HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

It was truly a different and wonderful experience today to celebrate Independence Day of my country after so many years. It sounds strange but it is true that I was celebrating this day after a gap of around 8 to 9 years. The celebration here our academy at NACEN reminded of my school days where we used to start preparation for this big day weeks before. It used to be then practice for cultural programme, different sorts of PT, patriotic poems, songs and speeches. 14 August used be the day for full and final rehearsal and also uniform off to give us some time to make sure our uniform is all clean and shining.

We used to be so much enthusiastic about it that we used to make sure our old and regular uniform looks all new. And then on the big day, we all nicely dressed and with tricolour ribbons making formation of Indian flag used to try to present our best show. And then the sweets distributed at the end of the function used to be a reward for all our efforts.

As we moved into higher classes, all these activities reduced down slowly and slowly and then with the start of the college, it just became any other holiday for us. And if some year we feel a bit more patriotic, then it would be watching flag hoisting ceremony on TV or sending Independence Day wishes by sms.

I really think why this happens that we celebrate all other Indian festivals which are generally associated with birth of some God or other but when it comes to celebrating birth day of our own country, we become to indifferent to it. We even don’t know that reasons of all other Indian festivals are true or might be these are just mythological stories, but we know that reason associated with this day is something very substantial and has given us a chance to live with freedom. So this day is much bigger for us than just a holiday.

As an officer of Govt of India, this was my first Independence Day and being in police uniform made it more special.  When we gave salute to our national flag as it was unfurled and national anthem was sung, it was all together a unique feeling. And I am sure I felt happier than any other year when I just spent this day treating it only as a holiday. I just wish that I get the opportunity to celebrate this day in this manner every year!!