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“Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we will redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance …. We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again.” - Jawaharlal Nehru (Speech on Indian Independence Day, 1947).

On 15th Aug, 2007 Indian state will be celebrating it’s 60 years of independence from foreign rulers with all the pomp and show which have become part of political establishments of the day.

News of its celebrations from around the world have already started tricking in-

1. Bollywood stars to participate in ‘India Splendor’ A star studded six-day celebration of India’s Independence Day in Los Angeles is expected to witness participation of Bollywood’s leading stars …
2. Spirit of India lights up Los Angeles Shah Rukh Khan signs autographs at the World Premiere of his film Chak De India. The 60th anniversary celebrations of India’s independence kicks off in the …
3. Six-day Indian festival promises exotic gems From its cinema to spirituality to technology, the Subcontinent’s glory will be laid out like a banquet. By Kavita Daswani INDIA SPLENDOR is being billed as …
4. MGlobal Trust & ArtWallah to host ‘India Splendor’ in Los Angeles MGlobal Trust, in association with UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television, International Creative Management and ArtWallah, will celebrate …

But it’s also a time to ponder over - What does 60 years of Independence mean?

Is it any of these noted below?

• Freedom to day dream.
• Freedom to holiday.
• Freedom to work.
• Freedom to not work.
• Freedom to work from home.
• Freedom to retire at the age of 40.
• Freedom to quit the 9-to-5 and start organic farming.
• Freedom to earn on par with your peers abroad.
• Freedom from Monday morning blues.
• Freedom from energy deficiency.
• Freedom from ‘Boss is always right.’
• Freedom from communal hatred.
• Freedom from jargon.

If you happen to be an Indian, do tell us ‘How free you feel today?‘

I’m so deeply moved visiting this great beautiful place, I find no words to express my feelings.

- Ravi Shankar, Sitar Player

A spectacular combination of architecture, nature and culture, this Bahai House of Worship combines the grandeur of a palace and the peace of a monastery. There are no priests, idols, pictures, sermons or rituals here. It is a place for communication between man and his God.

The aura of silence surrounding the prayer hall instills reverence. Daily public services here include selections from the holy books of all religions. Few temples radiate the atmosphere of sublimity, peace and calm so necessary to elevate a devotee spiritually as the Bahai House of Worship.

Set among sprawling green lawns, the petals of this grand lotus are surrounded by nine pools that represent the floating leaves of the flower. The interior dome is spherical and patterned after the innermost portion of the lotus flower. Light enters the hall in the same way as it passes through the inner folds of the lotus petals.

The interior dome is like a bud consisting of 27 petals. Light filters through these inner folds and is diffused throughout the hall. The central bud is held by nine open petals, each of which functions as a skylight.

The nine entrance petals complete the design. Thus light and water form the fundamental design elements.

Lotus Temple was opened to public on January 1, 1987. It took over six years to complete. 10,000 sq.m of marble was quarried from the Mount Pentilekon mines of Greece and sent to Italy from where each panel was cut and shaped before being transported to Delhi.

Lotus temple has etched itself on the consciousness of its visitors capturing their imagination, fueling their curiosity and changing their concept of worship.