Happy Republic Day !

Well, honest truth is I don't really know why we celebrate (if i can call it that) Republic Day. Of course , I learnt it in school , I hear people talk about it , get up early (even though its a holiday) to see the President's address and the Republic Day Parade. I use the occasion to be reminded of the fact that I am an Indian.

What defines Republic Day today ?
Songs like the "Vinara desham manadera .. " from Roja or "Yeh jo desh hai mera .. " from Swades ?
Having ethnic-day in schools/colleges and at work ?
Putting up the Tri-Colour at all important places ? perhaps at home or at your desk?
A mere holiday?

Don't get me wrong, I believe I am patriotic , It is with pride that I say "I am from India".(and I do get to say that very often nowadays :D)
Ours is the most amazing nation in the world. If I had to describe it in a word , it would have to be 'DIVERSE' .
Languages : One base and a dozen offshoots , and each offshoot with its own dialect .
Customs : Travel a few km any which way and you will probably find people talking a different language, wearing different attire with their own special cuisine, with their own songs, their own way of life.
Religions : Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Muslims, Buddhists, Jains and so many more . Where else will you get to celebrate Diwali and Id and Christmas (and get holidays for all that too ;) ) Think of all the beauty that the influence of each religion has given us , from the temples at Belur-Halebid to the Taj Mahal to the monasteries at Kushalnagar.
Geography : From the snow capped Himalayas to the pretty Ghats down South, deserts and rainforests , beaches and backwaters. From Leh to Ramanagaram, each in its own unique way a path to the heavens beyond.

Think of the amount of exposure that we get to such a wide variety of ideas and beliefs , where else can we find the ability to co-exist as one.
The colours , the sounds , the people , the culture , the history , the knowledge , the power , the faith - all that stands for India .

People will always look to the past and say "We have centuries of history and glory behind us" . People will look around today and say "This country is going to the dogs". Will people ever look to the future and say "We are the hope of this country, we will take responsibility and shape our tomorrow"?

I believe that there is hope , there is that emotion in all of us , whether subdued or long forgotten , that emotion which knows how special it is to be part of this land.People may never get a chance to express their patriotism ,there may never be a need to. Or is there?
I have never felt that I have ever done anything that made me feel a part of this society, leave alone the country . There isn't really any avenue where people do something for their country, something like "All people above 18 have to join the army for 2 years" or a "All people should set up "x" amount of time to do social service" or something . I have always felt that there is no real sense of responsibility to the country instilled in me.Feeling part of a whole is something that I miss. Someday , I can only hope , that I can look back and honestly say that I did my bit for my India.

"On 26th January, we are going to enter a life of contradictions. In politics we will have equality and in social and economic life we will have inequality. In politics we will be recognizing the principle of one man one vote and one vote one value. In our social and economic life we shall by reasons of our social and economic structure continue to deny one man one value.How long shall we continue to live this life of contradictions? How long shall we deny equality in our social and economic life?"
-Dr. B.R.Ambedkar while presenting the draft for the constitution.

Happy Republic Day !