Happy Republic Day - at school

Hello and welcome back everyone. As you all that chosen articles sent in by you readers during the Christmas Carnival would be published during the entire course of January and February. And tomorrow is the most revered occasion in the Indian history - the Republic Day of India. And, being Indians we take pride celebrate this day, as this is the day, when our constitution - of Independent India, came into effect. The words - citizens of Democratic, Republic, Secular, Sovereign and Socialist - came to be our identity, and we defined our rights and privileges and gave our 'Indianity', a concrete meaning.

So, on this occasion, I chose to publish a story - a memory sent in regarding Republic day celebration at school, and how it changed the perception and life of a person forever.

Happy Republic Day - at school

- Sushmita C Chaudhury

I was pretty upset that day. Again, a day I would have spent sleeping till late, would be wasted. Oh! God, I would have to get ready for school. And even more irritating was the fact - I would have to reach school an hour early. How inhuman it feels to combat with the severe winter chills of Silchar, a small district in Assam, and prepare - for reaching school at 5 am in the morning, and stand on the stage delivering - Republic day speech. Being a school captain - junior section, it was my duty to conduct the programs and begin it with the customary speech by the captains. The badge, which I usually carried with pride - seemed like a curse that day. All I wished throughout, was - only if the day had two or three extra hours, which I could have enjoyed under my blanket. 

However, being a single child to an army officer, discipline and punctuality was somehow force-fed into my system. And, having a vigilant yet caring and friendly mother, both my parents knew about the entire schedule well drafted into my school diary. I was up and about by 4:30, and, my school was 25 minutes walking distance from my home. Walking all along the foggy streets, indeed I felt disgusted. I didn't really realise what at all is the importance of Republic day, till then. I had already begun to hate Indian army, for keeping my father away from me most of the times. And, my mom - also a teacher in army school, had to handle all responsibilities - both internal and external, herself. That left her with very little time for me. And, this pissed me off. I wanted my dad to be with me. Play with me. Help me with sports and other stuffs just like I saw other daddies doing. But, he couldn't. And mom was my friend, but with less time and asthma, because of which she couldn't indulge in games with me. And, although I had friends - a lot of them, yet, I felt something missing always.

That made me oblivious to the importance of constitution and somehow reject the pride in national identity. I didn't consider Independence day, or Republic Day worth celebrating. All I thought was, those were torturous occasions which killed our sleep. However, since for the first time ever, my dad would be with me, instead of being at the red-fort parade, in Delhi, I considered that a brownie for myself. And, despite everything, I felt, I was happy somehow by just being able to walk alongside the man - whose profession I hated alright, but who was the only hero of my life.

And, we reached school. And, the programs began. I made a good speech presentation, all mugged up though. Overall, with competitions to cultural programs, we staged a great show.

And, we returned home by 2 pm. It was then that my dad proposed to take us out. My mom couldn't cook that day as we had to leave early, hence, it turned to be a great relief for her. And I was just overjoyed. My dad was an adventurous person. Every time he took me out, we had our set of adventure in the lap of nature and immense scope available in the terrains of Silchar. Although young, in class 5, I had already begun acquiring combat skills and shooting skills from my dad. I was really excited, and wanted to make the most of it.

On our way to a hill side restaurant, we came across the white bungalow, known to be of a rich NRI, whose wife lived there. And, strange enough, a place known to be quiet as graveyard, echoed the shrill cries of a lady in agony. Some people had gathered around, with an intention to peak and get a view of what was going on. But nobody dared to get inside and knock, knowing well that the man was powerful.

My dad being and army officer stopped there as well. I was scared. I knew my father would intervene and fight if necessary, even if he is the only man battling. I tugged his sleeves, and said - " Dad, our treat, our party, our outing, please do not go ". He kneeled down, placed a hand on my cheek and replied, " you will honour your father even more after this, maybe you even love your country. Let's have a new adventure junior ". 

And, he knocked. Silence prevailed. And then, a burly man of 40, opened the door. Inside was a lady, bruised and tired with the ordeal she faced. Her face and body was all - black and blue. She lay on the floor - as if half dead. On the sofa, sat another lady - a beautiful, fair young woman, probably in her 20s. The burly man had got another wife for himself despite having one already, and had punished his former wife, for raising a protest. He made it clear to her - women in this society have got no right to speech or act according to their own free will. They should always remain docile towards their husband, take pride in whatever identity he decides to confer upon them. For a woman, her husband is her constitution - her doctrine of right and wrong.

My dad couldn't keep his calm. He acted as any responsible officer should have done. He overpowered the men of the burly NRI, and took him to police station. With contacts, he managed to get legal action against him. Dad also got that lady admitted to hospital, and made the man pay for it. And then, while all the ordeal was sorted, my dad spoke to me. He said - 

" That lady didn't know - her real identity. The true identity - being Indian. And, simply living in a country, and being it's citizen is not enough. You need to know what your country associates with you. What indeed - are your rights and obligations. What you can and cannot do. Had this lady known the fact that she lives in a democratic nation, which preaches the doctrine of free speech; had this lady known that domestic violence is not "punishment" rather a criminal offence; had this lady known that constitutionally, her husband could not marry twice before divorcing her with sufficient alimony; had she known that our country allows everyone to define their own identity - and in no way our husband or anybody for that matter could define it for us; her life would have been different.

Your father is away from you most of the time, but he loves his daughter so much, that he sees his daughter in every lady. So, he recues and protects them. In return, all I expect from you dear - that you know yourself. And any person, without knowledge about his / her identity can never actually define their own self. And, without that, anybody becomes just like the woman here - half dead. And, to eradicate a half dead person, is no difficult a task - be it in competitions, be it in job, be it in life. "

And, I got a lesson for life. It felt like an awakening call indeed. I felt warm blood flowing within, igniting all my cells, and, my spirits. I realized, then, how important is the constitution for a country. And, even more, how important it is for everyone, to have at least a basic idea of what are the entitlements provided, for being citizens of the land.

And, since that day - I not only respected my father's profession, I also respected my Nation, and took pride in celebrating with glory in heart, all the national events - like Independence day, Republic day, Netaji Jayanti etc.

A matter of past remained no longer a chapter of history for me. Rather, this matter became a matter of contribution of my countrymen, towards my glorious and rich future. Above all, I was happy with this transformation. As, it helped me connect more with my dad, in serving my people - by organizing blood donation camps, helping set up NGOs for women, educating girls, etc.

And, it also shaped my dream of being a good and efficient and a philanthropist lawyer, making people aware of their privileges and fighting with the same zest for the rights of people, esp. women, just like my father.

Jai Hind. Happy republic Day.

Indeed, we all wish each other - a very happy republic day. And, we thank Sushmita for sending in such a wonderful memory, and inspiring us all, to be aware of our constitution.