Tuesday, January 26, 2010

INDIA IS MY COUNTRY...

Watching the Republic Day Parade has been a habit with me since the time DD has upgraded to live telecast. It always evoked emotional attachment to this feeling called ‘my country’. As years went by we moved to Delhi and I think we were indeed privileged to have lived 20mtrs off the Rajpath. Raksha Bhavan on the Mansingh Road housed the staff and course members of the National Defence College. If all the independent bungalows and spacious flats that we got to live in during our Airforce days made me feel no less than a queen, the stay in Raksha Bhavan made me feel truly ‘blue blooded’.

Our morning walks were on the Rajpath and after dinner walks were around the India Gate.

When I see them on TV now, I feel blessed that I lived in Delhi for 6 years.
As a part of the protocol from the NDC members, we used to ‘call on’ the President every year in the 3rd week of March. To have tea with the President and the ‘first lady’ in the Mughal Gardens and then sit between them and take a formal picture was another privilege I enjoyed, thanks to my husband!

Come December, the practising troops and groups for the parade would start their day at 5.00AM on bitterly cold winter mornings. From the 1st week of December to the 26th Jan, we would wake up to the marching tunes of different regiments. Watching the parade practice actually increased our eagerness to watch the final day show.
It is true that one has to be a bureaucrat or in defence to enjoy the frills and laces of Delhi. If Being in Airforce was the first privilege, the best one came from the fact that my husband was the staff officer to the Commandant of National Defence College.
We had special seats to watch the parade. I still remember the swell of my heart when we would all stand up for the national song and then watch the meticulous march of the military and the colourful tableau of the states.


The highlight of this republic day celebrations is the concluding ceremony on the 29th ‘Beating Retreat’ –the ceremony when all the defence forces symbolically retreat into the Rashtra Bhavan !

The selective bands of the military and paramilitary forces render the best tunes while the camels of the BSF troops stand regally on the walls of North and South Blocks. To be standing like statues for nearly 2 hrs, the camels have to be as disciplined as their masters.
I like festivals but the spirit this national festival used to bring in, is more re-energizing than any !

Looking back I feel that every Indian should have a first- hand experience of that might and glory to physically and emotionally feel ‘the country’.

Feeling the country, believing that it is our motherland and that we need to do something to make it a happy and prosperous place for all to live in a Secular, Socialist Republic is the responsibility of all of us.

It may take many ceremonies, many initiatives and many more people to initiate every Indian to contribute in the growth of the country.

Since childhood all of us are taught to take the Indian pledge, but how many of us actually feel the responsibility to practice the pledge? It is rather recited like a routine without any feelings to it.

Last year our students were kindly invited to a meeting called ‘Hindustan Hamara’, where the objective was to condemn the corruption in our country. I wanted my students to do something that has a lasting impact.
That is when I felt that we could write a new pledge that could actually give a personalized feeling to the oath. While the Indian pledge holds respect in my heart, I felt the need to define words that could lead to effective actions.
When my students made the audience of more than 500 adults take the new pledge, it was well received.


And now it is a regular practice in our school on all formal functions to make the guests of the school to take this new pledge. Of course our students take the pledge in the assembly.
It is my honour to share this with all those who visit my blog.

India is my country
And I will always strive
to make Me and My country
to help in the development of Mankind
To achieve this...

I shall be Caring for others and Principled in my behavior
I will be Reflective and responsible for all my actions
I will always be Open minded to new ideas and
respect others’ feelings
I will Communicate all my feelings positively
I will be an Inquirer and ask questions wherever required
I will be a risk taker and take time out to
initiate progressive actions and stop all negative traits
I will be a good thinker and a balanced person to
make myself into a proactive citizen at all times
I will always apply the knowledge
I acquire to lead myself and thereby my country.

JAI HIND


68 comments:

Aniruddha said...

Dear madam,

An important reminder you have given to us all.

Once again you confirmed your support and oneness with the nation and the same hearted people.

Yes, we all together will may this nation more glorified.

Jai Hind!

Aniruddha

srila said...

i feel school should not be given a holiday on 26th jan...lot of talent is not been extracted from kids.They can either be made to perform activities related to the occasion.It need not be a major celebration on the stage like the oprah.

