A day to celebrate or a day to reflect?

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: As we celebrate I-Day, it is valuable to pause and refl ect on how students' attitudes towards this significant day have evolved over the past decade.

Historically, students held a more celebratory and patriotic outlook towards Independence Day. They eagerly engaged in flag-hoisting ceremonies, sang patriotic melodies, and delved into the history of India's struggle for independence.

However, recent years have witnessed a noticeable shift in students' attitudes towards I-Day. Many students now display indifference or even apathy towards the occasion.

Some fail to perceive its relevance to their lives and prioritise the celebration of alternate holidays like Halloween or Christmas.

Kokila TS, a senior social science teacher at a prominent private school in Bengaluru with over 25 years of teaching experience, noted, "Most students today view this day as a mere holiday for fun, often lacking the empathy it deserves."

Kokila attributes this transformation to the limited emphasis on teaching the essence of sacrifice in classrooms.

She believes it's essential for students to comprehend the signifi cance of the sacrifices made to attain India's independence. The evolving demographics of student populations also play a role.

The ascent of social media is another contributing factor.

She affirms, "I believe children are akin to clay, and with the right guidance from parents and teachers, they can mold into exemplary, successful citizens."