As we celebrate our 65th Independence Day, we know that the oppressive rule of the British is well and truly behind us. And we have to be thankful to each and every well known as well as the countless anonymous people of this country who struggled tirelessly to ensure their children and grandchildren lived in a better India.
But in the current scenario would this still be significant? So then what would freedom mean in today's context I wondered?
In rural India,
are our farmers today free of the vagaries of nature and from the clutches of the money lenders?
are the hardworking womenfolk in our rural areas free from the domineering menfolk who take away all their earnings?
are they free from having to walk miles to get a couple of pots of water?
And in semi-urban and urban India,
do BPL families have the freedom to enjoy three healthy meals a day, a good education, and proper health care facilities?
has the nation progressed enough to stop begging on the streets?
have we done enough to free ourselves from the virus of corruption?
Yes - we are free from the foreign rule but unfortunately, we continue to be slaves. Of a different kind.
Slaves to our work.
To our money.
To the luxuries the money brings.
To the mall culture.
To the brands we like to wear.
To the notion that bigger is better - bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger holidays and bigger everything.
When will we gain independence from the corruption of the mind? Will we ever?
But in the current scenario would this still be significant? So then what would freedom mean in today's context I wondered?
In rural India,
are our farmers today free of the vagaries of nature and from the clutches of the money lenders?
are the hardworking womenfolk in our rural areas free from the domineering menfolk who take away all their earnings?
are they free from having to walk miles to get a couple of pots of water?
And in semi-urban and urban India,
do BPL families have the freedom to enjoy three healthy meals a day, a good education, and proper health care facilities?
has the nation progressed enough to stop begging on the streets?
have we done enough to free ourselves from the virus of corruption?
Yes - we are free from the foreign rule but unfortunately, we continue to be slaves. Of a different kind.
Slaves to our work.
To our money.
To the luxuries the money brings.
To the mall culture.
To the brands we like to wear.
To the notion that bigger is better - bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger holidays and bigger everything.
When will we gain independence from the corruption of the mind? Will we ever?
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