sunsha
05-02-2007, 11:37 AM
Situation 1
Me was wid a carefree attitude in college, spending more time playing basketball, donning the NCC uniform, than studying...go against parents wishes to hop onto Delhi bound train from Madras Central alongwith a large contingent of Army,Naval and Airwing NCC cadets in the month of January.
It was like an extended picnic in Delhi when we camped there for the RDC (Republic Day Camp), practicing the march past wid a .303 rifle in hand in freezing cold smoking the cold air out through our nostrils, running the marathon and then stealing whatever time we could to sleep and fool around.
It was an excitement to be leading the Tamil Nadu contingent for the final parade on 26th January alongwith the full-fledged Army contingents, adoring and envying them in the olive uniforms, hoping that one day I too would be having those stars shining on my shoulders....
The 30+ day camp passed off with such dreams in my eyes, fooling with guys and gals in our contingent and making new friends with cadets from other states...never really understanding the meaning and importance of what 'Republic Day' is/was all about, though just about having faint idea of the fact that its associated wid the constitution of free India.
Each year, this day is celebrated in a unique and distinctive way but only after coming to UAE and moving out of India, did I fully understood the importance of Republic Day and more importantly, the feel behind its celebration.
To us Indians in India, it's merely another holiday in the heavily loaded list of holidays.
Situation 2
A parent complains about a teacher, who while teaching about herbs in a social science class gave example of 'sanjivni' jadi-booti which Hanumanji brought for Laxhman to revive him. It was merely 'with reference to context'....The parent complained that the teacher was propagating Hinduism through Ramayana in a class where there are muslim students also. The parent is a Muslim Indian. The teacher had to give a written apology to the school management to appease the parent.
In U.A.E. one cannot speak about Hinduism, or any other religion except for muslim religion. You cannot celebrate Diwali or Holi, the way you do in India. There is just one temple where all Indians wid different religion come and pray.
I dont want to elaborate any further for I risk deportation, if I am reported by any local in UAE.
You live outside India and realize the rights you enjoy as an Indian citizen in India. All religions are treated equal. A muslim is allowed to follow his rituals even on open streets.
Only when one is outside India, does one know the values of 'Rights of a citizen'. There is no place like India in this world. To hold the fabric of Indian culture, religion, creed, civic and society at large, is commendable, knowing that each politician is at each other's throat.
Despite the diversity, India is one big united joint-family to be truly called a Democratic Country, in real sense! However, just as we take our parents for granted, we have taken our 'Motherland' for granted forgetting that alongwith 'Rights as a citizen', we do have certain 'Duties as a citizen' of India. While we remember and talk of 'Rights' we conveniently forget the 'Duties'.
Do we really perform our duties as responsible citizens to demand the rights??
Vande Maataram !!
Jai Hind !!!
Me was wid a carefree attitude in college, spending more time playing basketball, donning the NCC uniform, than studying...go against parents wishes to hop onto Delhi bound train from Madras Central alongwith a large contingent of Army,Naval and Airwing NCC cadets in the month of January.
It was like an extended picnic in Delhi when we camped there for the RDC (Republic Day Camp), practicing the march past wid a .303 rifle in hand in freezing cold smoking the cold air out through our nostrils, running the marathon and then stealing whatever time we could to sleep and fool around.
It was an excitement to be leading the Tamil Nadu contingent for the final parade on 26th January alongwith the full-fledged Army contingents, adoring and envying them in the olive uniforms, hoping that one day I too would be having those stars shining on my shoulders....
The 30+ day camp passed off with such dreams in my eyes, fooling with guys and gals in our contingent and making new friends with cadets from other states...never really understanding the meaning and importance of what 'Republic Day' is/was all about, though just about having faint idea of the fact that its associated wid the constitution of free India.
Each year, this day is celebrated in a unique and distinctive way but only after coming to UAE and moving out of India, did I fully understood the importance of Republic Day and more importantly, the feel behind its celebration.
To us Indians in India, it's merely another holiday in the heavily loaded list of holidays.
Situation 2
A parent complains about a teacher, who while teaching about herbs in a social science class gave example of 'sanjivni' jadi-booti which Hanumanji brought for Laxhman to revive him. It was merely 'with reference to context'....The parent complained that the teacher was propagating Hinduism through Ramayana in a class where there are muslim students also. The parent is a Muslim Indian. The teacher had to give a written apology to the school management to appease the parent.
In U.A.E. one cannot speak about Hinduism, or any other religion except for muslim religion. You cannot celebrate Diwali or Holi, the way you do in India. There is just one temple where all Indians wid different religion come and pray.
I dont want to elaborate any further for I risk deportation, if I am reported by any local in UAE.
You live outside India and realize the rights you enjoy as an Indian citizen in India. All religions are treated equal. A muslim is allowed to follow his rituals even on open streets.
Only when one is outside India, does one know the values of 'Rights of a citizen'. There is no place like India in this world. To hold the fabric of Indian culture, religion, creed, civic and society at large, is commendable, knowing that each politician is at each other's throat.
Despite the diversity, India is one big united joint-family to be truly called a Democratic Country, in real sense! However, just as we take our parents for granted, we have taken our 'Motherland' for granted forgetting that alongwith 'Rights as a citizen', we do have certain 'Duties as a citizen' of India. While we remember and talk of 'Rights' we conveniently forget the 'Duties'.
Do we really perform our duties as responsible citizens to demand the rights??
Vande Maataram !!
Jai Hind !!!