long the Rajpath, this blogger had the good fortune to witness as a kid. I was probably 7 or 8 when we went for republic day parade. It was tremendously exciting occasion. Getting up morning very early on a foggy day, despite the cold mandatory bath, and then bundled into huge army vehicles, clinging to whatever one can hold (since they never had any sitting), still maintaining some dignity was a challenge. Reaching Rajpath as early as 6am, that was only half the journey. Then the challenge was to find a place to sit, once we had to stand all through the parade, next time though we sat on the ground next to India gate (incidentally we came in national TV too when they pan the audience as the aircraft dropped flowers). I also recall having to write an essay on experience of attending Republic Day parade in school. This blogger does follow Republic day parade, now though the enthusiasm has waned. I though feel that although sacrifice of Defence force and other gallantry acts should be honored at the highest level, military “might” could be underplayed and celebration could be more inclusive. Republic day celebration is extremely important part of a nation state (ideally there shouldn’t be any country or borders but we don’t live in an ideal world). It is also a time to introspect on progress of society as also security issues.
What we learn from the Defence Force is the meaning of sacrifice for higher goal (in a market driven world of manipulations and blatant selfishness this looks an anachronism), and the importance of being a responsible citizen. Another is need of being disciplined and physically fit. These have impacted me a lot, although I don’t have much regard for discipline in my life (sometimes furiously negate it) but when dealing with others have always given importance to discipline. This blogger is into teaching and has taken thousands of classes over the years very rarely have I been not on time, this is something instinctive. When you are given a time, reach on time. Period. If you don’t agree to it refuse but when commit see that you follow it. Also tried to be physically fit, morning walk/jogging being important part of it. At one point I also thought that if you don’t go for morning walk you are missing something big. There is so much beauty in the morning sun. Unfortunately though mornings now give me wheezing, and I don’t live in best of places for walk (may end up seeing people defecating!!). Also having spent so much time in Delhi (probably the most lawless metropolitan city in the world) and other cities despite these seeing others break rules still make me angry.
When extremes meet!!
More photos at Photo blog
