India is turning 68. Yay!
So much about this beautiful country makes us all happy.
In our first #HappyInIndia list - Sir Rajini, Sachin Tendulkar, the Holy Cow, and Dad ki Maruti made the cut.
Find out who and what has made it to our second list of #HappyInIndia.
#15 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.
#16 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!!
#17 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!
#18 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!
#19 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.
#20 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!
#21 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.
#22 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.
#23 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!
#24 Silk Route
Sorry Bikini, ain’t nothing sexier than a SARI. From Madhubala in Barsaat 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!
#25 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!
#26 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.
#27 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…
#28 Tandoori Chicken Yaar!
Khoob jamega rang, jab mil bhaitenge teen yaar. Aap, mein aur Tandoori Chicken. Yum! Truly #HappyInIndia
Graphics done by Lijumol Joseph and Aaqib Raza Khan.
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