63rd Republic Day- 63 Things to Admire About India
We are 63 years old as a Republic. It is the time to celebrate that we
are the citizens of India and live in a democracy, a blessing we
sometimes take for granted. It is time to appreciate our founding
fathers that had the conviction and wisdom to give us this Constitution.
Here are the 63 things in our national life that define us and make us
proud.
The Indian Armed Forces: Nothing matches the untamable
courage of the Indian jawans and officers. They live to defend our
borders; stay awake so we get a good night's rest. They are truly the
brave forces. Jai Jawan!
Hospitality: One of the most evident things any person
or even a visitor in India will notice is its hospitality. Indians are
full of warmth and hospitality. For instance just board a train and you
will see that the family on the next berth will open their tiffin, with
rotis and sabzi and pickles and generously offer to share their food
with you. Guests in a small Indian home! No issues because they
eventually offer their bed while they sleep in the hall. Hospitality
like this would only be seen in a place like India.
Economic Renaissance: It has been such a pleasure to
see that since the beginning of the 1990s, India has taken an upbeat
turn in the economic field. Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and his Finance
Minister Manmohan Singh will be remembered in history as those who
dared to abandon the old Soviet path of a planned economy.
Supreme Court: It is our tough cookie that serves
justice and gets to rap our leaders. The apex court that has had a very
busy year, pulling up governments, public servants and criminals along
with all the scams bursting into the scene one after another.
Election Commission: Whether it is about thinking of a
new political party or a fancy symbol for your existing one, or wanting
to nail a guy for his hate speech. The Election Commission is here to
meet your every electoral need.
Indian Railways: Our very own essence of India, the
Indian Railways, something no one can miss to travel in. The experience
of hot chaai, garam vadas, even a three-course meal in the train,
ensures you get a ride you'll never forget! It is 'India's Lifeline'
without a doubt.
Festivals: Be it Diwali, Holi, Id or Christmas,
Indians celebrate all the festivals with equal zest and enthusiasm.
India is known for its diverse culture and showcases its unity in its
diversity.
Wagah Retreat Ceremony: The 'lowering of the flags'
ceremony at an official land crossing between India and Pakistan is one
of the most beautiful ceremonies. The fascinating, intense show of pomp,
war cries and aggression is a must watch.
The Metro: The new Indian era has changed commuting
habits. The Metro has finally made travel easy for commuters in the big
cities. Led by the visionary leadership, it has set benchmarks in
transparency, keeping to schedules and in developing civic
infrastructure.
The Indian Attire: Be it sarees, kurta or salwar
kameez the Indian attire is definitely a thumbs up. The Indian attire is
an attraction for most of the foreign tourists.
Gold: This is rather evident that wherever there's an
Indian, there is Gold. Our fascination for the yellow metal makes us the
largest consumers in the world, maybe it explains why we didn't sink
too badly during recession.
Yoga:
Our very own ancient system of mental and physical rejuvenation which
is now practiced all over the world. Being the land of meditation, we
have as many forms as there are gurus. It is unquestionably a system
that helps both the body and the mind.
Rangoli: It is this traditional decorative folk art
that remains alive on courtyards of many Indian homes, most often on
auspicious days. Rangoli is practiced in many different states and
enhances the beauty of the homes.
The Indian Sweets: Most of us Indians have a sweet
tooth and love our jalebis, cashew burfi’s and rasgulla’s. Heavenly is
the word! Every occasion in India is marked with the traditional Indian
sweets.
Gulli Cricket: If cricket is a religion in India, it
is practiced in the 'gullis' of India every waking moment. It is
unarguably India's national pass time. Watching the gods perform on TV
and fine tuning the art in the streets and corners of the length and
breadth of our land, is how it works.
Malls: India's new favorite hangout is the malls.
Every child, teen and couple find their way to the malls to kill some
time and splurge some money.
Tiger: It is something that India was justly famous
for in the years gone by. But unfortunately almost poached and neglected
to extinction. Renewed efforts were launched to rescue this king of the
jungle and our National Animal.
Joint Families: It is the famous Indian phenomenon-
grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, second cousins- all under the same
roof. Though of late urban life and migration has seen this practice
disappear, it's alive in spirit in television serials and films.
Swamis & Netas: One export from India that has
been an international hit is the 'swami' or the spiritual gurus. They
have placed India on the map with thousands of followers heading our way
every year. Not far behind in popularity are our politicians or
'netas', as we fondly call them.
Bollywood Movies: Undoubtedly Bollywood movies are
much followed and sought after by us Indians. The perfect endings that
we love to see is what our movies offer us. With the dancing and singing
and a little unreal ‘stuff’ we love our Hindi movies.
