Celebrating 60th Republic Day!!
Tomorrow, the 26th of January is the 60th Republic Day in India. A little bit of history here: On this day, 60 years ago, Constitution of India came into force. Google for more details.
I am seeing emails and posters alerting security all over the place. All of us have been asked to cooperate with the security guards in case they conduct any surprise checks. All train stations and other places of public resort have been heavily guarded.
Sixty is a nice long period to celebrate all the achievements of the country. Over the years, every aspect would have seen a lot of changes, both plus and minus - all of which is nice to recall and learn from.
At such an introspective moment, here we are, worried about terrorism and other potential, unforeseen problems that can strike tomorrow. Why is this happening? On any national holiday that involves the government, there is at least a strike some where in the country to say the least. Other issues - I don't want to google it for you. We have all read it in papers soon after every national holiday - sometimes includes festival holidays too.
A lot of things are not correct about India. If you take a list of what is correct, then again, there are lots of things that are correct in India. Its just that, these days, the 'not-correct' list seems over-emphasized, leaving no appreciations for the 'correct' list.
For most people, Republic day means getting to watch a lot of movies on the television. If you are talking about flag-hoisting as an idea, check what I have to say about that here...
Going out on Republic Day to a crowded place in Free India is becoming very difficult because, although we are free, we are not feeling safe. That is the message I got from the emails I received in the morning.
If this is the state we are in today, then what is the point of celebrating the Republic day at all??
I am seeing emails and posters alerting security all over the place. All of us have been asked to cooperate with the security guards in case they conduct any surprise checks. All train stations and other places of public resort have been heavily guarded.
Sixty is a nice long period to celebrate all the achievements of the country. Over the years, every aspect would have seen a lot of changes, both plus and minus - all of which is nice to recall and learn from.
At such an introspective moment, here we are, worried about terrorism and other potential, unforeseen problems that can strike tomorrow. Why is this happening? On any national holiday that involves the government, there is at least a strike some where in the country to say the least. Other issues - I don't want to google it for you. We have all read it in papers soon after every national holiday - sometimes includes festival holidays too.
A lot of things are not correct about India. If you take a list of what is correct, then again, there are lots of things that are correct in India. Its just that, these days, the 'not-correct' list seems over-emphasized, leaving no appreciations for the 'correct' list.
For most people, Republic day means getting to watch a lot of movies on the television. If you are talking about flag-hoisting as an idea, check what I have to say about that here...
Going out on Republic Day to a crowded place in Free India is becoming very difficult because, although we are free, we are not feeling safe. That is the message I got from the emails I received in the morning.
If this is the state we are in today, then what is the point of celebrating the Republic day at all??
Comments
Anyway I like a lot of things happening in India now - the world is focusing on us, we should be proud! We will get there!. Even after 200 years of independence here in US there are places where you have to run for your life everyday. In the city I work in I cannot walk to the downtown alone after it is dark :) , sometimes even in broad day light people use "bullets"...
So "Have a Proud Republic Day!"
I was watching the parade on NDTV. One of the commentators appropriately told we need to make the programs(tabloids,processions) on such days more contemporary. We are still stuck in portraying the same ideas of unity in diversity, rural economy etc etc. Sure we need to portray those fundamental ideas, but along with that more contemporary issues needs to be dealt with.
And sorry to say this, the commentary on the parade field needs to be given in English. Since the function is more concerned with the whole of India, usage of 'shuddh hindi' which most ppl dont understand properly is not correct.