On Republic Day, celebs talk about what makes them proud to be called an Indian

The preamble of the Constitution declares India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic. Keeping up the spirit, this Republic day celebs talk about rights and duties.

LET PEACE BE

The right I value the most is the right to education. One duty I take very seriously is to maintain peace and harmony.

Proud Indian: I felt proud of being an Indian when we as a country win accolades, like when Bachendri Pal scaled the Mount Everest and became the first Indian woman to do that.

Patriotic movie: Karma

— Manini Mishra, actress

EDUCATION IS THE KEY

I have always been in favour of educating children and I don’t mean only bookish or theoretical knowledge. I do my part in helping the underprivileged get adequate knowledge with the support of various institutions.

Patriotic movie: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero.

— Karanvir Sharma, actor

GROWTH CURVE

In 2021, we must move forward with positivity. I start my day by watching Republic Day parade on TV and later, go out with my parents for a family lunch or dinner. Every year I look forward to the tricolour sweets on Republic Day!

Proud Indian: In 2019, I was honored with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Baal Shakti Purushkar by the President of India and was a part of the Republic Day parade too. It was moment of pride for me, being in the parade at Rajpath on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi ji.

— Dev Joshi, actor

LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES

I take voting very seriously. I also feel every Indian should vote and keep the democracy alive in our country.

Proud Indian: I feel proud of our country’s democracy as well as the opportunities that our citizens get.

Patriotic movie: Gandhi (featuring Ben Kingsley) is my favourite.

— Siddhaanth Vir Surryavanshi, actor

VOTING RIGHT

I have made it a point to cast my vote every single time since I turned 18, no matter where I am. About duties, I believe in paying tax dutifully and on time. But the most important thing is that I’m in love with my country and always given it back to people who try to tarnish its image.

Proud Indian: When I saw Sandeep (husband) win the Arjuna Award. For me, he is a true patriot who left all the pleasures of life just to win a medal for the country.

Patriotic movie: A Wednesday and Rang De Basanti.

— Pooja Banerjee, actress

UNITED WE STAND

Before I started my acting career in Mumbai, I used to live in the UK for some time. Throughout my stay there, I realised one thing — there is no culture that celebrates unity like our country does. Considering this diversity, I personally take our fundamental right of freedom of religion and culture very seriously.

Patriotic movie: Lagaan.

— Achherr Bhaardwaj, actor

TOGETHER IN THIS

The fundamental right that I feel very strongly about and practice in my life is the right to equality.

Proud Indian: We are the spiritual destination of the world. We have given them yoga and Ayurveda; the mother of languages, Sanskrit, and much more.

Patriotic movie: Raazi.

— Chandana Dixit, singer

— TNS & Agencies