Speech given by K. Tushar Bharati on Republic Day, January 26, 2009.
On this cold and wintry day, a very warm good morning to all of you. Today India celebrates the start of its 60’th year as a Republic.
Since the heady days of the 1950’s much water has flown down the Subarnrekha. Each eventful year has passed the baton to yet another eventful one. India has slowly but steadily matured and has claimed it’s rightful position in the polity of important nations. While all years have been special the one gone by has been particularly remarkable.
What a year the last year has been! India stopped being a nuclear outcaste and signed the nuclear treaty. Vishwanathan Anand made us feel tall and confident. The Chandrayaan blasted off into space and in a moment of national pride, draped the moon’s surface with the tricolor. A young and dynamic cricket team under a captain from our state held center stage. And Abhinav Bindra showed what determination and perseverance could achieve.
On the other hand, in a corner of western India, in a city lapped by the Arabian Sea, a few brave men laid down their lives to rescue complete strangers.
When terror struck Mumbai the whole world stood riveted to the television screen as one horror after another unfolded. Never before have the Eighteenth century words of John Donne echoed truer: “No man is an island, entire of itself. Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee. India’s horror and tragedy became the horror and tragedy of the world. And for 60 hours starting 26’th November, 2008 the world held it’s collective breath as we were savaged by a handful of terrorists, until, a few men in uniform, some at the cost of their lives, set us free. To these heroes we bow our head in respect and salute their courage and selflessness.
Should we as students emulate the qualities shown by the Indian heroes? Yes we should. Do the achievements of the last year give us confidence in meeting our challenges? Yes they do. Does the success of Slumdog Millionaire tell us that we are as good as the best in the world? Yes it does. Does the victory of an African-American in the U.S. teach us that adversity can be conquered? Yes it does. And finally, as students, can we build our character so that we can build the nation of tomorrow? In the words of a new President, Yes we can!