I-DAY: AT HOME, IN CELEBRATION
From recording popular speeches and songs in patriotic flavour to hoisting the Tricolour at home, denizens have their plans sorted
Though the pandemic continues to redefine our lives, when it comes to celebrating Independence Day, denizens are ever ready! This year, however, the plans to celebrate have had to be altered in fashion, due to the mandatory precautions needed to combat Covid-19. But, social distancing norms can’t holdback city folks from celebrating their love for the nation.
Priyanka Agarwal, a resident of Dilshad Garden, admits that this year, they will miss their usual outdoor picnic. “Every year, we would go for a picnic at the India Gate lawns. Just the vibe of that place is so different on this day! Since we didn’t want to take the kids to any crowded location this year, I’m cooking some of their favourite dishes at home to keep up their excitement,” says Agarwal, adding how she has been planning the perfect look for her twin daughters.
“My kids have a virtual fancy dress competition in school, so I’m preparing their dresses and complete look for the event... They are nineyear-olds Rimisha and Priyanshi, who will dress up as Indira Gandhi and Rani Laxmi Bai, respectively.”
Those parents who don’t want their young ones to miss out on the fun of flag hoisting, have made alternate preparations. Rohit Sharma, a resident of Noida, who has planned a flag hoisting ceremony at his home, says, “My daughter is in second standard, and is always very excited to accessorise her school uniform with a tricolour hairband or bracelet and carry the National Flag to her school. As she won’t be able to do it this year, we won’t let her feel low, and instead, have all the fun at home. I’ve got a big flag, and will get it hoisted by her at our home’s terrace.”
For some, I-Day has always been an occasion to inculcate the spirit of patriotism in the young gen. “This day holds a lot of value for us, and we have always made it a point to celebrate it proactively,” says Kirti Mishra Narang, a resident of Greater Noida, adding, “This year my kids will dress up in tricolour-themed clothes, and have even prepared some songs and speeches by freedom fighters to be recorded for our inhouse videos, which will be shared on our family WhatsApp group. And since no celebration is complete without food, I’ll make tricolour sandwiches!”
In addition, Narang plans to celebrate I-Day with the needy. She adds, “We will distribute stationery to the underprivileged school kids, and snacks to guards around our society. The joy of sharing is also a celebration of our independence,” she adds. Faridabad-based 11-yearold Bhavika Verma is also taking the help of her parents to shoot a video that will be uploaded on her school’s social media account as part of I-day celebrations. “I have been practising a patriotic song for the occasion, and will record it with my mother’s help. All my friends are also shooting some speech, dance or moral stories for the day. We will all get together to watch it on the computer... There won’t be any online classes on Independence Day.. yaay!”