So India celebrated her 60th Republic Day today. Like every year I watched the parade on TV. This post is a collection of the few random thoughts I had during the show.
1. Only 6 were awarded Ashok Chakra out of the 16 brave officers who died fighting terrorists in November. I think the government could have afforded or made exceptions this time to award them all. It was touching to watch tearful wives receive the awards. May their souls rest in peace and may their sacrifices not go wasted.
2. Helen, Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were awarded the Padma Shree. Helen is a legend so I can understand..even Akshay Kumar too if I stretch my understanding power but Aish???? For her immense acting skills ?? For winning Miss World a decade ago?
3. Why is the President called “Rashtrapati” ? While coining the word did our fore fathers think that Rashtra is a lady and the supreme citizen shall be her husband? (Not to mention the hint of the assumption that no female could ever be the President). What was the need to attach “pati” to the word Rashtra? Why couldn’t it be “RashtraPradhan” for instance?
4.26th January is celebrated as Republic Day as it was on this day in 1950 when the Constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. The Constitution of India grants us personal rights.
The right to equality is one of the chief guarantees given in Articles 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the Constitution. It is the principal foundation of all other rights, guaranteeing equality of all citizens before law, social equality, equal access to public areas, equality in matters of public employment, the abolition of untouchability and of titles.
But of course women of India are not citizens. In fact they are not even human beings. That is why a group of men belonging to Ram Sena (what a choice of name I must say! I am not a big fan of Ramayan still Ram ka naam badnaam na karo!) attacked a group of women in a pub on Saturday afternoon in Mangalore. Because Indian women have no such thing called personal rights. What they do, what they wear, whether they keep their husband’s surname, where they go, where they stand is everyone’s business among India’s moral police.
[Edited to add:- I know my readers will know still I would like to clarify that I am being sarcastic about the 4th point. I know Women are Citizens 
]
But if I had a choice, would I like to be born some place else other than India? I won’t.
Imagine all the delicacies and different foods I would have missed!! I would have spent my life without knowing what a panipuri or Hyderabadi biryani tastes like!!
Imagine all the festivities I would have missed celebrating and knowing.
Festivals Of India
Imagine all the rich history, the traditions, the wildlife, the varied culture, the places I would have missed.
I am glad to be an Indian. Of course everything isn’t shining here. But koi bhi desh perfect nahi hota, usse perfect banana padta hai. ( No country is perfect, one needs to make it perfect)
HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY TO ALL INDIANS! JAI HIND!
Right on, on Point 1, 2 and 3. Happy Republic Day..
Reema: Same to u!!
let’s see…
1. ashoka chakra – very right all of them sacrificed their live and all lives are equal.
2. Ash…? still puzzled about that..
3. also why is it a ‘Senapati’ .. now.. senas were made of all men only…
4. it shoud have been ‘Raavan Sena’
still i luv India.. i just posted something of that sort today
Reema: Raavan sena!! exactly!
Well Reema,yes they attacked women but how about doing something? Not just writing blog posts? Do they even care what you and me write? How about having a protest ? How about going out and put it in the main stream media,that you all stand against it?
Reema: Yes you are correct but that doesnt mean one shouldn’t write about it. The pen is mightier than the sword.
And as for Ash,hmm..now isn’t that strange,Maybe since Jodha didn’t get an Oscar nomination,they felt this will do compensate
Reema: Hmm maybe!!
Here is my point wise observation:
1. Yes, the Ashok Chakra should have gone to all; lack of it has belittled sacrifices.
2. On Aiish getting the Padma award: it is becoming a norm now to award the Padma awards to anyone famous and known in the country. Sooner or later, all the who’s who will get it!
3. President as Rashtrapati! Valid point! UPSC, UGC and some other bodies still have chairmen! JNU centres has chairperson though! UPSC even addressed its former chairwoman in the 80s as chairman in its annual reports. I am building a critique of UPSC CSE and had petitioned them on this in an elaborate RTI petition but they ignored it!
I have to submit an RTI petition to the Parliament and will ask them this question; will inform you in due course of time. Two stories here in the IE and the TOI may be referred to here.
4. Women in India are citizens. It is those goons who do not deserve to be citizens! I recall in my city Ranchi, few years ago they had forcibly made couples tie Rakhi to each other on Valentine day at popular hangouts!
