The Eloquence of Silence

I had published this post some years back when the silent National Anthem had first been released. Guaranteed to raise goose pimples and make eyes misty, it had sent me back in time to when singing the National Anthem had been a matter of pride and joy for us.

And then I visited a tosh south Delhi school the day they were celebrating Independence Day…

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It was a well organised affair and the march past and cultural events were presentable. Yet I missed was the enthusiasm and fervor that used to mark the celebration in olden days. The moment of disillusion was the National Anthem – the music played and everyone stood up. Just a handful of students sang along, though some parents moved their lips. It was as if everyone was standing in the JLN stadium watching the Indian flag go up during the medal ceremony of the Asiad. It certainly didn’t stop the preening parents from taking shots of their wards performing on the stage.

I couldn’t help but remember the silent National Anthem, only that one had been so full of joy and enthusiasm as compared to the lackluster and desultory performance unfolding before me.

I am sure you would have watched this one – an actual silent one made for Big TV by Mudra. Sung in sign language by hearing and speech impaired children. After many long decades, my eyes had teared up when I heard the National Anthem.  For those who have not watched it, here it is:

The memory of the Silent National Anthem also made me walk back in time…..

….back to when we were in school in Nagpur, and the National Flag and the National Anthem held a wealth of significance for us. We had a general assembly every day of the week which began with a prayer to goddess Saraswati and ended with the National Anthem, which we used to sing lustily.

Independence Day and Republic Day were celebrated on the designated days unlike today when they are celebrated several days in advance so that the schools may remain closed on the said days.

Handpicked student orators gave fiery speeches about the country and the Freedom Movement. And of course the National Anthem was sung with gusto by all of us, as we looked up with pride at the fluttering National Flag. Even the thought of defiling the sacred piece of cloth would not have occurred to anyone, I am sure!

School in Mumbai had Physical Training (PT) as a full-fledged subject. We had theory classes and had to learn patriotic songs and facts and figures about current events and the Freedom Movement and its heroes. We were tested on the singing of the National Anthem in the exam. It had to be sung in precisely 52 seconds, not one second more, not one second less. The words had to be right as well.

And then there was Martyrs’ Day on 30th January, when we paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and the martyrs – when sirens blared at around 11 AM and everyone stood up to observe silence for two minutes during which time even traffic halted. We proudly made small tricolors and pinned them on our shirts on National Days; sold the flags to collect money for the welfare of the Armed Forces on Flag Day on the 7th of Dec….It was all a matter of pride in our country.

I am sometimes nonplussed to hear it being said that the present generation can’t be held to celebrating something that they can’t connect to. I mean, how they or even their parents or grandparents hadn’t been born before Independence. I can’t help wondering how it is that they happily celebrate July 4th with feasts and partying. Perhaps they remember some previous birth as Americans and so are able to connect better to its struggle for Independence? Of course, not to be left behind are those who feel closer to to the Americans than to Indians and so sneer at any celebration of the National Days.

That’s why I felt so overcome by emotion when I saw the Silent National Anthem. I think this version should be adopted with just the music sans the lyrics. After all, no one can then say that it goes against religious sentiments and ban it, can they?

Jai Hind!!

84 comments

  1. Awesome Zephyr. That silent national anthem definitely brought a lump to my throat. Will show it to my son as well.

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    1. I do hope your son enjoyed it as much as you and I did!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Oh yes he did !

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  2. In my school days, we used to sing National Anthem every single day, these days that practice is almost non-existent in most schools. At least this is what I hear/see. From where will the kids get a sense of national consciousness, a kind of a feeling of pride hearing and singing those words? It is really bad that in our attempts to become global and cosmopolitan we are losing a sense of being as one people of one nation. You are absolutely right about the pride most Americans have in their nation, despite all the problems they see in their society, culture, nation, politics, systems etc. July 4th might have become a holiday for barbecues and shopping etc, but still the underlying sense of “we are Americans” is still very much there among the majority of Americans. Such a healthy collective identity is important if we want to be concerned about what happens to us as a people, as a nation, if we want to do even a tiny little bit to change things around for the better.

    Thanks for this post, Zephyr. Happy that you have re-posted it on this occasion of Aug 15.

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    1. I wrote such a long reply yesterday to this comment and found it had not been published at all 😦

      There still are schools, at least in Maharashtra where the national anthem is sung during assembly every day. But yes, today it is not considered mandatory and there are schools especially in Delhi where the music is played sans the lyrics. Without even knowing what the words are, where is the question of any pride in them?