Saas Bahu Serials: It's now been 2 decades since the
'mega-serial' broke onto our screens. Dominating since Day 1 is an
inexplicable fascination to portray the Saas-Bahu (mother in
law-daughter in law) relationship. Whether the Saas be evil or the Bahu,
we Indian viewers are hooked!
Paan: Paan in India is a ‘can't miss’. Good to eat,
but not too good to spit. Weirdly so many Indians are seen chewing this
green leaf that it has almost given others an easy way to identify a
‘typical Indian’.
Bargaining: It is an essential Indian trait. Shopping on the streets of India is a done thing- you beg, fight or bluff your way through!
Dabbawallas: These famous ‘dabbawallas’ that deliver
homemade food. More often than not we end up cribbing about how the daal
is a little too watery, the rice uncooked but yet we love our dabba’s.
Dhol: Don’t we love the sound of the dhol out there on
the street! Although it looks primitive in design, it breathes life
into any celebration. Is has a sound that reverberates in the skies.
Dandiya: The dance form that was born in Gujarat is an
explosion of rhythm, music and color. In navratri the art form becomes a
melting pot of cultures where people around India come together and as
everyone dance to the tune of decorative sticks (dandiyas).
Mahatma Gandhi: Mahatama Gandhi, the father of the
nation. The man who struggled for our independence and who left behind a
treasure of practical wisdom.
Rabindranath Tagore: India's national poet, who gave us our national anthem. He is remembered as the giant among intellectuals.
Creativity: India is known for its creativity. India
has produced many well known philosophies and sciences, arts and poems
and all kinds of monuments, palaces, temples, communities, societies and
religious orders, laws and codes and rituals, physical sciences,
psychic sciences, systems of politics and administration, spiritual
arts, worldly arts, trades, industries, fine crafts and more.
The Grace: One more reason to love India would be that
in India it is the grace which sustains us. It is the graceful Indians
that make the country such a lovely place to live in.
Culture: India has one of the oldest and unique
cultures. India has an amazing cultural diversity throughout the
country. The North, South and Northeast have their own distinct cultures
and almost every state has carved out its own cultural niche. There may
hardly be any culture in the world that is as varied and unique as
India.
Diversity: India is truly the perfect example of unity
in diversity. Despite the different religions and castes, customs and
traditions, the different languages spoken etc people here still have a
feeling of oneness. We are bound by common cultural heritage and share
basic human values and hence, we call ourselves Indians.
Worshipping Nature: We Indians worship nature and that
is what is unique about our culture. All the religions here start the
day with morning hymns. The sun, the trees and every part of the nature
is worshipped in various forms in our country and nowhere in the world
can one find such generosity.
Religious Generosity: Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs,
Christians, Buddhists, Jains, etc one can find people of all religions
in India. India being a secular state, allows every citizen to enjoy an
equal right of choosing and following a particular religion.
Way of Greeting:
"Namaste", is our common way of greeting outsiders and elders. It not
only shows the
respect for others but it also makes one feel the
affection in the greeting. It for sure creates a magic that even no
'hello' or 'hi' can create.
respect for others but it also makes one feel the
affection in the greeting. It for sure creates a magic that even no
'hello' or 'hi' can create.
Artistic India: Nowhere in the world can one find
such a great variety in performing and visual arts that is seen in
India. From a roadside show to a highly classy drama in the theatre, one
can find anything and everything here.
Street Shopping: Every city in India has its street
shopping where buyers are flooded, trying to get the best bargain. Be it
Sarojini market in Delhi, Linking road in Mumbai or any other shopping
street, we Indians love street shopping.
Goa: Goa is India’s very own Miami. It is the land of
the great laze. It is the ultimate stress-buster for people from all
corners of India and the world. The place ensures there are no worries,
no stresses but just a lot of spirits, sand and surf.
Himalaya’s: The great mountain range inspires
completely contrasting feelings of thrill, awe and serenity. Trailing
through the Himalayan region brings one directly in contact with our
country and its people. It’s definitely one of the things we are proud
to call our own.
Kerala: God's own country presenting a polite face of
India. The place is full of culture, beaches, hills, plantations and its
famously known backwaters.
Full Blast Music: In our country enjoyment is measured
in decibels. The louder the music, the merrier it is. Though an assault
on the ears it is great fun nevertheless. From loudspeakers for the
neta’s speech to the jagrans, it is not easy to escape the noise of
India.
Chaat Places: India is well known for its chaat
places. The famous paani puri, sev puri and many more, is the ubiquitous
roadside snack in India loved by all Indians.
