Thought Lantern Republic Day Special

 

Thought Lantern is fortunate to portray the write-ups of amazing writers, and we appreciate their presence on this day to celebrate India's Republic Day. 

"Freedom in mind, strength in words, pride in our souls. Jai Hind!"

Our Republic Day Celebration Writers are - 

1. Dr Arwa Saifi 

Creative write-up - 

Title - Wrapped in Saffron, White, and Green. 

Every Republic Day morning feels different. The air carries a quiet calm, and somewhere between the winter chill and the distant echoes of patriotic songs, the tricolour finds its way into our hearts once again. Saffron, white, and green - three colours that are not just seen, but deeply felt.

For me, Republic Day is not just about spectacle. It is about pausing, even if briefly, to acknowledge what these colours stand for. Saffron reminds me of courage and sacrifice - the countless unnamed individuals who gave their today for our tomorrow. White speaks of truth, peace, and the moral compass that our nation strives to follow. And green carries hope - the promise of growth, renewal, and a future shaped by responsibility.

Being wrapped in these colours does not always mean holding a flag in hand. Sometimes, it means carrying the values of the Republic in our everyday lives. It means choosing empathy over indifference, integrity over convenience, and unity over division. These choices, though small, keep the spirit of the Constitution alive.

Republic Day also reminds me of how beautifully complex India is. Different languages, cultures, beliefs, and stories - yet bound together by a shared identity. Our Constitution did not merely give us rights; it gave us direction. It taught us that freedom comes with responsibility and that democracy survives only when its citizens care enough to protect it.

As a writer, this day stirs something deeper. Words matter more when they are born out of freedom. The ability to express, question, and reflect is a privilege we often take for granted. Republic Day nudges me to write with awareness - with gratitude for the freedom that allows my voice to exist.

This Republic Day, I choose to celebrate quietly. No grand declarations, no loud proclamations - just a heart wrapped in saffron, white, and green. A heart that feels grateful, grounded, and hopeful.

Because sometimes, the strongest patriotism is the one that lives silently within us.

2. Bhawana Sethi 

Poem - 

Title - New Bharat: The Vision of Twenty-Twenty-Six

The Twenty-Twenty-Six Vision of New Bharat
The saffron sun, the January frost,
This is the start of a huge chapter.
In the bold, clear air, the Tiranga snaps.
A global flare, a sovereign promise.
The Republic of India is at the door,

It is no longer a faraway dream.
Twenty-twenty-six is the year, 

The vision is expansive, 

And a billion hearts are bursting with pride.
From Silicon Valleys to bullet train tracks, 

New Bharat never stops moving forward.
Under Indian skies, 

We are writing the future with AI in our pockets 

and space in our eyes.

In the quiet of the farm and the bustle of the city, 

Equality is more than just a lesson we impart.
With the help of Nari Shakti and the spark of the startup,
We are eradicating the darkness and illuminating the world.
Self-sufficient and powerful, 

Aatmanirbhar corrects the past and exposes the wrong.
This is a claim to a future that we at last own,

not merely a parade of brass and bone.
It is maintaining cleanliness, speaking the truth,

and standing up for those who are weak and tired.

Our responsibilities are contemporary,

our roots are still strong,
We at last fulfill our promise to history.
Thus, walk hand in hand with a purpose.
The creators of this great country.
We have reached for the sky with Vande Mataram,

the soul's age-old cry, Twenty-Twenty-Six.

3. Deepikha Barathan

Poem - 

Racism refers to racists,

Fascism refers to fascists,

Nasizm refers to nazists,

Communism refers to communists.

Hinduism refers to Hindus,

Christianism refers to Christians,

Islam refers to Muslims,

Jainism refers to Jains.

Buddhism refers to Buddhists,

Judaism refers to Judaists,

Sikhism refers to Sikhs,

Paganism refers to Paganists.

But in India, it's all the above,

United we stay, all the above,

United we grow, all the above,

United we are! United we are!

4. Poornima Sivaraman

Poem - (1) 

Each year on the twenty- sixth  of January,

India celebrates Republic Day with pride and glory,

Joy fills the air across the land,

Schools gear up with

Events so grand.

Children arrive with smiles 

so bright,

Ready to perform, with all their might.

A small snack box,

shared with glee-

The nation glows in

unity and harmony

Short story - (2) 

In a school in Assam, the Republic  Day celebration was on. The teachers were selecting students to prepare the functions, songs to be sung and many other activities.