      Not just the US, but other nations feel pride in their country and culture. We are perhaps a unique people who feel glee not just pulling down our nation and ourselves while extolling alien lands and their heritage, all in the name of global citizenship! It is very disheartening to see any kind of national pride being dubbed as communal and clubbed with the BJP/RSS, isn’t it?

      Liked by 1 person

  3. jaishvats · · Reply

    I respect the National Anthem and the silent one is quite touching Zephyr. I think in addition to saying stories of martyrs there should be activities in school that the children enjoy and at the same time instill patriotic fervor in them…. It could be simple creative contests.

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    1. You are absolutely right, Jayashree! We need to educate our children by making history not just interesting but also interactive and alive, so that they can relate to the events and people connected to our Freedom Movement. As it is, we have so many biases against even great patriots like Bhagat Singh, calling him a terrorist! By passing on our prejudices to the children, we are distorting their views and also feeding them our thoughts, don’t you think?

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  4. parijat shukla · · Reply

    Bahut achha 😊

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    1. Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I was moved by the video the first time I saw it too. Don’t they say actions speak louder than words. Singing the national anthem was always a proud moment, the respect that everyone suddenly shows in unison! I’ve noticed that not many speak of Pakistan during the independence time. I’ve been introduced to a community that celebrates the independence days of India and Pak together in two days by sharing art forms.

    Here’s my contribution for the same, do go through if interested –

    http://dashyspeaks.blogspot.in/2016/08/a-letter-to-pak-from-hindustan.html?m=0

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    1. Thank you for the link to your post. Will surely go through it. It is so heartwarming to know you share the same feeling as I do over the national anthem and the country. It must be so good to have such comradeship with our neighbours as you are having!

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  6. The silent National anthem is beautiful! The children are so serious. Good to see it. Only some schools here have asked the children to come to school for Independence day. Otherwise, the children, like adults will watch new movie in TV channels.

    I too have noticed about the new fad of celebrating July 4th… The parents don’t bother. Hmmm…

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    1. We notice the same things, don’t we, Sandhya? I mean about 4th of July 🙂 The other day I played the Silent Anthem to my granddaughter and she watched it most raptly. She is learning to dance and her hands were moving involuntarily to the words!

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  7. Beat About The Book · · Reply

    I loved that version of the National Anthem. And my children loved it too. They make me play it over and over again trying to learn the signs. To say that kids today cannot connect with patriotism is sheer laziness I think. If YOU love your country and feel strongly about it, so will they. They might not be able internalise the freedom struggle but they certainly can feel pride in our country and all that’s special about it.

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    1. So sweet of the kids to try to learn the sign language! And I think you are right about being lazy enough not to get one’s children interested in the celebration of National Days. But I didn’t mean just kids of this generation but also those of their parents who find such notions as patriotism or pride in one’s flag or country a sign of ‘global consciousness’ as nationalism is supposed to be too restrictive. Agree with you that the kids can be taught about the Freedom movement and the sacrifices done by the people of those days.

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  8. I will surely come back For more.

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  9. A beautiful post! It knocks at my emotions -“mera desh, meri shaan” and makes me so nostalgic. Lovely!

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    1. I am glad you enjoyed the silent anthem. 🙂

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  10. School days.Mass PT was something I dreaded.Standing in hot sun and doing left-right-left.
    But yes I love the school bands.Especially when they play “Jana-gana-mana”,a feeling of pride fills me.

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    1. Did you enjoy the silent anthem? That really made my hair stand on end my eyes moist.

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  11. Archana · · Reply

    I also want to mention Bharat Bala productions for contributing to bring about renewed Patriotism among the youth

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    1. Yes. that one too.

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  12. As a part of Independence day celebrations, we are having Quiz and hope ppl dont disappoint in their knowledge abt history 😦 Also there is theme based decorations happening in office.

    And all these are more than fleeting thoughts abt Martyrs. In some way or the other there are many ppl’s sacrifice behind the cozy life we have.

