Independence Day 2024: In a significant move to inject the dose of patriotism, the District Elementary Education Officer, Ambala, Sudhir Kalra, issued a direction to replace “Good Morning” and “Good Evening” with “Jai Hind” in schools from Independence Day. The step has been taken in view of a recommendation by the Minister of Education with the aim of infusing additional patriotism among students and staff.
Education Department’s Mandate
While elaborating, the decision, he told ANI, “On the suggestion of the Education Minister, orders have been issued by the Education Department that on the Independence Day, in our schools, instead of using the type of Greetings, ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Good Evening’, Children, teachers and all of us have to say ‘Jai Hind’. “These orders will be applicable to all schools including private schools because the feeling of patriotism should instill in every child and people, so it will be implemented in all schools…”
From Netaji Bose to Modern Military
The direction delineates that “Jai Hind,” being the slogan used by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose while leading the Azad Hind Fauj, reflects independence and patriotism. It was at a later stage, and after the country had achieved independence, that the military services adopted this very slogan as a way of proving the military services’ commitment to the sovereignty and security of the nation.
A circular from the Education Department said that the slogan in “Jai Hind” goes beyond geographical, linguistic, and cultural diversities and unites the students across schools. By using this shibboleth, the department views the channels for fostering further unity and patriotism in the educational sector.
