Monday, January 26, 2009

Republic (HOLI)Day... !!!


Last 8 years, spent in my engineering college, company and B-school, I have never seen people turning up in huge numbers for Republic day or Independence day functions. Today is 26th January. India's and our's "Republic Day"! I have intentionally used "India's" and "Our's" separately. Reason, many people living in this country, separate themselves from India.

Today, out of 500 people in my B-school campus, only 50 appeared for the Flag hoisting ceremony. Not to forget, out of those 50 students, 20 were staff and guards. Above all, none from the administration and faculty department appeared for the function. And the ceremony finished in just 30 minutes. Nothing new in it,actually. I have been seeing this for the last 8 years.

People feel patriotism, when movie based on India gets nominated in Oscars!
People feel patriotism, when India beats other teams in Cricket!
People feel patriotism, when Indians are awarded on global level for their exemplary work!

But when it comes to Republic day, it's a mere Holiday !

The common feeling is,
"To hell with patriotism! Its better to sleep for an extra hour rather attending the flag hoisting ceremony."

I know, just not attending these functions, doesn't mean that someone is not patriotic. But if it would have been functions like, Valentine's day, Ethnic Day, Lohri, Holi etc., ceremony would have been jam-packed ! Reason, these functions have fun, dance and entertainment elements into it. Moreover, people get chance to showoff their dresses or to click snaps of themselves. People tend to believe, Republic or Independence day functions as boring and unnecessary.
Yes, these functions don't have fun element, but don't they make you feel,"Proud"

It reminds me of my School days, where Republic Day and Independence Day functions were compulsory. Patriotic songs are sung, folk dances are presented, ,sweets are distributed, march-past and parades are held. We as teens, used to enjoy those functions with enthusiasm. All these events, adds to the feeling nationalism and patriotism among us.

So what's difference between "School Days" and "College Days"?

Now we are more educated (graduates and post-graduates) and we all are less patriotic!
Is there any relation between education and patriotism?

Doesn't it make a statement!


1 comment:

Neha Singh said...

i agree to whatever you have written here....even i am not an exception to it...
i still remember the flag hosting was about to take place and i just walked away thinking that the speeches that will follow up will take a lot of time....and i just left because i had to reach a friend's place early...

students like us only are going to become the future citizens of the country.... and if we do this then what will the next generation learn...

m sorry...