Different I-Day celebrations

The terminally-ill celebrate Independence Day at the GKNM hospital-run hospice, Raksha, in Coimbatore.It is Independence Day. Mr Bhupati hoists the National Flag to a smattering of applause. And, there is not a dry eye in the gathering. No ministers, no officials and no speeches. Just Bhupati, his wife and a clutch of others.Some of them are also 60-years-old, may be older, and then there are others who are young, heartbreakingly so. Bhupati’s wife gently tucks the flag rope into her husband’s hands, and after some urging, he tugs at it.

The flag unfurls, showering flowers, a team of security personnel marches up and salutes the flag, Bhupati and his companions pose for a photograph and the tape recorder plays the National Anthem. Sweets are distributed. The sunny compound clearing is colourful with rangoli adding a festive touch.So, what’s so special about this flag hoisting ceremony? For a few who are there, this is probably their last chance to have a bit of colour, festivity, a semblance of happiness and a sense of having celebrated something. They may not be around for the next Independence Day.They await their end. And, with them are those who will help them pass on with dignity, peacefully and with as painlessly as possible.

We are assembled at Raksha, The Hospice, Pain and Palliative Care Centre in Coimbatore, run by, G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital. It is looked after by Arvind Bhatnagar, Sujata his head nurse, and their team of nurses, attendants and other staff, besides volunteers.“We miss no chance to celebrate any occasion,” says Madhav Nayar who has volunteered his time and service to the Hospice. “Birthdays, festivals, anything and everything are opportunities to celebrate,” he says.“As an engineer there is little I can do for a cancer patient? All I do is spend time with them, joke with them, and sometimes just hold their hands.” And cry. As they planned for the function, it was difficult to say who would hoist the flag. In the last couple of days as many inmates of the hospice have passed away. For the others who are living, Raksha ensures that till their last breath they are surrounded by a sense of peace and tranquillity. Then, it is not so difficult to let go of life, says another unnamed volunteer.
Was there ever another such Independence Day celebrations?

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