To honor our national heroes or paid hangover time?

With myriad things happening, it is really a challenge to keep track of all of them, however sincere we wish to.  Gone are the days, when the elders of the town assemble under the banyan tree every evening and discuss about the events of the day, things to do, common issues, remembrances etc., Now, with the parents finding no time for the children and the children reflecting the same , these have become wishes.

Even today, there are some events /days which we would have liked to remember but it slips our memory only for us to regret later. However, there are some we cannot afford to lose sight of and it is with that purpose only these are marked as Red Letter Days, in the respective calendars. 

For instance, for all the efforts and strains taken by them, it is only imperative that we remember our parents atleast for a day and spend few hours in their honor. Though prescribed in different ways according to their belief, this is happening across all religions, caste and creed. Forgetting our own parents and forefathers is considered an unpardonable sin in some sects, while there are some which handles it lightly and call it as your duty to return the favor.

Similarly, there are many who would have fought for the cause of the nation pledging their all, sacrificing their youth and life for the country. Whatever benefits we enjoy now, including expression of thoughts in this way without any obstruction, have been got after fierce resistance from oppressive regimes & rulers from time to time. While we reap all the benefits, enjoy the freedom of speech, right to so many things such as education, information what is that we have done to those who fought for these? It is history that the families of many such fighters are languishing in abject poverty. 

One will realize the hardship and sacrifice, if we think as to how many from the current generation will be willing to give up their job, family and comforts to fight such oppression, amidst our current 'busy' schedules?  Such unselfish sacrifices too are to be honored , if not higher, but on par with your yearly ritualistic fervor for your parents. It is for remembering and honoring such martyrs  that the country has chosen some days to be observed & celebrated as Independence Day , Republic Day etc.,

Under this background, it is rather surprising to read  from today's Times of India that  "Indians celebrate Republic Day not because they love the country….. they celebrate mainly because it's a holiday", from a popular Indian film maker. While the veracity and the substantiation of this dubious claim needs to be validated, one could not help feel offended by such off the cuff remarks from popular personalities, whose words are likely to have an impact on the younger generation and could also hurt the sentiments of others. True, it is a national holiday, but this has been declared so only to facilitate the public to allocate some time to think about and honor those who deserve. In the absence of this facility, it would be unrealistic to expect people to ward off  their official chores and focus on history, though they may like to do it. The foresight of our leaders has to be appreciated here, in allocating time and gently pushing the public to reminisces the historical memories.

One should not forget the national activities on such days. The government displays its strength, its growth over the year-  financially, culturally, militarily, in sports etc., This creates an opportunity for our rural brethren to have a review of the progress , as they have to till their land day in and day out in order to provide the affordable rich in town with rice, wheat and other essentials. The leading performers are also honored in full view of their compatriots and  contemporaries. This could enthuse and induce the youth to join the coveted defense services to serve the cause of the nation. Spare a moment for those who are awarded posthumously. Normally, the widow receives the award with tears while her children watch in awe and pride about their father's contribution, in the service of the nation.

As such, it is advisable to observe such days with the national fervor, encourage the youth  with valiant  and  gallant stories of our illustrious sons of the soil. Let us not address the minority who head to the bar on the eve of such national holidays and most importantly , one need to think twice before painting all with the same brush !