As India is all set for 75th Independence Day celebrations to be held on the theme ‘Nation First, Always First’, NT KURIOCITY asks youngsters what it means to them
For me, ‘Nation first, always first’, is more than just a theme. It is a call of action to work with India being the focal point, for it is about time that we start seeing the greater picture, and start focusing on the country and its needs. The idea should be to live in unity while embracing each other’s ideologies and belief systems, while our nation binds us all together. It is our duty to see to it that the nation, as dreamt by our elders, thrives and prospers. It may start with acceptance of differences and providing a safe space to each individual to speak their mind. With improvements in lifestyle and with the mind-set of ‘Nation being first, always first’, we can holistically be a better country and march towards the prosperity we desire.
Shibani Patnaik, Goa Institute of Management, Sanquelim
I think it’s important to recognise the nation and its people. It is an opportunity for those of us who reside in this nation to help one another and strive even further on the world stage as well. It’s also continually more important that we strive for even more diversity and continue to build our great nation. We are all one of the same flags that holds us together.
Adam Barodawala, St Xavier’s College, Mapusa
Just like Mahatma Gandhi led the ‘Bharat Chhoro Andolan’ (Quit India movement), every Indian must lead the ‘Bharat Jodo Andolan (Unite India Movement)’. It is our responsibility to work in a manner that helps unite our diverse country.
Lincoln Lourence Fernandes, Commis Chef – Cruise Culinary Programme, Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts, Nagoa
I can proudly say that our nation is always first. In this pandemic situation, there are soldiers supporting us in many ways like doctors and police officers. Narendra Modi has supported us and encouraged us to fight together. We achieved a lot of respect in this situation – in the field of sports the youth have made the nation proud. They have achieved many medals. If we can earn medals in such a situation, we can do anything for our nation. The real soldiers are fighting to keep us safe. I can proudly say that our nation will always be first and we all together make it happen.
Kavya Jagdish Shetty, Commis Chef – Cruise Culinary Programme, Kamaxi College of Culinary Arts, Nagoa
To mark the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence, we the citizens of India should strive and unite the country in all aspects of life. To quote Mahatma Gandhi, ‘You must be the change, you want to see in the world.’ By making this our perspective, encouraging locals and respecting the land of diversity we can accomplish making our nation first and being first. We need to believe in ourselves and we will come a long way. An exemplary example is that of our Indian Olympians who have made the nation proud by bringing home seven medals during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as compared to just two or one in the previous years.
Juzelle Silveira, V M Salgaocar Institute of International Hospitality Education, Raia
We are the rays of sun to the country and this motherland has raised us. We are the cultivators, we are the developers, and we are the guiding light. No matter what, we shall always fight for its dignity and right, keeping the nation first and always first.
Sufyan Saraf, Goa Medical College, Bambolim