Depending on the age they can be given simple quiz related to our national leaders and the importance of the day!!

However im glad my kid came back home and informed me that my principal mam has asked me to watch the parade the next day,which he did and also passed on the message to others to watch.
best part is he asked me mom how can a country celebrate its birthday and that too 60th...:))Happy republic day...

Anonymous said...

India our country is great and it is accepted by the whole world.
The evidence is the New love for a third world country by the western developed countries .This is because of the rising importance of the nation and the role it is going to play in future world.

But how many of us feel proud to be an Indian and believe we need to give back a least the minimum when we get so much from your country. I just want to remind the parent community to be more responsible towards your country and in upbringing your children.
All of us are fully aware of our right but many often give less importance to our duties.

My children are studying in Kendriya Vidyalaya in Cochin and it disheartens to know that out of 2000 students there were only 100 students apart from the participants to grace Republic Day Celebration. May students had pre-planned and declared to be absent on this gracious occasion .Who should be held responsible? It would be totally absurd to leave the entire burden of teaching spiritual and moral values of society to school

I take the quote from the writer Shiva Khera from his book Freedom is not free.

“There is a big difference between sacrificing for the family and sacrificing for the Nation `

When a person sacrifices for the family, the family has something to gain .When a person sacrifices for the nation, the nation gains permanently, whereas the family loses forever.

In this day India became a totally republican unit. The country finally realized the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the numerous freedom fighters who, fought for and sacrificed their lives for the Independence of our country. So, the 26th of January is recognized and celebrated as the Republic Day of India, ever since.

So lets all be humble and pay respect for all those who have given us freedom

Jai Hind !

Ajitha Vinod

Anonymous said...

Hi madam!

After reading this I would like to share one of my experience.We went for a film in talkie town.As you know,nationl anthem was played.I immediately stood up along with others.But there was a person in the corner sitting.I wanted to ask him to standup.I was about to go there.A person beside asked him to get up.I was really happy and in the interval I congratulated him.I even saluted him.He said that we should be proud to be an indian.

YES,
I AM PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN.
JAI HIND!
I will take the pledge into my heart as I was the one to make the parents community take the pledge.

Warm regards,
Kruthi.

Anonymous said...

DEAR MADAM,

YOU HAD SENT YOUR BEAUTIFUL PERSPECTIVE TO US AND INSPIRED OUR PARENTS AND NEW ADMISSIONS AND IT WAS A REMINDER FOR US.
THE CONCEPT OF NOT WATCHING THE TELEVISION AND NOT BECOMING DUMBOS INSPIRED EVERYONE.
AND ALSO THE VIGILANT WEEK

Anonymous said...

DEAR MADAM,

The pledge we made applies to our selves and we can be a good citizen and explain us the qualities we should develop to be a wonderful citizen.
and also we are proud to be the citizens of INDIA and acorns of SILVER OAKS.

WE PROMISE THAT WE RESPECT TIME BE ON TIME EVERY TIME

FROM TEJASREE,SHISHWA,SANJANA.
6th F

JAI HIND

Unknown said...

DEAR MAM,
YOUR EXPERIENCES IN DELHI WAS REALLY FANTASTIC.YOU GAVE US NICE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COUNTRY.
ONCE AGAIN YOU SEND THE MESSAGE THAT WE SHALL SEE THE PROGRAMMES OF OUR NATION.
IT WAS REALLY TOUCHING TO MY HEARTTHANKYOU.
SILVEROAKS
CLASS6D
CHARAN,DRUSYA,PRANEELA,CHAIYANYA AND SHREYA.

Anonymous said...

dear mam,

your article has inspired me.

you have inspired me because you have supported people who are not getting support,for example you have helped the rdf school's.

PAVAN,VI F

Anonymous said...

