| A Chronicle of Valour and Resolve: Happy 69th Republic Day! |

Are you a 90s kid? Do you remember how Republic Day was celebrated during those days? Let Crazy Creatives take you down the memory lane to relive Republic day in early 90s.

If you are not 90s kid, hop on to Time-Machine and compare your days with our days!

Republic day preparations in school:

Republic day was one of the biggest cultural events in school,second only to Annual day. Preparations for Republic day began well in advance. Our teachers were stricter than the Censor board! 😆 They banned any song from Movies. Even songs from Manoj Kumar starrers weren't allowed as they were from a 'movie'. Getting your item 'approved' by teachers was like half the battle won.

PT and Marching practice sessions:

PT and March-pasts made an essential part of Republic day. School time tables were changed to include a 'zero period' at beginning of day for practice sessions. Shorter lessons during the day was a welcome change for many.

Patriotic songs:

Every school had a few songs that were sung by all classes from Class I to XII! Beck in my days they used to be 'Hum Honge Kamyaab' and 'Vande Mataram'. We had specific hand and head movements for these songs. I am sure, we all still remember those songs and the hand movements, in specific. 😆

Republic day wasn't a 'Holiday':

The Republic day 'Compulsory attendance' notice was read in assembly. Punishments for those who were planning to make it a holiday were pre-announced.

Waking up to the Radio:

There wereno debates on TVabout what the nation wanted to know and no hashtags to trend. We didn't even have tri-colour pinned on our collars because it wasn't available easily!! Still, there was excitement in the air. Radio stations played 'Aye mere vatan ke logon' and 'Har karam apna karenge ...aye watan tere liye'.

Even the handy-shops played patriotic songs and were decorated with tri-colour flowers.

White PT uniforms:

On the R-Day, we wore our whiter-than-white, crisply ironed school uniforms. We also polished our white sports shoes with a white-polish.

White Ambassador Cars:

The Chief Guest of function usually was someMinister or Commanding Officer of the Army in Army schools. He came in Ambassador cars with an entourage. Today, even a Limousine doesn't command the respect that the official Ambassador Car got back then.

Flag-hoisting:

No matter how long the ordeal was, we got excited for flag hosting! PT teachers would them command the school to stand up in attention. When the flag flew open, entire school would burst into National Anthem. Singing the anthem in our loudest voice at that moment when the tri-colour unfurls like a lion across the blue skies is still so fulfilling!

Never-ending Speeches:

How can any Republic day be complete without speeches?! At school, if we were lucky, Chief guest didn't give a long speech. Sometimes if the speaker loved the sound of his voice and would go on eternally.

We poor kids, sitting on ground and under the sun,were reminded of their duties and responsibilities towards the nation when all we wanted to do was rush back home to catch up the Republic Day live telecast on Doordarshan.

Sweet Rewards:

And after the long morning of Parade and PT, it was time for sweet distribution.We always got yellowboondi ke laddoo. The reason for selecting these laddoos was that it didn't get spoiled like other sweets. Did you also think that they distributed it because it was cheap?!

Chitrahaar:

Chitrahaar was our only source then of watching music videos!

During Republic days, some songs were permanent fixture in Chitrahaar - Hai preet jahan ki reet sada from movie Purab aur Paschim and Nanha Munna rahi hoon from Son of India.

Watching the Parade:

The thrill of watching the Republic Day parade telecast live from the Rajpath was a once in a year event. We didn't have YouTube to watch the parade later. The only chance was to watch it live.

When all Armed forces marched synchronized to the sound of Army bands- their salutes were one of the most exciting sights on TV.

Motorcycle stunts were the next thrilling part. Air showswhere fighter planes flew past blasting the Tri colour across the sky always gave us goosebumps.

All States had their Floats. Spotting our own state's Floatwas one of the major attractions of Parade telecast.

Bravery Awards recipients came on elephants and they got the loudest cheers when they march past the President's platform!

We hope you enjoyed this trip down the memory lane. Please share with us in the comments about your memories of Republic day celebration.

What do you miss the mostand what are things that haven't changed since the 90s.

Here's wishing you all a very happy Republic Day!

Jai Hind!