Legacy, grandeur and celebration- India's 67th Republic Day
Jahan paanv meinpayal, haath mein kangana, ho maathe pe bindiya, it happens only in India. Even years after this song first came out, Indians can’t help but tap and sway to it, or for that matter try and emulate SRK’s signature step to Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani. As they say, you can take an Indian out of India but you cannot take India out of an Indian.
In the hustle and bustle of a life away from one’s home country, we may not often stand back and reflect on what it means to have roots in one of the greatest nations of the world. Being too consumed by all the noise and news that emanates from our television screens and computers, we may often just prefer to not think of it at all. However, January 26 or August 15 arrives, they bring with them thoughts, feelings, the spirit and essence of Indianness. So rather than repeating the historical significance or bring our readers congratulatory messages, like we do each year, we explored the meaning of Indianness this year.
Indianness is not defined by the geographical confines of a land mass in South East Asia; it is in fact, like an individual, that is, a living entity with a body, life, mind, soul and with a unique temperament and genius. In this perspective, to be an Indian means to be consciously or unconsciously open to and in tune with the soul and mind of India. It means being aware and proud of the rich and varied cultural heritage that we possess, the unique value system we have that may, in fact, dictate our worldview to a degree and to possess the spiritual genius that may perhaps be our guiding light.
We realised that it is perhaps our Indianness that gives us the innate ability to work hard and persevere, which can be the prerequisite skills essential in the world today. Our diversity gives us the strength to easily adapt to any country or culture that we may choose to adopt. The consciousness of this spirit of India also comes with knowing that while some of the other civilisations were still evolving, we were engaged in the finer trades of silks and spices; that our forefathers knew of flying objects much before the first aircraft was invented.
In celebration of the Indian Republic Day, we at Indian Weekender decided that we wanted to celebrate this spirit of being Indian with our readers. We wanted them to take a moment out of their busy schedules and think about this.
The plan was simple. We picked up three phrases—of course, they are Bollywood-inspired and got people’s first reactions to these. We share some of these with you here. There are more reactions from our readers on video that you can find on our website and Facebook page.
On behalf of the team at Indian Weekender, we wish all our readers a Happy Republic Day. Stand tall and walk proud. Jai Hind.
What comes to your mind when we say:
PHIR BHI DIL HAI HINDUSTANI
Sukhwinder
When I hear about phir bhi dil hain Hindustani, it reminds me of freedom. It makes me proud, as
Indians are known for having a big heart. It also incites feelings towards my country.
Neeraj
The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear phir bhi dil hain Hindustani is my home, family and friends in Delhi. This is because Delhi is where I have spent all my life; my heart belongs there. I can go anywhere in the world, but Delhi will always be my home.
Anup Singh Bhajwa
I remember the long rides on my bike all the way up to the borders in Kashmir to military camps. We used to go on these road trips and reach the army camps on January 1.
Hardeep Singh Gujral
Shah Rukh Khan! I feel Bollywood has become such an integral part of our lives that it is hard to take that away. It has become one of the symbols of our culture, our life and country in the world.
Amar
First and the only thing that comes to my mind is Shah Rukh Khan. I am a big fan of him and these
words remind me of his movies. Sanjay I have been in New Zealand for 13 years now and even today, I become emotional every time I listen to these words. I love my land and the Indian soil. I feel my roots back home.
Amar Deep
Indians have grown amidst corruption. We have seen communal violence, we have seen worse things happening around us but still we love each other. There is still love for the country and a
hope within our hearts, which will never die. This is what I feel the real essence of these words are.
Sania
The thing I miss the most is family and friend and that is what these lines remind me of.
Simrat
As the song suggests, we are always accommodative by nature. We accept the reality and try to see if we can work around the problems we face in everyday life. This amazing quality is what makes the Hindustani’s heart so special. The jugaad is the ultimate name of our life and an adjective that defines our spirit.
Lavish
There was a match between New Zealand and India a couple of years ago in Auckland. Although initially I wanted to support the home country, after reaching the stadium, I couldn’t. I eventually ended up sitting among Indian fans and cheered for India. Probably my heart was too Hindustani to support any other team.
Chetan Vij
Despite many countries being way ahead of India in terms of development and technology, if I was given a choice to select my nationality, it would still be India. A country of diversity, of cultures and
traditions. It compels me to say mera dil hai Hindustani.
