How Much is too Much- the Anthem?

How much is too much?

Every Friday, a movie gets released and crores of Indians faithfully pay homage to the stars to which we look up to. Ask any self –respecting Indian he/ she will know what is happening in Saifeena’s life, where they are going for their honeymoon and the clothes, the guest list and yes, the food (we live on menus, please). And, I did the same to watch a great movie.

The usual motley mix of people was there. A sprinkling of oldies, young gen x, and couples with kids out to have a good time. Before the movie started, one watched the trailers of upcoming movies, and then suddenly sponsored by BIGG BOSS 6, the national anthem plays requesting the audience to stand up.

Well, its precisely 1minute 15 seconds for the entire national anthem but that is not sung in totality, what is sung commonly is a mere 52 seconds.

What ensued has me shocked, upset and just stunned and also now I realize why we don’t progress? Half of the crowd stands up, and then some belatedly so, more than ¾ th of the audience talks and is embarrassed that they have to stand up or they are standing to pay respect. I still can’t get that out of my head. Why are we embarrassed? Why don’t we feel pride, in standing up and commemorating our country, its very existence? The clip shot so beautifully and poignantly shows how our soldiers brave the extreme cold in Siachen Glacier – 40 degree Celsius safeguarding the border against not the presumed by default enemy but the one which strikes without checking the nationality first, nature and its cold wrath.

The students from the Local colleges were making fun, sniggering and talking and some were shuffling in trying to find their seats. The over -confident swagger and the attitude.

Where did we go wrong as a nation? If, we do not introspect now, we will lose all. In fact, the danger is not from the enemy but is forms within as we are ourselves are vulnerable and susceptible to a fast spiraling dark hole, an abyss.

I was sad, and upset and in despair seeing the action and mannerism of the youth who instead of being silent and saluting our brave soldiers for a mere 52 seconds were laughing and making jokes.

How much time is 52 seconds? What all can be done? Can one stand still and more importantly be quiet?

But, a cynic in me thinks, at least my rose tinted blinkers are off. In fact, if one does not have it in the hearts then why pretend?

Oh my broken hearts mend yourself. They gave their today, for our tomorrow, I ponder what we will give for them….

Ravneet  Sangha