DEAR MADAM

YOUR TEXT IN THE BLOG
HAS INSPIRED US,OURPARENTS AND OUR FRIENDS WHO WANT TO JOIN IN OUR SCHOOL. WE AND OUR FRIENDS, PARENTS ARE PROUD TO BE INDIANS AND PARENTS ARE WILLING TO JOINING OUR FRIENDS IN THIS WONDERFUL SCHOOL.
THE PLEDGE YOU HAVE POSTED IN THE BLOG HAS BEEN READ BY MANY PEOPLE WHEN EVER THEY SEE ANY SILVEROAKS STUDENT THEY WILL TELL THAT YOUR PLEDGE HAS BROUGHT A GREAT CHANGE IN US.
AS YOU TOLD US WHEN EVER YOU SEE TELEVISION THINK THAT YOU WILL BECOME A DOMBOZE WE TOLD THAT TO EVERY.
jayesh 6th f

Unknown said...

RESPECTED MADAM,

YOUR BLOG IS BEEN READ BY 6TH F. WE LIKED IT.

WE AS A GROUP FOUND THAT U FLET AS A CITIZEN OF INDIA THROUGH UR HEART.
'I FELT THAT EVERY INDIAN SHOULD HAVE A FIRST- HAND EXPERIENCE OF THAT MIGHT AND GLORY TO PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY FELT THE COUNTRY' IS THE SENTENCE WE LIKED THE MOST.IT EXPRESSES HOW A CITIZEN HAS TO BE.

UR EXPERIENCE MADE US TO FEEL WE ARE THE

Anonymous said...

Dear mam

you have shown me realy a intersting blog & you are very creative in what ever you do . I have learnt so many things from you . From your blog I have learn creativty . When I just saw the home page I was attrated to see what it realy contains.Your are realy connected to the country & your blog made me very resposible about my country. THANKYOU MAM
JAI HIND
G.Sahith 6f 10/3/10

Anonymous said...

dear ma'am,

Your words are always very inspiring.You have a sweet heart and you are very joyful.

Sweet
Enthusiastic
Elegant
Tremendous
Helpful
Adventurous

Marvellous
United
Risk taker
Tolerant
Happiness
You give us lots of support!

Niyathi
Grade 6th D

Anonymous said...

RESPECTED MADAM,

THE BLOG IS VERY INTERESTING.THE WORDS YOU USED IN THE BLOG WERE VERY NICE.YOUR EXPERIENCE IS QUITE GOOD.
NAVYA
SRAVYA
SAHAJA
AISHWARYA
VISHNU

Anonymous said...

Dear Mam

From the blog I learnt about my country & about the attidutes which are their in the blog .
It is suaited for our pledge.
The words in the blog are related to our country.
G.Naveen
6f 10/3/10

Anonymous said...

JEEVAN,SRIRAM,KUSHAL SAID...

The 7 habits website is very inspiring us.

From this website we can learn many things.

The language which they used has inspired us.

We promise that we will follow the
7 habits.

FROM:VI-D

Anonymous said...

JEEVAN,SRIRAM,KUSHAL SAID...

The 7 habits website is very inspiring us.

From this website we can learn many things.

The language which they used has inspired us.

We promise that we will follow the
7 habits.

FROM:VI-D

Anonymous said...

Dear Madam,

I wish one day I too can go and have a first hand experience of the republic day parade in Delhi.

I ahve alsways liked the part were, the martyrs of our contry are awarded. It is both a touching and a proud moment to watch.

The republic day is a silent reminder of the armed power and rich heritage of our country.

I am happy to be an Indian and hope to be remain a proud Indian always.

Jai Hind!

Tejasree.

Unknown said...

dear mam

your article has inspired me.

you have inspired me because you have supported people who is not getting support,if we get any problem in our country and then mam give holiday because when mam donot give holiday we will all so involed in it then we all so get eart.

Thankyou for taking this much care



R.TEJA
VI F

6B said...

mam ur blog was very interesting and descriptive.the designing was very nice and attractive.your blog is very beautiful and interesting.the blog touched our hearts and now v knew how much u luv d country.

Unknown said...

Acutally even we like watching the republic parade on the T.V.... Your post on the blog is very good..dear mam this is very good and we like everyone on the internet to this... this is very nice to read your blog..I like "Jai Hind" post and "India is my country".

I like the the most the respect of the school and takes care of school.

