Exactly 63 years ago, our forefathers waited, fought and went to jail for this day - August 15th.
Today this is the day a lot of us wait for; but to take make that trip you have been waiting for or for that sleep you have been waiting to catch up upon.
I woke this morning just as puzzled as any young Indian to the significance of this day for India of twenty-first century. As members of the revered “Shining India” era, we often restrict the triumphs of our forefather’s to the History books or the backsides of our newspapers never appreciating the value of this ‘granted’ freedom and instead clamouring for a Tendulkar’ six or a bull run in the BSE. Patriotism has degenerated to singing national anthems in multiplexes and violent measures taken by so called “nationalist” elements in beating up night revelers.
The lines have blurred with the individual taking centre-stage in India as strikes and shut-outs every week are now to make demands to the government, not to seek justice. Petrol prices, Inflation and tax slabs strike up a louder chord than the abject poverty, farmer suicides and abuse of power. Pakistan-bashing or patronizing by celebrities in a dinner party sets the tone for their next successful film. The whim of an Imperial power has been replaced by two; both more obstinate as well as internal – Corruption and Ignorance.
As the heydays of India’s seasoned politicians end and the newer and supposedly “cleaner” ones take their place in our already despised ‘House of the people’, we have to ask ourselves; have we lost the spirit of a nation that fought together an Imperial giant? Have we simply become slaves to ourselves serving our unlimited appetite of desires? Like a ship being handed to its crew by a yard, we shoulder a great responsibility in where we steer ourselves towards. We can make a mess and hope the world cleans it up as a current analogy would suggest.
Apart from showing that he was a great orator on that fateful midnight, Nehru’s speech still holds true for Modern India though its contents still questions much of the vitals of this great nation as it slumbers ahead. He said:
“The future is not one of ease or resting but of incessant striving so that we may fulfill the pledges we have so often taken and the one we shall take today. The service of India means the service of the millions who suffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity.”
- Jawaharlal Nehru
Hence as students and as enlightened citizens, embolden yourself with well intended criticism and greater efforts in every field. Whether it is berating the Commonwealth Games or a Hawaldar beating up a street kid, your intervention or concern is appreciated. It could be your decision to return after accumulating your academia in far-off lands. In August 15th 1947, it was truly a tryst with destiny and not a date in a coffee shop! And this date deserves better and if nothing else, you have done this be being solemnly present here, this Sunday morning!
JAI HIND!
