Republic Day Parade - My India My Pride !!!

I am not sure how many of you really watch the Parade on 26th Jan.

Even if i miss it my loved one will remind me of it and we watch it from start at 9:00 AM till it lasts.....

Also when the "National Anthem .." is being played we stand together, sing along and feel proud of it.

After your school days i dont know how many of you have really sung the "National Anthem".....

I hope at least when u go to a theatre to watch a movie you sing-along .......

Also for those who watch it would really feel proud of the people who reveice the "Ashoka Chakra" they reason and situation in which they have given there lives for saving the country and get impressed with the Power that India has be it Navy, Army or Air Force ...

Once in my lifetime i want to go and watch it live in "New Delhi".

Also dont feel out of place if you are away from home... you can always watch it live at

http://republicday.nic.in/

Jai Hind !!!!

A Letter From A Father To His Little Son

Rajesh Mani

Dear Pranav,

It’s been 20 months since you set foot in the world. When i held you for the first time in my arms at the hospital, your tiny hands were twitching and your eyes were shut tight. Your clenched fist reminded me of a science lesson that said to get an idea about the size of your heart, you should clench your fist. I could imagine the little heart throbbing inside you. The eternal miracle of birth. When it was my turn to witness it, i cried. Before i married your mother, i used to debate one question endlessly with my friend. Which is, “Is it really worth bringing another life into this world?” Especially when terror has become an ugly leitmotif in the canvas of our lives? When i switched on the TV that Wednesday night, the question of whether i was right in bringing you into this world haunted me again. This is my attempt at an answer. Call it catharsis. I feel there are two ways to raise you. One is to wean you on cynicism. Where you’ll erect a sky-high wall in your mind and live your life pouring scorn on everything you see. Which is one way of insulating yourself from fear... A kind of indifferent machismo. The other way is to prepare you to live in this world. I can’t imagine the world for you, son. But i can certainly show you the way to live in an uncertain world. Make a pact with yourself. Understand the following early on. Life is precious. And equally fragile. So every day is a gift. Get up early once in a while just to watch the sun rise. Stare at it intently and burn it in your memory. Be aware of every passing second. Look around you. There’s a thin stalk of plant finding its place under the sun in a crevice on the wall of our apartment. Appreciate mother’s cooking. Praise it to heavens... Make it a habit to eat together as a family. No, make it a rule. Fall in love with books. Words will transport you to worlds far away. It will also keep you informed and prepared. Follow your heart. The mind can waver but the heart seldom does. Respect your conscience. It’s like a post-it note from God. When you grow up, seek a job you love. As you enter the world of careers and cocktails, you’ll get sucked into a vortex called rat race. Don’t be overwhelmed. We’re all human. But have the courage to step out of it. Nothing will be lost. Some illusions will shatter. Good riddance. Money. It’s important. But it has its place. Don’t make the mistake of putting it right on top. Find your love. Hold it dearly. Be a good husband. A patient father. Give your children space to make their mistakes. But hold them when they fall. Speak up when you have to. Like this occasion. Whether we like it or not, we’re living in a democracy. Sure it has its pitfalls. But don’t forget the positives too. The real fight in a democracy is between remembering and forgetting. Go and vote. It’s your chance to give shape to the kind of society you want to live in. Be alert. But try not to live in a state of fear. It you were to get caught in a situation similar to what happened and should we lose you, then you will have left us with enough lovely memories for the remaining years. That will only happen if you start living every day like it is the last day of your life. Though it can never compensate your loss, at least we’ll find strength in your love for life. Don’t have regrets. They defeat the very purpose of life. Immersed as i am in work most of the time, this letter is also a wake-up call for me.

Love,
Dad

The Speaking Tree extract from TOI dated 1/20/2009