You can take an Indian out of India…

What Independence Day means to us now

Many years ago, when packing my bags to leave for Australia for the very first time, my father slipped something into one of my suitcases. It was a small badge with the Indian flag on it.

Such actions are not unusual for my father. He is proud of his country. He served in the Indian Navy. My brother and I grew up watching the Republic Day parade, the Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort and saluting the Indian flag.

But I’d never thought about being Indian until I boarded the flight for Sydney. I remember unpacking in my new room in Randwick, my things still smelling of home, and finding the little badge with the Indian flag there. It came to me very suddenly then - I was in this new world on my own, many many miles from home.

Since then, Australia has become my home.

I’ve found love here and friendship, opportunities to do meaningful work and make a contribution.

I’d be lying if I said that over the years I’d never experienced that feeling of being caught between two worlds, of somehow having fallen through the cracks. Of belonging neither here nor there.

But over the years, I’ve come to understand that it isn’t about divided loyalties as it is about acceptance. It isn’t about being one or the other. It’s about being both.

26 January, the day we celebrate Australia and being Australian is also India’s Republic Day, the day on which the Constitution of India came into effect. I take this day to celebrate my Australian identity and the life that I have built here.

Come 15 August, though, I’ll think of my father and of India, and wear my badge very proudly.

Aparna Jacob