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    1. As long as it is fun and a learning game, it should be fine, even when people don’t know the answers. What theme? Not just tricolour I suppose 😛 And yeah, there are lots of people who do things for us, make sacrifices so that we may live in comfort — including our parents 🙂

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  13. […] her comment on my post Song of Silence, which talked about school bands, she had reminisced about her school day. This post is in response […]

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  14. Am catching up on posts I missed, so this one is a little late, but I was thinking just the same thing during republic day this year…. my son has a holiday, and none of us watch the parade on tv anymore…. and then I too saw the video on Facebook, and it brought tears to my eyes… and I wondered what my son would think of the word ‘patriotic’.. and then the next week we went for a movie, and i was so happy when he sang the national anthem softly while the tv stars one was being screened… guess somewhere the feelings come from within 🙂

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    1. You are right about feelings coming from within but unless the stimulus is there, it dies unexpressed. Happy to know your son sings the national anthem without being prompted 🙂

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  15. Such a long time since i visited your blog and I see there is loads to catch up on! :). I woke up on Republic day to see the silent anthem video posted on my facebook wall, and a few seconds into the video i stood up silently out of sheer awe and respect. It was a beautiful video and I could literally hear the words of the song, especially the jaya he part.Its a pity that the significance of these days is limited to school!

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    1. Welcome back Sahitya. Looking forward to your comments on the other posts too 😀 The kind of awe you describe is exactly what I felt too. But I guess today the times have changed enough for a ‘ghuma ke’ song to qualify for an anthem!! 😀

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  16. I am glad, that my school still celebrates Independence Day & Republic Day on THE day it should be. And yes, we sing the national anthem daily.
    Having said that, I will admit that the staff sulks about their holiday being RUINED. The students have very low attendance as parents dont want them to RUIN their HOLIDAY. When a few of us try to educate the children about the importance of these days, we are termed as ‘old hags’ who are cranky even before we are 60 yrs old.
    On one Independence Day, I happened to be in Delhi, & as usual wanted to give out flags. Couldnt find those small ones, which can be pinned up. Luckily. I found ribbons in the required colours, so made small flags myself & pinned them on people, who visited us & our hosts for dinner. I dont know what people thought of me. But was touched by my 3 nieces, aged between 6 & 15. They carefully removed the flags from their dresses, kept them safely to take them home in Canada. I believe my brother cried, when he saw them.

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    1. You only miss things when you don’t have them anhy more, I guess. I am glad that your nieces liked your little flags. And yes, we are all called old fashioned and not being ‘with it’. Do read all the comments on this post and you will understand what I mean. When the disgruntled mass increases, your school will begin clebrating the days on some conveninet date, I am sure. Let’s hope it doesn not happen.

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  17. I doubt if the corrupt or the smuggler will have the same look of pure joy in their eyes when they sing it, if at all. What do we do about the situation if it is going to the dogs? Tweedlethumb, did I blame only the present generation? The older generation takes equal if not more blame for the state of affairs. At the height of dejection I have heard people say, ‘who cares if Rama or Ravana rules, as long as I get my daily roti.’

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  18. Hot debate is going on here with the young and the restless.
    Nepolian had said “you never know the power of small ribbons, soldiers lay down their lives for it.”
    Ideals,patriotism. We all are patriotic. A good singer of national Anthem may be evading taxes,smuggling narcotics, and may be neck deep into hollowing the country.
    How many politicians know the anthem at all is an issue.
    Tweedlethumb is right when he points out the country going to the gallows.

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  19. tweedlethumb · · Reply

    No. The situation in US and the situation at home..are completely different. It’s not because they are more patriotic than us – it’s because Indians are a minority group in America. They don’t get to see much of India, they miss their country and on occasions like that they go on and display their affection. In India, among Indians, it is an accepted fact that you love your country and when you go out of our way to make a point like that, you are termed as wannabe.

    Patriotism and love are all in there – intact – only thing -their display of affection has shifted elsewhere. But, you can’t blame the ‘present generation’ for that. They have reasons..they know how the country is going to the dogs. Anarchy.

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  20. The pride, the emotion has to come from the heart. Republic Day has become just another holiday…The passions are aroused when a Kargil or 26/11 happens.

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    1. True. I am happy that a World Cup victory brings on the best in us and am thankful that at least in times of dire emergency like the Kargil War, the passions are aroused.

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  21. First time here. First off, you have an awesome blog and I guess you know that. You write very well, and I guess you know that too 🙂

    I am in my early 30s and when I went to school in Madras, we sang the National Anthem every day. Every Friday used to be flag day in our school, where we would say the pledge (or did we do it everyday, I forget) and sing other patriotic songs (sare jahan se, some Bharatiyar – tamil – songs etc). Although I-day & R-day were holidays, we will go in our best for the flag raising ceremony @ school. I never knew that schools these days schools don’t celebrate I-day & R-day on the specific dates – blame my videshi jeevan for that.

