New Delhi [India]: As India prepares to celebrate its 68th Republic Day this year, it is a perfect opportunity for parents to bond with their children.
Republic day is more than a regular holiday and somewhere in the midst of teaching them the alphabet and the importance of developing good inter-personal skills, we often forget to instill a sense of patriotism in them.
Kids are left unaware about the freedom struggle and revolutionaries who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the motherland.
Our country needs better citizens, and parents should steal such occasions to take an initiative to inculcate a sense of gratitude and enhance their sense of pride for the country.
Here are a few ways, as suggested by Chandrika Behl, Founder, Krackerjack Karnival and Director, Exhibitions India Pvt. Ltd., in which this can be achieved with considerable ease.
-Make them a part of nationalistic meets and events
Making kids participate in nationalistic events like Republic Day Parade, Independence Day celebration in schools etc. will help you to instinct the knowledge of vital national days and historic events happened.
Unity is one thing that child must be brought up with as a core value to be empathetic with their fellow civilian as they grow up.
Event participation and interactive sessions at schools or family and neighbourhood get together will keep them abreast with these national happenings.
-Encourage a discussion about great leaders
Do not restrict the brave stories of our freedom fighters such as Bhagat Singh, Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, etc. only to the pages of history textbooks.
Talk to kids and encourage a discussion about these brave heroes, who sacrificed their lives for our nation.
Watch movies about their struggle with your children. In this way, help your kids to develop an interest to learn more about the leaders.
-Make them aware about the importance of national holidays
Kids are usually fond of national holidays, as they don’t have to go to school or because they get a break from their mundane schedules.
Parents can narrate the story of the struggles of those whose birth is being celebrated or take them through the importance of the event due to which they are enjoying an off day.
There are also plenty of events that take place around the country in the run-up to major national holidays; from theatre events to street plays, retrospectives at museums, parades and much more.
Make it a point to take your kids to some such activities so they develop a natural curiosity and understanding about the important events in their nation’s history.
-Include famous monuments/buildings associated with the Indian freedom struggle in your travel itinerary
If you’re planning to visit any part of the country along with your kids, then why not include a monument or building associated with the Indian freedom struggle as part of your travel itinerary?
The peaceful Sabarmati Ashram associated with Gandhiji, the house museum, Netaji Bhavan or the Red Fort are places of significant importance that are sure to amuse children. Kids will be able to connect better to the stories they read in books or those seen on television.
-Encourage them to be part of different festivals
With a multitude of religions, casts and beliefs existing in India, there are high chances that kids may get confused on what to follow and what not to. Make them aware of the unity in diversity in India and encourage them to be an active part of different festivals, irrespective of their religion. Children will learn to value and appreciate the myriad cultures, value systems and religions that beautifully co-exist in India. (ANI)