Can’t tell you much on food; I am an abstemious eater now, highly calorie conscious! Here are a few lines from my poem on food:
Last but not the least, I would say India would have been a very boring country if it were not so diverse!
Jai Hind!
Reema: Thanks for the wonderful comment and the links. All valid points. Jai Hind!!
Hey, I had submitted an RTI petition on Rashtrapatni etc. (as I had suggested I will; see previous comment above).
They did not give a single reply, alas! The Lok Sabha secretariat probably does not even know the basics of the RTI act (even the name of the RTI appellate authority is missing)!
Now I am writing an email to the president. I had written one letter in my childhood to late K.R. Narayanan and I had got an acknowledgment which had made me famous.
Let’s hope PS Patil replies.
Reema: Wow!! I hope the same!
yes we can not forgot the sacrifice of others
What a wonderful post! And I agree fully!
Reema: Thanks!!
Nice colourful post Reema. Somehow I feel more strongly on Independence day rather than on Republic Day!
Communist countries will give it too, but then I don’t like communism! 
But I liked what you said, about being happy being born Indian. I feel the same. In my next life too I want to be Indian! And born a Hindu no less. It’s strange but even though I am not at all religious I do not want to be born into any religion except Hinduism because I know this is the only religion that will give me freedom not to be religious!
Reema: Thanks!! I too feel more strongly on Independence day. Yes I too want to be a Hindu and a Bengali at that even if I criticize them
Nice observations. I don’t understand why Akshay kumar received Padmashree. I liked the way you ended the article, I can vouch atleast for the food that no other country is rich with.
Reema: Thanks! Indian food rocks!!
I really don’t care about the country in which I would have liked to be born. It will be on Earth anyhow!
What I would like is that in that country there should be freedom. Not only in books but in real life too. Where people can choose the life which they lead without any fear.
Guess, I have to search some other planet to live if I wish to live in such a country.
Reema: Like Planet AZ1104???
Wonderful post Reema…..really true and i am glad I am an Indian as well!
Reema: Thanks!!
I wish I was born as an ant. In any country. Atleast the ants know what they are supposed to do and do exactly what they are supposed to!
Destination Infinity
Reema: Watch the movie Ant Bully
Being human is lot better 
Completely agree with u… I even heard that these Rama sena people wont allow a gal and guy walk together on the road in Mangalore…
Wondering why did Akshay Kumar got the award!!!????
Reema: Come on if Aish could why cant Akshay ?
Yeah…I too wonder why Aishwarya was awarded..she is most pathetic actress around..she survives because she IS very beautiful and has a good PR. It is like Katrina receiving an Oscar.
Even that is better.
And these senaptis have got nothing better to do. This is only country where a man makes his political debut killing North-indians and Some Senapatis rise to ‘glory’ by chasing women in pubs. Silly bastards and i detest even those people who support them. I think this is the strongest language I have used ever on any blog. I am really incensed.
Reema: Really..that is the reason behind her receiving this award.
I too am soo angry at these perverts.
In contrast to Nita, I only feel strongly about Republic Day. I dont feel much for Independence Day or Gandhi Jayanti. I just wish Indian’s would care a little bit more about their Constitution, rather than just pay lip service.
I am glad to be Indian, but I know most of my countrymen would be better off being citizens of some other nation.
Reema: Well I feel more for Independence day but enjoy Republic Day more
Yes, what you said is true.
Even I disagree…
Why is AISH awarded…
dont know some stupid morons deciding …and taking foolish deciions
(
Reema: Yeah!!
I don’t know.. if it was my choice i wouldn’t have been born at all.. and if i had to.. not in india.. nope! WE are the most hypocritical and racist people in the developed/developing world
Reema: Hmmm…Each to his own view
Why not Sushmita?
Reema: Good point!! But if we see from the number of achievements in art Aish outnumbers Sush.
Hmm a good article with interesting thoughts and questions. But in reply to those Vikas Gupta has added a good comment. I sort of agree with him
Reema: Thanks!!
Aishwarya!!! why her man? The awards have become a joke now.
Amar Singh must have lobbied hard with Sonia Gandhi
Reema: Welcome to my blog. Yes I think the same. Keep visiting!
