Rachna says

There is something so special about the Republic Day every year. I know, everyone says that it is a useless holiday when people just sit at home and relax. But I think otherwise. I think just like we celebrate our own happiness through birthdays, anniversaries, different days like mother’s day etc.; we need to celebrate our nationality and remember and reinforce our pride in being an Indian. Yes, on this day I ensure I sing the National Anthem, the National Song and numerous other patriotic songs. There is a special feeling about seeing the tricolor unfurl and the tempo of the National Anthem reaching a crescendo. It would stir the sternest of hearts, I feel. At the core, I am a softie and would like my kids to develop a big soft corner for their country :).

Today’s was good too. Sid got his silver medal for International Informatics Olympiad. Great boost for his confidence. Also I watched the new Phir Mile Sur…. Growing up in the 80s, I cannot forget the strains of the original song promoting unity in diversity. Twenty-three years later, the song became larger in canvas and more commercialized. Pretty nice to watch but not a patch on the original. Of course, a lot has changed for India in the last 23 years; we are a nation proud to be an economic leader and a giant in the making. We need to work on equal progress for all, remove corruption, education as major areas but I am hopeful that the change is happening slowly and will continue to happen.

So hope, love for one’s country and a sense of pride in being an Indian is encompassed in this day. It is pretty miraculous how this vast, diverse country continues to survive and thrive and God willing we will reach greater heights!