We say that India is a Republic nation. But do all of us know what a Republic is? No. Most of the students just mug up ‘India became a Republic on 26th January 1950’ just for the sake of writing exams and getting a good score. They don’t learn it with interest. They are taught about this from Class II. There lies the problem. They are too young to understand that they are learning about their motherland and that it must be done with a feeling of patriotism. They simply don’t understand the meaning of it and hence they feel it is a waste.
So what exactly is a Republic nation? The most common definition for Republic is a state without monarch. It means the head of the state will be elected for a short period and the office is not hereditary. Republic Day is celebrated to rejoice that India has become a Republic nation. We ought to know this and celebrate our Republic day with much zeal. It is a national holiday. There are people in India who see it just as a holiday and enjoy it, without thinking about their nation even for a second. This is completely the wrong way to celebrate this auspicious day. There are only two days in a year which could be celebrated by all Indians, irrespective of their religion, state, culture etc. One is Republic day and the other is Independence Day. Most of the people have a good knowledge about the latter. But about the former, very few know.
The prestigious Indian flag is hoisted in all institutions- banks, schools, colleges etc. But hardly half the people of the institution attend the flag hoisting. They wake up late as in a normal holiday and go on with their routine work. That’s not the right spirit. Attending the flag hoisting should be made compulsory. At first the people would be outraged. But as time goes, it will kindle their interests. In the interim, they will slowly develop an interest for their nation. School students could be made to perform certain events like march past, singing patriotic songs and dancing for patriotic songs. Competitions could be conducted on topics regarding the nation. Everybody could be given a chance to participate in at least one event. I tell this from my own experience. Attending Independence Day and Republic Day programs was made compulsory for us only three years ago. Till that I did not feel the respect I ought to feel for my nation. I chewed out everybody who made me practice march past the whole day. By the next year I developed an interest in attending the function. This time I practice for the march past with much passion than the first time. I don’t practice it because I want my house to win the competition. I do it to commemorate my country’s Republic day. I have developed the patriotic feeling in me without my knowledge.
I feel that I ought to put in my best effort to make India a better nation. I know that it is impossible to do so being a single person. It may be possible for characters like Anniyan and Michael (Aayutha ezhthu), but it is not possible in the real world. But I do try my level best for my mother country. I want to make my fellow countrymen realize that they are INDIANS and that they must work for the betterment of their nation in all fields. So what are we waiting for? Let’s start making preparations to celebrate our Republic day with the spirit of patriotism inscribed in our minds. At least try to salute the flag for a second if you are too busy to attend any Republic day program.
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