Republic Day Celebrations at SXBA

Republic Day Celebrations at SXBA - 26th January 2021 (All Sections)

ST.XAVIER’S BOYS’ ACADEMY

REPUBLIC DAY – SPEECH – 26/1/2021

Good morning Rev.Fr.Blaise D’Souza s.j. our school Manager, Principal – Ms. Preema Noronha, Vice Principal – Mr.Savio D’Mello, Primary Headmistress - Mrs.Minelia Monteiro, Pre-Primary Supervisor – Mrs.Sandra McMahon, respected teachers, parents and my dear friends.

Today is our 72nd Republic Day - the day the Constitution of our multi-diverse country came into force way back in 1950. Our Constitution is the largest written Constitution and it was prepared by Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar. He had rightly said that, “ The Constitution is not a mere lawyer’s document, it is a vehicle of life and it’s spirit is always the spirit of age”. The Constitution has held the entire country together and has enabled unity in diversity. Our country is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic. We by our small actions can also help in the development of our nation. For example our compassion and kindness towards others will help in stimulating positivity and fraternity and increase the overall productivity. I quote our ex-president Mr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as I say ‘ Good behaviour does not have any monetary value but it has the power to purchase a million hearts.’

I would specially like to pay tribute to our brave, loyal and fearless freedom fighters who rightly thought that freedom is our birth right and so fought for it. I salute our freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, Bal Gandhadhar Tilak and the countless other unsung heroes who believed that ‘freedom cannot be bestowed, it must be achieved’.

We all know that Republic Day is famous for its parade which showcases India’s defence powers and India’s cultural and social heritage. In the context of these current times, it is imperative that we maintain our freedom while not ignoring our responsibilities by taking proper precautions until the vaccination drive is completed. The government has done it’s bit and now its our turn to do ours.

We are a country of different religions and languages. But there is beauty in this diversity. Let us dream and work towards building an India where every single Indian can have a better life. I quote, ‘We are one nation, we should have one vision, no nation is perfect, it needs to be made perfect.’ I wish all of you a very happy 72nd Republic Day. Jai Hind.

Mokshil Satra

School Captain (2020-21)

Republic Day - Prayer Service

ST.XAVIER’S BOYS’ ACADEMY

SECONDARY SECTION

REPUBLIC DAY – 26/1/2021

Ever loving God, we come to you with grateful hearts for the blessings we have received despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the hope that the vaccine against it brings. And today as we commemorate our Republic Day we pray for strength and courage to protect the spirit of the Indian Constitution where Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity prevail for every Indian despite his or her class, caste, ethnicity, creed, gender, age.

We pray for the grace to increase our capacity to love so that we reach out with kindness and compassion to the marginalised and exploited so that our county is empowered with love and not destroyed by hatred and bigotry.

We pray for wisdom to respect the dignity of every individual making our diversity our strength knowing well that unity does not mean forced uniformity.

We pray for awareness that we may rediscover our relationship with nature and understand the importance of sustainable living so that we are better prepared to deal with diseases and calamities.

We pray for Hope to dream and work tirelessly to strive towards making a better India, a more inclusive India, a more progressive India. Amen.


Ms.Monica Rose

Class Teacher - Std.8