Happy Republic day 2025 - 751

        REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS 26 th  Jan 

As I sit before the TV to watch the proceedings of the Republic Day Celebrations of 2025 here at Regina in Canada , many memories come rushing in . I begin by recollecting the various images that pass bye my eyes in the past years .

The first picture that comes to mind is that of me as a BOY SCOUT in a Bhilai School  in my painstakingly Starched and Ironed Uniform whose sharp crease at the Shirt sleeves or the Short Trouser would put many a sharp edged weapon to shame . The march past was always a special feature and one felt proud of the Ceremony at the Jayanti Stadium . 

One year that comes to mind here is during the Indo - China War , where to Raise Money for the benefit of those affected by the war , a raffle with Rs 1 - as ticket and Lambretta Scooter as the Prize was a big Draw . Each one especially little ones like me were pretty sure that they were going to be the Winners , but sadly it never happened that way ,

The Private Song of Lata Mangeshkar , 

AI MERE WATAN KE LOGON 

JARA AANKH ME BHARLO PANI 

JO SHAHEED HUAY HAIN UNKI 

YAAD KARO QURBANI 

ये मेरे वतन के लोगों 

जरा आंख में भर लो पानी 

जो शहीद हुवें  हैं उनकी 

याद करो कुर्बानी 

To this day , this Song is sure to bring tears in one's eyes and Respects  to THE SOLDIERS WHO GAURD OUR FRONTIERS . 

A few years later , me as the School Captain of the School Heading the March Past holding the National Flag at the SERAA ( SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION  ) Stadium at Kharagpur where my Father as the Chief Guest had unfurled the National Flag earlier and offering the Salute . Not many I am sure would have had the Good Fortune to pay respects to the Nation and his Father at the same time amidst a large gathering .

For many years the Annual Unfurling of the National Flag in front of the Memorial Turbine at the Madura Coats Mill Premises at Papanasam  - VK PURAM by the Vice President or the Mill Manager of the Mill  with the Security Staff taking part in the March Past was always special . The Vada and the other savories that accompanied the Celebrations were also a special treat  .

The year 2014 was very  special well.  I was in the midst of the Indian Diaspora Celebrations at Regina in Canada . Here was this crowd in freezing cold ( Minus 27 Degrees ) gathering in huge numbers to Celebrate the event . The Dance and Music made the event all the more memorable . 

It felt very nice to watch the Telecast of the Chief Guest doing the honours at Chennai this year  . The only sour point being the Caption and announcement by the Anchor that the Chief Guest was HOISTING THE NATIONAL FLAG  (  KODI ETTRUGIRAAR ) .  It must be noted that  THE NATIONAL FLAG  is never HOISTED  on the Republic Day , it is UNFURLED . ( Flag is always  HOISTED  on the Independence Day and UNFURLED  on the Republic Day ).

This is quite understandable considering that in a State where the topmost echelon of the ruling dispensation is not sure whether the  26 th January of each year is the Republic Day or the Independence Day !!! SAD 

             A HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY WISHES 

                        TO ONE AND ALL .

      இனிய குடியரசுதின நல்வாழ்த்துகள் 

                   जय हिंद , भारत माता की जय