5 Things to do this Independence Day

August marks the start of the independence festivities with street stalls swarmed by flags of all kinds, badges and souvenirs to celebrate Independence Day the festive way. Decorating our homes with flags and flaunting white and green clothing are something we all love to indulge in the 14th August celebrations. However, we tend to miss out the essence of this day which came after years of struggle. There is much more we can do this day and make it more meaningful for ourselves and for people around us.

1. Start your day early

Attend a flag raising ceremony or watch the coverage of the Independence Day parade and support the troops, on national television at 8 a.m. It is important to mark your solidarity as the freedom movement was carried by people who worked tirelessly around the clock so we could call a piece of land our own.

2. Visit historical sites

 Gather your friends and family and make a list of places to visit in your respective city. Pakistan is home to some beautiful features, ancient sites and marvelous architecture. These places boast numerous stories that will enable you to see the positives as well as learn about the place you belong to. Try to visit the Karachi Municipal building, Frere Hall, Mazar-E-Quaid which not only hosts the grave of Jinnah but also Fatima Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan. Lahore includes Lahore Museum, the iconic food street, Bagh-E-Jinnah which includes the Quaid-E-Azam library a magnificent architectural building, Minar-E-Pakistan which was solely built to mark the passing of the Pakistan Resolution in 1940. In Islamabad we have the beautiful Pakistan Monument which is a representation of the heritage and culture of Pakistan, Saidpur Village hosts the Pakistan National museum, the Faisal mosque and much more.

3. Make the most of social media

On the lighter side of things, activate your Instagram/Snapchat in full swing to record the beauty when visiting heritage sites. Create a visual diary, find out stories related to the sites and put them out in the world to give more positive attention to our beloved homeland.

4. Do not litter and participate in hooliganism

Try to get a group of friends and conduct a cleaning drive, take care of the flag strings lying on the ground and place them back into their place. The symbol of the national flag has immense importance and completely washes away the sense of belonging seeing it lying on the floor like trash. Keep calm on the roads and make a difference by respecting the rules like one would when observing a fast. Do not forget our mishandling reflects how poor in thought we are as a nation and discredits the efforts of the people who had to give their lives to achieve the freedom we enjoy.

5. Participate in a meaningful activity

If you really want to make the best of this day, commit to a goal that will ensure a positive change in society. Join a welfare organization or take up a cause and work on it within your community for a few hours every week and keep a goal to review how it helped the society by the next 14th August. This marks a sense of accomplishment within one’s self and furthers the cause of patriotism rather than just talking about it.

Enjoy patriotic songs along your day and carry forward a promise to work hard to bring the energy that will make our country stand out on the World map. Quaid-E-Azam once said, “Come forward as servants of Islam, organize the people economically, socially, educationally and politically and I am sure that you will be a power that will be accepted by everybody”.

 

Faisal Mosque, Islamabad

 Bin Qasim, Karachi

Lahore Museum

 Mazar-e-Qauid Mohammad Ali Jinnah