India is celebrating its 67th Republic Day this year with a great hope for change. The stupor of the middle class has finally broken and they are now demanding answers from the people in charge. The success of AAP (Aam Admi Party in Delhi) is one indication of the mass-awakening. In this connection we spoke to several TV stars on how they would make this 26 January unique by taking part in some endeavour to make India a better place. Adhhvik Mahaj (Bani-Ishq Da Kalma) said, “I was impressed by the turn out in the recent Delhi Assembly elections. Normally people in metro cites don’t go out to vote. Rather they use this day as a holiday and run off to the nearby hill station. I would try to convince my friends and relatives that they should use the finger (vote) to demand the service the government owes them. If we don’t vote, then we have no right to crib about corrupt politicians ruling the roost. I will also ask them in turn to spread the message round. The 2014 General Elections can be a game changer, if the urban populace comes out in plenty to their respective voting booths. They might vote for fresh faces who will work for the poor and not run off for various international jaunts.” Mohammad Nazim of Saath Nibhana Saathiya fame explained his perspective, “I am appalled by the sheer lack of basic sanitation services in rural areas. I would want to go the nearby villages and teach them about the importance of toilets. We need to build more public and private toilets. It is a shame that even today women need to defecate in the open. I would also talk to the local panchayat officials about how to the keep village roads clean. We will also talk to my producer if we can have some similar pro sanitation messages in our show. Here I promise that my activity will continue throughout the year and not just remain limited to 26 Jan or 15 August.” Roopal Tyagi of Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke shared, “I would love to be part of social gatherings which will meet the local police station officials about providing better security to women. If it was practically possible, I would have done the same in north India where things are worse. I will also ask my fellow actors to join me in visiting mohallas and educate elders about teaching gender sensitivity to young boys. We need to nip this problem in the bud. If I could, I would have tried to visit the social service and try and understand the type of problems women face.” Maninee Mihir Mishra (Diya Aur Baati Hum) averred, “Well I am at an outdoor schedule so I might just visit an orphanage and distribute stationary. Or I might go to an old age home and give food and sweets to our senior citizens. Mihir (husband) and I don’t believe in showbaazi.” Talking about the state of the nation Manini added, “The people are waking up evolving and working towards the India we dreamt of. It is very easy to castigate and criticise. Rather it’s time to work upon ourselves as a nation. We need to learn from our history and create a truly thinking and proactive nation. We are responsible for the state of affairs. More accountability and proactivity are only ways to clean the grime, and shake up at the micro and macro level.” Shashank Vyas of Balika Vadhu fame added, “I rather would look at things as half full. We have achieved a lot in the past 67 years, compared to our neighbourhood. If possible I would be part of a campaign which would focus on the large number of achievements India has garnered in spite of adverse conditions. It is time we came out of partisan politics and collectively work to really make India Saare Jahan Se Accha.” Last but not the least Ridheema Tiwari (Do Dil Ek Jaan) mentioned, “Being a patriot at heart I appreciate the flag hoisting ceremony held in every building where little kids perform with enthusiasm. What I do different on this day is pick up paper flags thrown around. I don’t appreciate the idea of having these flags easily available and folks easily throwing them around.” Nice thoughts indeed!! Spread the word of awareness around!!