Freedom is The Lifeline of The Soul- Independence Day Celebrations at Pahal

If there is something that excites us Indians more than cricket (stereotypical, I know!), then it is the national holidays! This Independence Day, looking at all the elation around me, I wondered whether this zeal and enthusiasm had more to do with the ‘national’ or the ‘holiday’ aspect of this national holiday; whether the long history and sacrifices that the day was symbolic of, mattered at all.

I feel, I asked this because, apart from the yawning morning faces during the Independence Day annual assemblies, there was hardly anything ‘nationalistic’ about my, and most of my friends’, Independence Day. The day, for us, was mostly about having an extra holiday- having more time to read and relax. Now, having become reasonably historically and politically aware, I regret having not had the opportunity to actively and consciously engage in activities of symbolic significance to mark the day. Instead of the jargon-laden, complicated speeches, I wish we could have been made sensitive to all the sacrifices that went behind enabling me and my generation celebrate this very day.

Seeing such an initiative, of meaningfully engaging children, at the Pahal PAG made me really happy. The children put up a grand show which was highly appreciated by the community members. The event, involved delivering speeches, reciting poems, dancing and singing, all of which was coordinated by the children themselves. Though CRY volunteers and interns were actively involved in helping the children materialize their vision for the event, but the very fact that all of it had been ideated by the children themselves, was highly commendable. Despite hours of practice and brainstorming, the program looked very effortless, seeming as if the kids’ passion and joy was enough to put everything in place. Interacting with the kids and their parents made me realize how everything held a larger meaning. For them, it wasn’t merely just another chance to perform. Rather, surprisingly enough, they associated all of it with a larger cause and considered it to be their tribute to the nation. This yawn-free Independence Day community assembly made me understand how events like these can have a strong impact on young children and can play a rather pertinent role in shaping their views about their nation. Imagine how wonderful it would be if each colony could hold such events.

Reflecting upon my own childhood, I feel that what makes people not give such celebrations adequate importance is the fact that they fail to realize how significant symbolisms can be. Imagine, would you ever be able to understand the concept of feeling jittery and nervous before an exam, without ever going to school? Probably not. Because in order to be able to identify with a ‘feeling’ humans find the need to associate their ‘feelings’ with ‘concrete actions’. Similarly, without ever symbolically paying respect to all the martyrs, how can it ever be possible for children, or even adults in fact, to feel patriotic and realize the importance of Independence Day.

Detaching the symbolic activities from this day would simply mean that the all the efforts that went into seeking independence have been futile, and hold no significance to the present generation. And that would be sad, wouldn’t it?

-Sonali Mahesh

CRY Volunteer