“What is our greatest responsibility towards our country? – Our greatest responsibility towards our country is loyalty.”

In this spirit, the Atmiya Vidya Mandir family celebrated India’s 78th Independence Day with a spectacular creative assembly, presented by the Shivam House.

Independence Day serves as a tribute to the countless sacrifices made by numerous individuals, whose efforts allow us to enjoy basic freedoms every day. In recent times, however, we have become more self-centred, viewing independence primarily in terms of our rights. We expect these rights without placing much emphasis on fulfilling our duties and responsibilities. Instead, we must endeavour to make ourselves worthy of the rights we enjoy.

The Shivam House humbly paid tribute to these extraordinary individuals who, through their lives, exemplified how to fulfil one’s duties and responsibilities towards oneself, society, and the nation with loyalty, sincerity, and steadfast faithfulness.

The assembly began with a touching conversation between a father and his son. The son shared his experience of the assembly held at his school on the occasion of India’s Independence Day. They talked about the great freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and his unwavering love for India. They spoke about an incident that illustrated how Bhagat Singh inspired patriotism in the hearts of every Indian. While planting seeds on the farm, Bhagat Singh would loudly recite “Vande Mataram” with each seed he placed in the soil. He believed that every seed sown in his motherland once harvested and consumed by his fellow countrymen, would nurture patriotism within them.

After the harvest, Bhagat Singh arranged a grand meal with the crops. As each person took their first bite, they loudly recited “Vande Mataram.” Through this gesture, Bhagat Singh successfully instilled a deep love for India in the hearts of all those fighting for freedom. It is because of the efforts of countless individuals like Bhagat Singh, that we enjoy living in a free and vibrant country today.

The father then spoke to his son about another notable freedom fighter, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, also known as Veer Savarkarji, who was instrumental in India’s struggle for independence. Savarkarji’s indefatigable commitment to the cause of freedom led to his arrest in 1909. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and was transported to a cellular jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he endured solitary confinement in a 15×10 ft cell. Despite the harsh conditions, Savarkarji remained resolute, he used his time in prison to inspire others through his works, including the famous poem “Jayostute” which became a rallying cry for freedom fighters. Savarkarji’s legacy is a reminder for all of us of the immense sacrifices made by those who fought for India’s freedom.

The students of AVM then danced to the song “Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja” where they honoured the soldiers who safeguard our borders and enable us to live in peace at our homes. The poignant performance brought tears to everyone’s eyes.

The students reminded us that we can serve our country in various ways and every profession plays a crucial role in our country’s development. Whether it’s a doctor saving lives, an engineer constructing infrastructure, a sweeper maintaining cleanliness, or a traffic police officer preventing accidents on the road, each role is significant. Even the role of a mother, who nurtures her children to become responsible citizens, is a significant service to the nation.

The students performed a skit highlighting Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s vision of positioning India on the global space map. Although he completed his education abroad, he chose to return to India to contribute to the nation’s development. Sarabhai played a crucial role in advancing space technology in India. He was committed to using space technology for societal benefits, such as satellite communication, weather forecasting, and remote sensing, which have been vital for agricultural planning, disaster management, and infrastructure development in the country. Sarabhai was also a founding member of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad), which has become one of India’s premier business schools.

The AVM students delivered yet another splendid dance performance set to vibrant music, which deeply moved everyone in the audience.

Thereafter, a skit was performed based on the life of Major Dhyan Chand, a revered figure in Indian sports history. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Major Dhyan Chand led the Indian hockey team to a stunning 8-1 victory over Germany, leaving a lasting impression on the world stage. His performance was so remarkable that even Adolf Hitler, who was present at the games, took notice. Impressed by Dhyan Chand’s prowess, Hitler offered him the prestigious position of Field Marshall in the German army. However, Dhyan Chand was driven by a deep sense of patriotism and dedication to his country therefore he declined the offer. He chose to remain in India and serve his nation through his sport, thereby embodying the values of loyalty and national pride. Dhyan Chand’s story teaches us the importance of serving one’s nation with integrity and dedication. The students then delivered another stunning dance performance in tribute to Dhyan Chand’s historic triumph on the global stage.

Finally, the students presented a skit about an anecdote from His Divine Holiness Param Pujya Hariprasad Swamiji Maharaj’s life. Swamiji’s teachings emphasize the importance of living a life rooted in values of humility, kindness, and service to others. He has touched the lives of countless individuals and inspired them to lead lives filled with compassion, integrity, and a sense of responsibility toward society. One of Swamiji’s significant contributions to society has been His focus on youth development. He firmly believed that the future of a nation lies in the hands of its youth.

Furthermore, Swamiji’s vision of “Atmiyata” or spiritual unity is at the heart of His teachings. He emphasized the importance of brotherhood, understanding, and living in harmony with others. In this way, Swamiji’s vision of “Atmiyata” was deeply intertwined with patriotism. Living in harmony with others is a powerful expression of patriotism because it promotes social cohesion and national unity. When people treat each other with respect and kindness, they create an environment where everyone can thrive, contributing to the nation’s development and progress. Swamiji encouraged all AVM students to internalize the values of patriotism (deshbhakti), devotion to teachers & Guru (gurubhakti), and devotion to God (prabhubhakti).

The assembly concluded with a thoughtful reminder to the audience about our duties and responsibilities as citizens of the nation.

To watch the full video of the creative assembly visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifgyk2vrmiw

Atira Ma’am