15th august - The Independence day

Three contemplations on India’s Independence Day — changing the way we look at women, fixing the education system and actively participating in its democracy.

Everytime I think of independent India, there is this picture of a little girl with Indian flag that comes to my mind. This little girl is one of those street kids we see everyday on road, near the worship places, work places or everywhere. Does she even know what freedom mean? Does her family know what Indianness is about (if there is something like that)? Makes me think what patriotism means to different sectors in the society.

I don’t see any point in ‘celebrating‘ Independence Day. This is a time to remind ourselves about our duties and responsibilities as citizens of this country, not to celebrate. Because we have a long way to go even after 60 years of independence.
India is going through the most crucial time in its history. On one side there is terrorism from outside and on the other, there are religious fundamentalist terrorists inside. Both of them are trying their best to divide the country. They spread hatred whenever it is possible. The Unity in Diversity is also facing a huge threat. The north-south division in India is quite visible. The north-east India already feels that they are being treated differently from the rest of India. A riot between Kannadigas and Tamilians is possible over an issue. Long time ago India’s diversity and pluralism was shown as its biggest power and now the very same thing is the biggest threat. We are on the verge of a civil war, that might happen tomorrow or in the next decade or in the next century.
Remember, even on August 15th, Mahatma Gandhi wasn’t celebrating the Independence Day, but he was walking fast towards the villages of Navkhali where the religious riots were taking place. That should remind us that Independence Day is a day to remind ourselves of our duties as the fellow citizens of this country and also to remember those known and unknown heroes of the freedom struggle who sacrificed their lives for their homeland. Herewith I am dedicating my version of Vande Mataram to those great souls in whose memory I bow my head in respect…