Saffron, White, Green

In another few days we would be celebrating our 60th Republic Day (am I correct in my count), there would be flag hosting across the country, National Anthem would be sung in full swing.... across various streets (to be precise, in various schools/colleges, institutions etc) where we as individuals had grown up, saluting the Indian flag... the tricolor flag.

I remember my childhood days, used to wait for this day 26/Jan eagerly.... a complete holiday... no books, no homework no nothing...... Getting up in morning, dress up.... go to school, salute the national flag....sing the national anthem..., participate in some or the other event happening in school. Win prizes.... get excited once got any.... open the prize...start comparing with schoolmates.... hey i got better one than you.... tease him/her with it for next 2 to 3 days rather till next event happening in school.

Being from Army background (my dad was in Army).... I use to see him dressing up in that Army Uniform... uniformly ironed, bright shining stars on his shoulders.....bright shining black shoes.... polished in such a style that a person could see his face. Had accompanied him many times during this day to his army base.... all army officers, soldiers....etc dressed up neat and tidy... the Head of the Command... will come... raise open the Indian flag.... all of us would stand up... salute the flag followed by national anthem.

How can I forget the Parade which is shown live on all the TV channels. During the good old day.... DD National channel use to show the live parade starting 9am. I still remember, whole of my family gets glued to the tv for next 3 to 4 hours and it used to be ghar ghar ki kahani.... watching the initial parade of President of India, accompanying the Chief Guest of each Republic Day, then followed by Army, Navey & Air-Force Personnels... saluting the President of India, our National Flag, also presenting something new in every year's parade....

....then comes the must awaited part of the Republic Day Parade.... colorful jhakiyas, presented by school/college childern, teenagers.... who had been practicing the same for past many days (while i am writing this blog... these school/college childerns, teenagers would be rehearsing their scripts/dance.....)

Those childhood days were really fun.... I really miss them.... and now, such days are nothing but yet another holiday leading to sleeping till late morning, spending time with friends/family, going out for lunch/dinner and pretending that we are celebrating our Nth Republic Day (don't know the value of n), not at all thinking the importance of Republic Day rather the National Flag, giving more importance to other (so called pending) works.


Look at today....there being so much of terrorism.... every now n then we receive letters, emails, etc for various terrorist activities that may be carried out, security in such events/days is tightened by many folds, each and every thing has to undergo lensed eye...and end result is none less than the very recent, still afresh in our mind and soul.... India's 9/11... Mumbai under attack-26/Nov.

Even after so much of terrorism... we being Indian should and always unite & stand together for our country and its national flag...... Raise your hand to Salute with Pride..... jai hind...!!!