Rotaract Club of Delhi

Akash

Rotaract Club of

H.R. College

&

Presents

Celebrating a revitalized, rejuvenated and republic india

Hi my amazing amazing general body! Before I start off, Id like to wish each and

every one of you a very happy Republic Day! It is a day of great day of joy for the country

as we complete 60 years of being a Republic!

This country has seen many great leaders, leaders that have taken this great

country to unimaginable heights. It is all because of them that a country like India is so well

recognized and so well appreciated around the globe. Had it not been for them we would

have been no where close to where we are right now. All these great people were not born

extra-ordinary. They were all simple men and women born to families just like you and me.

What they did differently was that they believed in whatever they did. No matter what the

circumstances, they would accomplish their goals. Take an example of the father of our

nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Who would have ever thought that India could have got

freedom through non-violence? All Id like to say is that follow your dream, follow your

goal and trust me the world will fall at your feet.

And let us all end by saluting our brave leaders and our great nation. Let us hope

this is just the start of things to come.

JAI HIND!

Rtr. Chirag Tekchandaney

President(R.C.H.R.) 2009-2010

Dear Readers,

Warm Rotaract Greetings!

We would like to take this platform to introduce ourselves as the Rotaract Club of

Delhi Akash, part of the District Rotaract Organization 3010 (Delhi & N.C.R.). We are the

youth wing of Rotary International and have been partners in its humanitarian causes for

ages. We have a history of over two decades where our members not only augment and

hone their knowledge and skills, but also address the physical and social needs of our

community while promoting international understanding and peace through a framework

of friendship and service consisting of the various Rotaract Clubs across the globe.

We are extremely happy on bringing out a Joint Bulletin in cooperation with

Rotaract Club of H.R. College, Dist. 3140 on the theme of the Republic Day of India, 26th

January 2010, 61 Years of Republic India. It has been a wonderful experience to write

our messages, views and wishes on this occasion.

Happy Republic Day 26 January 2010! Rotaract team of Delhi Akash, Dist 3010,

wishes all the readers of this bulletin best on the day of Indias Republic Day. Long live

democracy and Long Live Republic.

We highly appreciate the sincere efforts and are thankful to Rotaract Club of H.R.

College, Dist. 3140, for making this joint project a huge success.

In continuation of that relationship and support, we look forward to their

cooperation for further joint activities in coming times.

Thanks and Warm Regards,

Rtr. Ritika Mittal

President 2009-10

Rotaract Club of Delhi Akash

Rotaract District 3010

Inspiring Minds

All The Way From Delhi (2)6

Just a month back we hosted I.D.Y.E.'s from Delhi and when we thought of

having a joint bulletin the first club that came to our mind was R.C. of Delhi Akash.

The whole idea of this bulletin was to have a confluence point of the diverse

thinking of Mumbaiites and Delhiites and help showcase their views on their

country, India. Republic Day is one of the most prominent days in the history of

India and we hope after this bulletin, you'll know why! Also, hosting I.D.Y.E.'s from

Sri Lanka was a day amazingly spent. We really wish we could have them with us

for longer. A special thank you to our Editors for bearing so patiently all our delays.

Yours-in-Rotaract,

Rtr. Sonam Varma,

Rtr.Hema Java,

Rtr.Shashank Jogani

What goes around, comes around.!

The Exuberant EditorsRevitalized, rejuvenated, republic... Big words with little meanig for us

simple folk. (This is why we love the editorial post. It provides the ideal platform for

us to flaunt such big words.) So what is republic day? Is it not a vacation where

some people toss some fancy language in the air and we get the day of? These are

very common errors made by people, not because they under value the value of

independence, but because they do not truly understand the meaning and hence

the value of being a Republic.

Being a republic means that the Country is ruled not by a heriditary

Monarch, but by an elected President. In our case, even the Presidents position is

mainly ceremonial. This means that India, after independence, has become a

country where free will and democracy exists. As opposed to countries that have

come under millitary or other types of anarchic rule after independence. What use

would independence be if the country still suffered from lawlessness? What use

would independence be if the country still suffered from tyranny? What use would

independence be if the country is not a republic?

