HAS REPUBLIC DAY REALLY LOST IT’S SIGNIFICANCE ?

So, Today India celebrates its 65^th Republic Day. But except that it has fallen on a Sunday so, no extra holiday for us this year or it being a dry day, does it really matter to us?

Honesty, I’m no different!!I was woken up today morning by my 10 year old sister, she had The Indian Flag in her hand and she very sweetly wished me ‘Happy Republic Day’, I got up cribbing about what a waste of a holiday but like a good child wore an Indian outfit and went to church. I thought, since its Republic Day.. That’s the right thing to do, dress all traditional. But to my surprise, it was just like any other day; I didn’t even see a flag around. What’s happening? Has this day reaaallyy lost its significance?

I’m sure we were all taught the significance of Republic Day in Indian History. But the question is whether it actually holds any significance for us beyond passing an 8th Std history examination?

Let me tell you this, If  the midnight of August 15, 1947 marks the day India  gained independence from British rule, it was only on January 26^th, 1950 that the constitution of India was finally adopted, making the country a sovereign, secular, and democratic republic. India was functioning under the laws enacted and implemented by the British until this day. The constitution was approved and accepted on November 26, 1949, following several amendments and finally came into force on republic day.

It is a people’s day. On Independence Day, the past is re-called , on Republic Day, the pledge is renewed. The essence behind the celebration of Republic day is not only to celebrate India’s secularism and democracy but also to make us feel proud of our culture, languages, social norms, traditions, customs, religions that make India a wonderful multi-cultural country.

But do we realize this attribute of our National culture?

I think we need to stop cribbing about how we are leading the most miserable life anyone can have or how the political system of our country is going down the drains or how the population and corruption is exponentially increasing and maybe start trying a little harder to change these things that are hampering our society. Like its said,‘Be the change you want to see’.

Are we really playing the part of a true Indian? If you take out just 2 minutes from your daily lives you’ll surely get the answer. Have you ever tried to get your work done through the proper channel? Whether it is following the traffic signals or getting a drivers license, we go through the corrupt way. Up to the extent that we even try to get admission to the best college not on the basis of our ability but on the basis of donation.

Our freedom fighters have sacrificed their life for us. They died dreaming of a Free INDIA, but they never thought that although India will be free from British, it will then be a slave of Corruption, Treachery, Illiteracy, Exploitation and many more such evils.

With the rise of corruption and justice being denied everywhere, it is proved that we still are being governed by the evil forces. Although India is rising in terms of technology and economy, it is getting HOLLOW from within.

On this day, let me end this post by a famous quote by John. F. Kennedy, here keeping India in mind -

‘Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.’

                                 

Happy Republic Day.

-         Alisha D’souza