This article has been contributed by Rajeev Jain, MD & Founder, RN Faucets Pvt. Ltd.
As we are heading close to our Independence Day, when the tricolour unfurls against the August sky, a wave of patriotism will usher amongst us. This sentiment has traditionally translated into a time-honoured ritual: a flag hoisting ceremony, the distribution of sweets, and perhaps a dress-in-ethnic-wear day. While these gestures are rooted in respect and tradition, but with time modern workplaces have evolved and come up with their way of celebrating independence, cherishing the pride of being an Indian and at the same time exhibiting this pride to everyone.
This Independence Day, let’s redefine the celebration. Let’s make it a catalyst for strengthening our organisational culture, fostering a genuine sense of belonging, and connecting our daily work to the grand project of nation-building.
Pillar 1: Promoting inclusive patriotic culture
The beauty of India lies in its breathtaking variety – a symphony of cultures, languages and traditions. Independence Day is the right opportunity to celebrate this mosaic within our own organizations.
Actionable Ideas for Inclusive Celebrations:
• “India’s weavers” day: go beyond a general “ethnic day”. Cure a subject that celebrates India’s rich textile heritage. Encourage employees made of indigenous clothing like Khadi, Ikat, or bandhani and share the story behind their chosen craft. This not only supports local artisans, but also converts the office into a vibrant gallery of Indian craftsmanship.
• “Taste of freedom” Potluck: Food is a universal language of love and connection. Instead of standard catering, organize a potluck where employees bring a dish that represents their original state or family traditions associated with ceremonies. Each dish comes with a story, which turns into a simple lunch journey in the Pak scenario of India. This promotes interaction and helps allies to join a deep, more individual level.
• Storytelling Session: “My idea of India”: Create a platform, perhaps an open mike session, to share for employees to share what freedom and India is individually mean. These may be his grandparents’ experiences, his journey to achieve financial freedom, or his hopes for the future of the country. Such sessions promote sympathy and provide an intensive insight into diverse approaches that create your workforce.
• Celebration of Vernacular Voice: Host workshops or fun, short learning modules on various Indian languages and art forms. Imagine a 30 -minute session when learning some phrases in the language from a separate field, or a hand workshop on Madhubani or Warli art. These activities are not only attractive, but are also a direct sign for linguistic and artistic diversity that is original for our identity.
Pratiksha Bajikar
Pillar 2: Aligning with Purpose and Social Responsibility
The modern employee is driven by a strong sense of purpose, and the same feeling can be translated into celebration of independence. By adopting small acts of change can be a meaningful way of showcasing love for the nation.
Actionable Ideas for Purpose-Driven Engagements:
- Skill-Based Volunteering: Move beyond traditional volunteering. Empower your employees to use their professional skills for a cause. A team activity in the NGO, like a financial literacy workshop for a self-help group, or designing a social media campaign to promote local artisans. This makes the act of giving back more impactful and professionally fulfilling.
- Support Economic Independence: The next thing companies can go ahead and start supporting the local economies. For corporate gifting, companies can make a conscious choice to buy products of home-grown brands. This will boost local economies and help in building a self-reliant India.
Pillar 3: Driving engagement Through Innovation and Gameification
Another step could be using techology and gamification, ensuring every member of the team in-house or working online can participate.
Actionable Ideas for Innovative Celebrations:
- The “Great Indian Discovery” Challenge: Design a virtual scavenger hunt or a treasure hunt with clues hidden around the office (for in-person) or on a dedicated digital platform (for remote teams). The clues can be riddles related to Indian history, trivia about our scientific achievements, or puzzles based on our cultural landmarks. This encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and learning in a fun, competitive format.
- Independence Day Ideathon/Hackathon: Host a mini-hackathon focused on solving a specific community problem or an internal business challenge. The theme could be “Innovating for a Better India.” This channels the talent and creativity of your employees towards a constructive goal and reinforces the idea that innovation is a key part of national progress.
- Interactive Digital Engagement: Leverage technology for a week-long engagement leading up to the 15th of August. Use platforms like Kahoot! or Slido for daily quizzes on Indian history and culture. Run polls asking employees about their favourite “Made in India” brand or their most admired Indian innovator. Create a collaborative digital “Freedom Wall” where employees can post messages, photos, and aspirations for the country.
- “Made in India” Showcase: Ask different teams or departments to prepare a short presentation on a “Made in India” product, technology, or startup they admire. This not only fosters a sense of pride in our country’s achievements but also aligns perfectly with the ethos of the startup ecosystem, celebrating homegrown innovation and entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
Weaving a strong organizational fabric “Beyond Flag hoist” is not about abandoning the tradition, but is about enriching it. It is about understanding that for the modern Indian professional, patriotism is an active action. This is about making a place where the celebration of our nation’s freedom is transformed into a celebration of our collective capacity.
Anik Banerjee
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