NATIONAL FESTIVALS:-

They connect us as a people of a

nation. National festivals connect
citizens to important moments of a
nation’s history such as: the founding
day of a nation, our independence day
or in Europe VE day (Victory of Europe
during WWII) is celebrated throughout
the continent, with many nations
having a public holiday. They solidify
patriotic spirits in the society.
The school celebrates National festivals
like Independence Day and Republic
Day in a formal and dignified manner
befitting the occasions. Both the days –
15th August and 26th January begin
with hoisting the National flag followed
by an impressive march-past of the
National Cadet Corps (NCC)
contingents of girls and boys, house
contingents, the Scouts and Guides
contingents, patriotic song singing and
speeches. Students from the secondary
section participate in this programme.
The primary and kindergarten sections
acknowledge this day through
classroom activities.
All these help the students to learn the
value of citizenship and respect for
one’s nation. National festivals are
different from the others in that the
state has formal celebrations. Popularly,
they are treated more as occasions to
get together.

What separates national festivals from

the others is the number of levels they
happen at.
For one, the government does not
merely declare holidays but becomes
one of the participants. On Republic
Day and Independence Day, there are
formal events - including a march-past
and flag-hoisting - in all the state
capitals, district headquarters,
corporations and municipalities,
panchayats… and so it goes. Step
outside the government, and you have
offices, educational institutions, co-
operatives and other organisations
doing their bit on corresponding scales.

If you want to witness official

celebrations, the place to be in is New
Delhi. The spectacular pageants, grand
march-pasts, floats, cultural tableaux
and shows have tens of thousands of
people lining the roads to view them.
The essence of the mood, however,
comes from the participation of the
community as an entity, however
platitudinous that might sound.

In fact, Republic Day and Independence

Day have slowly gained almost the
same air that other festivals have. You
have people sending greeting cards,
wishing each other, organising
entertainment, eating out, and generally
letting their hair down.

Gandhi Jayanti ISmore muted. Gandhi

Jayanti is officially significant but does
not evoke the same response from the
people as Independence Day and
Republic Day.
JAN 26 Republic Day
AUG 15 Independence Day
OCT 02 Gandhi Jayanth