My father is a deeply patriotic man.

For him, 26th January, 15th August and 2nd October aren't merely holidays. Nor are they dry days or a chance to take a long weekend off from work. He takes these days seriously. It's a rare sight for us to see the man who is usually obsessed with his work, sitting at home and smiling.

He has a fixed routine for these three days. Especially, 26th January. And he's stuck to his routine for as long as I can remember. Trust me, I'd know. For I've been participating in this routine since I was a child!

Every year without fail, he watches the Republic Day Parade. Preferably, live at Rajpath. If not, at home, on the tele. And he makes sure his family does the same. As a child, I'd be really annoyed. Why did I have to wake up early in the morning, that too in Delhi's freezing January winter to watch this, year after year? But soon, sometime around 10 or 11 years of age, I started taking an active interest in the Parade.

Why is it then that I don't see the same sentiment, the same pride in the young generation of today? Why aren't we celebrating this day the way it is meant to be celebrated?


Where is the excitement?

I won't be surprised if most people don't even know much about this celebration.


For instance, did you know that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan from UAE was going to be this year's Chief Guest? Or that Queen Elizabeth II was also a Chief Guest back in 1961?


That Republic Day is an important part of our country's existence is a given. But it's also an opportunity for us to not just show our love for our nation but also to pay reverence to our defence forces.


Most importantly, it's a day for us to take pride. Pride for being an India. For being a part of an Independent Republic.


Instead of using the day off from work to sleep-in late, isn't it important, if not necessary, to wake up on time and take part in the celebrations? Stand in attention as the National Anthem plays. Feel the love for our country.
You'll have many more days off to catch some extra hours of sleep!