Enough has been said about Independence Day being passed off as “just another holiday” and about today’s youth being lackadaisical when it comes to participating in I-Day celebrations. What Gen- X has to say now is that given a chance, they would indeed do something different, innovative and memorable to mark the day when India received her well-deserved freedom.
According to Daniel Samuel, an engineering student, “Not many colleges make attendance on Independence Day compulsory. Therefore, participating in a parade is out of the question. But I seriously wish a particular time was set to play the national anthem across different colleges throughout the country and it be made mandatory for every student to stand in one accord and sing this glorious anthem with utmost pride.”
His classmate, Manoj Vasanthraj believes, “Spreading happiness and cheer is what I-Day is about. Leaders of the past shared in the sufferings of our forefathers and they collectively won us our freedom. It would be good to do something similar in the present age, probably by spending the day at an old age home or at an orphanage.”
Having the tricolour painted across your cheek for a cricket match isn’t the kind of patriotism today’s youth is advocating.
Thanglen Soubam, a final year student of Communicative English reasons, “The capital of India showcases the grandest parade in the country and different States organize parades in which only the NCC and other uniformed services participate. In order to involve the masses, celebrations must go beyond the obvious.
“Staging cultural events is a good way to include more people in the celebration. However, organizing State and national level quiz competitions for students, based on India’s freedom struggle is a good way to make education a fun experience. This way the quest for knowledge by the participants also increases.”
Practicality and inclusiveness are being taken into consideration by youngsters.
“Encouraging cultural programs by making them interesting and offbeat rather than mundane and compulsory is the best way to get young people interested in celebrating Independence Day,” opines Vinay Sridhar, another student.
Eighteen-year-old NRI student, Jagath R. suggests, “Large scale fireworks bring people together as has been observed in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
“Also, what young people are attracted to are carnivals where open events may be staged under a relevant theme that could be decided upon each year.
“Concerts by the nation’s best singers are also a good way of getting people across different age groups, languages and religions together. “If these concerts are free, more people would be part of it and if there are tickets, the proceeds of the concert could be used for a developmental program in the country.”
To make it work
Synchronous singing of the national anthem across the country
Quiz contests on the independence struggle
Fireworks and free concerts by famous musicians
