26 January. Two memories stand out in my memory. 

1st one from school where 15 – 20 days before Republic Day, the entire school braved the harsh winters for march past practice. While a few daring ones managed to skip by hiding in classrooms or faking illness, the number was always small. After the march past, some of us would eagerly volunteer for cultural programs – mostly singing or dancing.

Two songs which I still remember are:
“Veer tum badhe chalo, dheer tum badhe chalo”

or

“Ye waqt ki awaaz hai, milke chalo, milke chalo, milke chalo

And the dress code? Always the same: white kurta-pajama with a red dupatta.

But the real excitement was for the motichoor laddoos! Oh, those sumptuous laddoos distributed post the function. Made with shuddh desi ghee! No idea which sweet shop made them, but the taste still lingers on. Perhaps that’s why I never thought of skipping school, even if it meant traveling 20 – 30 km to get there.

Another memory is of watching the Republic Day parade on DD National. It was like a ritual. And mom made it almost sacred – by insisting we bathe before watching it (no compromises!). 

The vibrant milieu of colorful dancers, majestic cavalry, breathtaking stunts, marching bands, synchronized beats of hands and feet, beautiful tableaux, and of course, the iconic Hindi commentary by Jasdev Singh – all of it filled us with immense pride and patriotism. And the grand finale, watching the tricolor balloons ascend into the sky – was truly mesmerizing.

These memories are not just nostalgic; they’re a reminder of the unity, diversity, and pride that Republic Day represents.

Even today, I watch the DD national to relive those memories. Sometimes, we as human beings, try to hold unto the past…as it brings a sense of belonging and comfort.