1. Exactly. It was unfair.
2. I’d written a post on this and then deleted it. Theres no use cribbing. The award panel in India sucks; big time ! Ash doesnt even deserve a Filmfare award, the title is too early for Akshay, someone like Paresh would have been an ideal choice, now if Helen received it, Iam sure in another 30 years, Rakhi Sawant would walk away with such a title too. Urfff !!!
3. Of course, the Rasthra is a lady. Its Bharat Maata, right? But then, why ‘pati’ ?beats me ! we have lakhpatis and crorepatis too, na?
4. They should be Raavan Sena ! But then, even Raavan had respect for women ! Harassing women is culture according to those vultures !! All of them should be buried alive, all of them !
Btw, isnt that last line from Rang De Basanti ??
Reema: Yes the line is from RDB of course! I knew every one will recognize it so I didn’t mention it specifically.
hmmm… good post but why do we females have to make such hue and cry about “pati” and stuff??? How would it really matter? And in ancient times, “pati” did not mean husband, it meant, the leader/owner. Later the meaning changed.
Happy Republic Day!!
Reema: Thanks!! Well I just wondered! and in 1950 I think the word meant husband only no?
yeah…god only knows why the hell Akshay and Aish were awarded Padamshree? To me it clearly signifies that this award has lost its meaning now.
And Mangalore incident was disgusting. Everytime I watched it on television I had a very different reaction…its pathetic!
Reema: Awards have got no meaning left now
I just feel soo angry at the incident!
interesting… very very interesting…
Reema: Thanks!!
Beautiful video! Thanks for sharing!
I hadn’t seen it for a long time, and I think its quite apt for the situation today!
And “LOL, Good Post!”
Reema: Welcome!!
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Hello! The pingback is showing here as comment! I collected the video in my Vod Pod profile from you and gave you credit for it! Is this normal? Ditto with my comment on Nitawriter! What to do! Is this a wordpress error or is it normal?! You can delete it and this comment too. Thanks.
Reema: Its normal!! You should always give credit by linking back
very informative – thank you I’ve bookmarked this blog and will come back regularly
Reema: Welcome to my blog. Thanks!
Hello Reema,
Nice post. I was with a smile reading your 4 point “random thoughts.” They are eye openers. Trust me, I saw the show and never got the feelers. It requires a sharp “gemini” mind like yours. Good Job! The problem with Padma Shree for art is that (as per my knowledge) you cannot confer it twice to the same person. All in our industry seemed to have got it
When they looked around, Aish (still in the 50 most beautiful women list) was the only “someone” still dreaming about it who made it to some hollywood movies (Pink Panther still to be released), got some Filmfare best actress award’s (south and north), gets invited to all award shows abroad and is the most popular face of India. Right? It’s just a thought…!! Keep Blogging…
Reema: Thanks for all the praise!!
Those are valid points but the award is for performance in art not for being brand India ambassador.
well written ‘cohesive random thoughts’
padamshree is given to folks who have made distinguished contribution in the field of art, science, industry, sports et al. i wonder how akshay and ash qualify!
though i am fan of both, i seriously wonder why….
that video is inspirational….thanks for posting that.
Reema: Welcome to my blog. Thanks. Keep visiting!
[qoute]Helen, Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were awarded the Padma Shree. Helen is a legend so I can understand..even Akshay Kumar too if I stretch my understanding power but Aish???? For her immense acting skills ?? For winning Miss World a decade ago?[/quote]
I completely agree with you.
The Mangalore incident is very shameful. But of course the followers of Ram would do this because Ram himself cut the nose of Surpnakha becuase she proposed Laxman. Was that not a crime?
One thing I just want to tell you I like your blog and your thoughts so I will read this blog and post comments regularly.
Reema: Welcome to my blog. I think it was a bigger crime to first rescue one’s wife and then ask her to go through a agnipariksha and to leave her to raise two boys alone. Thanks!! Keep visiting.
I am sorry I made a mistake laxman cut Surpnakha’s nose.
Reema: Ok!!
HEY THIS POST OF YOURS HAS BEEN FEATURED IN TODAY’S BANGALORE MIRROR.
Reema: Heyyy!! Thanks for informing me!!!
