to every last practicing Indian. We love being the world’s largest Democrazyyy!
21) Utsav!
Diwali, Holi, Eid, Rakhi, Onam, Durga Puja, Christmas – you name it and we celebrate it! These festivals also give India the dubious distinction of being the country with most number of government holidays!
#22 Hum Log
We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens. Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
Now repeat that four times a day! That’s us. The country with the coolest Preamble to the coolest Constitution.
#23 Oye, Cheers!!
A drink is never a drink until it comes in Patiala proportions. France may have given the world champagne, but it is us Indians have shown how to down a real drink. The Patiala Peg must be featured on peg measures across the world!
#24 Kutte, Main Tera Khoon Pi Jaoonga!
From Yeh haath mujhe de de Thakur to Mogambo khush hua! to Rahul! Naam toh suna hoga... Bollywood’s totally filmi dialogues do totally define the Indian film genre. Even Obama loves them – Señorita, bade bade deshon mein... you know what I mean! And it didn’t end with Javed-Akhtar and Kadar Khan, fully filmi lines are being written even today – Ek baar maine commitment de di, phir to main khud ki bhi nahi sunta!
#25 March On
Candle light vigils walked from reel life (Rang De Basanti) to real life after 26/11. A powerful but peaceful way of showing solidarity and dissent.
#26 Bargaining Power
The great art of bargaining, haggling and getting a ‘little extra’ for what you pay. Bhaiya aur thoda kam to karo? Achcha, na aapki na meri…. Always works…
#27 Mother of All Rivers
We live by her banks, we dip into her to cleanse ourselves, we believe her waters can heal, we choose her even in death. The mighty Ganga is India. Now, if we could just return the favor and keep her Swachch!
#28 Oh Crap!
Indians ka emotion uska motion se juda hota hai! For us fatalists it’s easy to believe that shit happens. BUT, when shit doesn’t happen – we all go hunting for – Isabgol! Isabgol understands our gut feelings. Literally!
#29 Bhains Ki... Aankh!
Indians have moved way beyond the mediocre, and over abused F word. We have our own picturesque shudh
desi gaalis. Trust us, the impact is way more than any effing angrezi abuse.
#30 Horn OK Tata Please
Indians have a patent over two kinds of Tatas. One is the ‘Horn-OK-TATA-Bye’ we see painted at the back of so many trucks. The other is brand Tata, that’s so closely linked to the story of Modern India. Jamshedji Tata, JRD Tata, and Ratan Tata – created a world class chain companies – Steel, Trucks, Hotels, Software, Tea, Watches, Jewelry – they make it all. And when they acquired Jaguar and Land Rover, we Indians felt super-proud, didn’t we?
#31 Ha Ha Ha Hilarious
An Englishman and Santa are inside a toilet. Englishman: Good evening, how do u do? Santa: Good evening, we open the zip and do!
Two imaginary turban-clad sardars, Santa and Banta have been lifting Indian spirits since the beginning of time.
#32 Joint Family
We squabble, litigate, celebrate, pray, ring in new-borns and mourn deaths – all as one YRF or Barjatya style Indian Joint Family. Not many places left in the world where three (even four) generations muck in under one roof.
#33 Mozart of Madras
Rahman Tujhe Salaam! During the 1990s AR Rahman rejigged the music scene with his blockbuster hits Rangeela,
Roja, Bombay, and Dil Se. The Mozart of Madras went on to win the Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire. Jai Ho!
#34 Thank You, Chacha
Forget Famous Five, Nancy Drew, James Bond or Sherlock Holmes. Our very own turban-clad witty Chacha Chaudhary, cleans the city streets by catching bad ass criminals without the help of fancy gizmos. Featured in Twinkle Comics!
#35 Oodi Baba
We are the land of Babas and Black Sheep, of Godmen and Sadhvis. From Sadhvi Prachi to Asaram Bapu, from Sant MSG to Sarathi Baba to Radha Maa these self-styled godmen or conmen have taken the country by storm. We are happy that this is the year of unmasking these self-styled god people.
#36 Yoga All the Way
India stretched and flexed its muscles and made it to the international calendar by introducing Yoga Day. While India might be following the usual Baba Ramdev’s Tadasana, Urdhva Hastansana and Surya Namakar, the world has taken Yoga to the next funky level. And no, we’re not just talking Hot Yoga, but Nude Yoga, Doga (Yoga for dogs), Snowga (Yoga in snow) and whatnot.
#37 Rajini
Yanna rascala, he’s Rajnikanth, the baap of James Bond and Ethan Hunt. Mind it! The cinema didn’t create Rajnikanth. It was Rajnikanth that created Cinema.
#38 Your Local, My Metro
They are the lifelines of Mumbai and Delhi. From Virar to Churchgate. From Dwarka to Noida. They run like clockwork. Bursting with life. Microcosms of India. Mumbai’s Locals and the Delhi Metro.