Sai Charan, Nikil Netaji, Bhaskar, Shourie, Nithish

VATHSA AND VARUN 6A said...

The blog was very intersting for
outsiders.It is a gudience of new
joined students for knowing about
our school.The students of silver oaks are feeling proud for having a wonderful acdemic session.We can say proudly that our schools prinicpal met the first lady president of India.

Unknown said...

We are very happy to know lots of new experiences of you.It is very important to know about our country and we are very thankful to you to give us a feeling to be a proud Indian citizen.

MANASA
SARVANI
SUPRAJA
your students

SOHIT and ROHIT from 6-A said...

We are very happy that we are the
stduent of silver oaks . we are
proud that we are changing from
IB school to leader ship school.
we are always proud you and our
school.

Unknown said...

We like your blog very much....Especially your posts... JAI HIND INDIA IS MY COUNTRY... your blog is very good...

Even we like watching the parade on the tv... it is very interesting.. We like evryone on the internet to watch ur blog..

It super duper... rocking....

Nikhil said...

dear madam,
we also like a republic day a lot. samepinch..........................but we cant see it clearly because of fog.i like it.

soorya,aditya,sabareesh said...

I felt very interesting
and cool. I think people who visit your site will learn a lot

DVK said...

It is very interesting and cool .
it is also enjoyable.all the readers will feel happy and every one is now proud that he is an indian.It is very intresting and it helps everyone to know the 7 habits.

Unknown said...

hi , mam

your blog made us impressed.
we will also follow/implement the words said in the pledge in future also.After visiting your blog we very to be an Indian.

Jai Hind!

harsha, meghana, prasanna,grade 6a
sarita kumari chanda

Nikhil said...

i also like republic parade

Unknown said...

-preDear madam,

This post of yours is truly heart touching and shows how much respect you have to the country and blessed to see the Republic day parade.

We feel more influenced to help the country after reading this post.

JAI HIND

Meenakshi,Tejitha and Mrudhula

CHANTHINI said...

I am really proud of my country and you mam.

JAI HIND

From Chanthini Grade 6 th b

sukanya said...

Dear mam,
your blog is very nice . we liked it a lot . we are happy to see you .
Jai hind
thank u

Jahnavi said...

Respected Mam,
It was very interesting, reading your blog.
thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with all of us.

Thank you and

JAI HIND

Arjun Sarihyan said...

Dear mam,

We read your blog it is very interesting,we were very inspired by your words.

We are proud to be as Indians in our school,with you as our principal in our school.

Unknown said...

HAI MADAM,

WE ARE THE STUDENTS OF VI G. WE READ YOUR ARTICLE. IT IS VERY INTERESTING.YOUR EXPERIENCES IN DELHI ARE FANTASTIC.WE ARE PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN

FROM,
YOUR STUDENTS

srikki said...

mam it gives me a great pleasure to read this.

Anonymous said...

dear madam,

it is inspiring me a lot




digvijay 6e,pruthvi,srikar

Anonymous said...

mam,

your blog was very interesting to read. We thank you for reminding us about the importance of republic day. We also thankyou for giving us support and guidence through out this year.
We promise you that we will continue being a leader and we will prove that you showed your influence on us.

YOU ARE OUR ROLE MODEL AND OUR TRUE LEADER.

FROM: Saisuki, Sripriya, Nikhila
of grade 6 E

Anonymous said...

dear mam,

your blog has been inspired whole school. u have been writing these all articles wonderful.mam we are proud of your blog.

salute for principal mam.

srikar,digvijay,pruthvi from 6E

Anonymous said...

Dear madam,

I really had been inspired by seeing your experience and the times you have left your achievements and thought of our acheivements.
Thank you.

FROM : NIVEDITHA

Anonymous said...

Dear, madam

it is very intersting and exiting ,font colouris exelent
it is very nice to read your comment


From
Jahnavi and Manvitha

Anonymous said...

Respected madam,

your expieriences are very meaningful.By reading the article we once again are feeling proud of our beautiful nation India.We will join our hands to develop our country.

Sravanthi,Ameya,Roshni-VIE

Anonymous said...

DEAR MAM

WE HAVE UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF REPUBLIC DAY PARADE.

