A day of Hypocrisy...

It’s time again for us to show our full fledged hypocrisy, by playing patriotic songs in the entire morning and then wearing colourful dresses in the evening, visiting shopping malls, parks or restaurants. Yes, I am talking about 15^th August. This is the way every year we show our reverence for our country. Today I am compelled to write this article, as I think there is no other way I can express my contempt and wrath regarding this. I also participate in this occasion, but refuse to celebrate, as I find the entire thing very meaningless. Standing at this crucial juncture, when the very existence of democracy is threatened, the country is sinking deep into the problems of inflation, poverty, superstitions, gender bias, political turmoil, terrorism, communalism, corruption, unemployment and so on, I see no reason to feel that we are INDEPENDENT; no reason to celebrate this day either.

I raise a question: Is this the kind of nation, that Mahatma Gandhi wanted to build? Is this the country for which Subhas Chandra Bose sacrificed his self? Is this the same India which Tagore dreamt of making? This questions will forever be left unanswered, but will keep on haunting the minds of the people; at least some, if not all. A country, which once produced politicians like Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose, is now in dearth of a Leader, who can guide it through the hazards of existence. The ideals that were set on 15^th August, 1947 are long lost now and things have largely remained on paper. The dream of Gandhiji, that India shall be a country, where there shall be no room for communal violence and corruption, is now in tatters. The system of democracy is challenged and distorted in certain parts of the country, almost leading to a fascist form of government. This has become a nation, where the government forcefully takes away land from poor peasants, at the cost of their lives. People do not hesitate to slaughter his fellow beings. The very foundation of our system is rotten: education, politics, bureaucracy, health, employment; each and every field is filled with rampant corruption and widespread politics. The misuse of power has reached its nadir in the recent years.

I am sure this is not a time for us to rejoice, as we are not INDEPENDENT; we are in fetters, the fetters of foul politics. Our liberty and freedom have been carefully crushed and perished to the grounds….. This is not the nation, which was desired by Gandhi, Nehru and Tagore. We are to make it a better place… how??? Very simple, just remember the famous saying of Gandhi- “Be the Change that you wish to see…”