As Independence Day approaches, Zee TV stars share their experiences/messages for their beloved nation.

Sara Khan, Mona of Ram Milaayi Jodi said, “I remember my school days when we used to get together early in the morning on Independence Day and sing patriotic songs after the flag hoisting ceremony. Participating in skits with patriotic themes was always an attraction for the budding actress in me. I’ll be a hypocrite if I don’t admit that I used to look forward to the day since it was a holiday at school. This year, I’ll be shooting on 15th August, so there’s absolutely no respite!”

Usha Nadkarni, Savita ji of Pavitra Rishta said, “The one thing I avoided at school was singing patriotic songs. With a voice like mine, I could easily scare away the chief guest at our Independence Day school functions. This year, I don’t know if I’ll be shooting. If I am lucky to have the day off, I’ll probably just spend some quality time at home with my family.”

Sushant Rajput, Manav of Pavitra Rishta said, “I used to be the school prefect. So I was once called upon to make a speech in front of the entire Independence Day assembly. Initially, I could barely find my voice because I was very nervous but later I mustered enough confidence to give a fairly fluent, impactful speech. I had never made a speech in front of a large audience until then and it was a good feeling when people said I spoke very well. This year, if I get time off shooting on 15th August, I’ll head to the hills for some rest and relaxation!”

Avinash Sachdev, Dev of Choti Bahu 2 said, “Independence Day is a day when we pay homage to our freedom fighters and martyrs who sacrificed their lives to liberate our motherland from foreign plunderers. Be it the war of 1857 or the Kargil war more recently, each soldier has contributed to making our lives safer in some way. We should never forget what they did for our country. I’d like to salute their spirit!”

Javed Ali, judge of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs said, “Living the way I want to, is freedom for me. And for this, I have to thank the great forefathers of our country – Gandhiji and Jawaharlal Nehru. The world today recognizes the tremendous efforts of men like them. Gandhiji has become a role model for the world to emulate by his trademark of Non-violence. The world today would benefit greatly from revisiting his philosophies in life.”

Karan V Grover, Karan of Yahan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli said, “Freedom to me means freedom to travel anywhere around the globe, live life to the fullest and on my own terms. It’s about living life peacefully without interference from outside entities. I am thankful that my country gives me certain freedoms as my constitutional rights and salute the heroes who won back our independence.”

Yash Tonk, Dadda Chalukya of Shobha Somnath Ki said, “It is a day to be proud for every Indian as on this day we got our independence and no longer have any other foreign country ruling over us. If every Indian starts treating the country as their home, all problems will be automatically solved. Just as we take the utmost care of our home and family members, we should do the same for our country and its citizens too. It’s not the job of the government or one particular person but the collective responsibility of all Indian citizens.”

Amrita Raichand, Maharani Gayatri of Shobha Somnath Ki said, “Independence Day signifies our freedom from the British rule but for me it also signifies the freedom of every individual. Until I was dependent on my parents, I never realized the responsibility that comes along with my freedom. Today’s generation doesn’t realize the value of independence and just takes it for granted as most of us were born in Independent India. I’d like to look at Independence Day as a time to pause and acknowledge and appreciate the fact that we are a free democracy and can lead lives on our own terms!”

When Lata Mangeshkar sang Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon 60 years ago, Pandit Nehru was moved to tears! Cut forward to the present day, young Barnali Hota from Bhubaneshwar with her honey-laced voice had the same effect on deshputra Anna Hazare when she sang this patriotic song during his visit on the sets of Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs.

So moved was Anna by her performance that he was seen wiping tears from under his glasses right after and confessed that this was his favorite song! And this was only the beginning of Anna’s emotional moments as one after another, the super-talented pack on Zee TV’s singing reality show wowed this samaj sevak with goose bump inducing renditions of some of the most memorable patriotic songs in an Independence Day special episode. Anna had readily agreed to be a part of the Independence Day special episode as he had heard of the talented singers and strongly felt that their singing patriotic songs will inspire millions across the nation to help make a better India.

When li’l Salman sang ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’, Anna said it gave him the renewed zest to extend his 16 day fast to 20 days. Anna reacted to Azmat’s rendition of the song ‘Ab Tumhare Liye Hi Watan Saathiyon’, saying that this song should be played twice daily in the Mantralaya to motivate the ministers to really ’serve the country’ instead of scheming and plotting new ways of taking the junta for a ride!

Anna was delighted to see that little children from his village Ralegaon had been brought down to the shoot. The kids expressed their gratitude towards him. Anna was absolutely overwhelmed when they got him a tiffin box packed with his favorite vegetable preparation divshi chi bhaaji!

As if this weren’t enough to send Anna over the moon, the Li’l Champs presented him with a book on Swami Vivekananda and a portrait of the great leader who he considers his source of inspiration. Anna went on to narrate how at the age of 26, he was on the brink of committing suicide, not knowing what to do with his life, until he stumbled upon this great man’s writings and found a new meaning and purpose in life. With his heart-warming simplicity and undiluted focus towards social service, Anna Hazare was the personification of the word patriotism on the show.

Watch Anna Hazare stir up feelings of patriotism on Saturday, 13 August 2011 at 7:30pm only on Zee TV.