Once again you remainded about your respect on our country.

The expirence you have
was very nice
THANK YOU .
JAI HIND HARSHITA,POOJA SRI,SREEJA.VI-E

Anonymous said...

Respected Madam,

The comment which you wrote is very wonderful, amazing & intresting.I like the
way you written the 7habits.



Keerthan,yogeshwar,ravi

Anonymous said...

Dear madam,

The blog was very interesting.
We enjoyed reading it very much.

Your students,
ASMITA,
NIKITA,
SAHITI&
MAANASA.
6C.

Anonymous said...

Dear mam ,
it was very interesting to read this and it also brought up a confidence in us to show our talents

Unknown said...

mam u are so lucky because u are getting chance to meet president on every march & mam we will promise u that we will plant every 2 months 1 plant.

Anonymous said...

dear ma'am,
we are so proud of you & we are so happy that we are in such nice school.
we can conduct any quiz on our nation.

Anonymous said...

Dear Mam,
it was good write up


From : Samiksha

Anonymous said...

dear mam,
your blog was really interesting and brought proudness in us

Anonymous said...

dear madam,

Republic day was wonderful.The Rajpath was conducted between all the states of India & was also beautiful.

THANK YOU.
Sai teja,Nikhil,Sai kumar & Bhavesh

Anonymous said...

dear mam

thankyou mam for reminding us about our nation and thanks for publishing this website which is very useful to every citizen of this country

we love our country
jai hind

Shreya said...

mam,
by reading your blog it brought me love on r country and i am proud to be an indian

Anonymous said...

Dear Mam,

We enjoyed reading it.
it is very interesting.

KARTHIKA,
SAHITI,
SHRUTHI.

Anonymous said...

Dear mam,

Your blog is very interesting.
I enjoyed reading it.

JAI HIND

SAHITI
6C

G.BHAVESH said...

DEAR MAM,

The beautiful tree was very good.An important point you have reminder us.

THANK YOU MAM

G.Bhavesh

SAITEJA said...

mam your blog was so influencing others thatwe should help in the development of our country
And Im proud to be an india


JAI HIND!

Sai teja

Anonymous said...

DEAR MAM,

I LIKE TO SAY THAT THE ARTICLE WHICH YOU WROTE ON OUR PLEDGE
IS SO GOOD IT GIVES THE COMAND TO
OUR COUNTRY THANK YOU

JAI HIND

FROM:ASRITH SAI VARMA

6'F'

ravali said...

its long since i opened your blog ma'am... your experiences in Delhi were awesome. its really very interesting to know about them.
yes ma'am i feel more personalised while taking this pledge.
many of my relatives tell me to go abroad and continue my studies just like their sons and daughters but i made up my mind that i will stay in india only and serve our nation... AS I AM PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN...

Prabha Balaji said...

Dear maam,

Excellent write up!!

prabha

Prabha Balaji said...

Dear Maam,

excellent write up. Enjoyed readng it.

prabha

Unknown said...

respected mam,
you remembered us about our nationIi felt very happy reading your article and therefore I promise you to remember our nation for ever, even if I leave this country.

akanksha said...

Respected mam ,


Mam you have really inspired us a lot and I thank you for giving us a lot of information
about the republic day . I think
there should never be a holiday on this national occation of republic day .

I wish to have more and more interesting topics .

JAI HIND !

AKANKSHA
7 B
1

Unknown said...

DEAR MAAM,
I was very intersted in reading your blog.Thank you maam for sharing your expresing experience

vaishnavi said...

HAI MAM ,

A nice and intersting experience in delhi with you .

i promise you that i will follow the school pledge .

i hope that you will have nice experience again in life .

thank you

vaishnavi
7 b

maanasa said...

DEAR MAAM,
I was very intersted in reading your blog.Thanks for sharing your expressive experience.

mohan said...

biog is nice

bhudevi.k said...

It is a pride to be an indian to follow the pledge of our country with due respect but redefining the pledge and making it happen is a greater perspective to look into. Hats off to all the great leaders who sacrificed their lives for making india democratic.we all shall strive our best to make a difference in the society where we live in.