#39‘Aam’ Aadmi
From the over-priced, over-rated Alphonso, to the Chausa, Safeda, Dussehri, Totapari, Langda – we are fanatical about our Aam! Even Pakistan PM Nawaz Shariff found it apt to gift a crate of mangoes to Narendra Modi.
But, why is India so crazy about mangoes? Arre bhai, aam khao, gutlio se kya matlab?
#40 Silk Route
Sorry Bikini, ain’t nothing sexier than a SARI. From Madhubala inBarsaat Ki Raat to Sridevi in Mr India, to Sunny Leone today,
the Sari has always looked hot. Ask Liz Hurley too! Kanjeevarams, Chanderis, Banarsis, Tussar, Satin, Cotton, Chiffon, Tissue – who hasn’t spent hours shopping for Saris! Here’s to the good ’ol elegant Sari!
#41 Life’s a Beach
Who needs to go skinny-dipping in Thailand, Los Angeles, and Hawai when we’ve got Goa. Just one thing – what happens in Goa, remains in Goa.
#42 Yeh Bullet Meri Jaan!
“Built Like a Gun, Goes like a Bullet” – Royal Enfield’s slogan has remained unchanged for close to a century. The Bullet is now a cult. Your milkman, the young army officer, even Jai and Veeru in Sholay... they all ride a Bullet.
#43 Comedy Club
RK Laxman’s illustrious and hapless Common Man, gently scathing about everything from the social to the political, was loved by all Bharatwasis. The comedy group AIB with their unconventional humour keeps that tradition alive, using an all-new idiom. They make us laugh, even as they drive home some pretty strong messages.
#44 The Madhubala Smile
The vivacious Madhubala lit up the screen with her effortless acting, her infectious laughter, and her to-die-for smile.
She epitomized Indian beauty. Her legendary romance with Dilip Kumar, her flawed marriage with Kishore and her tragic untimely death - are all part of the Madhubala folklore.
#45 Right to Information
Too few countries have it, and it makes us proud that we’re one of those few. If only they stopped killing RTI activists!
#46 Kama Sutra
Though its stereotype-ing that we don’t like to encourage – people in foreign lands regularly associate a few things with India – snake charmers, elephants, Bollywood, Taj Mahal, chicken tikka masala, and Kama Sutra.
Well, we did give the world its magnum opus on love making, and we are mighty proud of that. Try and take that away, Porn Ban.
#47 Auto Mode
India’s notorious, iconic three-wheeled chariot. Can cram in many more than the stipulated three passengers. Survivors in India’s crazy traffic, zig-zagging, changing lanes ‘cos its baap ki sadak! They find every pot-hole on the way, they find the ‘longest’ way home. And, their meters run faster than Usain Bolt!
#48 Galli Cricket
India’s gallis, chawls, mohallas – crowded, messy, blaring horns, shops spilling onto streets, bikes, rickshaws fighting for right of way. And yet, there is always space for an intense game of galli cricket!
#49 The Write Choice
The pen is mightier than the sword. And the ‘soft power’ of Indian authors has pretty much conquered the world. Amitav Ghosh, Vikram Seth, Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy, Jhumpa Lahiri, Hari Kunzru... the list is endless.
#50 Wah Taj!
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, India’s biggest single tourist magnet, a synonym for true love, and a clever way of selling tea – the Taj Mahal has endured for centuries. Yes it has lost some of its sheen – industrial pollution is turning its marble off-white, a bit like an old man’s teeth. All the same – Thank you Shah Jahan for giving India its Taj!
#51 Movers and Shakers
Whether it is at a wedding, or when no one’s watching, Indians love to dance. And we owe it entirely to Bollywood.
Dharam Paa-ji’s ‘Main Jat Yamla’ dance, Big B’s signature step, Salman Khan’s quirky ‘Towel Dance’ (and others), Hrithik Roshan’s ‘Traffic Moves’, Mithun-Da’s Disco Dancer steps, Prabhu Deva’s break-dancing, and the latest stuff from ABCD - we copy them all isn’t it?
Get up and dance already!
#52 Guest of Honour
Playing a perfect host is a part of bharatiya sanskriti. While Aamir Khan preaches Atithi Devo Bhava (Guest is God!) our Prime Minister practices it - rewind to Modi breaking all protocol and going to pick up President Obama from the airport.
Having a bad day? Just arrive unannounced to someone’s doorstep for some free food and splendid Indian hospitality.
#53 Apna Street Food!
We’ve got street food for every season. You name it and we’ve got it. And from every corner. In monsoon we bite into garam garam samosasand pakoras. In winters drool into some steamy hot momos. In summers we dive straight into refreshing dahi chaat and gol gappas. The Indian Health advisory Board could take a chill pill when it comes to scrumptious, lip-smacking street food.
#54 The Abode of Snow
The Himalayas inspire awe. They draw us spiritually. They make us Indians feel ‘protected’. We holiday there. We shoot out films there - it’s where Shammi Kapoor went Yahoooo!
#55 Oh Teri! Judwa!