    Having said that, I think the next generation might not understand the struggle for independence and such, but I think they will still remain patriotic. I see that here in the US a lot, few centuries after their revolution and the civil wars, people read about all this only in their history lessons and may not be well-informed about all their history, but are fiercely patriotic. You will see them wear the flag pin in their coats or dress up in blue & red. I think India(ns) will go that way too. I guess I am an optimist too 🙂

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    1. Welcome here A-Kay. I am happy to find so many optimists among the younger generation. Keep it that way. 🙂

      I liked your comparison to the US very much. Let’s hope this is what it is going to be here too. Only, here they do it only during cricket matches — pinning the national colours, that is 😀 They take part in parades for Thanksgiving, if I am not mistaken. Here we have nothing comparable and celebrations of the National Days are also becoming cursory and a mere ritual. That is what bothers me.

      Thanks for the compliment on my blog and writing skills. I trust it is not based on this one post and that you have been reading my other posts too 🙂

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      1. Trust me, I read a lot of your posts, a good part of my work day (and network) was spent on your blog 😛

        I hope I am also being a realist, in addition to being an optimist. I remember participating in I-day and R-day parades. Don’t such things happen these days?

        I remember the passion the country displayed when we won the Olympic and Commonwealth (of course the scam was a shame, but that is a topic for another day, I guess) medals and so am hopeful. On a tangential note, apart from cricket and bollywood, as a country I hope we develop other interests. It is actually annoying to look at most of India’s leading media devoting so much of their space to these…

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        1. Oh no. I hope I am not going to ger blocked by your server for distracting you from your work! 🙂
          You said it. I hope we develop other interests too apart from cricket and films. But the media only give what sells and these two do — apart from politics and politicians with their corrupt ways, right?

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          1. 🙂 I hope they are snooping, as I type this…

            I used to be a cricket fanatic, watched every single match – basically, been there, done that – but the over exposure now disgusts me. So much so, aside from knowing that the WC is on, I have no idea about the game and no inclination to know either. And this is from someone, whose dream used to be to watch WC Finals @ Lords. If we use the “they only give what sells” argument, isn’t that a vicious cycle. For people like me, who are willing to look at other things, am not sure if there are any options out there (of course, I might misspeak a little as the information I get is second-hand).

            Atleast Bollywood has gone through some metamorphosis, I see Abhay Deol, Vinay Pathak and the likes, and feel happy that there is scope to try out things than the formula ones. But can’t say the same about the mainstream media in India…

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          2. I hope they are all reading this comment as my posts too 🙂 anything to make them change and be different from what they are now.

            After the CWG, there were some brief periods when we got to see the gymnasts and wrestlers speak to us asking us to buy this or that. But that was too good to last. 😦

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          3. meant “not snooping” and not otherwise 🙂

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          4. You were correct without having to correct yourself. Read my rep[ly 😀

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  22. Hi. On the national anthem issue – I hear you! I’ve blogged about it too. It is certainly a sad state of affairs that young people, kids do not seem to take pride in the national anthem. But then I feel that the way patriotism is being felt and perceived has also changed. What with the digital era, internet and everything, the world seems to be seamless and boundryless. We move between time zones, societies and cultures quite effortlessly. Has it made us less patriotic? I don’t know.

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    1. You echo Mayank here. I understand the feeling of being forced into rituals, but as long as nations exist and have their passports, they need an indentity and the anthem of the country is its unmistakable identity. No matter if the boundaries are vanishing, we still fight for the line of control, right? The ideal would be one world one people. As for being more or less patriotic, perceptions have changed, but forgetting those who have given us the freedom to do what we want, cannot be part of the changed perceptions. That is what my post is trying to say.

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  23. How important are rituals in ensuring we retain certain beliefs and values? I wouldn’t worry so much about if schools make kids sing the national anthem or not.. as long as I can see our cricket team putting their right hand on their hearts and singing the anthem. The national heros are what get idolized. I am more keen to know if parents stand up when the anthem is plaid or heard in living rooms. I am concerned if we talk of India with pride or continuously pull down everything about this country. Even the good stuff in name of literary freedom and intellectual satire.

    The generation of today is definitely more proud of what India is as a country, there are less young men and women who pine to go to west and there are more Indians from west who want to come back to their country. Songs alone do not build pride, to me pride stems from doing well in sports, to win medals, to do well economically, to invent new things and discover unknown truths. The pride will only grow if as a country we stand above other countries. The pride will come if I do not see hungry kids on road and where every one will have equal opportunity to success.

    Thanks for your post Nag, you bought back cherished memories of my PT period, the privilege of playing that drum in band and the pleasure of not being part of the marching platoon which was so damn tough in the strong summer.