Prateek Sadre
We Indians, no matter where we go, love our Bollywood and who else can showcase (India) other than our crazy Punjabi brothers here in NZ. Diwali in Auckland is not complete without bhangra. Also, one example is Indians, no matter how busy in life, whenever there is topic about India, we do take time to participate. What else can be a better example than me, an engineer at work, taking
time to respond to you? Akhir dil hai hindustani!
MADE IN INDIA
Anjali Trihima Basra
Gives me a sense of pride in being an Indian and immense pleasure in the fact that India is progressing towards self-reliance and leaving its mark regarding the same at the global level. A small step while reiterating Gandhiji’s philosophy of Swadeshi, this will lead to a giant leap in future and place India in the selected list of advanced nations.
Hardeep Singh Gujral
First thing that comes to my mind is Maruti Suzuki, the carmakers in India. You see at least one Maruti car every time you look at the road.
Prateek Sadre
I’m a Kiwi but very much Indian by heart. The first thing comes to my mind hearing “Made in India” is ‘beauty at its best’. Indian people are the most beautiful people on earth. Aishwarya Rai is considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world.
Prem Sagar
When I hear about made in India, the first thing that comes to mind are our food products in India.
Even though we live here, we prefer consuming Indian products. We use it because we feel
attached to them.
IT HAPPENS ONLY IN INDIA
Kirty Maheshwari
India to me is my country where I belong. Without the Indian tag, I am nothing. All the rest comes
later if you are out of your country you are an Indian first. India to me is full of songs and music, you pick any word and I can tell a song on that. Does this happen anywhere else?
Neelu Taore
Grand weddings. I feel very proud of being an Indian and born as an Indian, as we have taken the best of both the worlds and we are the best in the world.
Aditi Dutta Uberoy
To me, being an Indian is diversity. Being traditional as well as modern at the same time. To be able to do havan as well as work on the computer. Proud of a country, which gives a freedom of choice.
Prateek Sadre
Recent turnout of events in politics where Indians decided they will vote and as a result gave a World Leader Modiji. Where else can you find such a majority win in the world?
Jahan paanvmeinpayal, haathmeinkangana, ho maathepebindiya, it happens only in India. Even years after this song first came out, Indians can’t help but tap and sway to it, or for that matter try and emulate SRK’s signature step to Phir bhidil hai Hindustani. As they say, you can take an...
Jahan paanv meinpayal, haath mein kangana, ho maathe pe bindiya, it happens only in India. Even years after this song first came out, Indians can’t help but tap and sway to it, or for that matter try and emulate SRK’s signature step to Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani. As they say, you can take an Indian out of India but you cannot take India out of an Indian.
In the hustle and bustle of a life away from one’s home country, we may not often stand back and reflect on what it means to have roots in one of the greatest nations of the world. Being too consumed by all the noise and news that emanates from our television screens and computers, we may often just prefer to not think of it at all. However, January 26 or August 15 arrives, they bring with them thoughts, feelings, the spirit and essence of Indianness. So rather than repeating the historical significance or bring our readers congratulatory messages, like we do each year, we explored the meaning of Indianness this year.
Indianness is not defined by the geographical confines of a land mass in South East Asia; it is in fact, like an individual, that is, a living entity with a body, life, mind, soul and with a unique temperament and genius. In this perspective, to be an Indian means to be consciously or unconsciously open to and in tune with the soul and mind of India. It means being aware and proud of the rich and varied cultural heritage that we possess, the unique value system we have that may, in fact, dictate our worldview to a degree and to possess the spiritual genius that may perhaps be our guiding light.
We realised that it is perhaps our Indianness that gives us the innate ability to work hard and persevere, which can be the prerequisite skills essential in the world today. Our diversity gives us the strength to easily adapt to any country or culture that we may choose to adopt. The consciousness of this spirit of India also comes with knowing that while some of the other civilisations were still evolving, we were engaged in the finer trades of silks and spices; that our forefathers knew of flying objects much before the first aircraft was invented.
In celebration of the Indian Republic Day, we at Indian Weekender decided that we wanted to celebrate this spirit of being Indian with our readers. We wanted them to take a moment out of their busy schedules and think about this.
The plan was simple. We picked up three phrases—of course, they are Bollywood-inspired and got people’s first reactions to these. We share some of these with you here. There are more reactions from our readers on video that you can find on our website and Facebook page.
