By Monalisa
Post News Network

Bhubaneswar, Jan 22: A street play titled ‘Meri Jaan Hindustan’ performed at Lower PMG Thursday sought to highlight the importance of celebrating Republic Day like any other festival of the country.
Social activist Vande Mataram and his troupe, who staged the street play, are known for taking up social causes and performing plays based on such issues for the last ten years in and around the city.
With Republic Day round the corner, Mataram said he hit upon the idea of a street play highlighting the importance of celebrating the day like any other cultural festival. “It is a red-letter day in the history of our country and I wanted to motivate and inspire everyone to celebrate this glorious occasion,” said Mataram.
Mataram, who says he has dedicated his life to social causes, believes every citizen has certain responsibilities towards his society which must be fulfilled.
Holding tricolours and placards, the group which mostly comprises young boys and girls shouted slogans and sang patriotic songs like Sare Jahan Se Accha, Hind Desh Ke Wasi and more. A five-year-old boy, Tiranga Patnayak, who was the youngest member of the group and was painted in the colours of the national flag from head to toe and was seen enthusiastically waving the tricolour, was the centre of attraction. Tiranga was seen very excitedly shouted slogans at the top of his voice.
Twinkle Nayak, a Class IX student from Balasore, said she has been participating in such events since 2006. “I like to participate in such events where I can do at least something for my country. Through this event I did my bit to raise awareness among people on the importance of Republic Day and the significance of the occasion,” said Nayak.
Chinmayee Upadhyaya of Class VIII and Rupali, Class VII, share Nayak’s enthusiasm. Rupali said she developed an interest in street plays from her childhood when she first saw one, and since then she has participated in many such plays.