BOMBAY-ADDA
Does our respect for the national flag come only two days in a year?
A drive around Mumbai city today, gave me a different feeling of the city altogether what with the flag hoising ceremonies, parades and cultural festivals. The military parade held at marine drive had thousands of Mumbaikars from all parts of the city come in union to witness the sight. Flag hoisting ceremonies at a smaller scale happened at many other places in Mumbai city. There were patriotic songs sung all over. Radio stations and television channels aired patriotic songs and anthems. Even shopping malls announced massive ‘republic day discounts’.
While flags were seen waving across the city, smaller flags made of plastic and paper were being sold at traffic signals and at make-shift shops outside schools and colleges. This clearly violates the flag code of India which says, that Indian tri-color flag should be made of only hand-spun and hand woven material. Beggars on traffic signals were seen forcing people to buy these flags
for a few rupees. Trains and stations are flooded with these people who attempt to make money out of selling flags. These two days, which mark a remembrance of the struggle for independence, have now become a money making game for few. Yet, we as Mumbaikars, or rather as Indians thoughtlessly purchase these flags only because they are seen to be a symbol of our patriotism.
The world’s largest democracy celebrated its 65th republic day today. Among the whole hype about Republic Day and the sudden feeling of patriotism in most people, there was one thing I noticed that happened to bother me. Why is the love for our national flag expressed only on Independence Day or Republic Day? These very tri-color flags that we hold so dear to us on these days, by proudly sporting them on our shirts, bags, car windshields, etc. appear lying on the streets the very next day. The very tri-color flag that we claim our respects to is stepped on and nobody seems to care.
I wonder why buying flags off the street means so much to us if it serves no purpose to us once the celebrations are over. We conveniently toss the flags away at the end of the day. Is our respect to the flag purely subjected to just two days? Is it not our duty as citizens of the country to not let our flag be covered in dust? We, as the present and future of this country need to do an assessment of our national obligations to be called faithful citizens of a country like India.
We crib, we complain as usual. Nothing changes, as usual. We as the future of this country should drive the change we wish to see. The saying holds true- actions ALWAYS speak louder than words.
-Riviera Vaz