Independence day wishes to everyone. Hope you are all celebrating India’s 65th independence day by taking part in flag hoist functions. The independence day celebrations at our school used to a big event! Be at school by 8 in the morning in a very neatly dressed school uniform, take part in singing the national anthem, saluting the flag, listen to awesome speeches by freedom fighters and then finally enjoy the sweets distributed on the occasion. Of course, there used to be a street parade around the school permises with school band followed by students full of flattering tricolor flags. A feel proud day with all those patriotic songs being played on radio and public announcement system.
Just came back from my good old primary school after taking part in independence day celebrations after long gap of many years and nothing has changed since my childhood with few exceptions. Instead of freedom fighters we have politicians taking the honors of hoisting the flag. These politicians were giving speeches which they never practiced in their life. I am glad that the school is still maintaining the culture of celebrating ‘Independence Day’. Not many schools… err! educational business institutions are giving any importance to these celebrations off late. On my way back, found a bunch of neighborhood kids playing on road. Upon enquiring them about the celebrations, they were more than happy to play with their friends on a holiday. Looks like their schools have a declared holiday on this day and no celebrations at their school!
Where are we heading to? If we don’t celebrate such national festivals, how will kids of current generation understand the importance of ‘Freedom’ and all the sacrifices by our ‘great souls’ in order to achieve our independence? For most of us it is has become a matter of a day off to plan a for trip/movie with family. If it happens to be on a friday/monday, the joy multiplies as it becomes a long weekend! It is high time we understand the reality and spread the importance of such national festive days. We are losing ground on the values that we should be passing to kids.
On a side note, I saw a huge flux of wishes on facebook wall about Independence day! So are we officially into the era of celebrating national festivals on virtual world? At least some remembrance there!
Chetan Prasad says
Hi. It is nice to notice that we are celebrating it. As times change, people do too. I guess the important thing is the fact that we haven’t stopped but migrated to a different medium.
Great blog
Gowardhan says
Yes Mohan,
It was a great feeling, as kids we used to attend the flag hoisting and wait for the chocolates inncoently , still we used to get motivated by the speeches.
But now as we grew mature many of us lost the zeal and eagerness to celebrate Independence day
Aathira says
What is the celebration of Independence day? Hoisting a flag? What is so important about it? I feel it is more important to realize what true independence means, and work towards it.
Would it be great if you hoist a flag at 8 am, and then at 1 pm you are paying off a cop as you sped away and jumped a traffic signal, while going to meet your friends?
Mohan says
Understanding the importance of freedom is a different matter from that of corruption. Good question though! Everything has to start from within.
S.R.Ayyangar says
Now youngsters prefer to spend the day at Malls, Multiplexes & McDonald’s rather then celebrating Independence day as it should be!
Mohan says
Does my act qualify me as a grown up old fellow?