Singer Parleen Gill on how his army family shaped his love for India

Popular singer Parleen Gill, who was a finalist on Indian Idol Season 3, comes from an army family, which is one of the main reasons patriotism holds a special place in his life. Speaking about his background and connection to the country, he shared, ”I was fortunate to be born into a defence family. My great-grandfather, my grandfather, and my father all served in the Indian Army. I am a proud son of Colonel G.S. Gill. Naturally, love for the country runs in my DNA. I was trained to join the Army myself, but destiny had other plans, and music became a beautiful accident in my life. And I went to Indian Idol 3 and reached the finals. Today, I strongly believe India has immense potential to emerge as one of the world’s leading economies in the coming years.”

He further spoke about the growth he sees in India through the music industry. According to him, the Indian music and live-event space is expanding rapidly, with large audiences attending concerts and events. He pointed out that today’s sound systems, instruments, lighting, cameras, computers, and recording equipment meet global standards, reflecting the country’s overall progress. He said he feels proud to witness this development firsthand.

Republic Day Memories from Army Life

Since Parleen comes from an army family, Republic Day has always been special for him. He recalled how the day was celebrated with great pride in the Army. ”In the Army, Republic Day was celebrated with great pride.March pasts, bagpiper bands, sports events, patriotic songs, and of course, samosas and jalebis. As a child, I loved watching the soldiers, feeling the powerful thump of their march, soaking in the music, and enjoying the festive atmosphere. And yes, samosas were always my favourite.”

He also shared his thoughts on how people view Republic Day today. For some, January 26 is simply a day off. On this, Parleen said, ”I don’t blame them entirely. Many people lead hectic 9-to-5 lives, so any opportunity to break that routine is naturally seen as a holiday. However, in recent times, I have definitely noticed a rise in patriotism and awareness among citizens, which is encouraging.”

I was fortunate to be born into a defence family. My great-grandfather, my grandfather, and my father all served in the Indian Army. I am a proud son of Colonel G.S. Gill. Naturally, love for the country runs in my DNA

- Parleen Gill

Songs That Reflect His Patriotism

Parleen also spoke about patriotic music that is close to his heart. A.R. Rahman’s “Maa Tujhe Salaam” remains one of his favourites, a song he has performed since childhood. Alongside this, his own patriotic songs are also meaningful to him. He created “Ae Mere Watan” during the COVID period, featuring Sonu Sood and other known personalities, and another song, “India Jeetega,” was composed for the Flag Foundation of India and has been widely used in sports celebration videos.