Republic Day for all of us should be an occasion where we take a step back and analyse on everything we could have done to make this country a better place. As we step into celebrating the 69th year of the country’s transition towards becoming independent republic, &TV artists recite their pledge as citizens of India. After all the tragedies that have hit Mumbai in the past few months, they also share their views on the kind of constitution that they believe needs to be built to make Mumbai a better place. Here is what they had to say-
Himesh Reshammiya’s Quote, Coach on The Voice India Kids:-
On this Republic day, I would like to pledge to follow the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan as much as I can because through this we can make our India cleaner. This is something I believe in and I feel that we should take India to next level by following Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. I think at this time of crisis where so many mishaps are happening especially in Mumbai, the most important thing we need to do is focus on being united and solve the problems. The city would be better if we constructively work towards solving each problem by following the laws rather than playing the blame game.
Papon’s Quote, Coach on The Voice India Kids:-
I basically keep saying few things on stage which gave me a huge set of followers known as Paponist. They go on to the street to do their own social work, not by asking me but with their own consent. I had been busy for a while but I have realised that this needs to be given more importance. So, this year onwards I pledge to meet the Paponist and work on different things for the welfare of the society.
Talking about Mumbai, we are one of the top city in terms of population as well as business. We should meet the standard where human lives are given way more value than what we are kind of giving here. I think sometimes we are forgetting the aspect of safety which is very important if you are staying in a small area. So, I hope whether the government or the people residing in the country, should think on the line of increasing the value of human life.
Palak’s Quote, Coach on The Voice India Kids:-
Actually, Republic day should not be the only day when we as the citizen of India should take a pledge to be more responsible. There are so many issues which are prevailing right now such as crime, injustice, rape, violence and so many secondary issues like population and cleanliness. So, there is so much to work on. I think apart from our individual progress, we should also put our concentration on the progress of our country together. We should put our joint efforts towards making a better India. I feel if we take care of our own responsibility and if everyone takes care of their own share of responsibility then i think we will be able to achieve all the targets shared for our country.
And as far as Mumbai city is concerned, there have been a lot of unfortunate incidents recently and I am sure that the Government is responsible enough to take care of all the irresponsible happenings that has caused these unfortunate disasters, for example the recent fire break. I hope all the restaurants are built with proper fire arrangements. I hope the government who is already responsible pays a little more attention towards bringing more awareness among the citizens and doing their own work.
Shaan’s Quote, Coach on The Voice India Kids:–
I would like to wish everyone a happy Republic day. I want everyone along with me to take a pledge on this day that whatever may be our religion, caste and creed, the most important thing should be ‘to be Indian’. We should give our utmost priority to unite and act like an Indian, forgetting the other factors like religion, caste and creed.
Mumbai’s over-crowdedness and population has recently led to a lot of hazard are be it fire hazards or traffic congestions. The need of the hour is to take the BMC rules very seriously. It should not be flouted or violated. BMC officials should be very strict with rules and regulations and that’s how they should try cleaning up all the dirt from the city.
Jay’s quote, Host on The Voice India Kids:-
You know you don’t have to do something big or join an army to serve the country. Doing small things definitely helps and as a citizen of India I take a pledge to provide education to the ones who need it, will do whatever I can in my limit and strength. I would even request the government to give heavy discounts on education. If I visit any school in Mumbai the educational cost for the primary education goes up to a lakh. Another mindset as well attitude prevails in our society that educating a boy child is worthy because he is going to bring all the money back. So, I want to promote the idea of giving girl child heavy discount on their education and help them to do something for the country.
Talking about Mumbai, saving this city has to be a team work. The constitution can’t handle everything alone. They have to be very responsible. If you think that something wrong is happening, then try avoiding that place and if you want to do more than you can file complain against the people who are offending these laws.
Sucheta Khanna’s quote, aka Pushpa Pandey from Meri Hanikarak Biwi:-
On this republic day as a good citizen of India, I want to pledge that I will try to plant as many shrubs and trees as I can. I am taking this pledge not only to make my country look beautiful but to entitle our planet as a green planet, it enables us to tackle the problems against global warming too! I have completed a course in garden maintenance n nursery management and with the limited knowledge I am trying to give my best ‘green-shot’.
I consider Mumbai as ‘my karmabhoomi’. I came to this city by destiny and for the past 20 years I am residing in this city. I have seen Mumbai grow but growth has its own pros and cons. The vibe of this city is very energetic and people are always on their move. Sometimes, they even move blindly! In my opinion, if our government could encourage yoga and provide few yoga as well as meditation centres with minimal fees so that a common man could afford it, could help in calming down the vibe of this aggressive city.
Tarun Mahilani’s quote, Arjun from Half Marriage: –
Every person has a story they believe in but there is no secret to be a good citizen of India. It doesn’t take much but if at all I’ve to communicate I’d just say be sensitive to people you are surrounded by, be kind and be respectful. Don’t discriminate. No one is any less than you, always remember that.
What happened last year was really unfortunate. The series of 29 left us all in a shock. It was all terribly depressing. There are always opinions that people want to voice; sometimes sound, sometimes just flat noise. And I don’t want to be another person adding myself to any particular bunch not because I feel superior or I’m invalidating view of my fellow people but honestly I don’t know the perfect solution for this question. However, I do hope that 2018 unfolds with all the positivity possible and gives us a chance to learn from our experiences and help us make better decisions for tomorrow.
Saumya Tandon’s quote, aka Anita Bhabhi from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai:-
I would like to say that in whatever situation or position that I am in, I will fearlessly raise my voice and give out my opinion in whichever possible way I can on the issues and the things I feel for and that I stand for and if my views help in some way to empower the issue, then I shall lend my hand to it. Having said that, I personally feel the closest issues to women are – women needs to be empowered! And I am not going to give out any motherhood statements stating the big things I am going to do. The only thing I am going to do is to empower the women around me; women I meet every day, women who work around me, my family and friends. I see so many women getting divorced, women who have cheating husbands, women who have no support from their parents when they are facing domestic violence, women who have been fighting tough legal battles, women who face problems at workplace and so forth. To all these women around me, I want to help them by empowering them because women can really help women and like they say women are the ones who puts women down, I want to change that and I want to empower at least all the women around me in whatever possible way so that we form a kind of womanhood or the strength that we can give to each other.
Sachin Shroff’s Quote, aka Nand Baba from Parmavatar Shree Krishna:-
On this Republic Day, I would like to take a pledge to keep the city clean by not littering on the ground. Mumbai has a huge population. Incidents like fire and stampede could have been avoided, if proper arrangements for fire escape were done. In order to tackle such incidents, the police authorities, BMC and the government authorities need to be more vigilant and strict. They need to understand the value of life as only the families who lose their family member understands and faces the pain and the loss.
