"Dad...dad...dad! I am very happy these days".
"That's great son, it's quite rare. Wait...le' me guess the reason behind that big smile on your face".
"Aaha, I got it...Feb's approaching, the festival of love's approaching. You zillenials are always so damn excited about it right!!?? And yeah, how's your girlfriend doing these days, I haven't caught you two together for a long". Dad asked with an ironic smile on his face. I literally had a tear of fear in my eye hearing that, but, keeping my senses in control and using the best of my psyche, I found it best to put a full stop on this topic as soon as possible. I was in no mood to get an hour's lecture on 'how all this love and relationship thing will play the foul game with my future, career, and happiness for the twentieth time.
"What dad! You know it well na, I haven't been in one since that last three-hour lecture of yours in a not-so-kind way". Dad knew I was lying, he gave me the weirdest smile and asked on a bold note, "what's it then"?
"REPUBLIC DAY DAD" ( this time Dad had a tear in his eye )
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Republic Day!!!
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| Photo by Big G Media on Unsplash |
The name's enough to excite the Border's Sunny Deol, Rang De Basanti's Aamir Khan, and Uri's Vicky Kaushal in me. There's Diwali, there's Eid, there's Christmas, there's Guru Nanak Jayanti, but, to be honest, no other festival excites me as much as Republic day does. No other festival fills me with this glee and cheer. There's really something mystic in this inexplicable day.
The celebration within my heart starts with a long drive on the eve of Republic day, mesmerizing the beauty of all the Government Offices dazzlingly lightened up. To get skyscrapers lightened up giving a glimpse of 'the absolute divine beauty' and to see the entire cities illuminated in an eye-catching manner on religious festivals is also fascinating, but this, on Republic Day's eve, the illuminance gets mixed with the fierce inner emotions and proud which makes it really a moment to cherish! ( The concept of adding emotions in daily-life things and it's wonderful results is explained comprehensively in the amazing Mark Manson's book - Everything Is F*cked. The book indeed is a worth read.)
And now, the big thing - the grand Delhi Republic Day Parade!!
I literally can halt or postpone anything and everything to catch the live telecast of it. That is something which I wait the most, the entire year. The 21-gun salute to the Tricolor, listening to the tales of extreme valor and exceptional courage of the Ashoka & Kirti chakra awardees and other people from the armed forces or the civilians, watching the regiments of the Indian army, navy, and air force, along with their bands marching on the Rajpath, witnessing the immense defense power of India by seeing tens of weapons of mass destruction ( tanks, missiles, long-range artillery gun systems, infantry combat vehicles, anti-satellite systems, etc ) which are certainly the best of their kind and last but not the least, watching the fighter jets and helicopters (Rafale (for the first time in 2021), Sukhoi, Chinook and Apache being the biggest attractions) of IAF doing wonders in the sky. The parade has enough to give me the goosebumps which literally not anything else can.
The synchronized march past of the various regiments which indeed is the most accoladed attraction of the parade is something that cuts you from the present moment, takes you entirely into a new world, and forces you to stand up at your place and do nothing but salute! It's so uncomplicated to see the feeling of extreme patriotism glaring in their eyes.
From, T90 Bhishma tanks on land to the elite Rafale in the air to the 'best in the world' submarines in water, India has been continuously becoming the most formidable nightmare for its enemies. Well, it's not just the materialistic resources or weapons, the diplomatic excellence of India should also be praised for adding flying colors to the nation's security. Becoming atmanirbhar ( independent ) in 2021 is indeed indispensable for India, but, in the present times there's a need to depend on few powerful nations for strengthening the defense power in an all-inclusive manner, and that is where diplomatic excellency comes in fore.
With a strength of over 1.4 mn active personnel, India is the world's second-largest military force. Also, India has the third-largest defense budget in the world. To continuously remain in the top positions of the elite rankings like the SIPRI or the GlobalFirePower is definitely something to be very proud of.
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What's regrettable is, according to a report of the United Service Institution of India, over half of the Indian army personnel seem to be under severe stress. ( Check the report here ) The major reason being prolonged counter-terrorism duty. As I showed my deep lament over this issue in my 2019s Republic Day's blog post, I would like to accentuate this all again - it's not that the brave hearts don't have children, parents, wives, families, it's not that they couldn't have got a handsome-package job and spend a serene life in tranquility, it's not that they don't get hurt or pain by the harsh terrain or extreme adversaries of nature...it's not at all like that!!! Still, ignoring the adversities of nature, they keep doing their duty to guard the sovereignty of the mother nation in scorching heat or sub-zero temperatures, in the densest of forests or the deadly peaks, keeping their lives at stake every next step. They never know when the enemy's bullet will pierce deep in their body and the dreams and memories of their families will get drown in the martyr's blood! At times, even they have no basic food and water available for days (rest anything anyways doesn't exist in their lives). Still, they never get off duty and keep guarding the nation against the enemies. :'''(
On this auspicious eve of Republic Day, we must all bow down our hands in respect for each and every man guarding the nation directly or indirectly. We must not forget, just like us they all could have watched the parade, resting on the comfy sofa, having a palatable bowl of breakfast in hand, or in the worst case still sleep in the bed in the arms of their loved ones with AC set to the most optimum level at 9'O clock in the morning like many!! But, they aren't!!! They're dedicating their lives to protect the nation, to protect us, and to protect the 135+ crore Indians!!!! Indeed, we all can't go to the border and fight the enemy, but, at least we can contribute in the minutest way possible with just a true feeling of constant support and utmost respect for our Bravehearts. This only will make a big difference and will give them all a reason to smile a little more and fight more fiercely, proudly, and confidently.
I insist,
I request.
Please...!
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
Greetings of the day.
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Special acknowledgment: Wikipedia