Republic Day Thoughts by Kalai Selvi Arivalagan (novels to read for beginners .TXT) 📕

Look at the hoisted flag that flies high with its vibrant three colors.   For me it reminds the path we have walked through all through these years after the Indian constitution came into force. After getting the independence to be on our own, the acceptance for our own constitution marked the beginning of our walk towards growth and to emerge as a powerful nation in the world.

Technically, scientifically and ethically, we Indians must strive hard to be on the mark of the world map.   Though there is no dearth in the success of Indian brains all over the world, the common man in India still struggles to make the two ends meet and provide their children nutritious meals, quality education and a healthy place to live in. Technology has grown to a large extent in India. The penetration of mobile phones in the lives of the common man definitely tells how we have accepted technology into our lives.

Though we are now used to live a life with comforts, still challenges remain unresolved. With the growing population, the expectations are also growing in umpteen numbers. Every Indian must strive hard to tackle the challenges at all levels and help the country to progress forward in a healthy way. Compared to the situation decades ago, the Indian population now has the awareness to fight for its rights and get their problems solved.

The world has been quite competitive and it has become our responsibility to meet the international standards that would allow us to be successful globally. Society at large has been changing for a while. The lives the youngsters lead today are much different from the lives of the people who lived during our pre-independence days.   The space needed for growth must be always there. Let us be supportive and help our younger generation to move forward and be successful.

Just like folds in a lotus flower, India with its diversity and culture adds grandeur and richness to the continent where it is located. Our ancient scholars sought knowledge from glittering galaxies that glittered far away. Though the light rays from galaxies took millions of light years to reach us, those ancient scholars could foresee future in minute sketches.   Our land was blessed with eminent mathematicians and astrologers who could tell what existed far away apart from what our naked eyes could see.

In spite of all their technical knowledge, they also knew the importance of nature and how a better life could evolve from the blessings of nature.   Technically we are doing wonders. Yet, it becomes our responsibility to leave a better place for our younger generation to live. Is it not our responsibility to allow our youngsters to have fresh air to breathe and pure water to drink?   Unless we help to develop a healthy place to live in, how could they have a safer place to sleep? It becomes the foremost duty of an Indian citizen to think about all these things and be a willing participant to help the administrators to achieve this.   Let us pledge at this moment, we all will unite to do so!

Have you seen a peacock dance when dark clouds hang on and a cool breeze blows foretelling rain? Those moments are pleasant and make us feel happy! Similarly, whenever we happen to listen to the soothing music from Veena or a Flute, the melody brings in the heavenly bliss.  

Our home would be a wonderful place if we wake up to the enchanting call of a koel instead of an alarm from our digital clock.   The chattering sparrows and the song birds that delight the morning sky have become a dream for most of our children.   We have made our children technology savvy and they wake up from their beds by checking messages in their mobile phones. A day away from technology may be a day of disaster for our younger generation.   With a wish to provide a sophisticated life, we have denied their rights to grow along with the nature. Lack of interaction with the nature has made them lack in compassion and grow selfish and self-centered.   As responsible adults, let us give our children the bliss of nature and avail them the opportunity to enjoy the bliss of love from the plant and animal life.

The majestic lions, the chakra and the inverted lotus on the pedestal remind me once again of the life everyone deserves to live.   The scenario at the world keeps changing every day. Unexpected challenges shoot up every second for the future generation. As responsible adults what role should we play to make our planet a safer place for them? Every one has the responsibility to answer this million dollar question. Today, the younger minds are chasing materialistic wealth that can perish at any unexpected moment. Who is going to tell them that they need to look into their inner hearts and question if they have been a good human being at least for a while? Who is going to boost the morale of the youth and lead them in the correct path? India has been a place with abundance of wealth that made both our mortal and immortal lives enriched at all levels. Let us today take the oath to help them realize it and be a better human being.

I think it is apt to quote Rabindranath Tagore’s famous lines:

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high

Where knowledge is free

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments

By narrow domestic walls

Where words come out from the depth of truth

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way

Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit

Where the mind is led forward by thee

Into ever-widening thought and action

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Looking at the shifting clouds in the sky, my thoughts linger on what future holds for our younger generation.  Rapid growth due to sophisticated technology has made life easy and comfortable.  Unmindful we never hesitated to hurt the life-belt of the nature. Just like a mother who frowns at her naughty child,  nature has now started to frown upon her children.   Unfortunately, though the people know what they should not do, they are not ready to choose a life that needs physical hard work.  It is so sad, we don’t remember that our ancestors lived so.

Our forefathers were physically active and boasted good health to live long.  But, with highly advanced medical system, we never stop to complain about painful legs, sore eyes or disturbed sleep.  It is true, people who lived five decades ago had to work hard physically to lead their lives.  Today brain power had taken the world in its hold and it has successfully brought in changes that are unbelievable.  Yet, as responsible citizens, we need to help our children learn the benefits of healthy life style that will assure good health to enjoy life as it is.  We must teach them the benefits of walking along with the time saving benefits of travelling in a train or a bus or an aeroplane.  

When we look at the grandeur and architecture of buildings that stand surpassing today’s architecture,  do you agree it reminds us that we are living in a country with rich tradition and culture and it is our duty to nurture them and feel blessed.  Varied climates, varied landscapes, varied life style, varied food habits, varied flora and fauna, varied languages and dialects, varied thoughts and dreams.  For a second, it makes me feel amazed how lucky am I to be born here and breathe the air that uplifts not only my spirits but also my soul.  But, a mighty challenge that has started to creep in unaware to disrupt the harmony of a peaceful life must be recognised by every one of us.  

The drastic change in climate and its poisoning effect on the soil and lives of the people needs immediate intervention.  Globalisation has opened the door for us to reach the nook and corner of the world to earn more and help our children to live a sophisticated life with good education and food.  Yet, there is a big question.  How long are we going to allow our children to support junk food and avoid our traditional food enriched with nutrition and healthy benefits?  A healthy future generation can only build a healthy nation.  We must start working on this and help to build a healthy life style for our children.

Publication Date: 02-27-2015

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Dedication:
Dedication toward achieving the best in India.