Happy Birthday India!

I’ve missed you, when I saw a road side taco truck, but I craved only for Pani Puri! I’ve missed you, when I had a meeting set on my calendar on 15th Aug, 1200 hours.

I’ve missed you, when it rains and my nose wants the adrak wali cutting chai and mitti ki khusbu!

I’ve missed you, when I was in an Irish bar and their flag had our colors!

I’ve missed you, when my uber driver already knew I was yours!

I’ve missed you on Office pot luck day, when everybody waited for me to bring chicken tikka masala!

I’ve missed you, when I did not have an Indian Channel to watch the Cricket world cup!

I’ve missed you when my English bench mate said, she wants my tan!

I’ve missed you when its very quiet in the mornings and I can’t hear the Masjid’s loudspeaker or the temple’s Shankh.

I’ve missed your ice golas in the summer heat and Your haldi doodh when I get sick!

I’ve missed you when they play holi and call it a colorfest!

I’ve missed you when I turn right on a red light here too!

I’ve missed having jalebi! I have missed using torrent also!

I’ve missed you when I go for my bhangra classes in Hollywood!

I’ve missed you when I wear a bindi to work and every girl wants to wear it!

I’ve missed you India, I’ve missed you!

Happy Birthday!

-Tanu