Indian Cuisine: Be it butter paneer from the North or
the masala dosa from the South, Indian food is lip smacking and
delicious, with the scrumptious fragrance of the spices. Full of masala
and spices Indian food is a definitely what we all love.
The Taj Mahal: One of the Seven Wonders of the World, a monument to love in marble. It is the world's envy and India's pride.
Shikaras: The shikaras on the Dal Lake is the most
picturesque sceneries on the globe. The shikaras of Kashmir make the
ultimate photo option for the honeymooning couples.
The Golden Temple:
It is the simmering temple on the pond, where the Sikhs and the
faithful assemble for instant solace and calm. The depiction of the
gurbani would move one to tears. A lesson in humility as well - where
all are equal and all are welcome. A model for what a place of worship
should be like.
Spirituality: India is known for its spiritual
practices. Ours is a country that has strong believers and spiritual
practitioners; a country that preaches spirituality and karma.
Cricketers: It is a known fact that Indians love
cricket, but the crazy fan following of these Indian cricketers is what
is rather amusing. Every Indian will definitely have his / her favorite
cricket star for sure.
Auto Rickshaws: The three wheeler- auto rickshaw is
one of the most important means of transport to us Indians. Most of us
would often have gotten into a tiff with one of them for over pricing us
and ripping us of our money, but then again we can’t do without them.
Unity: Our country may have seen the most unpleasant
of wars but when it comes to the country as a whole, all people come
together as ‘Indians’ putting aside their religion tag and demonstrate
what unity truly means.
Kindness: Kindness is a quality of being one can
experience in India. There is a kindness and warmth among the people
that make Indians different.
Weather: India has one of the best climatic
conditions, with all the regions experiencing the various seasons. Be it
Cherapunji’s highest rainfall or Kashmir’s snow or Delhi’s extreme
weather.
Beauty and Serenity: India is a destination that has a
beauty to be admired, with cities and monuments that are worth a visit.
A contrast of the chaotic streets and a serenity that makes you fall in
love with the place.
Rajasthan: Abundant with sand, palaces and camels. It is a state with a huge cultural heritage.
Filmy gossip: How would our day go by without our
daily dose of filmy gossip! Who’s seeing who? Is Shahid Kapoor still
single? Are John-Bipasha over? Questions, questions and more questions
and we desperately await answers!
Bollywood 'Ishtyle': The Jhatakas and matkas- you name
it and Bollywood's got the style! B-town has all the ingredients that
take it to the pinnacle of glam and glitz.
****
1: Everybody has his or her own likings and
dislikings. And that is not bad. But the
problem with most of we Indians is, just
criticism and doing nothing. Criticism has
become a way of life of the Indians. I have
been travelling the world for the last over
35 years and have had been to over 60
countries of this globe several times. I
have seen that no system is perfect. The word
perfect is in fact, a fantasy. Because
perfection cant be achieved but is a
continutous process. I have written a 7 page
article on the British society and politics
named What is great in great Britain today,
which highlights how this so-called rich
country is living in poverty and corruption.
And never forget world's those 52 countries
are most corrupt which were ruled by the
British. Also take the example of the US, is
there anybody who could just count the one
third of the states of the US? No, because
except 8 - 10 states which have been doing
good, nobody on this earth knows about the
rest as they are the poorest of the poor. Do
the readers know that 80 per cent of chinese
live below the poverty line?
Self criticism is bad, not
'self-introspection'. We should
self-introspect what we have achieved and
what we should strive to. This article is not
based on the economic reports but simply to
remind every single Indian that what we have
with us, makes us different from others. And
we should be proud of it. The day we Indians
will start looking at our own actions, stop
pissing by the roadsides, start caring for
the road-signals, start loving the neighbours
and become tolerant and considerate to
others, I think we will be more proud.
We have a lot to be proud still , but let us
make ourselves worthy of it, let us try to be
human beings, let us stop comparing ourselves
with others. Others are others and can never
be us. Stop thinking that bahu should be gori
and stop being racial to our brothers and
sisters from other states. Let be proud of
ourselves and the whole country. No problem
if our leaders were wrong and corrupt, at
least we the people, try to be honest, stop
being hipocrates and still there is a lot
which we can do as I have already said, it is
a continuous process. I am sorry, these are
my own views and I never mean to hurt the
feelings of others. (And never think that I
dont know what bad things we have, but I
simply mean, let us recognize our strengths,
shun our weaknesses, be positive and change
the self and not expect from others. Thanks.
Dr. A. Kumar
Posted by: Dr. A. Kumar - 28 Jan, 2012
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