On the 26th of January in the year 1950, India became a republic after its transition from a British Dominion. Ever since since, India has recognised the day as a national holiday. In Dehli, for almost six decades, elephants have been one of the main attractions in the yearly parade and are seen decked out in elaborate headdresses with children riding on top. However animal rights campaigners have often complained and due to the near stampede at last year’s event, the traditional elephant march has been cancelled for 2009. The children, each recipients of bravery awards, will now be paraded on military vehicles instead. Below is a small poem inspired by the news story.
Elephants on parade
“Absent they’ll be! Our frolicsome
Elephants have been shunned!
We must protest to officialdom,
We’ll stand and announce a bundh*!”
The bejewelled beasts have been retired
For the first time in decades.
Now instead the cheering children will be
Sitting atop tank brigades.
The annual Republic Day parade,
Where Indians stand proudly,
Marks the years since old British rule
and my, do the crowds sing loudly!
© Edward Beaman-Hodgkiss
*bundh: a general strike in India.
The original news story can be found in this short Times Online piece.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice poem:)
coooooooooooooooooooooool poem