Independence Day has its own place in our hearts but we must not forget

the people who may not have sacrificed their lives for our freedom but definitely

have ensured that are freedom does not go in vain by formulating a constitution

that was water-tight enough to last us 61 years and that will last us(with constant

modification) a long time to come.

We would like to end by saying a big thank you to the International Service

team, Sonam, Hema and Shashank, for making our bulletin an inter-district bulletin

and Rotaract Club of Delhi Akash for release the bulletin jointly with us. It was a

pleasure working with youll. Hope you guys feel the same.

Yours-in-Rotaract,

Rtr. Roozbeh Pardiwala,

Rtr. Radhika Bhaskaran,

Rtr. Deep Chhabria,

Rtr.Junaid Khan

Is 26th January "Just Another

Holiday?India was in British possession for over three hundred years. Bal

Gangadhar Tilak died crying,"Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it". There was

a long and hard struggle for freedom. Great men like Mahatma Gandhi, Pt.

Jawaharlal Nehru, Bhagat Singh and many others played a great part in it. Then

freedom came to us. India became free on 15th August, 1947. But mind you, the

foundations of this day were laid back in the 1920's precisely on 26th January,

1929, the day on which we pledged to free India from the clutches of the British

Rule. Although India got freedom on the 15th of August, it did not have a

constitution of its own!

A government consisting of the representatives elected by the citizens of

free India came into existence on the 26th of January, 1950. India now had a

constitution and a law of its own. Dr. Rajendra Prasad had the privilege of being

elected as the first president of the Republic of India.

26th January has one of the most significant places in the history of the

freedom struggle. On this very day , in the year 1930, during the Congress Session

held at Lahore, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru declared that the main objective of

Congress was to free India. When the very same fell into the ears of the British,

their anger knew no boundaries. They used all means to suppress the fire ignited

in the minds of the young Indians to accomplish their goal. Mahatma Gandhi, with

the help of his two of the most efficient and trusted weapons TRUTH and NON-

VIOLENCE emerged victorious. In this manner, India became a truly republican

unit. Honestly a very few of us were familiar with the complete history of this Red

lettered day.

In today's scenario Republic Day has become just another holiday. We are

free, but do we really value or understand this independence? For most people, it

was just another holiday, a chance to spend time with friends and family. I guess

the only people who were really busy were those involved in education and politics

(including the government agencies). They are the only ones (barring a few

NGOs, Corporate and Housing Societies) who unfurl the National Flag. Do we

really understand the relevance of Republic Day today?

Voices from Aamchi

Mumbai

In school, we attended the celebrations (though, reluctantly, I must admit),

sang the usual patriotic songs, heard a variety of patriotic speeches (in English,

Hindi and Marathi) and generally waited for it to get over. The sad thing was that

while we were in school doing this, we usually missed the fun part - watching the

Nation celebrate it on TV. On Republic Day we tried to miss school so that we could

see the Parade. Once college starts, it's up to us whether to attend or not and the

choice is pretty clear. Those of us who read newspapers and watch TV must have

noticed nothing new this yearthe same forced patriotism, forced nationalism...

Even the President's address to the nation echoes of the same run-of-the-

mill threats to anti-national forces, infrastructural development and the call for

upliftment of the poor. It sounded much like Nehru's speech and if we haven't got it

right even after 60 years we better start doing it differently or maybe we should

start doing different things. In my opinion, instead of wasting money on buying

flags and celebrating a "National holiday" for just a day, why don't we use our

resources much more efficiently and use it for the betterment of our country! The

flags bought are treated as waste the very next day and found everywhere.from

a drainage system to dustbins! Some people, who were very PROUD to be the

citizens of India don't seem to bother if they ruthlessly crumple their pride under

their feet. Isn't it really shameful? I think we need to do a lot more not by merely

increasing awareness of the relevance of our Republic Day, not by having more

cultural programs, not by unfurling more flags, not by singing more songs, not by

making/delivering more speeches but by actually instilling a sense of belonging

and ownership in the common man. Though of course I know that it is easier said

than done.

