The Voice of a Candle

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action--
Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.

These were the golden words by Rabindranath Tagore indicating the importance of freedom in everyone’s life. Quoting the words of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.” Echoing these thoughts, students of XIMB were not to be left behind. Even before India entered into its 63^rd year of independence, the spirit here at XIMB was at an all time high with patriotic songs echoing all over the campus, not to overlook the enthusiasm of the Ximbians.

The celebrations began with Prof Banikant and Prof. Ramana gracing the occasion at midnight and addressing a group of enthusiastic students. Their speeches were deeply inspiring. This was followed by a candle march led by the two professors. Even the strong winds were unable to deter the spirit of the marchers and the candle march ended at a high note on the college grounds.

The candles were laid out in such a manner that it showed the whole of India shining bright at that particular point of time. Such was the unity on display here. Even with the weather playing spoilsport, the students held their ground. They guarded the whole outline in order to keep the candles from going out in effect sending a clear signal to the whole world about India’s bright future ahead.

(Photo Courtesy - Jyoti Prakash Panda PGP 1)

That was just the start of the long lasting celebrations. The flag hoisting ceremony was held early next morning next day which reminded all of us of our good old school days. It was refreshing to sing the national anthem standing along with 500 other future managers and the entire faculty. The flag hoisting ceremony was followed by plenty of students sharing their honest feelings about Mother India and what Independence meant for her as well as her people.

This was concluded by a short street play conducted by SRC in association with XStage to sensitize the XIMB family towards over usage and over speeding of vehicles on campus roads, which not only threaten the safety of our community, but showcase our lack of respect towards our natural resources and environment. 

To conclude, lets leave you all to ponder over the words of one of our Professors.

Voice of a candle

You make me, light me, and melt me
But never listen to me!

I am neither a Sun nor a Star,
But a mere candle in your hand.

Yes, I can pierce the darkness,

Thank you for holding me!

But, Forget not,
It is you who creates darkness.
Yes,
behind you!

Thank you for holding me!

But, Forget not,
My siblings behind you,
Nay, it will create shadow,
Yes,
on your path way forward

Thank you for holding me!

But,
Don't march
Holding me in your hands,
Join me in
Burning and providing light to others!

-Professor D. V. Ramana