
A humorous column in The New Indian Express traces one writer’s changing experience of Independence Day, from school performances and flag hoisting to college holidays, workplace obligations and social media posts. The…
A humorous column in The New Indian Express traces one writer’s changing experience of Independence Day, from school performances and flag hoisting to college holidays, workplace obligations and social media posts. The writer recalls dancing to ‘Mere Desh Ki Dharti’, receiving snacks after school ceremonies and watching patriotic films at home. As an adult, the day becomes linked to office dress codes, dry-day complaints and online arguments over patriotism and history. The column argues that despite these changes, Independence Day still offers a personal moment to think about India and the freedom to hold different views.
The easy story is that school celebrations were sincere while adulthood has reduced patriotism to tricolour displays, alcohol and Instagram posts. That is too neat. Rituals can be shallow, but they also give people a shared memory, and online expression is not automatically empty. The harder test is whether freedom shapes conduct beyond one day: respect for disagreement, lawful behaviour and attention to public institutions. On the next Independence Day, what remains after the profile picture changes?
Source: newindianexpress.com
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