India became a republic on 26th Jan 1950. This was the day when we were granted our fundamental rights. However with the course of time, all of us have made our own set of rights(which are not exactly the right things). For instance the right to not pay taxes, right to drink and drive and right to not exercise one’s vote. And many of us take great pride in exercising these. It seems like “RIGHT TO BE WRONG” is the cool thing….or is it?????
Perfect republic is a very slow and fragile process. But the idea of republicanism is a idea which is millennia old. From Rome to Greece and even in ancient india one can find bits and pieces of modern republics. It took ages and big sacrifices to build a free and sustainable nation.So it’s very important that people understand the concept and implications of being a republican nation.It’s true that people don’t understand the importance of those things which are easily or readily available. What if india was a tighter republican country like Russia where civil rights are fairly restricted or like china where you don’t have absolute right of speech.Many people asked me what could have happened if Netaji was elected to form the goverment? It would have been better. But it would have been a hybrid republicnism. Part Authoritarian- Part republicanism. In the wake of economic growth and growing ‘standard of living’ do people still take pride in tri colour which is sold at almost every nukkad. Do these national celebrations stir the same kind of emotions as they used to. People want their kids to learn science, mathematics, swimming , tennis but they cannot take time and teach what is the importance of being a republic, our pledge as a nation and the future course of country.
Even at 61st year it is just a public holiday. For many though, the day holds the moment when a nation was born.Many people say that “I am patriotic”. Oh yes! we are patriotic only on 26 jan and 15 aug and rest of the 363 days we think about being a software engineer and secure a green card or go to some american university to get higher education and never come back to this land. The other day ,sitting in O’ Hara ,i heard few MNC managers saying that “Jana Gana” is our national song. I interrupted , well i cannot possibly stand back and let this pass over me. Man, that was shocking, none of these high fliers knew that “Jana Gana’ is our national anthem and ‘Vande Matram’ is our national song.It was though not that shocking to hear that they don’t know the composers of these songs, that was expected! many people don’t know the sequence of colours in our flag and the sysmbolic significance they hold. Many people don’t even knew that we as indian people , were not allowed to hoist national flag at our home or offices. It was done after Navin Jindal took the matter in court and won.
Many people think that it is utter nonsense to waste time and money to show off military might and cultural bits at India Gate. Is it so? what do you think?
This is the day when we actually became a nation. this is the day which reminds me and assures me that i belong to a sovereign country. the so called show off at india gate is to tell the countrymen that we are safe and no one can deny us our rights.
USE YOUR RIGHTS FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY AND RESPECT THE MOMENT WHICH CAME AFTER MANY SACRIFICES
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