Chak De India

I was shopping in the market today (of course well before 2:30 pm). I encountered with a scene that made me think. There was a group of 8-10 boys who held a Tricolor in their hands, a sign board reading GO INDIA GO, and a stick and ball figure painted in golden color to resemble a fake world cup. And cheering in unison... "JEETEGA BHAI JEETEGA... INDIA JEETEGA" and "GALI GALI ME NAARA HAI... WORLD CUP HUMARA HAI..." Such mobs are not very uncommon in the streets of Kanpur, but only for religious festivals.

When I returned to home and switched on TV every news channel had people discussing cricket. News showing the "TOTKE" that citizens are doing and prayers and offerings held for the victory of India.

I have never seen anything else that can unite the nation better than this world cup. The spirit shown by the nation during "The Indo-Pak" is incredible. I would strictly suggest GOI to declare these days of world cup as National Holidays. Not to promote the game, but, the spirit. I have never seen so much patriotism even on the national festivals of 15th August or 26th January or 2nd October.

On the occasion of National festivals, one can find people repenting over the present conditions of the nation, poverty, unemployment, corruption, the nation of one's dream, etc. etc. But this "undeclared festival of nationalism" shows no boundaries for one's pride in the nation. You wont find much people repenting over the defeat by South Africa, or Tie with England, or the previous losses. People are focussed on the repeat of 1983 and only a few fear of 2003. Whereas when it comes of The Declared National Festivals, people love to remember the setbacks more than the achievements. But when it is world cup, people don't want to utter anything inauspicious.

The celebrations are national in their real sense. And people from every creed, caste, religion, age and status are their cheering for TEAM INDIA.

So, My Best Wishes For The World Cup to Team India... Go get it... at least for the united nation. Come on India.... Jita De :)

Happy Republic Day

Every year 26th of January is celebrated as a day of national importance, a day to show patriotism. It is celebrated to commemorate the enforcement of The Constitution of India. It is marked by the great PARADE at the Rajpath. The President of India unfurls the National Flag and gives the bravery awards. Then, the grand parade commences. The power of the Indian Armed Forces, the natural and cultural heritage, the human resources are all displayed to the People of India and the wide world.

I usually had a doubt that why some of these activities can't be exchanged by the activities of the Independence Day? But gradually I found out that whatever is being done has a great significance including the time, the place and the people involved. The Independence Day marks our freedom from British rule, the power being given to THE INDIANS to govern themselves. But it is the Republic Day that marks the beginning of that governance. The Independence day declared that we want to govern ourselves whereas Republic day declared that we can govern ourselves.

The office of Prime Minister of India was established with the declaration of Independence on 15th August, 1947. But the office of The President of India was established with the acceptance of The Constitution of India, on 26th January, 1950. This marks the reason of the dignitary concerned for unfurling of The Flag on each of the occasion.

Dr. Ambedkar introduced The Constitution of India with these words (along with many other statements), "Its distinguished feature is that it is a flexible federation." The former prime minister of United Kingdom said, "Of all the experiments in government, which have been attempted since the beginning of time, I believe that the Indian venture into parliamentary government is the most exciting. A vast subcontinent is attempting to apply to its tens and thousands of millions a system of free democracy... It is a brave thing to try to do so. The Indian venture is not a pale imitation of our practice at home, but a magnified and multiplied reproduction on a scale we have never dreamt of. If it succeeds, its influence on Asia is incalculable for good. Whatever the outcome we must honour those who attempt it."

The preamble to the Constitution of India is a brief introductory statement that sets out the guiding purpose and principles of the document. We all have read it once in our school time but with a little understanding. So I am giving here the Preamble for the intellectuals to read and appreciate. Wish you all a very Happy Republic Day.

The Preamble

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;

and to promote among them all

FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, DO HERE BY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.