To all the patriotic hearts❤💞...

Patriotism is a feeling, which overwhelms us, Indians, especially on two dedicated days- 15th August and 26th January.

In normal days, our explanation is that these two are National Holidays, one to celebrate our "Independence" and other to recognize the "Republic" nature of our nation. 

We receive messages to attend the flag hoisting ceremony at 9 am in society parks, colonies or clubs. And often the first impression is- Its a holiday, aaram se uthenge or will see the next morning, to go or not to go or will see it on TV(live telecast from Rajpath). But the next morning, the tricoloured newspaper pages and sounds of patriotic hymns (like- Dil diya hai, jaan bhi denge, ae watan tere liye....)send a signal of proud in each and every nerve we possess. Suddenly, we can't resist ourselves from attending the prestigious flag hoisting.

Lucky are the ones, who reside in those complexes,  where these two festivals are celebrated. The gaze on our humbly furled flag on the flag-pole sends enthusiastic vibes inside us. Kids dressed in "beloved" three different colours (saffron, white, green) induce thrice the fervour. Tricolour bands, kurtas, dupattas, bangles, caps, T-shirts are a delight to watch. Miniature flags create a colourful and pleasing ambience. Kids are truly synonymous with the meanings of three colours of the flag- strength and courage(saffron), truth and peace (white) and prosperity (green) of our country. 

And the moment, in real-time, goes as-

Unfurling of our Great Tricolour.....

Rose petals dancing down.... 

The unfurled flag swaying proudly.... 

Jana Gana Mana.... our National Anthem... 

Welled up hearts and eyes.... 

Sense of proud and love for our nation... 

And at last.... 

Jaya he, Jaya he, Jaya he.... 

Jaya, Jaya, Jaya, Jaya he......... 

And a moment of calm.

Every patriotic heart is under the feeling of contentment and gratitude, for he was born on this great land, which we proudly call Bharat, India and Hindustan. 

A big bunch of balloons of three colours, being set free in the sky, makes us kids again. 

This day knows only one religion. The religion called India- Everyone is an INDIAN first. 

So heart's heavy now...

Take a sigh! 

Let's lighten it up.... 

Everyone of you reading this, please answer the following question-

How do you explain what is Republic day to your small kids?

My answer when my kids asked, "This day our constitution was formed".

Most of all would have given the same above answer, as we have been taught this since our childhood. 

Next question popped is, "What is Constitution"?

And our answer, beta Constitution means..... (a pause)... and then, we offer some haywire explanation and tell them some big civics words, to confuse them more. 🤓

But, today, I heard a little story on Republic day which was sent as a home-read, by school, for my 7 year old. The gist of the story is as follows- 

A mother asks the children to get up fast and get ready as it's Republic day today. Children enquire, "What is that?" The mother asks about some rules of their house. Kids reply. "Brushing teeth twice a day, washing hands before eating food and no TV and mobile while eating". "Yes", the mamma replies, "In the same way there are some rules and regulations in our big home, our country, which everyone needs to follow and those rules are written in a big book 📕, the book of Constitution."

Such a simple explanation. 

This story is apt to explain the concept of Republic day to children and to all the grown-ups, who understand "Constitution" but are unable to explain it to kids. 😀

Fact: Constitution of India was adopted by constituent assembly on 26 th November, 1949 but came into effect on 26 th January, 1950. This date was chosen to commemorate the declaration of "Purna Swaraj" (complete independence) on 26 th January, 1929 by India to British rule.