Republic Day: Let’s Celebrate in Authentic Way!
When was the last time you attended Flag hoisting, alone or with kids? Do you miss it? Have you ever felt guilty for not being able to make for it and proud after doing the same?
For so many people it will be almost 2 years back. You know WHY? That was the pre corona time, when we used to roam freely and schools were open. Before corona, being a parent you might have attended the same in your kid’s school. But please tell me honestly, whether it was done intentionally because you didn’t want to miss Flag hoisting or as a responsible parent because your kid was performing that day! Corona has increased the authenticity of my question. Let me ask it very precisely for one more time. When was the last time you attended Flag hoisting, not as a- parent or participant, chief guest or awardee, administrative staff or helper, but purely because you wanted to do it as a free Indian citizen irrespective of all the ex-causes and circumstances.

I hope that you are not among the people who consider it just as one more holiday and regret when it comes on Saturday or Sunday? And if so, please tell me what do you do in those precious hours of Flag hoisting which can’t be preponed or postponed for an hour or two at max.
Attending or not attending Flag hoisting does not make you more or less patriotic but it surely indicates your priorities. Can’t you spare just two hours in a year to pay respect to your National flag, the freedom fighters, all those martyrs who left their families abandoned and most importantly to make yourself realize that the freedom we are enjoying is precious and priceless too. Moreover, kids follow our actions more than words. So try to deliver a strong and consistent massage, no matter what, we have to go for Flag Hoisting positively. It will raise their curiosity level. Then they will ask question about same and you will get an opportunity to shape and direct their minds in right way.
I attend it without a miss and with my kids. My son loves it for many reasons (as he has read about it) but my daughter is very focused about the last 5 minutes and i.e. sweets distribution. She used to know no distractions but since last 2 years as Sawai Man Singh Medical College (SMS) Jaipur is collaborating National festivals with plantation, she has got one more reason to be happy about (playing in soil). It’s a very appreciable initiative by higher authorities and may it continue forever and ever.

So this republic day when you think about skipping flag hoisting just to sleep for one more hour in your cozy blanket, do any work that is pending since last many days and waiting for a holiday, visit a relative//friend, cook something special and time consuming, think twice, thrice and many more times until you don’t convince yourself to do all that stuff but after attending Flag hoisting. I am just asking to attend it, not compulsorily at your workplace or stadium or a very far place. You can attend it at the nearest possible venue. And if you are really short of time, don’t even attend the whole programme, just be there for the first 10 minutes, salute the National Flag, sing National Anthem and leave immediately. I am sure that those 10 minutes will soak your soul with satisfaction, patriotism, responsibility and proud. Please allow yourself to feel that feeling, it comes only twice a year. You deserve to feel proud about being an Indian. We all deserve it.
And you can share your experiences later on (if you want). I’ll wait for it.