Happy 65^th Republic Day! Proud to be an Indian! Secular, Democratic, Pluralistic, Inclusive, Free Multicultural Society.  You got sweets, you have banners, you got pomp and show, you have fly bys, you have a parade, you have happy joyous faces all around in designer shades, and make up with a smile plastered on your face. All this pride for the country for just 2 days : A Republic Day and an Independence day. 2 days out of 365. Just 2!

What exactly is the source of this pride? The pride of this country was when India awakened into freedom. When India decided that it would sort its faults out, and be proud of the tapestry of multiculturalism. That Indians won something, that we were unified, in the building of our great nation. 

The argument that you are proud of being a citizen of this country can be broken in this one small cycle of questions

Am I proud of my nation?

Yes I am! Every single day!

Yes I do.

Am I therefore a hypocrite in believing that something warrants or deserves my pride in this country?

Yes, I AM!

Tell me 

That you are truly proud of holding an Indian Passport!

That you respect every living citizen exactly the way he or she is supposed to be respected.

That you argue and use comments not personal, derogatory or abusive to a fellow Indian

That you do your job dutifully and then point fingers at others

That you have,at least tried doing the right thing, and have failed trying

That you  have tried doing something for the less fortunate

That you have not succumbed to your own personal interests before others

That you have actually tried to improve your society, or at least your manners, or your behaviour

That you have waited in line or a queue without cribbing how difficult it was

That you have not cursed this country for all the flaws it has

That you wish the conditions improved, but have always wanted someone else to do it for you

That you have donated something to the ones less fortunate

That you have spoken out when something wrong was being done

That you havent submitted yourself to sycophancy

That you have thought on your own, and used your educated mind to THINK whats right and wrong

That  the Republic Day and Independence Day are not just national holidays, not just a day for parades, tableaux and sweets.

That you truly stand for what this country was founded on?

That you truly are PROUD? 

Or are you just as oppurtunistic  as I am?

Mull over it a little!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.