JUST AT the mention of Republic Day holiday, people are likely to stretch their facial muscles. It is name of holiday in several countries across the world to celebrate the day when they became republics. In India, the Constitution was passed on 26th November 1949 in Constituent Assembly. When country became a republic in true sense, it was only adopted on 26th January 1950 with democratic government system. To mark this occasion, a grand parade is held in New Delhi and capital cities of all the states across the country. Each year the official conclusion of festivities ends on 29th January, three days after the Republic Day which is called ‘Beating Retreat’.

But in India, good percentage of population hardly knows any difference between Independence and Republic Day. Time has changed and so has the awareness of common man regarding patriotism. As a Citizen Journalist , I asked the people what actually the Republic Day meant to them.

Deepjyot Bakshi, 15, student of Delhi Public School, Dwarka and resident of Palam Vihar Gurgoan says, ‘It may be holiday for elders but patriotism means so much to me. Each year I visit India Gate along with my family to have a glimpse the parade. I love saluting our soldiers and get chance to observe our new defence technologies.”

Gheesa Ram, a Rickshaw puller from Moti Bagh, New Delhi says, “Madam, yeh Republic Day kya hota hai? Aaamir log parade dekhtein hain, hum garibon ko toh roti ka jugaad hee karna hai (Madam, what is this Republic Day? Rich will watch parade, we poor have to earn our bread).”

 Meghna Ravishankar, 26, engineering executive says, “I do not like the idea of celebrating this with huge wastage of money on parade and so. Cannot we celebrate with small expenditures? Why doesn’t government spend some part of allocated money of parade in development plans? Nobody thinks about poor who have no access to basic amenities. It is better to relax than be part of occasion.”

Aastha Gulati, 19, medical student from Nepal says, “I feel proud to be a citizen of India. But Republic Day has lost its value due to lack of awareness. Today, youth do not think about nationalism because we have not seen freedom struggle. I will definitely like to catch Republic Day parade on satellite network.” Dr. Harmeet Gulati, an intern from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital says, “Oh Neetu! What is this boring question? I will get holiday to relax. May be I like snoozing.”

When asked about Republic Day celebration to an 80-year-old retired Defence Officer, he concluded that the day has become an excuse for people to enjoy a holiday and patriotism has been completely lost. I agree school children are still taught significance of this day due to awareness and timely learning of freedom history. But they forget it when they became adults. Our government policies and its way of functioning is to be blamed. Common man has no faith in our corrupt system and mostly people believe that freedom is related to politicians so let them be part of event.