Indian Republic Day: What does it mean to

Google Doodle of the day
Republic Day of India, 2013

 Away from the glitters of big cities, chose a village Saraitikra (which means village of the 'Sal' trees, i.e. Shorea robusta) to see how this day 26th January passes in their lives in terms of human impressions, images in the deep down psyche, irrespective of the age, sex, caste, color, profession  and economic strata.

picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

It varies so much as if it says something about 'Today', which is just passing away to the unfathomable memories pf the 'Past'.

Dhananjay Kumar,7 years, Saraitikra, Ambikapur.
मिठाई खाने के लिए 
'A day to get dessert and goody'.
picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

Sona Rajwade, 20 years, Saraitikra, Ambikapur.
कार्यक्रम  देखने के लिये
'To see various cultural programs'.
picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

Ratan Sai, 80 years, Saraitikra, Ambikapur.
नाँच, गाना, भाषण, खेलकूद करने के लिये आते हैं
'To participate in dance, song, lectures and games'.
picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

Kashee Ram, ex-chief of village, 60 years, Saraitikra, Ambikapur.
आज गणतंत्र दिवस है। आज के दिन भारत का अपना संविधान लागू हुवा था।
'Today is the Republic Day, India adopted it's own constitution, so came to share the day'.
picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

Sadharan Ram, member of Shaila dance troupe, 60 years, Saraitikra, Ambikapur.
हमारा देश आजाद है। इसलिए ख़ुशी मनानें  आये हैं।
'Ours is the free nation, came here to enjoy this day'.
picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

Somar Sai, member of Shaila dance troupe, 55 years, Saraitikra, Ambikapur.
गणतंत्र दिवस मनाने। भारत आजाद है।
'Celebrating Republic day, we are free nation....independent'.
picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

Dharm Sai, 70 years, Saraitikra, Ambikapur.
सरकार आजादी दिया है। किसान की आजादी को मनाने आये हैं। 
'Government has given us freedom, celebrating the freedom of  farmers'.
picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

Dhan Kuwar, 55years, Saraitikra, Ambikapur.
26 जनवरी मनाये बर।
'Celebrating 26th January'.
picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

Dhanpatiya, 90years, Saraitikra, Ambikapur.
 प्रोग्राम देखे बर आये हौ।
'Watching the programs of the day'.
picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

Dev Chand Rajwade, 35years, Saraitikra, Ambikapur.
उत्साह वर्धन के लिए, सांस्कृतिक कार्यक्रम और राष्ट्रीय त्यौहार मनाने के लिए।
'Encouraging, celebrating cultural and national festival'.
picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

Satish Kumar Sinha, High school teacher, 45years, Saraitikra, Ambikapur.
सरकारी संस्थाओं और ग्रामीणों, विद्यार्थियों, सभी के साथ मिलकर एक त्यौहार के रूप में सौहार्द्य पूर्वक मनाते हैं।
'Government institutions, villagers, students: all together celebrate this day as a national festival for amity'.
picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

Nitesh Pande, Middle school teacher, 35years, Rampur, Ambikapur.
 स्वतंत्रता एक शरीर है और गणतंत्र उसकी आत्मा है।
'Indepedence is a body and republic is the soul'.
picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

And children of the village school (Government High School, Saraitikra) have such luminous faces to tell the story of the day..

picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

The three colors of the National Flag was the writ of the day in the cultural programs presented by 9thers of the school.

picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

Such was the vibrant day, the 26th January 2013....

picture at: Government High School Saraitikra, Ambikapur

#Author extends thanks to Miss Padmawati Pandey and Mr. Dileep Kumar Gupta, the teaching staff members of the Government High School, Saraitikra for their kind assistance in above survey.