It’s been 3 years and once again I find myself revisiting the topic of independence. Somewhere deep within us resides the desire to celebrate our independence day in our very own way. Manifestation of that desire is different for each one of us. Some see it as a good opportunity to celebrate a long weekend; some prefer keeping small flags in their cars or on their desks while some prefer displaying their love for the nation through the social media. One can never forget the flag hoisting assembly and parade during their school days, few might find it irrelevant today but nonetheless it always remains as a significant gesture making impressions on young hearts.
Opinions differ on why we should celebrate independence as
cynicism prevails all around. Political, social, and economic disparity looms over
the nation adversely affecting each one of us yet we all continue to survive
and thrive. Onions literally making us cry ; politicians making us proud by
scandalizing every issue and throwing tantrums at each other; Rupee is gaining
glory inching closer to $65; inflation hitting the highs and industrial
production reaching the lows; food grains rotting and children dying of
malnutrition; neighbors creating havoc – encroaching territories, beheading,
ambushing soldiers and spreading endless terror; burning submarine engulfing brave
sailors onboard; scams and corruptions spreading tentacles ever so swiftly; plundering
of natural diversity and wealth; potholes breaking backs ; apathy looming at
large; and yet amidst this chaos our nation thrives…thrives on hope!
A nation celebrates the “Bronze Age” once again - women’s
junior hockey team’s 3rd place at the FIH World Cup and a teenager Sindhu’s
triumphant bronze quest at the World Badminton Championship. Let us hope that
as “Iron Age” followed the “Bronze Age”, our resolve for glory and success
rises to the same heights.
"To be free is not merely to
cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the
freedom of others”
- Nelson Mandela
Our independence movement was built on similar principles
not just to free us from the shackles of the British rule but to construct equilibrium
where all castes, creeds and cultures thrive in unison. Built on a dream of
bringing back the “Golden Age” of erstwhile India into reality, the movement
faltered aimlessly post independence.
Long forgotten is the ethos of this freedom movement and
what is left is a mere illusion called freedom.
“Ne majasi nhe parat matrubhumi la, sagara pran talmala” (O seas take me
back, for my heart and life seeks to free my motherland) said Swatantryaveer
Vinayak Sawarkar while suffering incredible pain at the hands of British at
Andaman islands. Innocent deaths at the Jallianwala Baug and three young brave
hearts made the supreme sacrifice by willingly embracing the gallows to make
the government realize their crimes. Subhashchandra Bose who fought all odds
and appealed to his fellow brothers “tum muzhe khoon do main tumhain azadi doonga”
(stand by me for supreme sacrifice and I promise you freedom in return), was
lost in oblivion never to be found. Non-cooperation and Quit India movements
created a stir and made the rulers realize that Indians would give anything for
freedom. Post independence, communal factions divided the nation and massacred innocents.
Boundaries were drawn and families were separated. A hasty unilateral decision
by our then PM to refer the war issue in J&K to the UN created a crises
whose brunt is being felt by generations in J&K and the region once a
heavenly abode is now in ruins and disarray. Politics took prominence over
reforms until a day came when economy could no longer sustain and we had to
open the doors to FDI. Political ineptitude, social inequality and economic
instability have led us on a downhill path.
Yet in all this melancholy, India shines. Innumerable cases
of courage and strength from the grass root level to the highest echelons of
our society have shown us shining examples of growth and success. Individuals
are succeeding in different walks of life and unsung heroes are found all
around us.
“The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many
dark places. But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands,
love is now mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater.”
- J.R.R.
Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings.
Bureaucratic and political interference have always delayed
procurement for armed forces be it combat aircraft, artillery guns, submarines,
other armaments and their spares; yet we have seen success in testing and deploying
indigenous designed aircraft carrier, ballistic missiles, satellites, etc.
Social revolution has been instrumental in bettering lives of people across the
spectrum, creating awareness for key issues and innovative methods to bring
about a change. We have witnessed unprecedented success in sports and
entertainment though lot more remains to be achieved. Engineering marvels like
the Kashmir Railway the war-torn and troubled J&K is the proof point that
we can make it happen if resolve is hard. We have always faced natural (ex: recent Uttarakhand
floods) and man-made (ex: 26/11 Mumbai attacks and bomb blasts in different
cities) calamities with a right spirit and overcome them.
Replace jingoism with realistic patriotism. Each one of us
has to believe in our India story.
Hope is the thing with feathers, That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all.”
- Emily Dickinson
So let us kindle the light of hope in our hearts for a
bright future.
