Varied views, unstinted pride

Divided on the issue of standing up during the playing of the national anthem in cinema theatres, students contacted by School Times were at one on one point — that the anthem is a matter of patriotic pride for one and all Antique flavour

NEW DELHI: With the Republic Day round the corner, the sense of patriotism and along with it ‘the issue of playing the national anthem’ have become subjects of discussion nowadays, more so after the Supreme Court last week modified its November 30, 2016 interim ‘national anthem compulsory’ order and made it optional for cinema halls to play it before every show.

As the recent SC pronouncement sparked a nationwide debate, especially among students, School Times spoke to some of them and found them a divided lot on this issue, with some agreeing with the recent apex court order while others hailing its (SC’S) earlier ‘mandatory’ clause. Differences notwithstanding, almost all of them were at one on one point --- the national anthem is a matter of patriotic pride for all Indians.

“The national anthem reflects our culture. Honestly speaking, it is a matter of pride for all of us. It evokes a sense of pride, responsibility and respect towards our country,” said Paarth Mandar, a Class 6 student of DPS, Noida. When asked about the recent apex court order on the national anthem, he said, “I think it should not be played in cinema halls as patriotism comes from the heart of a person. People should not be forced to be patriotic and stand up during the playing of the national anthem.”

“Cinemas are meant for entertainment and playing the national anthem before a movie will be a disrespect to it,” added Partha.

Unlike Partha, some students are of the opinion that it (the national anthem) should be played in cinema halls as it is a matter of patriotic pride for all Indians.

“Jana Gana Mana sounds very inspiring to my ears. My heart fills with immense pride whenever I hear it. I stand up, no matter where I am. When we hear the national anthem in cinema halls and on screens television...we feel proud of our country and show respect towards this vital symbol of our Indianness,” said Trisha Sharma, a Class 6 student of Bal Mandir Senior Secondary School, Defence Enclave.

There are many who feel elated whenever the national anthem is played or they see the tricolour fluttering on any occasion. For them, it is a matter of pride to stand up stand and salute the national flag. Ankur Sharma, a Class 9 student of Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya, Dilshad Garden, is one of them.

“This gives me immense pleasure and satisfaction. Patriotic feelings cannot always be expressed in words. But to stand up when the anthem is played is the least we can do to pay respect to our motherland and freedom fighters who have done so much for us,” said Ankur, hailing the recent SC order on the national anthem.

Echoing similar sentiments but apparently disagreeing with the recent apex court ruling on this issue, Archana Yadav, a Class 12 student of Model School, Vivek Vihar said, “I pay respect to the most important song in my life and always feel happy whenever I hear the national anthem being sung. But at the same time, I must add that patriotic feelings don’t need any order or rule as they come automatically.”

IT IS OUR PRIDE AND STRENGTH. WE ARE SALUTING ALL THOSE FREEDOM FIGHTERS THAT SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES AND GAVE US TO BREATHE LIFE IN AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY Honestly saying, it’s the pride of our country. It evokes the sense of pride, responsibility and respect towards our country

PAARTH MANDAR, Class 6, DPS

When people hear anthem in cinema and on Tv...we should feel that we live in a great country and show respect towards it.

TRISHA SHARMA, Class 6, Bal Mandir Sen. Sec. School, Defence Enclave