on the morning of independence day

So it's independence day once again. And for the first time ever I don't have anywhere to go. Not that I used to go every time in past occasions but I always had options. N sitting idly at home brings back memories. There was a time when we were all excited about going to school and shouting the national anthem at the top of our voice. And I can't help but wonder where that enthusiasm, that zeal has gone. Is the feeling of freedom has gone with growing child? Is Independence Day nothing but a mere holiday in our eyes now? Are we too ashamed to get up and go to a public flag hoisting? And the immediate answer that comes to the mind is “yes to all”.

Its not that it's totally our fault. To love someone an essential requirement is that it should love you back. And there are enough evidences that our country doesn't love us back. Of course it's the people who are responsible for such kind of situation and they should be blamed. But the blame thing does not work that way. We all know that when a child does something wrong his family is blamed no matter how good those people are.

So how are we supposed to love a country that does not give us equal opportunity in terms of education and jobs ,where you can be deprived of your birthright just because u were born in a certain family. How are we supposed to love a country which does not recognizes your accomplishments and let you come home in an auto rickshaw with world cup trophy in your hands(BTW that happened with the female kabbadi team). How can u love a country where there are no fair opportunities and favoritism and nepotism are the way of life? how can you love a country that's neck deep in corruption and when you want to get some work done you always get a reply like ‘ dena to parta hi hai ‘? And how can you love a country which lets u get slaughtered and displaced just because you are a minority and pose no threat to current stability of government?

Now of course asking questions isn't going to help anybody. What we can do and what we need to do is to show an acute love for the country and the threads that bind the peaceful and harmonious life. luckily I get to see one such instance here in Ranchi just a few days back. On a Friday (jumma) which incidentally or purposefully was also the janamashtami the fire of Assam riots reached Ranchi and a mob of sick bastard looted few shops of a certain community. The whole stage was set for a communal riot here in Ranchi too, but ever so vigilant Ranchi people proceeded with caution and thwarted what could have been a mood spoiler this independence day.

I know this as a matter of fact that societies don't change in a day. But it's also true that the intent needed for a drastic change is missing. There are a few who want change like the much hyped “youth” of India but I want to ask just one question to you- how many of you will marry without dowry. And because I've asked this question to a few of my friends the most common answer I get is that I will but my parents won't let me. And I ask you again is this not a lame excuse to satisfy your wants. Your parents don't want you to do a lot of stuff. For instance drinking, smoking, getting exposed to porn but then do you listen to them? These are drastic times and we need drastic measures, so defying your parents might be the right step now.

At last and after all this pessimistic tone I’d like to add that I know that India is changing. We are no doubt more liberal and to some extent more patriotic. I look forward to the day when India will be the guiding light to the world once again and will win a 100 medals in Olympic. I know that could take a lifetime. But hope is a wonderful thing. And to reach to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow we need hope something that we definitely have been lacking. So today on this 66th Independence Day I pledge to be a better and successful person because new shining India cannot afford one more burden on its chest. I hope you all are with me.

JAI HIND
Location: Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Comments

  1. Abhishek14 August 2012 at 22:30

    yes, our childhood memories of this day are vivid and reminisced by me too, but there is a reason of lack of interest in our "Independence Day" as we grow, which is "exposure to the truth" that we are not independent in d true sense of d word. Sensibility is searching for its own meaning today, thanx to our leaders, hence can't see the sense in celebrating. And yes, I take care not to make things worse, where I can't better them. Its the least I can do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. amit bhatt14 August 2012 at 23:12

      and its the least you should do. i know we are not truly independent.
      but as i've pointed out in the blog that societies doesnot change in a
      day. it'll take time and you and me together will be the anchor of the
      ship that'll take us to the horizon of opportunities

      Delete
  2. Abhishek14 August 2012 at 23:00

    u hv covered almost everything I could see... we r a country of corrupt officials and cunning leaders, where performance is preceded by caste and wealth; and citizens who r so sensible in acting but only when the fire reaches our homes but so condoning in preventing it from spreading in the beginning itself...and topping it all, truth is almost ever unheard and seems to get lost somewhere... while the lies rule us...
    hope is what holds us all together today...lets not lose it :)
    btw, gr8 writing Bhatta, expecting more from u soon :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. amit bhatt14 August 2012 at 23:15

      and thanks for appreciation
      and all my life i've been damn serious about the "pot of gold thing"
      so hope will see us through man
      JAI HIND

      Delete
  3. akhil15 August 2012 at 09:40

    I am a skeptic when it comes to India and the whole idea of India as a nation and this post in a way resonates what that side of me thinks .... but then, there are these rays of hope like the NGO that Nikhil posted on his blog about that make you feel good and patriotic for a change....

    although, the battle as far as making our India the greatest country in the world is concerned is uphill and it seems that we are fighting a losing battle, let's be more optimistic and hope for the best

    ReplyDelete
  4. Viswanath27 September 2013 at 23:59

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Viswanath28 September 2013 at 00:11

    Nice article man, loved it :)

    ReplyDelete

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