"The sanctity of law can be maintained only so as long as it is the expression of the will of the people"
~ Bhagat Singh
Introduction
The Discourse Society feels proud to announce successful conduction of
interaction/engaging conversations on the auspicious occasion of 75th Republic Day in our prestigious university.
This initiative was taken by our society for first time and we handled entire event i.e
interactions smoothly. For this we divided our volunteers in team of two who had mics and cameras with them and they recorded those fruitful conversation.
Further an insightful inquiry was carried out, engaging participants from diverse
backgrounds, including vice chancellor, deans, military personnel, NCC cadets,
professors, scholars, and the students. Various enthusiasts from different faculties and affiliated colleges have shared their inputs, insights regarding celebration and their opinions on the democracy. The purpose was to gather perspectives on the significance of
Republic Day and its relevance in the context of educational institutions.
Before going into details of interaction, we would like to mention timeline of events
conducted at Amphitheatre ground BHU.
09:00 Arrival of the Hon'ble Vice Chancellor
09:01 Guard of Honour
09:05 Flag Hoisting by the Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor National Anthem (52 seconds)
09:06 Review of Parade by the Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor
09:10 March Past
09:20 Presentation of Awards to BHU Students, Staff & NCC Cadet
09:30 Parade Visarjan
09:35 Performance by the students of Central Hindu Girls School
09.43 Performance by the students of Ranveer Sanskrit Vidyalaya
10.01 Performance by the students of Central Hindu Boys School
10.09 Group Song by Performing Arts
10:19 Address by the Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor
10.29 Vande Mataram by Faculty of Performing Arts
10:39 Departure of the Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor
The events at BHU were smoothly conducted on proper time.
Parade at New Delhi
President Droupadi Murmu led the 75th Republic Day celebrations, unfurling the national flag at Kartavya Path in the national capital. The parade featured a unique band performance by over 100 women artists, symbolizing Nari Shakti. A traditional touch was added as the President and French President Macron arrived in a horse-pulled buggy after
40 years. The event showcased India's cultural diversity, military prowess, and the growing influence of women with the first-ever all-women Tri-Service contingent and women pilots participating. Prime Minister Modi paid tribute at the National War Memorial before witnessing the parade, which included a 21-gun salute and indigenous military displays.
Methodology
The society conducted interviews and discussions with representatives from each category, posing a range of questions to elicit diverse insights. The questions revolved around the understanding of Republic Day, its importance in educational settings, the
role institutions play in fostering a sense of patriotism, the role of youths in Viksit Bharat, expectations from Viksit Bharat and the ideas regarding the promotion of women empowerment.
Interactions: Engaging Conversations, Insights, and Community Connections
We began our day at Malviya Bhawan by meeting with our esteemed Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain sir during the meeting, he inquired about our studies and graciously imparted his valuable insights on the Republic Day celebrations.
Further we talked to various intellectuals present over there who shared their views on Republic day. We had similar diversity in our interactions as our mother nation do. That is we interacted with each and every section of BHU including mess workers, guards, rickshaw drivers, Chai walas etc.
Our other team on the other hand interacted with people present at Amphitheatre ground.
They asked questions from people having various backgrounds. Everyone was sharing some of their inputs regarding same. Lots of positive response regarding our questions were received i.e in favour of government and administration at BHU. But also some people did mention major fields where there is scope of improvement.
Some of the major opinions and views of respectable vice chancellor, defence personnel and officers, professor, scholars, students and audience from different sections are as
follows:-
Vice Chancellor:
The vice chancellor provided a broader perspective, stressing the responsibility of
educational institutions in shaping future leaders and responsible citizens. They outlined the importance of integrating civic education into the curriculum and fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity.
Military personnel:
They emphasized the notion of women empowerment, stressing that progress is hindered when we confine ourselves to a specific gender. Advocating for collective effort, they highlighted the shift in gender roles, particularly in defense services, where previously there was limited participation for females, but now opportunities are open for them in roles like General and CDS.
Professors:
Professors shared perspectives on integrating Republic Day into academic curricula, emphasizing its historical context and constitutional significance. They highlighted the role of education in instilling civic values and fostering a deep understanding of democratic principles among students. They also enlisted that for country's holistic development we need revitalization of our culture and an equilibrium between it and modernity as we encompass 75 years of being republic.
NCC Cadets:
NCC cadets emphasized the role of discipline and national service in their training, linking their commitment to the ideals of the Republic. They expressed pride in contributing to the nation's defense and appreciated the platforms provided by educational institutions to nurture leadership qualities.
Scholars:
Scholars responded very positively to government ideas promoting women's
empowerment. They highlighted the role of women in our society, including their
representation in parliament. They also advised the youth not to get distracted and to focus on their development to contribute positively to our 'Viksit Bharat' mission.
Students:
Student responses reflected a blend of historical awareness and personal connections to Republic Day. Many students expressed a desire for more interactive events and educational programs to deepen their appreciation of the day's significance. They also
appreciated the government's decision to prioritize women in our Republic Day parade and its policies promoting women's empowerment. The students also emphasized on importance of spreading awareness (regarding laws and order, fundamental rights and duties etc.) as a major role a student should play to contribute in country's developmental
aspirations.
Conclusion
The Republic Day discourse offered a panoramic insight into the diverse perspectives within educational institutions. From military personnel to esteemed professors, spirited
students, dedicated deans, our esteemed vice chancellor, and even the hardworking
rickshaw pullers, it showcased a vibrant tapestry of voices committed to nurturing
patriotism and civic responsibility. Our university, recognizing the multifaceted nature of society, proudly spearheaded this initiative on the momentous occasion of the 75th Republic Day. The ideas and discussions from the event help us understand how education shapes a strong and fair society where everyone has a role to play, painting a compelling picture of unity in diversity and collective progress.
With regards,
The Discourse
A Student-Centric Society, B.H.U.