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    1. You are welcome Mayank. Going back in time is wonderful to relive memories. I can feel the anger in the comment. This was not about pulling down anything Indian. And as for rituals, they are necessary as long as they are not empty or meaningless. The national anthem of any country is its identity. Else why would they play it when an athlete stands on the victory podium? why would a country make it a requisite while applying for citizenship? No one need to stand up even, but let us at least learn the song and feel the pride of being Indian.

      Yes, national heroes get idolized. Only the heroes have changed. So instead of celebrating the Republic Day or Independence day, maybe we should celebrate a World Cup Day? Or the day we signed a multi billion deal with some country? Food for thought…

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  24. tweedlethumb · · Reply

    There is sarcasm written all over my comment. 😛
    These people along with their ‘ever inspiring ideas’ should be put behind bars for life!

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    1. Did you thinkI missed it? 🙂 Wondering why I replied in that vein? Keep visiting to know the Cybernag better 😀

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  25. tweedlethumb · · Reply

    You don’t get the point. We belong to the generation of ‘youthful revolution’…a generation led by the likes of Chetan Bhagat ( Pardon me, fans) and Shobha De ( Pardon me, again). We don’t need to know anything, we don’t need ethics or values..we only need to be protest against everything that makes sense..a la Rang de Basanti !

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    1. Angry young men, eh? Welcome here tweedlethumb. You are wrong, this generation needs a lot — dil maange more, remember? 😀

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  26. i had no clue that R-day and I=day are not celebrated on the real day…Why why why??????

    I loved singing the national anthem and was thrilled when in maharashtra, the national anthem is played before all movies.i still feel like lustily singing it out aloud instead of the grown up murmur song.

    can u share vinni’s link with me…the one u sent seems incorrect

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      1. Nuts was asking for the link to Vinni’s blogpost on his website dedicated to me and mine. Do read it too.

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    1. This trend has been there for many years now. Earlier it used to be one day prior to the actual day. Nowadays, they do it several days, even a week in advance. The National Anthem is so beautiful that one automatically sings it along when it plays. And here, I saw that only the band played and not even a live school band at that 😦 Just some recording as in medal ceremonies.

      I had not left the link to you. Just the title of the post and his website. the link is http://www.vinni.in/2011/02/an-ode-to-the-cyber-nag/

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  27. Nice post Mami especially for young parents. I loved the video – very moving.

    I feel that kids today do feel patrotic- they might not understand the freedom struggle but they will make a name for their nation in sports, academia, etc. They will experience and express their pride differently from us. The pride in a sportman eyes when he sees his flag being hoisted and his national anthem being played when he wins a race is unparalleled.

    It is also up to us young parents to instill patriotic values in them. One of the lullabies I sing to Akshaya is “Jhanda ooncha rahe hamara”, she loves it and now sings along too. Schools today thankfully still have the kids sing the national anthem after the morning prayers.

    Oh well, I am either too optimisitc and just plain naive 🙂

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    1. Oh you sing sare jahan se to put her to sleep? That is some innovative method to instil patriotic value. Sports should be made the ‘brand ambassador’ for patriotism. After all, we have ads for everything don’t we? And yes, sports events bring out the patriotic feelings to the fore. Good observation. I don’t think all schools have a general assembly everyday, not do they sing the national anthem every day. Like in the school I visited, sometimes they don’t sing it even on National Day celebrations.

      You are neither naive nor too optimistic. Only being patriotic. Way to go, girl!

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  28. Zephyr,I loved the “..Jaya Hey,Jaya jaya jaya jaya hey” part the best..52 seconds of pure bliss..Even an Indian who cannot hum a tune can sing the anthem melodiously..

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    1. Hey, I had said the same in my reply to Varsha. Goes to show what a genius Tagore was to not only have written but also set tune to his words. did you know that he is the only poet whose creations are used as national anthems in two countries — India and Bangladesh?

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  29. I think our National Anthem is the most beautiful song ever penned -always has me choking with countless emotions.
    Freedom was precious when people remembered how they won it.It is all the more important to help our kids revisit our past and realize how things were back then.

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    1. the way we used to cry ‘jaya hey’ used to bring a shiver down the spine! Your comment has given me an idea. I had written a story for children. I think I will post that one one of these days.

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  30. We have become selfish, materialistic, with a what’s in it for me attitude.
    But I could picture you as the giggly girl with plaited hair and shining eyes singing the National anthem with gusto.