So come let us all together pledge to celebrate

Our diversity, our unity, our tolerance

Our technology, our strength, our pride

Our potential, our dreams, our future.

Our culture, our traditionsour achievements!!

Not just once or twice but throughout!

I would like to end by saying that each one of us should believe that we have

a responsibility towards our neighbours and ourselves and we should work hard to

achieve all our goals. I believe it's this sense of helplessness, this chalta hai

attitude, this fatalistic view of life that really needs to be overcome first. It is only

then that we will be able to achieve the kind of independence that our forefathers

envisaged.

JAI HIND

-Neeharika .H. Jaiswal

The constitutional Assembly Influence is what reminds me of one thing! How Gandhiji with his dhoti and

satyagraha did what we, the youth can't, even imagine of, actually we do imagine how to

thoroughly influence people to get our work done simply selfish in our own terms but that's not

the point here. Even an amateur cook refers to a Cook-book, similarly, a normal citizen of our

country in order to abide by his duties and enjoy his rights needs to know about them for sure

and unfortunately he doesn't. That's where our Indian constitution comes in use but then that's

not for the citizens it just make people aware about their duties and their privilege, thier rights

and duties. So, on the eve of 26th January, lets make it little more interesting and easier to relate

to.

Independence day is commemorated by everyone and even the pioneers behind this

freedom are praised, but what about pioneers who formulated the policies on which India runs

today. Yes, the constituent assembly which formulated the Constitution of India are the unsung

heroes of Republic day on 26th January as, on that day, our constitution was brought into effect.

So, today lets go into the journey and lets know about the people who contributed towards the

making of the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world.

To begin with, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was the chairman of drafting committee

(and in rotaract terms the R.R.D.) of our constitution and also the chief architect of Indian

constitution. Ambedkar won great praise from his colleagues and contemporary observers for

his drafting work.The text prepared by Ambedkar provided constitutional guarantees and

protections for a wide range of civil liberties for individual citizens, including freedom of

religion, the abolition of untouchability and the outlawing of all forms of discrimination

Ambedkar argued for extensive economic and social rights for women, and also won the

Assembly's support for introducing a system of reservations of jobs in the civil services,

schools and colleges for members of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, a system akin to

affirmative action.

Sardar Vallabhai Patel was a senior leader in the Constituent Assembly of India and

was responsible in a large measure for shaping India's constitution (again in rotaract terms he

was the I.P.P of the assembly.) Patel was a key force behind the appointment of Dr. Bhimrao

Ramji Ambedkar as the chairman of the drafting committee, and the inclusion of leaders from a

diverse political spectrum in the process of writing the constitution. Patel was the chairman of

the committees responsible for minorities, tribal and excluded areas, fundamental rights and

provincial constitutions.

Dr Rajendra Prasad served as the President of the Constituent Assembly that drafted

the constitution of the Republic from 1948 to 1950. He had also served as a Cabinet Minister

briefly in the first Government of Independent India. He was very dedicated to India as his

sister Bhagwati Devi died on the night of 25 January 1950, a day before the Constitution of

India come int effect. It was only on return from the parade that he set about the task of

cremation. He was subsequently awarded the Bharat Ratna, the nation's highest civilian award.

Though there were hundreds of people without whom the constitution wouldn't have

been formulated but these were the people who played an instrumental.The Constituent

Assembly of India was elected to write the Constitution of India, and served as its first

Parliament as an independent nation. The Assembly approved the Constitution on November

26, 1949, making it official. On January 26, 1950, the Constitution took effect a day now

commemorated as Republic Day nationwide.Around 300 people who made the biggest

constitution ever have to be saluted for their deed. God Bless .Happy republic Day.

-Rtr. Mitaksh Jain

26 unknown facts about India

* India never invaded any country in her last 100000 years of history.

* Chess was invented in India.

* Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus are studies, which originated in India.

