Jashn-e-Swatantrata

So another Independence day and India turns 62. The focus isnt really on freedom this time. Too many 'important' things are going on in the nation for us to think about as cliched a thing as Freedom. Swine Flu, Economic meltdown and the recently concluded Rakhi Sawant ka Swayamwar.

Its been 62 years since the end of the Raj. For people who shed blood for Poorna Swaraj,15 August 1947 was the 'edelweisstic' moment of glory. In a typically Indian (and nowBollywood) way of hoping for the best from now on, and in that context it seems that moment of glory was just yesterday. We're still hoping for the best.

There have been great advances I must say. And like all the Independence days I shall refresh the short public memory that we have. For once, the world recognises India as a considerable economic and political force and not a pushover (Amazingly our neighbours think likewise as well), Cricket is not the only sport India excels in - Boxing, Shooting, Volleyvall are some of the other, Atlast we have a Prime Minister who is not bothered about some marxists but vouchs for atomic power instead, We have something indigenous on the moon (or atleast on its way) and many other significant things. Like every other Indian I am very proud of my nation nad love it, the way it is.

Though 62 years have passed, we as Indians or the Indian mindset has not really changed. We still curse eachother, we still spit on the roads, we cant drive in lanes (or as a matter of fact we believe blowing our horn more often improves mileage), we dont believe in the concept of queues ( or anything that bogs you down just like speed limits ) , we are extremely critical of things but dont do anything to make them better ( just like me ). But I think this is what makes us Indians that we are. And I bet people the world over are just the same, they just have a better method of comouflage.

But we have a knack of settling for almost everything that is average or infact less. Vying for whatever you can get has becomes inherent and sadly the limit of our wants. For instance, we still have to sit in darkness and go through power cuts, just like 20 years ago. We still dont have proper supply of water - again just like 2 decades back, we still dont have a professional Police force since I dont know when - forever ! , You still swear at a government official almost every time you have to get your work done, we absolutely dont have a public health system, we dont have more than 30% of the population as literate, we still have Political Parties that are contenders to run the country but dont even know the meaning of being Human... in all we still dont value our lives and live for mere basics and existence. Still, after 62 years of being free. The world's largest democracy has actually been a slave since all these years.

This, I think, puts us in a very strange position. Either we be like the Chinese - who think, or have been told to think, that the best way to live is the Chinese way. To not believe in god, to think they're a democratic country, to be gagged everytime you raise a voice. Its better that way, isnt it ? Without the hassle of taking decisions and 'thinking' and still be the world's largest growing economy, a potential superpower and have the right to veto.

Not very far away, in Pakistan, they too are 62 years old and to know they have the most skewed reality to face and still be proud of the fact that they belong to that nation is commendable. We Indians have a lesson or two to learn I guess. Maybe I can find out more about it when I visit Pakistan next month :D .

Anyways, as I said before, hoping for the best we've been living on. Let's see how far we go.
Dont forget to fly kites tomorrow.

Happy Independence Day.

National Anthem ( Plz stand when listening )