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    1. Plaited hair — a looooong one too!! Psst hope I look pretty in your imagination 😉

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  31. Reminded me of my school days, I used to play the drum in our school band… and it was so enthralling to perform the national anthem in 52 seconds

    we used to practice for months after classes to get the perfection

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    1. I still remember our PT sirs with their rulers to rap on the shin if the timing was off by a second. School bands are really great, isn’t it? But did all the students sing the song or the band just played?

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  32. I feel in the present generation there is no pride in being an Indian. Haven’t seen the video will see now.
    Made me remember school days when we used to do rehearse for RD days in advance. Miss those days and those emotions too

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    1. I never tire telling people that this is the I, Me and Myself generation and it is getting worse. So where would the national identity come from?

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  33. National pride and patriotic feeling is missing in most of todays generation ! For them Independence Day and Republic Day is just a holiday to have fun and enjoy – nothing more ! Recently when young TV celebrities asked by some media people why ‘Republic Day’ was celebrated, most didn’t know why ! It was shocking(and hilarious !) to hear them give vague responses….some even stating that we got our independence on this day !! Most don’t know the words of our anthem…don’t think it’s necessary to stand up when it’s being played, unless it’s in a public event or during movie(where they are to stand up)! We know of Maharashtra CM and other politicians recently(caught on the camera), leaving the podium while the national anthem was being played !!
    Sports does bring the patriotic feeling among youngsters to a great extent, thankfully !

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    1. Did the celebrities really grope for words when confronted by the question? 🙂 I missed that one! It must have been hilarious indeed. You have given a good idea to the policy makers. Let them make one of the World Cup songs into the national anthem and see the young ones sing with pride 😀

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  34. I watched that video on Facebook too, and quite agree to your sentiments. To express we don’t necessarily need a voice, we need emotions.

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    1. You are so right about the need to have emotions to express ourselves, not voice. We need the latter to be heard, though.

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  35. That is so sad! I remember the pride I used to feel(still feel, for that matter), when we used to sing the National Anthem. Why on earth would they not sing the anthem ? It makes no sense.. And makes it so sad.

    We had a holiday during Republic day too – but we still used to feel the pride and joy of the day.

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    1. Maybe it is the fashion not to sing it? I don’t know. I wonder if all schools follow this or only the ‘elite’ ones. Like Varsha has pointed out, children are increasingly getting distanced from the freedom movement with the passage of time.

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  36. aaah… those were the days my friend
    we thought they’d never end…..

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    1. Wow, a haiku in two lines!

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  37. hang on a bit!! no school on republic day??? since when??
    i remember doing all the parade and stuff on the big days and spends hours practising them as well along with others. being a scout and then a cadet meant we had to lead from the front on matters of discipline. having said that, my schoolmates were never found wanting on the such days.
    can’t see the video now (blocked at work), will do so later 🙂

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    1. This has been the case at least in Delhi for a long time now. The trend is catching up in small towns too, where a convenient day is chosen to celebrate the National Days. Kids today practice a lot for these programmes too but I find the pride and enthusiasm missing. Probably has to do with the fact that they are too far removed from the days of slavery and so can’t connect with it. I don’t know.

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  38. This national anthem video was beautiful and choking. It instills a sense of positivity into us, that yes, handicapped maybe, but they totally and willingly will work for the nation

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    1. I loved the last shot where the kids wave their hands with the flag. It does bring a ray of hope in the heart about this country and its people.

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  39. Changing values of the society, varying priorities of the different generations is most evident in all walks of our life. This is one of them. In my school days, even though the timing and words part was not strict it was usual to stand and sing (or even murmur)wherever or whenever the national anthem played. There was nothing awkward about it. But now, we would rather stand to watch Munni getting badnaam rather than for our national anthem. Sachin and Sheila are bigger heroes than Balgangadhar Tilak or Sarojini Naidu.

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    1. Hey welcome here Vignesh! You are so right about changing of priorities with the times. Talking of standing to watch ‘munni’ had me in splits. Ask any old timer and you will hear them lament about the loss of melody while the younger generation swears by beat and rhythm. While one can condone this as being each to his own, it is rather difficult to condone something like not singing the national anthem, at least for the older generation and older older generation like mine 🙂

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  40. The first time I saw the national anthem, it had me choked up too and surely it deserves the accolades it has got making this wonderful video.
    On the PT part, you remember taking my practical file for physical education exam back in 12th class? Life saver you were!

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    1. Oh yes, you had forgotten to take it and if you had not submitted it you could have failed. Thank god the school was close by.

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