* The 'Place Value System' and the 'Decimal System' were developed in India in 100 B.C.

* India is the largest democracy in the world, the 6th largest Country in the world, and one

of the most ancient civilizations.

* The world's highest cricket ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. Built in 1893 after

leveling a hilltop, this cricket pitch is 2444 meters above sea level.

* India has the largest number of Post Offices in the world.

* The largest employer in the world is the Indian Railways, employing over a million

people.

* Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. The Father of Medicine,

Charaka, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.

* The game of Snakes & Ladders was created by the 13th century poet saint Gyandev. It

was originally called 'Mokshapat'. The ladders in the game represented virtues and the

snakes indicated vices. The game was played with cowrie shells and dices. In time, the

game underwent several modifications, but its meaning remained the same, i.e. good deeds

take people to heaven and evil to a cycle of re-births.

* India was one of the richest countries till the time of British rule in the early 17th Century.

Christopher Columbus, attracted by India's wealth, had come looking for a sea route to

India when he discovered America by mistake.

* The Art of Navigation & Navigating was born in the river Sindh over 6000 years ago. The

very word Navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word 'NAVGATIH'. The word navy is

also derived from the Sanskrit word 'Nou'.

* Bhaskaracharya rightly calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the Sun hundreds of

years before the astronomer Smart. According to his calculation, the time taken by the

Earth to orbit the Sun was 365.258756484 days.

* The value of "pi" was first calculated by the Indian Mathematician Budhayana, and he

explained the concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in

the 6th century, long before the European mathematicians.

* Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus also originated in India.Quadratic Equations were

used by Sridharacharya in the 11th century. The largest numbers the Greeks and the

Romans used were 106 whereas Hindus used numbers as big as 10*53 (i.e. 10 to the power

of 53) with specific names as early as 5000 B.C.during the Vedic period. Even today, the

largest used number is Terra: 10*12(10 to the power of 12).

* Sushruta is regarded as the Father of Surgery. Over 2600 years ago Sushrata & his team

conducted complicated surgeries like cataract, artificial limbs, cesareans, fractures,

urinary stones, plastic surgery and brain surgeries.

* Usage of anaesthesia was well known in ancient Indian medicine. Detailed knowledge

of anatomy, embryology, digestion, metabolism, physiology, etiology, genetics and

immunity is also found in many ancient Indian texts.

* The four religions born in India - Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, are

followed by 25% of the world's population.

* Jainism and Buddhism were founded in India in 600 B.C. and 500 B.C. respectively.

* India provides safety for more than 300,000 refugees originally from Sri Lanka, Tibet,

Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who escaped to flee religious and political

persecution.

* Only 5% of Indians understand English, yet most of the websites of the Government

India, State Governments and Public Institutions are in English!

* Martial Arts were first created in India, and later spread to Asia by Buddhist

missionaries.

* Yoga has its origins in India and has existed for over 5,000 years.

* There are 3.22 millions of Indians in USA (1.5% of population). YET,

38% of doctors in USA are Indians.

12% scientists in USA are Indians.

36% of NASA scientists are Indians.

34% of Microsoft employees are Indians.

28% of IBM employees are Indians.

17% of INTEL scientists are Indians.

13% of XEROX employees are Indians.

* India GDP of 3.3 trillion dollars and counting is the 3rd largest in the world.

* By 2025,India will beat China to become the country with the world's largest population.

-Krishn Mehta

Tan samarpit, man samarpit

Aur yeh jeevan samarpirt

Chahta hoon desh ki dharti, tujhe kuch aur bhi kar doon samarpit

-Ram Avtar Tyagi Celebration of sovereignty is what celebration of Republic Day is all about. It is

India's great national festival. It is celebrated every year on 26th January with much

patriotic fervor. It celebrates India's freedom and democracy. The essence behind the

celebration of Republic day is not only to celebrate India's secularism and democracy but

its also makes us feel proud of our culture, languages, social norms, traditions, customs,

religions, communitarian and the individual distinctiveness. It is this spirit, which makes

me feel proud of my country's achievements that make the celebration all the more

interesting. This is the day when we people come together and proudly identify ourselves

as true Indians, and not with some particular religion or caste. This feeling for the country

is what makes this day a special one from the rest of the day. It is the day, which guarantees

the Fundamental rights to the citizens, equality of religion and so on. The rich cultural

heritage and tradition of India is reflected on this day.