Ash is going to contest elections from UP or Bihar so she had to be given a Padma now. If you have money or political connections you get Padma Awards.
Abhinav Bindra got for bringing Gold but Vijayendra didn’t for bringing Bronze. How many Indians even win at Olympics? Whereas Yuvaraj and Bhajji got. Even Barkha Dutt and Rajdeep Sardesai.
These awards don’t have a value. Seriously!
Your are right. Our culture is vast and so diverse. We don’t need any moral polices to destroy it.
Reema: I think she is going to campaign for Amar Singh not contest elections. These awards have lost their meaning.
Happy republic day to u too …
even i dont get the point in Aish getting padma shri ..
Reema: Almost every Indian is wondering the same!
Rashtrapati? Its like the word ‘Chairman’ when women take up the post, they are called Chair Person.
Why not Chairwoman?
Reema: I think all such terms should be changed to something common to all genders.
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May be Aish was given Padma Shree for ditching Sallu n Vivek…
Next, Sallu will be given Padma Shree for having dumped by so many women…
Reema: LOL!
Every blogger wrote about the Incidence of Mangalore pub attack by RamSena.
I was the first to mention the case nonetheless as I made my 26th Januray post right after seeing that news on NDTV.
I also mentioned it as rouge action of saffron group.
But later on I thought more on the issue. it was not a saffron group attack on youth.
it was rather the issue of Date Rape and the way feminists take on it.
Why Do these people, or any person advocating girls to not to go to pubs, not to drink alcohol not to go to dates, not to mingle with boys, suggests so?
They do so because of the increasing number of date rapes.
I know every feminist will criticize men on that issue, and will start demanding more stringent action and laws etc…
But its futile. Women Must understand that by forcing/cajoling government to act unequally and discriminate on the basis of gender will destroy our own society.
P.S since you made the issue of constitution, let me lead you to my ideas about it too Republic India struggling Against slavery
And I am sorry, I beg to differ, my ideas doesn’t meet with yours. I think you are over-hyping the issue of equality, Indian constitution and government is looting indian citizen since last 60 years over this issue of equality, which is not genuine.
Reema: welcome to my blog. I guess as they are so worried about date rapes that they assault women. They have the right because they care for them, right? i don’t think demand about stringent laws and capture of criminals ( I think assault even if husband or wife does it is a crime) has anything to do with feminism. Its just us citizens demanding our right to personal freedom!! I guess for you inequality doesnt exist in India. As for your views its ok. Each to his/her own.
I dont understand why there is any reason for Akshay Kumar to get. He has not done anything. Even Harbhajan for that matter.
I am not an Ash fan at all..but atleast she has represented bollywood, she is a known figure etc she was Miss WOrld. She did make the world notice India in some way. So maybe she can get it.
Reema: Its not about representing India. As Nita said its about distinguished work in related field. I can’t call her acting as distinguished in the good sense.
I had missed this post in all the upset over the Mangalore goons …
26 Jan is my favorite day, but see how it was ruined this year!
I love our Constitution
Reema: Me too!
I think assault even if husband or wife does it is a crime) has anything to do with feminism. Its just us citizens demanding our right to personal freedom!! I guess for you inequality doesnt exist in India. As for your views its ok. Each to his/her own.
Ummm?
It do exist . Women get more and irrational support from politicy and law makers. it is as simple as that.
And As it is clear that you did not read the issue, I can understand your support for the irrational inequality.
How can you suggest that anyone should be imprisoned if a woman starts shouting rape rape?
How convinced you are about that a woman can never misuse such idiotic laws?
More than that how convinced you are about your opposition to the simple rule that no accused is victim til not proven guilty?
About constitution, you can keep loving the injustice many enjoys that.
greattt post!! Agreeee to all the points and especially the 3rd and the 4th one. Hail to woman hood!
Thanks dear!!
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nice one
Interesting reading 
Jai Hind
thank u!
we have most day which is the two days 26jan and 15aug. in this day we making festival in our on place. in that day all indian peopel go to one place their has more peoples for this eventing and doing some function , activity, and there getting lot of opportunity like place is school, college, offices,all of this where doing work together for any main purpose there orgnize this event and set indian flag which is a reputation for india.
bharat mata ki jay
India is great