On August 15th 2010, I was on even semester vacation, was staying in my hometown Bhadravathi. I would usually go VISL stadium for Independence Day celebration where most of the school children gathers and it was convenient after I started for participating in march-fast during my school days. But this time my aunt Sukanya took me to the Independence Day ceremony at a government school organised by her Women’s association to which she is the secretary. Agenda were as usual, flag hoisting, cultural program and sweet distribution.
There was flag hoisting done by the President of the association who is one of my aunt’s friends. PE teacher of the school gave kick for singing Janaganamana immediately after the flag hoist. I could observe there was not everyone singing seriously keeping all honors to the tri-color. The scattered ones were mostly the members of women’s association. I felt unsatisfied for that intensity of national anthem sung there. All those women were neither illiterate nor uneducated. They all knew how one should behave while singing our national anthem. Small children were more disciplined than them.
After national anthem, there was a song performance. Now the speech from an eminent person! Since it was organised by women’s association president of the association was requested to keep some words. But the president aunt being little soft said, our secretary would be better to speak. Secretary is my aunt in turn pointed at me that her niece is there who better can tell about independence and induce patriotism.
This cat who is pleased for the milk would utilize the opportunity. I would probably have told about the story of Gandhiji, Tippu sultan, Swamy Vivekananda and all those who about I know well. But this time I had recognised more important to tell than all these. I said “Today rather kids, I have an emphatic matter to tell you adults.” I turned to kids and asked how we should be while singing national anthem? One of the children said we should be in attention posture, look straight and stand firm for the whole time of singing the song. I continued “What these kids know, their elders including me must need to adopt, and my speech or that of anybody older than me will just touch the ear drums. But the important would be made by our actions. The elders who have to be the model have necessity to learn from them. Especially you aunties (I addressed them directly (It was in polite context as I spoke in Kannada)) were observed to be more scattered and such acts will not create unity among us which most importantly we need to feel on occasions like Independence Day. This is what all great freedom fighters did, they learnt from anybody and they conveyed through actions. That is because we got independence.” Mentioning this fact I continued my speech for some more time about respecting national symbols and freedom fighters, exact of which I have forgotten. And at the end of the speech sought apologies if anywhere I have hurt any of them.
After my speech, when I was returning from the stage my aunt gave a warm stare and I smiled gently knowing she is angry on me. Applause was given to the speech, sweets were distributed and came back home.
There started the important matter of this article. My aunt started, “If I get you the opportunity to speak considering that you better deserve to talk to kids, you insulted my friends??!! While many a time you don’t dare to speak single word to those who are insulting or blasting directly at you! Now what made you to do this?? You know how much all of them adore you for your academic results and good behavior!! Is it moral for you to say all these directly to them in a public place? What morality you know??
Then obstructed one ajji (old lady who is most respected in that street and who also attended the function with us) in the neighborhood “Stop Sukanya, whatever she told was right. You people need to understand such small things to follow. When kid goes wrong, won’t you correct him? Same way telling right doesn't mean disrespect for anyone.” Looking at me she said “I support you dear (putta), you are correct”
I took aunty from the veranda to inside to tell her “See aunty, an illiterate ajji can understand what is right and why not you?? It is not the morality that is important for life but being right. It is not moral to say against to those who like you, but how could you stay away from correcting your loved ones?? Morality may cause fear, but not righteousness. It will not make you lose for anyone. If I be quite for anyone scolding me is to correct them with the patience. But here I had to speak for them to realize about their actions.”
“Do not be inert for those who have facilitated you at once or try to comfort those to whom you caused harm in the past. Only present is the truth. Understand the nature of righteousness; take risk to be right, you are always protected.”
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