On behalf of the team at Indian Weekender, we wish all our readers a Happy Republic Day. Stand tall and walk proud. Jai Hind.
What comes to your mind when we say:
PHIR BHI DIL HAI HINDUSTANI
Sukhwinder
When I hear about phir bhi dil hain Hindustani, it reminds me of freedom. It makes me proud, as
Indians are known for having a big heart. It also incites feelings towards my country.
Neeraj
The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear phir bhi dil hain Hindustani is my home, family and friends in Delhi. This is because Delhi is where I have spent all my life; my heart belongs there. I can go anywhere in the world, but Delhi will always be my home.
Anup Singh Bhajwa
I remember the long rides on my bike all the way up to the borders in Kashmir to military camps. We used to go on these road trips and reach the army camps on January 1.
Hardeep Singh Gujral
Shah Rukh Khan! I feel Bollywood has become such an integral part of our lives that it is hard to take that away. It has become one of the symbols of our culture, our life and country in the world.
Amar
First and the only thing that comes to my mind is Shah Rukh Khan. I am a big fan of him and these
words remind me of his movies. Sanjay I have been in New Zealand for 13 years now and even today, I become emotional every time I listen to these words. I love my land and the Indian soil. I feel my roots back home.
Amar Deep
Indians have grown amidst corruption. We have seen communal violence, we have seen worse things happening around us but still we love each other. There is still love for the country and a
hope within our hearts, which will never die. This is what I feel the real essence of these words are.
Sania
The thing I miss the most is family and friend and that is what these lines remind me of.
Simrat
As the song suggests, we are always accommodative by nature. We accept the reality and try to see if we can work around the problems we face in everyday life. This amazing quality is what makes the Hindustani’s heart so special. The jugaad is the ultimate name of our life and an adjective that defines our spirit.
Lavish
There was a match between New Zealand and India a couple of years ago in Auckland. Although initially I wanted to support the home country, after reaching the stadium, I couldn’t. I eventually ended up sitting among Indian fans and cheered for India. Probably my heart was too Hindustani to support any other team.
Chetan Vij
Despite many countries being way ahead of India in terms of development and technology, if I was given a choice to select my nationality, it would still be India. A country of diversity, of cultures and
traditions. It compels me to say mera dil hai Hindustani.
Prateek Sadre
We Indians, no matter where we go, love our Bollywood and who else can showcase (India) other than our crazy Punjabi brothers here in NZ. Diwali in Auckland is not complete without bhangra. Also, one example is Indians, no matter how busy in life, whenever there is topic about India, we do take time to participate. What else can be a better example than me, an engineer at work, taking
time to respond to you? Akhir dil hai hindustani!
MADE IN INDIA
Anjali Trihima Basra
Gives me a sense of pride in being an Indian and immense pleasure in the fact that India is progressing towards self-reliance and leaving its mark regarding the same at the global level. A small step while reiterating Gandhiji’s philosophy of Swadeshi, this will lead to a giant leap in future and place India in the selected list of advanced nations.
Hardeep Singh Gujral
First thing that comes to my mind is Maruti Suzuki, the carmakers in India. You see at least one Maruti car every time you look at the road.
Prateek Sadre
I’m a Kiwi but very much Indian by heart. The first thing comes to my mind hearing “Made in India” is ‘beauty at its best’. Indian people are the most beautiful people on earth. Aishwarya Rai is considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world.
Prem Sagar
When I hear about made in India, the first thing that comes to mind are our food products in India.
Even though we live here, we prefer consuming Indian products. We use it because we feel
attached to them.
IT HAPPENS ONLY IN INDIA
Kirty Maheshwari
India to me is my country where I belong. Without the Indian tag, I am nothing. All the rest comes
later if you are out of your country you are an Indian first. India to me is full of songs and music, you pick any word and I can tell a song on that. Does this happen anywhere else?
Neelu Taore
Grand weddings. I feel very proud of being an Indian and born as an Indian, as we have taken the best of both the worlds and we are the best in the world.
Aditi Dutta Uberoy
To me, being an Indian is diversity. Being traditional as well as modern at the same time. To be able to do havan as well as work on the computer. Proud of a country, which gives a freedom of choice.
Prateek Sadre
Recent turnout of events in politics where Indians decided they will vote and as a result gave a World Leader Modiji. Where else can you find such a majority win in the world?
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