BACK TO CHILDHOOD: TV Stars Revisit Their Fondest Republic Day Memories

It is a proud moment as we Indians celebrate. The 69th Republic Day this year. On the occasion, Suhani Dhanki, Saurabh Pandey, Ankush Bali and Gurpreet Singh among others take us back to their school days and recall their most cherished Republic Day memories...

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BACK TO CHILDHOOD: TV Stars Revisit Their Fondest Republic Day Memories

Be it watching the parade, participating in celebrations at school or celebrating the day with family, Republic Day has always been special for our telly actors. They share their best memories of this day.

Ankush Bali -
 
ankush bali

My mom was a gazetted officer and she would be posted at India Gate every year. She took me there once and it was an amazing experience. Wish I could go again.

Saurabh Pandey -
 
saurabh pandey

Republic Day has been the most exciting day ever since childhood. I still remember those helicopters and jet fighters showering flowers and drawing the tricolour in the sky. We used to wait for one whole year to see all the colourful processions of every state which comes out on Rajpath road. I learnt about different cultures of every region of India looking at that and realised the diversity of our beautiful country. We still watch the parade of 26th Jan on Doordarshan.

Samiksha Bhatnagar -
 
samiksha bhatnagar

The morning of 26th January is not a usual one in India. Every Indian gets up with enthusiasm to celebrate the day with fervour! Republic Day used to be something different when we were kids. We used to be excited about the tricolour decorations, flag hoisting at school and watching the parade with family. Now, they are memories. Watching the Republic Day parade with family was a tradition at my place and the commentary on DD National used to make it even more memorable. This would be followed by an analysis of the parade over lunch. As children, I always wished the helicopters would pass from above our homes. In fact, we often run to the terrace to spot them. Witnessing a live parade was one of the most memorable experiences of a lifetime. I lead my school in semi-classical performance on Rajpath. The whole environment and even the rehearsals touch the innermost chords of your hearts and evoke the spirit of patriotism that inspires you to achieve new heights. We completed the map formation during the dance performance denoting India’s unique feature – ‘Unity in Diversity’. My favourite part of the Republic Day parade is the Grand finale of the spectacular flypast by the IAF.

Suhani Dhanki -
suhani dhanki

Back in school, Republic Day was the most special day as that was the day the newly elected prefects would get their badges. And my best memory of this day was in 2006 when I was made Captain!

Sshrey Pareek -
 
sshrey pareek

I was a backbencher always and I used to hide from curricular activities. I was an introvert and had stage fright. Whenever Republic Day or Independence Day was round the corner, I used to skip school as teachers wanted students to participate in activities like the singing song, playing instruments and dancing. There's one teacher who got to know that I am an introvert and that I am scared to participate, so she would always try to convince me to participate. I wasn't able to say ‘No’ to her, and she made me participate in singing the National Anthem. After I did it, she appreciated me so much and I felt proud and more confident.

Sheeba -
 
sheeba akashdeep

I was not in India during my childhood, so my memories are of Indians getting together and celebrating their Indian roots and taking pride in their culture is what comes to mind when I think of Republic Day.

Gurpreet Singh -
 
gurpreet singh

Everyone knows that on 26th January 1950 our Constitution was formed and India become a republic country. In school, every year, I use to go on stage to sing or do a play on patriotism. I was also part of NCC in high school and had performed to Mere Desh Ki Dharti in training camp. I can't forget my school days and all those activities I did. As I was always my teachers favourite they always make me stand on stage every day for our national anthem.




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