Aurangabad, Jan 25:
Our country celebrates Republic Day on January 26 every year with zeal and enthusiasm. It is that historic moment when India’s Constitution came into being on 26 January 1950. Another Republic Day will be celebrated on Tuesday. The celebration which existed until a few decades has changed in recent times.
Earlier, it was an event of collective preparations and celebration. People from the whole village or city used to attend celebration programmes as it was a public event than limited to selected persons. Academicians and educationists feel that the scene is changing gradually.
Commenting on this, former principal of S B College Dr Shivjraj Birajdar said that people, specially youths and school children, are unaware of the importance of Constitution and pledge.
“It was a collective celebration. Teachers used to explain to us the importance of the day and inspire us. When I was in school, my classmates and I used to do preparations for the day at least ten days before. Teachers and students needed to participate in the programmes. We used to wash and press uniform, clean school and college premises,” he said.
Dr Birajdar said that our teachers taught us the Constitution's value, respect, and discipline in life.
“When I joined S B College, late freedom fighter Govindbhai Shroff used to instruct the staff to ensure that all should attend the programme. The freedom fighter used to lay stress on motivating students to participate in the programmes than levying fine for their absence,” he asserted. He said that he does not see that kind of inspiration and zeal today among youths.
Dr Mir Mohammed Khizer, a retired professor from Maulana Azad College, said that many people do not have sprite and enthusiasm about Republic Day celebration today.
.“The celebration was collective in the city. Today, it is celebrated separately and is limited for the departments or areas. Our teachers taught us to honour the Constitution of independent India. They inculcated patriotism and value of the day among us,” he said.
Remembering the first time celebration, he said that he was in the fourth standard when Republic Day celebration began.
“Teachers gave us two ‘laddus’ and 25 paisa (chaar aana) in the school on the first time celebration. My classmates and I were joyous. Today, I don’t see that kind of spirit among people,” he added.
With social media's arrival, youths celebrate the day by posting a tri-colour photo and the Constitution on Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter.