Actress Ssujata Mehta, known for her memorable roles in Indian cinema, recently shared her heartfelt memories of Republic Day and a profound connection to the devastating Kutch earthquake of January 26, 2001. "Just like other children, I also have lovely memories of Republic Day," Ssujata reminisced. "We used to go to school, do the flag ceremony, sing patriotic songs, and celebrate the day as a special event." 

 However, beyond the joyous memories of the national holiday, one incident left an indelible mark on her heart. In December 2000, Ssujata was in Kutch, Gujarat, shooting for her film Dhaad. She described the region's beauty and the warmth of the people she encountered during her stay. "I never imagined such a disaster would take place," she said, referring to the catastrophic earthquake that struck Kutch on Republic Day, claiming thousands of lives and leaving countless others homeless.

 "After coming back to Mumbai, I was shooting when I heard the tragic news. I was totally shaken up," Ssujata recalled. Moved by the scale of the disaster and the suffering of the affected families, the actress felt compelled to return to Kutch to offer her support. "I went back and helped the homeless people in whatever way I could," she shared.