Twice the star-power, twice the box office punch. Twice the Awesome! From Hema Malini to Sanjeev Kumar to the Big B, even Salman Khan - everyone’s done a ‘double role’. Kollywood and Tollywood make one every two months, almost. Heck, there’s even a Twins Day!
#56 Call Me, Maybe
“Give a missed call when you reach,” or “Missed call de, I’ll save your number,” - who hasn’t heard or said this? Chindi friends, khadoosbosses - love saving a rupee using the ‘missed call’. So what if we don’t have a loo at home, education, or do waqt ki roti, we have our mobiles and missed calls, don’t we?
#57 Laloo Yadav
Jab tak rahega samosa mein aloo, tab tak rahega Bihar mein Laloo.Lalua is the chubby, droopy grey-haired neta loved by Bihari babus and Indians alike. He loves his bhains, kulhar chai, his fodder, and his Lalooisms. Like they say, you can take a man out of Bihar, but you cannot take Bihar out of the man.
#58 It’s Hot!
Ever heard of Assam’s Bhut Jolokia? Also called the ‘Ghost Chilli’, it’s the world’s spiciest chilli, says the Guinness Book of World Records. A close contender is the Raja Mircha, or King Chilli from Nagaland.
If you are looking for death by chilli, be our guest!
#59 Rimjhim Rimjhim
Tip-tip barsaa paani, paani ne aag lagaayi/ Aag lagi dil mein toh dil ko teri yaad aayi. Say ‘Rain’ and Bollywood brings on Raveena Tandon dancing in a yellow sari, or Sridevi dancing in a white one.
But rains mean a lot more for us all - long drives, pakoras and chai, water-logging, traffic jams, squelchy wet shoes and bunking work.
#60 The Colours Of Life
Be it the Kolams of the south or the Rangolis of the north, or Alponas of the east, there’s an artist in every Indian home. Armed with powdered rice, chalk, and colour, with their homes and doorsteps as canvas, they create beautiful motifs and designs.
#61 Yeh Aakashwani Hai
Bhaiyo, bahano, aap sab ko Ameen Sayani ka namaskar! That’s how the radio veteran greeted his listeners for nearly 40 years - in the good old days of Binaca Geet Mala.
From the days of farmaishi songs
playing on All India Radio, to FM today,
in the local train or in your car, buried under piles of work, or taking a dump – radio is the buddy that’s always there for you.
#62 The Greatest Film Ever
You may be 70 or just 16 - anyone who has watched Ramesh Sippy’s magnum opus Sholay, will call it India’s greatest film ever. Its immortal dialogues etched on our minds -
Ye haath muje de de Thakur!
Basanti!! In kutto ke samne mat nachna!
Ab tera kya hoga Kaaliya?
Incidentally, on August 15, Sholay completes 40 years and no remake (read Ram Gopal Verma’s Aag) could ever match up to this iconic film.
And did we forget to mention - Yeh dosti, hum nahi todenge!
#63 Kahani Har Ghar Ki
Kyunki kahani mein kuch aur K hai…
Saas-bahu encounters and larger than life dramas – the magic of mummyjis weaved by Ekta Kapoor and Balaji Telefilms worked wonders with the Indian middle-class. And boy did they take over our daily lives – there is a Tulsi, Kusum and Komolika breathing in each household.
#64 Maggi
Once upon a time, Maggi noodles filled hungry stomachs during desperate times. But now, Maggi has made a swift exit from supermarket racks. Thanks to the thick soup of controversies it’s got itself swirled in. Koi lauta de voh do minute wale din…
#65 Item!
Ban beef, ban porn, ban erotic books, but don’t you dare put your filters on item numbers. Item numbers are to Indian cinema what butter is to bread. From Munni Badnam Hui to Mera Naam Mary Hai, we know how to make our booties shake.
#66 Dhaniya Mirchi Free
Bhaiya dhaniya, mirchi dena mat bhoolna. Any Indian housewife would relate to this. It’s the standard Indian practice after buying your regular supply of vegetables. Something ‘free’ thrown into any deal - we love it. Even if it’s free dhaniya and mirchi. It happens only in India!
#67 Sunny Side Up!
Baby Doll — the no-stopping ascent of a porn star to the status of Bollywood’s uncontested sex goddess is nothing short of stunning. When porn was blocked on the Net, ‘searches’ for Sunny Leone rose by massive 2050 percent!
#68 Makkhan and Tippani
Amul print advertisements are still the coolest, and continue to entertain us. In her polka-dotted dress, the cute Amul girl at her wittiest best gives it off to politicians, Bollywood biggies, business tycoons and the aam aadami. She is our Amul-ya-ratan!
#69 Feel The Quint
With its team, tech and tagda attitude; The Quint has taken on the world with its intelligent, quirky, and sharp take on the news that matters. We Quintees are a happy bunch, we love what we do. Which makes us... #HappyInIndia!
Graphics done by Lijumol Joseph and Aaqib Raza Khan.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)