Happy Independence Day. Today, August 15, India celebrates its 71st Independence Day but turn 70 as a nation. I remember the times I was staying in the hostel, Independence Day was something we looked forward to as students for we were treated to sumptuous meal and mouth-watering Gulab Jamun. After all, Independence is all about celebrating our rich and unique cultural diversity, freedom of expression and the upholding of constitutional values as a nation.
It gives immense pride to be an Indian. But, at the same time, does it makes one a lesser Indian when we question events in the country that makes our democracy flounder. The idea of a secular nation tends to lose its sheen when we see fringe elements assaulting people in the name of the cow and when contrarian views are met with violence to nozzle our secular values and sense of nationhood.
Image credit: Google.
There is one thing that comes to the mind when I hark back to the Independence Day celebration in India. I remember that after the sumptuous meal at the hostel, I took a walk at Churchgate when I was struck by images of a mother squatting on the pavement with a baby crying as the child was breast-fed and of small children begging or selling miniature tricolor flags at traffic signals when they should be schooled. There was no smile on the faces but battered with deception.
Are we truly an independent country when our children are begging at the traffic signal or a mother wearing torn and shabby two piece saree is not able to afford a pack of milk for her baby? It hurts us as a nation at a time when we strive to become a first world country. Inclusiveness should not be restricted on religious or caste lines or for that matter, the over abused secularism by political parties or putting India on the world map in the quest to become a super economic power. It’s about beating poverty and bridge the great divide between Bharat and India. Isn’t it a human tragedy that after 70 years we are still reeling from colonial hang over where children are deprived of education along caste lines or a woman is subject to sexual violence? There is a need for equality between sexes, respecting a women individuality and not label her with names.
These are real issues that the country faces and of course, we need to get away with alienating our fellow citizens in J & K and North East. Being Indian is about oneness as a nation. There are so much that we have achieved right from economic liberation in the 90s to our rich cultural heritage and the celebration of life, like in the movies. One thing that I like about India? There are so many. First, our spirit of oneness when a tragedy strikes and we overcome religious or communal lines to become one. Independence Day is one such day. Why not make everyday a freedom day and shorn ourselves out of label we give to others.? We can and should grow together as a nation, irrespective of our ethnicity, class or communal leaning. Second, our democratic and secular values are still viewed as a model to the world and it is something that we should preserve. Third, we have always fought for what is right and the Nirbhaya mass protest is one example that seeped into our collective conscience.
On this Independence Day, I pray that we are able to overpower our differences and strive to make India a better nation every single day to preserve our values. Communal harmony, human dignity for every citizen irrespective of caste, class or gender, freedom of expression, removal of caste or class bias, inclusive economic growth, conquer infant mortality, combat poverty, strong laws against sexual crime, respect for women and the LGBT community. An inclusive nation is our strength.
Happy Independence Day
Jai Hind
V
Original link
Sign in to leave a comment.