Yesterday,
was the 15th August 2013, the 67th Independence day of
India. But for me, it was my very first Independence Day I missed, as I had no
job, no college nor any school where I was asked to come early morning for the
flag hoisting ceremony. I was not invited anywhere for the celebration.
Early
morning, when I went across the roads I saw school children herald and
acclaimed with all their vigour and merry faces, groomed in their white
uniforms rushed towards their schools. When I returned back home, I found all
my family members, away to their respective organizations and institutes for
celebration without heeding at all for my celebration. And in my life, ever for
the very first time I felt so much overwhelmed for not being able to celebrate
Independence Day.
I
wholeheartedly regretted my middle and high school days, when I and many of my
kind ,our school troops, used to curse our school administration for the heavy
fine that was payable on absence on National festival celebrations in school
premises.
At
schools we hailed cultural programmes and hardly bothered about long and boring
speeches from the dais. And then it was the REFRESHMENT, which we had without
failure, and some even twice or thrice enjoyed it in pretext that we’ve looted
school assets by looting the refreshments. But to say about my memories, I only
have very blissful and peace giving memories about all celebrations I had of
national festival.
Again
back to life, when my family returned home after a die-hard celebration, they
discussed their day out and celebrations, at the table, where I sat mum.
This
is where I realized that a huge part of population that does not celebrate
national festivals, for years, though there are many other social gatherings
that celebrate national festivals publicly and invite everybody, but as a
matter of fact, we know, it is more of promotion than of patriotism or
celebrations.
Also
I thought of a domestic form of National festival celebrations that is ought to
be existent in all the families without a faux pas. In the same manner as we
have all our religious festivals and rituals practiced at our homes without any
delay and failure. We need not to set heavy budgets for such a celebration.
Just share gifts with the younger ones as it lures and motivates them, greet
the elders, take their blessings and on the regular basis one should keep their
children aware of welfare and credibility of our nation. Always tell them about
how at a very small level we can help our nation stand strong and progress
without loss of resources. This helps in bringing in courage and adherence in
the upcoming generations, as indeed we find it lacking in our nation and the
continuous flee from duties.
But
the story of 67th Independence Day did not end my day here…. After a
few hours, I happened to pass through the same streets and again my heart was
broken into pieces…. The school children and the I ‘day rallies showed off the
flags high for hours cross the streets to show their love and affection towards
their nation and later failed, even to
show the least respect towards our national flag???
I found many national flags of paper and
plastic lying on the road sides, without any heed and attention, along with the
refreshment wrappers!!!
Surely,
teach children to undoubtedly love our nation and celebrate Independence but
also not forget to teach to respect the national symbols and heritage with due
respect.
Let
us promise to ourselves and to our nation that we would never ever spend this
day as I had yesterday and do not just enjoy these days as mere break or
holiday. Else we and the coming generations shall regret it, I am sure.
No comments:
Post a Comment