Rtr. Tarun Monga

Jana gana mana Adhinayaka, Jaya

he, Bharata bhagya vidhata!Republic Day, celebrated on January 26th every year, is one of Indias most

important national events. It was on January 26th, 1950 that the constitution of India came

into force and India became a truly Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state.

On this day -India finally enjoyed the freedom of spirit, rule of law and

fundamental principle of governance. The patriotic fervour of the Indian people on this day

brings the whole country together even in her embedded diversity.

Republic Day is a peoples day in a variety of ways:

Its when regional identity takes a backseat and what matters most is the universal

appeal of unity and brotherhood projected by all Indians.

The Indian constitution basically stands for the aspirations which the common

man of India cherishes.

Republic Day is a day of the citizen of the country when he is entitled to be all

supreme'.

Correspondents From The Capital

Republic Day is celebrated most majestically in the capital, New Delhi, where

symbols of the great nation's military might and cultural wealth are displayed in what is the

world's most impressive parade. All Government buildings are illuminated lending the city

the atmosphere of a fairyland. This day is celebrated with much zeal and pride all across the

nation.

The main celebrations are held in the form of a colourful parade near India Gate in

Delhi. The parade showcasing India's military might and cultural diversity covers a 8 km

route, starting from the Rashtrapati Bhavan through the picturesque Rajpath down to India

Gate before winding up at the historic Red Fort in Old Delhi.

The events of the day begin with the Prime Minister laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan

Jyoti - India Gate. He then drives up to the central enclosure and awaits the arrival of the

President and a Chief Guest of the occasion who is normally a Head of other Country.

On his arrival the Honble President meets the dignitaries present and unfurls the

National Flag. Following this the National Anthem is played with a 21-gun salute to the

National Flag. After this a brief investiture ceremony takes place during which the

President presents India's top gallantry awards, the Param Veer Chakra, the Veer Chakra

and the Maha Veer Chakra to the outstanding soldiers from the defense services.

After this, four helicopters from the armed forces fly past the parade area showering rose

petals on the audience. Each chopper carries a flag - the first being the Indian flag and the

other three the flags of the Army, the Navy, and the Indian Air Force.

The march past begins immediately after the fly past. The President, as Commander-in-

Chief of the Armed Forces, takes the salute of the mechanised, mounted and marching

contingents of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Paramilitary forces, Police and the National

Cadet Corps.

After the march past comes the cultural extravaganza consisting of floats presented

by the various states and performances by school children. After the floats, the bravery

awards winning children from all over the country enter on elephants.

A spectacular fly-past by Air Force and Naval aircraft rounds off this not-to-be missed

experience. The parade is followed by a pageant of spectacular displays from the different

states of the country. These moving exhibits depict scenes of activities of people in those

states and the music and songs of that particular state accompany each display. Each

display brings out the diversity and richness of the culture of India and the whole show

lends a festive air to the occasion.

No other country in the world can parade so many ethnically different people in

splendid uniforms as India's Armed Forces. But they are all united in their proven loyalty to

the Government elected by the people and in their proud traditions and legendary gallantry.

-Rtr. Ritika Mittal

Are you among the delhiites or fortunate enough to be in New Delhi on the 26th of

January? If your answer is in the affirmative, then do make sure to witness the vivid

celebrations of the Republic Day procession. This is one of the most colorful and prestigious

national festival and the presence of dignitaries like the President of India, the Prime Minister

of India, Union Ministers and foreign delegates also add to the dignity of the celebration.

Celebration of Republic Day is different than Independence Day. The difference in

significance marks the variation in the pattern of celebration of these two national days. It is a

peoples day. On Independence Day, the past is recalled whereas, on Republic Day, the pledge

is renewed. Independence Day has rhetoric built in the celebration; Republic Day is without

speeches.