The Prime Minister was going to attend the function, and all were eager and worried to make it a big success.

The day arrived, and after the flag hoisting by the Prime Minister, a little girl came near him and saluted him. He was happy to see her, greeted her and shook hands. She asked him, “ Sir, may I sing with you’ Vandhe Matram ?”

Oh! He was so excited and said, “ Yes, surely and she sang along with him beautifully, and everyone clapped. The next day, her photo went viral with the PM.

Everyone appreciated her boldness and singing it correctly.

5. Dr Romila Chitturi 

Poem - 

Title - Witnessing the Dawn. 

Explanation: The poem is from the perspective of a grandfather telling his grandchild about the very first Republic Day in 1950. There was no technology, but there was an abundance of hope.

You ask for screens and feeds of the live display,

But child, listen to how our first Republic Day used to be.

We stood as one upon that winter day,

With nothing but our distinct souls to see.

No cameras flashed to freeze the marching men,

No drones hovered above the dusty ground.

We etched the memory with an inner pen,

And felt the rhythm in the drum’s deep sound.

We lacked the wires that bind the world today,

The instant connection that you hold so dear.

Yet in that silence, fears were washed away,

By promises that rang out loud and clear.

The Constitution was our only map,

A guide to scale the democratic slope.

With empty hands resting upon our lap,

We held a heavy, boundless wealth of hope.

6. Sujata Maggoo

Hindi Poem - 

यह भारत है—संविधान की धड़कनों से जागता,

न्याय की मशाल थामे, हर अंधेरे को चुनौती देता।

स्वतंत्रता यहाँ केवल शब्द नहीं, संकल्प है,

समानता हर साँस में, बंधुत्व हर कल्प है।

मिट्टी से उठते सपने, आत्मनिर्भर का विश्वास,

वंदे भारत की गति में, विकसित भविष्य की आस।

भाषाएँ अनेक सही, पर स्वर एक महान,

लोकतंत्र की तान में गूँजता भारत अभिमान।

आज गणतंत्र पुकारे—उठो, समय यही है,

अधिकार संग कर्तव्य निभाने की घड़ी यही है।

2047 तक रचें इतिहास, श्रम, विज्ञान, सत्य से,

हर नागरिक दीप बने—भारत आगे बढ़े निरंतर, एकता और शक्ति से!

हम ही भारत हैं—किसान, सैनिक, शिक्षक, विज्ञान,

नारी शक्ति, युवा स्वप्न, श्रमिक का स्वाभिमान।

जब हाथ में हाथ, और मन में राष्ट्र हो,

तब कोई लक्ष्य असंभव नहीं—विकसित भारत साकार हो! 

7. Priyanaka Bhandarkar 

Poem - 

Title - THE  IDEA  OF BHARAT@2047

From the abode of snow in the north

To the sea in the south,

Lay a land called Bharat with a divine.

With ideas of reincarnation, revival and rebirth, 

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, an idea to embrace,

A beacon of hope, unity and grace.

It is time to spread the essence of togetherness, 

With compassion and understanding in our hearts,

We must strive to create a world where the ethics of love will last.

The Peacock, The Lotus and The Wheel of Time,

Come gather tools of our identity and success, reaching the sublime.

Let us celebrate together as Ladies and gentlemen, 

And let Ramrajya be the cause of celebration.

Mastering peace and aiming for prosperity,

Embracing the values of Gandhiji with responsibility.

To be free from the clutches of environment, poverty, corruption and food scarcity, 

To promote Make in India and achieve the status of a developed country. 

To end rape, disrespect of women, child marriage and dowry,

To free India from being a Third World Country by utilizing technology,

To revive the culture of India with the motto of Unity in Diversity.

The motto of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam will surely be achieved, 

The dream of Amrit Kaal will also be fulfilled.

Dare to dream of India as the "Golden Bird,"

Rising from ashes to ashes and dust to dust, 

India awakes to freedom

The Sengol is the symbol of our worth.

Rage, Rage, Rage and again, all are welcome!

Rich in the path of development with global stability, 

An upsurge in the economy, a trillion-dollar entity.

India is where Indians live,

And let the overall victory be achieved.

Harnessing energy and protecting our borders,

India is but a vibrant democracy,

The people are working to the best of their capabilities. 

We are the same people filled with the magic of purity,

Being human and building a world where Nation Matters.