Why is Aug 15 a holiday ??


 Today, we complete 75 years as an independent nation. Our prime minister has declared this year as Azadi ki Amrit Mahotsav- the time to celebrate the achievements of our nation. From being a developing country, we can say , we are a developed country now. We are one of the fastest growing economies in the world.  We are the youngest nation in the world with over 65 % of its people below the age of 35. This very fact implies that there is a great responsibility in the shoulders of today's younger generation. 

A couple of days back,  I was talking to a twelve year old child.  I asked a question, " What is special on Aug 15 th ?" . He said, " It's a holiday. " Yes. A holiday. That is what it is for most people.  To wakeup late, watch a movie or go out on an extended holiday. My dear students, one thought has been bothering me for many years.
WHY IS AUGUST 15 A GOVERNMENT HOLIDAY ??
Our great freedom fighters have fought - physically,  mentally  and emotionally to earn this freedom for us.
THIS  IS THE DAY we should wakeup early, earlier than usual... look up to the sky with folded arms to thank all the great souls who have laid down their lives so that we could walk in freedom. 
THIS IS THE DAY we should go to school early,  we should go to work early,  hoist our national flag with pride and talk about the India that WAS, the India that IS and the India that WOULD BE....
If every Indian can do this on August 15 th, the collective energy would inspire us to become more patriotic . We would work with an attitude to SERVE our motherland. The universe would conspire to lead us to our dream.
Our freedom fighters had a single minded focus- " freedom from the British " . In  today's world, we need to ask ourselves, " How do I safeguard  this freedom?? What is my responsibility?"  What is patriotism in the 21 st century? We need to contemplate on these questions. 
Is it not my responsibility to shun racism and casteism?
Is it not my responsibility to create a clean and green India ?
Nations that are just 200 to 500 years old are showcasing their history aesthetically. We have a rich heritage spanning over 5000 years. From the snow clad himalayas to the seas of kanyakumari, our nation abounds in natural wealth and beauty. In 1919, much before we got our independence,  Rabindranath Tagore sang Jana Gana Mana in praise of the uniqueness of India. As we sing our national anthem, let us visualise the natural beauty , the  cultural heritage and the spiritual essence of our great Nation. Let us serve our mother land in whatever capacity we can. Jai Hind

Comments

  1. SivasakthiAnanth15 August 2022 at 07:53

    Mam, I too agree your thoughts regarding holidays during independence , republic days and Gandhi jayanthi. Instaed of holidays, this day can be a working day, without books. Students can be engaged full day with activities or let them visualize the struggles of freedom fighters ( through movies)

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  2. Uma blogs15 August 2022 at 08:33

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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    Replies
    1. Uma blogs15 August 2022 at 08:35

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  3. Ramya Eswaran15 August 2022 at 08:43

    Yes mam..... Today, I have showed my patriotism just by uploading a story in social media and I started my usual routine..... Not only me, it's the condition of most of the young people in India....
    It has to be changed.... Like you said,instead of having a holiday,it would be better if we have spend this day in a productive manner.....
    Each and every job which we are doing is somehow directly or indirectly contributing to our nation's development.......Inculcating this thought in the minds of all citizens during this day is very essential....
    Students are the future of our nation hence it is our duty as a teacher to discuss the struggle faced by our freedom fighters to got independence and also the current situation of India and challenges faced by our nation. We have to make them dream how India has to be.... This can kindle the interest among them to work for our country ... Jai Hind

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  4. Uma blogs15 August 2022 at 08:46

    15th of August is declared as a holiday to celebrate that day as the biggest festival of democracy for all Indians. There are still many people in our country, who work on all national/ public holidays like military people, duty doctors, etc. And it is so sad that many of us are not ready to forgo our holidays ( including me till now) and do something valuable. But mam, your message enriched my thoughts. I certainly agree with you mam that the actions of both adults and children should be garnished with an attitude to serve our nation atleast on this day remembering our leaders.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kavitha Meimathikumar15 August 2022 at 09:04

    Independence Day Celebration🇮🇳
    Hari Om mam,What a coincidence!,I also very much think about the Government holiday. We have to utilize this day to inculcate patrioticsm in the minds of younger generation by various practices apart from flag hoisting. The one idea is We will make the students to celebrate as "A Day with my book" (Give a book which contains the story of freedom fight as per their level)and provide a space to children to read that book on that day. At the end of the day we will ask them to share their feelings. I hope it will be a meaningful celebration.
    This activity is not only suitable for children, It is helpful for all levels of people to feel the importance of this day and make them a responsible citizen.

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