Republic Day is celebrated all over the country at all the administrative units like the

capital cities, district headquarters, sub divisions, talukas, and panchayats. The major

ceremonies are held at Delhi and the state capitals.

The celebration mood lasts for one week. It consists of the ground preparations,

rehearsals, the main display which spills over to the Beating of Retreat on January 29. The

day has acquired the status of a social celebration in which people participate whole-heartedly.

The celebration mosaic is studded with activities.

Though the Republic Day Parade is the main ceremony, various activities are held

from early morning when prabhat pheris (morning rounds) followed by a homage to Mahatma

Gandhi the Father of Nation. The parade is succeeded by sports events in the afternoon. At

Home functions at the Raj Bhavan, at the District Magistrates and at the SDMs are followed

by illumination of public buildings at the provincial capitals and administrative headquarters.

The celebrations are universal, total and participatory in which children also take part in a

ig way. Variations in culture are displayed through colourful attires and folk dances.

The parades held on the day traditionally predominates a touch of modernity reflected in the

display of might, technology and capabilities of growth in various sectors. The parades

symbolize the might; the tableaux reflect the cultural motifs.

After three days of Republic Day parade, a moving ceremony known as "Beating

Retreat" is held at the Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. This ceremony revives an ancient war

custom according to which troops used to stop fighting at sunset. Bugles announcing the

sunset would sound in the battlefield. As soon as soldiers heard these bugles they would stand

still in the battlefield and war would be stopped for the day.

This ceremony held on the 29th of January every year, marks the formal end of the

Republic Day celebrations. The ceremony opens with a parade by select contingents of the

armed forces set to scintillating performances by the various armed forces bands. The parade

climaxes with all the bands playing in unison. As the bands fall silent, a lone trumpeter picks

up the moving tune 'Siki a mole'. After this performance the hymn 'Abide with me' is played by

the Massed Bands. This hymn, said to be Mahatma Gandhi's favourite, is a permanent feature

of the ceremony.

At exactly 6 pm, the buglers sound the retreat and the National Flag is lowered to the

National Anthem bringing the Republic Day celebrations to a formal end. One by one, the

camels and the riders who stand stone-like throughout against the backdrop of the sky, move

away from the background.

Just after this comes the most visually appealing part of the show. With the click of a

button, a thousand bulbs light up the Rastrapati Bhavan and adjoining buildings. Surely a

fitting end to the annual celebrations of the Indian republic!

CELEBRATION OF THE REPUBLIC

-Rtr. Ritika Mittal

They say its a land of dogs, destroyed and wrought,

We're actually hooligans ready to protect it at any cost.

They say we've got over a billion people,

I say we're a billion hearts ready to put a smile on every dimple.

It's a country like none other that I belong to,

I've grown in its shade and treated it like a mother.

Lived by its malls and slept by its seashores,

The country has only left me asking for more!

There is a deep sense of passion that runs through me,

And a bonding that stems from within,

All for this place that has made me what I am,

I bow down to my mother, India.

India, in all its divine forms,

Has been an abode for all of us.

And that want to get India right at the top,

Is what keeps driving me through and through.

Today, when the call of the hour is to develop forward,

We need to rise up to the challenge,

Ready to reascertain our position as the queen of the world,

Because that is precisely where we belong.

Every drop of rain that falls here,

Has that sweet taste of eternity,

That reassures me of having done some great deeds in the past,

For me to not have taken birth in a country, but in paradise.

-Yash Muthiyan

It runs through me...

Thank YouTo Rotaract Club of Delhi Akash, Tarun Monga, Ritika Mittal, Mitaksh Jain, Neeharika

Jaiswal, Yash Muthiyan, Krishn Mehta and Bhavesh Daryani. Finally a thank you to all

those people who have made Republic Day possible for the entire country. This bulletin

would not exist without you.

For any feedback mail us at: editorial.rchr@rotaractclubofhr.net

R.I. Dist 3140

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