26th Jan, the day of depravity

“Holy shit,” the expression that followed the oxymoron was one of overflowing urgency and panic; as if Deepak got to know he had mathematics test that day and not Physics, one which he had slogged the previous night on.
The urgency was to acquire “some booze”, the panic was the fear of alienation from his daily quota of booze. All because the government of India expects the revered denizens of the state to refrain from alcohol on 26th January, to commemorate Republic day.
Evidently, Deepak and his acolytes do not endorse the idea of a dry day. Unfortunately, they represent a considerable chunk of Indian youth with similar opinion.
Inviting the Indonesian prime minister, Sutan Sjahrir, will probably contribute to the fostering of friendly ties between the two countries; Sonia Gandhi’s absence in the president’s tea party, or Yedurappa and his acolytes giving the Governor’s tea party a cold shoulder, might have provided enough fodder for media speculation.
However, Indian government needs to pull its socks to address the grievances of Deepak and likes, for whom a republic day or an independence day is another coveted break from work. It is disheartening to know that, while patriotic forums in social networks are abuzz with jingoism, Deepak rues over non availability of alcohol. Those who don’t, keep mum at the prospect of a holiday, whatever reason it might be for. What is the purpose of imposing a dry day when liquor shops grab this opportunity to relieve the desperate customers of a few extra bucks against a bottle of whiskey, evading police vigilance (not to undermine the prospect of a nexus between the police and the shop keeper). So drop the idea of a dry day as it garners black money for a black soul.
Let us focus on the institutions where ‘ignited minds’ of the nation are manufactured. A republic day celebration is an integral part of any school’s schedule, where students are expected to be present and participate, ideally. However, teachers, over the years, have learnt to take the despondence over low turnout in their stride. The republic day celebration is confined to the unfortunate NCC guys performing the ritual of a parade, preceded by the customary national anthem. I am not sure whether they envy their classmates who enjoy the cozy winter sun with hot coffee, while they toil it on the ground. So leave the onus of celebrating republic day on the central and state governments and allow all the children a sound morning sleep, so that they at least appreciate the republic day.
Viewership of movies like Krantiveer and Border, patriotic movies which have become a permanent part of the platter served by television channels on republic day, far exceeds that of the live telecast of republic day parade from Red Fort, Delhi. Why don’t BJP confront the government to produce couple of movies on Indian independence, starring a Shahrukh Khan or a Madhuri Dixit, organize free and compulsory screenings in schools and colleges, rather than forcing their way to Lal Chowk to hoist the tricolor and antagonize the Congress? Thus, before 26th January dawns next year, number of youth cribbing about non availability of alcohol or compulsory attendance in school might take a downward plunge, out of respect for the Ambedkars and Bhagat Singhs and Subhash Boses.