Wednesday, August 15, 2007

The Struggle .. Independence .. 60 years gone by


It has been 60 years of Independence. Some questions just pop up in my mind. Are we giving the people, who sacrificed their entire life for the present day India, the credit they deserve ? Or do we think it has been 60 years, let us move on and make our present India better ? The question we need to ask ourselves is "What does this Independence mean to me?". And when we realise how important it is that our country is independent, we will surely remember contribution of the selfless souls who fought hard for us.

Finally after their long and hard struggle, we got our independence. We are now responsible for what happens to fate of the entire country. Each and everything we do affects the entire country in one way or the other. That is why it becomes very important that we do things that are right for our own good and for others. With independence comes more responsibility. This happens to every one of us. When we have to stay alone at home with no one at home, you will be having the freedom to do anything we want, but that is when we need to act more responsibly because its easy to get distracted with the newly acquired freedom.

Let us take the case of a person just about to start his college life and stay in hostel. When he(or she) used to stay at home there were people either controlling or advising as to what is right and wrong. With them constantly having an eye on us, it is very difficult to commit any mistake. For some independence at that point of time would be to get away from their control. Some parents donot realise that some of their restrictions are illogical and follow the same since their own parents did that to them when they were kids. The generation now are the people who think beyond invisible boundaries and ask the question "why not ?". This is the time when we realise that some of their opinions are not correct. The parents do things for the good of their children but are blinded by tradition. These are the boundaries that people now want to break. The ones which we feel is right and they feel is wrong without any reason as to why it is wrong.

But once he enters into college life and has to stay in hostel, he at once experiences the new born freedom. It is a great feeling we can either use it in a right or wrong way. With no one to look after us, we are independent. Independent to do anything and with no one around to ask why/what we have done. The test of character creeps in with person's ability to control and realise what is good or bad. I have seen both kinds of people. One who just cross the boundaries with acquired freedom and those who exercise more self-control. It is all the matter of choice. This is freedom. Once we have it, the decision to choose what is appropriate is in our hands. When we use it well, we become more successful. When it is in wrong people's hands then it can turn out to be disaster.

What I wanted to say is that once we achieve freedom, it is not the end of the road. It is the beginning which is more difficult since we will have more responsibilities. Now that the freedom fighters have done their job of securing independence, we need to be more responsible. With every single thing you do, think whether it is good for you, for others. Don't be egoistical in thinking.

We must remember the efforts of the freedom fighters and also think about being a more responsible citizen to the country now that we are independent.

Make this day more relevant to you, that is how we can make it special. Even if the independence of the country does not mean anything to you, look at it from your point of view. What about me. Am I independent. Do I have the freedom to do things that are right. Am I being controlled by people. And if I am going to be independent what will I do with it. Even the people I mentioned starting their college life, only those who were mature enough to use the independence in proper way became more successful than they would have been without freedom.

Be more independent and responsible in your every day life.
As I am nearing the end of this blog, would like to mention one incident. Who says we youngsters are not patriotic ? Last week I entered into the theatre, suddenly 'National Anthem' composed by A.R. Rahman specially for this 60th year celebration was screened, the whole theatre almost full of youngsters stood up for it. People had a choice, they could still sit down when few of them who are really patriotic stand up. But it didnot happen. Everyone stood up. Every one senses emotional attachment to the nation in a different way, but the important thing is they are attached.

Dont sit back commenting on how bad the government is run or how bad the politicians are. If you think you can make it different then voice out your opinion. I am not suggesting you to start a movement or something. Do what you feel is right and expect how others should be. Only when we are right, we have every right to comment on other people.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world."
- Mahatma Gandhi
(1869 - 1948)
Happy Independence Day !!! Be Proud !!!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Well written!

It is important to be a good citizen before start complaining about the government. IMO, India is the greatest independent country in the world and of course the best democracy. With more than a 1 billion people, it is not easy for a country to improve at such a rapid space. Though you can argue that China is doing so, Indians are definitely happier than the Chinese.

Vigneshwar said...

The point made is really nice. but i really feel different about this

>>>Every one senses emotional attachment to the nation in a different way..

Many would have stood seeing others standing. And this would have went on like a chain reaction :)

To me Patriotism must come from the bottom of the heart.

Sharath said...

@ thyagu ..
You are right .. we are lot happier here in india than any ppl else where..

@vigneshwar ..
Even I felt like that ppl jus stood up bcos others stood :) .. but they had a choice .. I agree wid u also .. this happens in everything .. Just because others do it we also must do it .. That means ppl are not independent enuf to take their own decisions and stick to it .. what can we say abt them ? ..
Patriotism should surely come from heart.. But what I really meant was freedom means different to different ppl .. :)