The Independence Day

Step outside and look around you today. Do you see little Indian flags all around the place? Do you see decorations in the colours of our national flag? Do you see people talking of the great freedom fighters? Do you see documentaries of India's great fight for freedom? Do you see people celebrating their country's freedom? Do you see politicians honouring the people who led India through her struggle? Do you hear them talking of the great deeds that were done and how we must strive hard to work our way through all trying and tough times? And all this only on August 15? What happens to all these emotions after the stroke of midnight on the August 15? Do they just disappear? Does it suddenly die inside the people?

I am reminded of excerpt from the book "India Past & Present" by Prakash Chander.

Early in 1947, Mahatma Gandhi met Lord Bevin, the personal emissary of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, in Delhi. Bevin is reported to have told the great man, '18 languages, 500 dialects, some 30 religions, a million Gods and Goddesses, 300 million individuals, an infinity of castes and sub castes and population (that is) practically illiterate and half of which are beggars or thieves...Good luck, sir! Such a nation is ungovernable! It'd take you centuries to get anywhere!'. Gandhiji wrapped his large, white shawl a little more closely around him, and modestly replied, 'India has an eternity before her..'

It may definitely not be an eternity since then but 62 long years have passed. Where does India lie today? What is the attitude of the Indians today? Back in 1947, when India did attain her freedom from tyrannous British Raj, the entire country stood together as one and rejoiced and basked in all its rich diverse glory. If all this was attained under the leadership of one simple and generous man, the Mahatma, who is still revered in our hearts, how is it that still more than half of our population does not abide by the principles set forth by him. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't it like throwing dirt on the person when we say that we respect and honour him and not follow/at least try to follow his example? Even while reaching out to people using documentaries and movies, are those feeling being practised in everyday life? All this colour and euphoria on this particular day alone is not going to get India to reach heights. The feeling of independence and the love for our country should be felt through every second of every single day. The want for our country to reach the top and to maintain its position there, we must all join hands together. We are still clinging on to the fact that India has developed a lot since her freedom. But is that enough? Aren't we, as the current generation, responsible for its further development? India may have been the fastest developing country since 1947, but she still hasn't joined the list of developed countries. With the current potential of our country's youth, and a change in the attitudes of the general population of Indians all over, India can definitely leave her mark forever.

I end this note hoping that each of us will come together and encourage one another to help in the progress of our country in the international level. Let this emotion that we share on every Independence day be with us through everyday so that the tricolour flag of our nation will fly high forever and ever more...