HYDERABAD: Villagers in certain districts celebrate Independence Day in distinctive ways and show their love for the nation, from unfurling the Tricolour daily to offering special pujas to Mahatma Gandhi.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the hope that the year of "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav" will infuse new energy in the nation, people in Rudram, Mirdoddi mandal of undivided Medak district demonstrate their nationalist fervour by unfurling the flag every day, 365 days a year.
The Rudram villagers have carried on the tradition of hoisting the Tricolor every day of the year for the past 40 years to show their unwavering love for the country and honour the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters. The local elders erected the national flag atop a 24 foot stone pole, the tallest in the district, 40 years ago. The locals don't wait for the Republic Day on January 26 or Independence Day on August 15 to unfurl the Tricolor.
“For us, it is a daily ritual. For the past 40 years, we have celebrated each day that we are no longer under the control of the British. Our locals are renowned for their fervent patriotism. Elders of Rudram village made a decision to fly the flag all year long 40 years ago, and they have kept it up ever since,” Gopal Swamy, a former sarpanch of Rudram village, told Deccan Chronicle.
In Narsingapur village in Dichpally mandal of Nizamabad district, villagers worship Mahatma Gandhi’s statue. For the past 50 years, the villagers have offered pujas to the Gandhi statue in the village on various occasions. "We feel pleased when we perform poojas to Mahatma Gandhi statue before the beginning of any special occasion in our houses,” said farmer Gangaram.
Katkur, a village of soldiers
Katkur village in the Akkannapet mandal of the undivided Medak district set a record for having the maximum number of youth from here enlisting in the Indian Army. More than 100 young individuals have enlisted in the Indian Army from this little town. The village’s association with the Indian Army dates back to the 1990s when Jeripothula Danial and Tamba Narayana enrolled in the Army.
Young people from the village enlist in the Army in different ranks each year since. Marampally Raju, a soldier, expressed his pride in serving the country. “I feel at home when working with my fellow soldiers. At least one person in each family should join the Army and serve our motherland,” he stated. Another Army Jawan, Vikram, recalled making a commitment to serve the country as a child. "Serving at the country's frontiers offers enormous pleasure," he remarked.
