January 26 is an important day in the lives of every Indian. It is the day when the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950. Many feel that the day has just become another holiday for everyone, watching flag hoisting by the Prime Minister of India in Delhi on our TV sets. Kids, however, do attend flag hoisting in school and reminisce about the history of the day. Celebs talk about the importance of the day and whether the special day has merely become a holiday for everyone. They also share their favourite patriotic song.
*Pragati Mehra*- I have had the honour of representing my school twice at the republic day parade once in class 8 and another time in 11th standard. We had to report at early morning, around 5 am at Vijay Chowk, from where school contingents would begin and the song ‘Aey mere watan ke logon, Zara aankh mein bhar lo paani’ by Lata Mangeshkar used to be played. Trust me on those foggy chilly Delhi mornings, none felt any cold listening to this. Remembering those days still gives me goosebumps. And, yes this is my favourite song.
*Harshali Zine*- It’s very true that we take January 26 as just another public holiday. Due to fast-paced life people don’t get much personal time and just a Sunday holiday is not enough, so any public holiday is a breather. January 26 is celebrated only in schools but how many children know the significance of the day and the rights that we have as Indian citizens. Few adults would attend the flag hoisting in their societies just to socialise and to upload videos on social media. Society has become very superficial and mechanical. Nobody wants to go deep in finding out anything for themselves even if it includes knowing their rights as the citizens of the nation. Honestly speaking, the last time I had participated in the January 26th celebration was when I was in school but I’m doing my bit to know all about the constitution now. My all-time favourite patriotic song is ‘Nanha munna rahi hoon, desh ka sipahi hoon’.
*Reyen Eyes*- I am proud to say that in my family, we don’t take it as just another holiday. Yes, the flag hoisting must be carried out in institutions and formal gatherings, but, I think this is all symbolic. What matters is that as considerate human beings, we spare thoughts and respect those who suffered and sacrificed for the sake of our nation. It is important that we move away from the mentality of always criticising everything Indian, and if we have to learn something from the west, it should be how to take pride in our own roots. That confidence is real confidence, the one where you criticise your own roots to look like a cooler version of an Indian, is hollow confidence. I used to listen to ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’ back when I was in kindergarten and love the song. I hope Lata Mangeshkar ji gets well soon. She is the pride of our nation, and one of the greatest voices ever.
*Somy Ali*-This is perhaps the most important day for the citizens of India because it is on this day that gives them the power to select their own government. It is “of the people, for the people and by the people.” This sentence should not be taken lightly as it constitutes immense power in the hands of its citizens. My favourite song when it comes to being a patriot of India will always be from Manoj Kumar films as no one depicted patriotism in its truest way than him. Hence the song would be, ‘Hai Preet Jahan Ki Reet Sada Main Geet Wahan Ke Gaata Hoon’.
*Kiran Raj*-The constitution of our country was formed on this day with a lot of efforts and sacrifices made by our leaders and freedom fighters. It’s a proud day for our nation and I think it definitely deserves more than just a flag hoisting. I think there should be more awareness about this day and over time people have forgotten the importance of the day, especially the youth. People should get more creative and celebrate Republic Day and value its importance like how it was done during our childhood days. My favourite patriotic songs are ‘Mere desh ki dharti’ and ‘Maa tujhe salaam’.
*Sham Mashalkar*- My favourite patriotic song is ‘Ae mere vatan ke logo, zara aakh me bhar lo Pani’ and yes we do flag hoisting in our society. I make my son listen to the story of shaurya and virangana on this day. I feel that yes we are just taking it as a holiday but we can do a lot of things like growing five to ten trees and doing something in our small way. We can educate people or I can give free lectures on acting that day to those who are interested. We can do something which benefits the upcoming generation. I feel that positive changes take place in people’s mindset.
*Angad Hasija*- I would say that till we were in school we used to get a different feeling. We used to make flags and colour them. There used to be school functions. But after school it has just become a holiday. I think that in our society everything is celebrated on a huge scale like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day… Things have gotten specialised, which is good. But on January 26 not much happens. For our culture and country we should contribute more. We can change ourselves in terms of keeping our surroundings clean. It’s everyone’s India so if we don’t keep clean who will do. If even one takes a step ahead then a huge difference could be made.
*Aditya Deshmukh*- Every year we all celebrate this occasion. I remember that during my school days we used to get toffees and chocolates in our school. There used to be flag hoisting. We also used to have a bouquet ceremony in our building and it used to be a get-together. My favourite patriotic song is from the movie Lakshya, ‘Ha yahi rasta hai tera, tune ab Jana hai’.
*Vaishalee Thakkar*- Fortunately in our area near Five Gardens, Matunga, we have a morning parade and we attend that every year. But due to Covid, it’s not happening this year too. My favourite song is ‘Bharat humko jaan se pyara hai’ from the film Roja.
*Saanand Verma*- 26th January is really important for our country because that day our constitution was formed and Indian constitution is counted in the best constitution. Every individual learns from it. The whole world sees our Indian constitution and appreciate it. In our country every type of people are there, there is unity in diversity. There are different shades in this country. In country where there are so many complications, type of people, tribals, there are people who are living a 1000 year old lifestyle. There are so many places where there is no internet and electricity. It’s a unique country and making the constitution and running the nation was a great achievement of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and his team. It was a great win and as Indian we should feel proud about this day. It should not be just another holiday, it should be a day of absolute pride. That’s what I feel about this day. My favourite song is from the movie Aakraman – dekho vir javano apne khun pe ye ilzam na aaye, mana kahe ke mere bete vakt pada toh Kam na aaye, dekho veer javano….
